<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. AT AND FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          14,130
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          39,410
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     32,620
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          36,426
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            36,536
<LOANS>                                        796,355<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                      8,788
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 979,736
<DEPOSITS>                                     723,976
<SHORT-TERM>                                    46,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             22,544
<LONG-TERM>                                     65,062
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,067
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 979,736
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 57,941
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                3,763
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   555
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                62,259
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              30,277
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,497
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           23,762
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    3,750
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  51
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 27,305
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,879)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     (2,879)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,430)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.53
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,662
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,464
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,607
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      637
<RECOVERIES>                                        68
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                8,788
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             8,788
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,697
<FN>
<F1>
LOANS HELD TO MATURITY 
</FN>
        

</TABLE>