<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          77,993
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                28,163
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    201,325
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          26,809
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        791,019
<ALLOWANCE>                                     89,371
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,369,761
<DEPOSITS>                                     407,768
<SHORT-TERM>                                   658,042
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             19,937
<LONG-TERM>                                    184,245
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     27,500
<COMMON>                                        55,897
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,372
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,369,761
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 59,950
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               15,506
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                75,456
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              20,008
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              59,036
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           16,420
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      926
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,053
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 40,988
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,223
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      21,223
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,242
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                     77,836
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                27,997
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 10,637
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                37,555
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   19,419
<RECOVERIES>                                       982
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               89,371
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            89,371
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>