<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DIME
BANCORP, INC.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         142,433
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           5,744
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                13,094
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,283,937
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       4,141,955
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         4,045,250
<LOANS>                                     11,014,148
<ALLOWANCE>                                    103,223
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,464,786
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,849,906
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,500,448
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            166,210
<LONG-TERM>                                    894,518
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,083
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,052,621
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              18,464,786
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                203,640
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              113,206
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 8,025
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               324,871
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             133,175
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             207,598
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          117,273
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   10,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,009
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 80,635
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,243
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      54,243
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,916
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.51
<LOANS-NON>                                    182,645
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                               204,461
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               106,495
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   15,207
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,935
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              103,223
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           103,223
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>