SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           ---------------------------

         Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 17, 1997




                          ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




         DELAWARE                   0-22228                      11-3170868
     (State or other            Commission File                (IRS Employer   
     jurisdiction of                Number)                 Identification No.)
      incorporation)



          ONE ASTORIA FEDERAL PLAZA, LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK 11042-1085
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 327-3000




                                      NONE
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4, 6, 8 & 9.        NOT APPLICABLE

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On July 17, 1997, Astoria Financial Corporation issued a press release
announcing results of operations for the three month and six month periods ended
June 30, 1997.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)      Financial statements of businesses acquired.

                  Not applicable.

         (b)      Pro forma financial information.

                  Not applicable.

         (c)      Exhibits.   The following Exhibits are filed as part of this 
                  report:


    EXHIBIT NO.                     DESCRIPTION
    -----------                     -----------
        99.1                Press Release issued July 17, 1997



                                        1





                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                  By: /s/ George L. Engelke, Jr.
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      George L. Engelke, Jr.
                                      Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                        Executive Officer


Dated: July 17, 1997


                                        2





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




    EXHIBIT NO.                     DESCRIPTION
    -----------                     -----------
      99.1            Press Release issued July 17, 1997










                                        3