<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000793169
<NAME> EASTERN BANCORP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          32,567
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         580,823
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      9,901
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         269,414
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           260,817
<LOANS>                                        486,932
<ALLOWANCE>                                      2,828
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 865,818
<DEPOSITS>                                     639,642
<SHORT-TERM>                                    26,113
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,976
<LONG-TERM>                                    127,150
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            41
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,687
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 865,818
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 11,000
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                4,909
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                15,909
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               5,744
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,025
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,884
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       50
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  7,894
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,393
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,483
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,483
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.38
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.03
<LOANS-NON>                                      5,192
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 6,403
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  1,056
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 2,906
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      160
<RECOVERIES>                                        32
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                2,828
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,828
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0