<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 1996 (Unaudited) and the
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
1996 (Unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000916484
<NAME> GREAT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 20,212
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 27,349
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 604,267
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 2,079,833
<ALLOWANCE> 13,228
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,830,684
<DEPOSITS> 1,757,907
<SHORT-TERM> 274,956
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 39,791
<LONG-TERM> 484,653
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 0
<COMMON> 165
<OTHER-SE> 273,212
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 2,830,684
<INTEREST-LOAN> 116,572
<INTEREST-INVEST> 28,621
<INTEREST-OTHER> 681
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 145,874
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 59,421
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 89,530
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 56,344
<LOAN-LOSSES> 1,911
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 369
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 61,654
<INCOME-PRETAX> 19,698
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 12,605
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,605
<EPS-PRIMARY> .88
<EPS-DILUTED> .88
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.08
<LOANS-NON> 7,322
<LOANS-PAST> 79,662 <F1>
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 2,003
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 727 <F2>
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 11,821
<CHARGE-OFFS> 1,057
<RECOVERIES> 53
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 13,228
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 13,228
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
<FN>
<F1> ACCRUING LOANS 90 DAYS OR MORE PAST DUE TOTALING $79,662 INCLUDES FHA/VA
LOANS WITH LIMITED CREDIT RISK TOTALING $74,282. MOST OF GREAT FINANCIAL
CORPORATION'S INVESTMENT IN THESE LOANS IS RECOVERABLE THROUGH CLAIMS MADE
AGAINST THE FHA OR VA SUBJECT TO THE RISKS OF RECOVERY.
<F2> OTHER PROBLEM LOANS CONSIST OF THOSE LOANS CLASSIFIED AS SUBSTANDARD,
DOUBTFUL OR LOSS UNDER OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION REGULATIONS AND WHICH
ARE NOT REPORTED AS NONACCRUAL, ACCRUING 90 DAYS OR MORE PAST DUE, OR
RESTRUCTURED.
</FN>