<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DIME BANCORP
INC.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         163,450
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           4,837
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                30,987
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,166,733
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       4,015,006
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         3,939,578
<LOANS>                                     11,822,610
<ALLOWANCE>                                    101,026
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,087,176
<DEPOSITS>                                  13,335,199
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,309,923
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            192,405
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,190,361
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,083
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,058,205
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              20,087,176
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                419,559
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              228,209
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                16,071
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               663,839
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             272,087
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             427,469
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          236,370
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   33,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,692
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                161,173
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 99,038
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      99,038
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,688
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.52
<LOANS-NON>                                    103,141
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                               188,783
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               106,495
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   56,095
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,377
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              101,026
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           101,026
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0