<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FILER'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000702904
<NAME> AMBANC CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          26,409
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             590
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 5,875
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         170,249
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           170,724
<LOANS>                                        494,467
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,630
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 718,754
<DEPOSITS>                                     633,458
<SHORT-TERM>                                     5,286
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,518
<LONG-TERM>                                      2,309
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        33,142
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,041
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 718,754
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 42,560
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               10,614
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   748
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                54,311
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              26,761
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,288
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           27,023
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,366
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  28
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 17,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,248
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,248
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,966
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.40
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.30
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,421
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,313
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 3,089
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,022
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,266
<RECOVERIES>                                       508
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,630
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,081
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,549