<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHESTER BANCORP, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,350
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,912
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 4,410
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     21,451
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          37,028
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                         59,610
<ALLOWANCE>                                        399
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 131,994
<DEPOSITS>                                      94,754
<SHORT-TERM>                                     6,490
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,319
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,431
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 131,994
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  3,703
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,803
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   415
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 6,921
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               3,238
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,507
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            3,414
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       59
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  20
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,316
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,224
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       902
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0