<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR CHESTER BANCORP INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,833
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           3,063
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 6,395
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     21,350
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          37,378
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                         60,468
<ALLOWANCE>                                          0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 133,777
<DEPOSITS>                                      95,362
<SHORT-TERM>                                     8,380
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,046
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        21,788
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 133,777
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  6,090
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,554
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   538
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 9,182
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,300
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,647
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,535
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       98
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  16
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,835
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,822
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,310
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67
<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