<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>
<CIK> 0001010838
<NAME> CHESTER BANCORP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,733
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          12,234
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                11,495
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     12,284
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            45,192
<LOANS>                                         56,519
<ALLOWANCE>                                        446
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,271
<DEPOSITS>                                      94,966
<SHORT-TERM>                                    19,380
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,233
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
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<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                      26,670
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 142,271
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  1,256
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  817
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   231
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 2,304
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               1,047
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,214
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            1,091
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       12
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                    678
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    456
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       321
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
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<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0