<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          23,154
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           7,804
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    630,314
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          67,965
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            68,237
<LOANS>                                        777,675
<ALLOWANCE>                                      7,482
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,647,880
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,089,294
<SHORT-TERM>                                   194,563
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             16,025
<LONG-TERM>                                    216,117
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            73
<OTHER-SE>                                     131,808
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,647,880
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 32,344
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               23,420
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,376
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                57,140
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              25,608
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,926
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           20,214
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,700
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 341
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  4,678
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,771
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,771
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,381
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.71
<LOANS-NON>                                      2,767
<LOANS-PAST>                                       112
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 6,202
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      437
<RECOVERIES>                                        17
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,482
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,482
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0