<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          18,463
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           6,488
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    576,784
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          73,753
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            72,443
<LOANS>                                        634,813
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,060
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,409,316
<DEPOSITS>                                     894,465
<SHORT-TERM>                                    21,500
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             10,450
<LONG-TERM>                                    356,991
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            73
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,409,316
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 13,265
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               10,910
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   659
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                24,834
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              10,759
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,884
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            8,950
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      261
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 476
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  1,814
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,884
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       3,884
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,157
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.27
<LOANS-NON>                                      4,335
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,217
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      473
<RECOVERIES>                                        55
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,060
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             5,060
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0