<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          34,319
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          46,474
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    616,831
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          72,426
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            70,180
<LOANS>                                        692,944
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,122
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,578,969
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,018,677
<SHORT-TERM>                                    34,509
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             14,363
<LONG-TERM>                                    383,568
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               73
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     127,779
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,578,969
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 26,902
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               22,161
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,462
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                50,525
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              21,749
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,196
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           18,329
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      372
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 627
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,850
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,515
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,515
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.73
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,905
<LOANS-PAST>                                       252
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,217
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,219
<RECOVERIES>                                        74
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,122
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,122
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0