<ARTICLE>                                                    9
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED
FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER  ENDED JUNE  30, 1999 OF AMBANC  HOLDING CO.,
INC. AND ITS  SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000

                                                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                    JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                                  12825
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   1114
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         4900
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            235610
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                        0
<LOANS>                                                434750
<ALLOWANCE>                                              5352
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         713729
<DEPOSITS>                                             460166
<SHORT-TERM>                                             8000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                     11700
<LONG-TERM>                                            151188
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                   54
<OTHER-SE>                                              82621
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         713729
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                         15620
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                        7658
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                          643
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        23921
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                       8402
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      13022
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                   10899
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                             495
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                          0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                          7582
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          3684
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                               3684
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                             2127
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.42
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                           3.15
<LOANS-NON>                                              2232
<LOANS-PAST>                                              302
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                          652
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          2697
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         4891
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                             155
<RECOVERIES>                                              121
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        5352
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     5352
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                     0