<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP. AS OF AND
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000707886
<NAME> UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          11,419
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                14,192
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    110,254
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         244,751
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           249,802
<LOANS>                                        635,295
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,176
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,049,459
<DEPOSITS>                                     888,499
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             16,840
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,049,459
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 13,073
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                6,180
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   425
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                19,678
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               9,556
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,556
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           10,122
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      250
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  13
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  6,095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,155
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,155
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,701
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.96
<LOANS-NON>                                      8,225
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   581
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,982
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                     (60)
<RECOVERIES>                                         4
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,176
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,176
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0