<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 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          20,185
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               197,299
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    150,316
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         205,853
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           211,335
<LOANS>                                        644,369
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,261
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,249,226
<DEPOSITS>                                     769,628
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             17,133
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     462,465
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,249,226
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 39,774
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               17,891
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 6,242
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                63,907
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              27,095
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,978
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           35,929
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 253
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 30,971
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,265
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       6,265
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,143
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.22
<LOANS-NON>                                      5,633
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,924
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,982
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      241
<RECOVERIES>                                        20
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,261
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,261
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0