<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          13,357
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               152,137
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    226,348
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         166,996
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           170,127
<LOANS>                                        670,865
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,461
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,263,155
<DEPOSITS>                                     781,301
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             14,815
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       342,921
<OTHER-SE>                                     124,118
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,263,155
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 13,254
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                6,255
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 2,089
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                21,598
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               7,507
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,507
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           14,091
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       75
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  7,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,293
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,293
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,711
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.15
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.58
<LOANS-NON>                                      4,856
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,822
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 6,398
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       22
<RECOVERIES>                                         9
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,461
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,461
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0