SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549


                                 FORM 8-K


                              CURRENT REPORT



                  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                     Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       ESB FINANCIAL CORPORATION
           ---------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)




        Pennsylvania                  0-19345                     25-1659846
- ----------------------------- --------------------------   -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission  File  Number)      (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                          Identification Number)




600 Lawrence Avenue
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania                                          16117
- ----------------------------------------                        ------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)










                              (724) 758-5584
                              --------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

ESB Financial Corporation
Form 8-K
Page 2



Item 5.   Other Events

     The information to be reported herein is incorporated by reference from
the press release, dated December 18, 2002, filed as Exhibit 99 to this Form
8-K.

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

               (a)  Not applicable.

               (b)  Not applicable.

               (c)  Exhibits.

                    99   Press release dated December 18, 2002.



ESB Financial Corporation
Form 8-K
Page 3

                                 SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                        ESB Financial Corporation
                                        -------------------------
                                             (Registrant)



Date: December 18, 2002              By:/s/ Charlotte A. Zuschlag
      -----------------                 -------------------------
                                     Charlotte A. Zuschlag
                                     President & Chief Executive Officer
                                     (Principal Executive Officer)