<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. AT AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 20,720
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 250
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 549,270
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 2,819
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 2,853
<LOANS> 888,760<F1>
<ALLOWANCE> 12,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,579,995
<DEPOSITS> 664,682
<SHORT-TERM> 540,535
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 33,946
<LONG-TERM> 239,127
0
0
<COMMON> 87
<OTHER-SE> 101,618
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 1,579,995
<INTEREST-LOAN> 61,005
<INTEREST-INVEST> 30,844
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,972
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 93,821
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 24,812
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 61,771
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 32,050
<LOAN-LOSSES> 1,200
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 25,509
<INCOME-PRETAX> 11,875
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 11,875
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,186
<EPS-BASIC> 1.31
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.31
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 2.36
<LOANS-NON> 1,310
<LOANS-PAST> 0
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 556
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 12,016
<CHARGE-OFFS> 958
<RECOVERIES> 17
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 12,275
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 12,275
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 1,827
<FN>
<F1>LOANS HELD TO MATURITY
</FN>
</TABLE>