<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>             7
<LEGEND>              THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR BANKERS LIFE HOLDING
                      CORPORATION, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS
                      QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                                     SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                               3,204,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                                      0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                                        0
<EQUITIES>                                                                                 0
<MORTGAGE>                                                                           111,600   <F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                              0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                                     3,638,800
<CASH>                                                                                     0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                                    34,700
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                               867,500   <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     5,033,300
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                                    2,850,900
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                                  202,400
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                                       189,300
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                                132,100
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                                      418,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                0
<COMMON>                                                                             734,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                                           279,700   <F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       5,033,300
<PREMIUMS>                                                                           961,800
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                                  191,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                                     4,500   <F4>
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                                        13,000   <F5>
<BENEFITS>                                                                           776,000   <F6>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                           88,000   <F7>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                                 115,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      166,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          62,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  104,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                      (10,100)
<CHANGES>                                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          94,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                           1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                           1.91
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                                             0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                                        0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                                          0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                                         0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                                           0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                                            0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                                    0

<FN>
  <F1>  Includes $106,900 of credit-tenant loans.
  <F2>  Includes $532,100 of cost of policies purchased.
  <F3>  Includes retained earnings of $307,000, offset by net
          unrealized depreciation of securities of $27,300.
  <F4>  Includes net realized gains of $5,900 and a net trading loss of $1,400.
  <F5>  Includes restructuring income of $16,000 and other losses of $3,000.
  <F6>  Includes insurance policy benefits of $715,200 and interest expense on
          annuities and financial products of $60,800.
  <F7>    Includes  amortization  of cost of policies  purchased  of $41,300 and
          cost of  policies  produced  of $41,100  and  amortization  related to
          realized gains of $5,600.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>