WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000808490
<NAME> VARIABLE INVESTORS SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 5
   <NAME> U.S. GOVERNMENT BOND PORTFOLIO
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            12450
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           12256
<RECEIVABLES>                                      191
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                           250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           45
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         11791
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<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         (193)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           (435)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            791
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<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               36
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.12
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.36
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.85
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING]                               0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE]                                 0


</TABLE>