<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000808490
<NAME> VARIABLE INVESTORS SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 5
   <NAME> MULTIPLE STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        26483888
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2190519
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          2110269
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        10013
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       2115878
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (526172)
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                           10.022
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  0.137
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</TABLE>