<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000808490
<NAME> VARIABLE INVESTORS SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 08
   <NAME> SMALL CAP GROWTH PORFOLIO
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              860
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                         (154)
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   18
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (5)
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<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
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</TABLE>