<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 FORM 10-Q OF THE ERIE FAMILY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000033416
<NAME> ERIE FAMILY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
       
<S>                             <C>                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       459,652,931                       
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       
<EQUITIES>                                 131,624,985                       
<MORTGAGE>                                   8,208,769                       
<REAL-ESTATE>                                1,731,595                       
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             612,307,900                       
<CASH>                                      13,021,989                      
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             108,471                       
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      56,037,435                       
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             701,446,054                       
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            542,686,585                       
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            174,997                       
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 771,907                       
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        2,941,967                       
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                       
<COMMON>                                     4,410,000                       
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       
<OTHER-SE>                                 115,723,505                       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               701,446,054                       
<PREMIUMS>                                  22,833,358               
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         34,297,482               
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           1,671,027               
<OTHER-INCOME>                               1,423,054               
<BENEFITS>                                  31,933,015               
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  2,072,515               
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         8,782,388               
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             17,437,003               
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,804,800               
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         11,632,203               
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0               
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       
<CHANGES>                                            0               
<NET-INCOME>                                11,632,203               
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23               
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23               
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0               
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0               
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0               
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0               
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0               
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0               
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0               
<FN>
All per share data has been restated to reflect the common stock split approved
be the Company's stockholders on May 1, 1996.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>