<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDIAN CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                  JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                          11,863<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                         0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                           0
<EQUITIES>                                                    0
<MORTGAGE>                                                    5,159<F2>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                 53<F3>
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                18,114
<CASH>                                                        606
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                            0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                        1,482
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                25,525
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                               9,636<F4>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                         7,159
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                               573
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   100
<COMMON>                                                      95
<OTHER-SE>                                                    2,733<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                  25,525
<PREMIUMS>                                                    595
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                           680
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                            3
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                39
<BENEFITS>                                                    807<F6>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                   116<F7>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                          194<F8>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               171
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  50
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           118
<DISCONTINUED>                                                79
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  197
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                               0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       0
<FN>
<F1>Includes Equity securities of $588.
<F2>Includes Commercial and Residential mortgage loans.
<F3>Included in Other investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition.
<F4>Includes Benefit reserves and other policy liabilities and individual
 annuity reserves.
<F5>Includes Additional paid-in capital, Net unrealized investment gain,
 Retained earnings.
<F6>Includes Benefits and claims and Increase in benefit and contract reserves.
<F7>Includes Amortization of deferred policy  acquistion costs, value of
insurance in force purchased and goodwill.
<F8>Includes Commissions, net and General, administrative, merger expenses
 and other expenses, net.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>