<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
       
<S>                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     10,908,545    <F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                    0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                      0
<EQUITIES>                               0
<MORTGAGE>                               5,756,772     <F2>
<REAL-ESTATE>                            67,303        <F3>
<TOTAL-INVEST>                           20,562,281
<CASH>                                   845,661
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                       0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                   1,493,266
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           26,347,980    <F4>
<POLICY-LOSSES>                          9,904,007     <F5>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                      0
<POLICY-OTHER>                           0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                    7,222,822
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                          699,313
<COMMON>                                 115,325
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              100,000       <F6>
<OTHER-SE>                               2,643,128     <F7>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             26,347,980    <F8>
<PREMIUMS>                               902,874
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      1,394,822
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                      (69,555)
<OTHER-INCOME>                           287,517       <F9>
<BENEFITS>                               1,331,239     <F10>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>              186,877       <F11>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                     560,078       <F12>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          355,349
<INCOME-TAX>                             108,391
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      242,632
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                             242,632
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            2.52
<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 $448,728.
<F2>Includes Commercial and Residential mortgage loans.
<F3>Included in Other investments in the Consolidated Statements of 
Financial Condition.
<F4>Includes Consumer Loans of $2,678,235.
<F5>Includes Benefit reserves and other policy liabilities.
<F6>Consists of Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock issued 
by subsidiary.
<F7>Includes Additional paid-in capital, Net unrealized investment gain, 
Retained earnings, Common stock held in treasury and Unearned 
restricted stock.
<F8>Includes Savings Deposits of $1,714,336.
<F9>Includes Consumer loan servicing fees of $175,700.
<F10>Includes Benefits and claims and Increase in benefit and 
contract reserves.
<F11>Includes Amortization of deferred policy and loan acquistion costs, 
value of insurance in force purchased and goodwill.
<F12>Includes Commissions, net and General, administrative and other 
expenses, net.
</FN>