<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           7
<CIK>                              0000054473
<NAME>Kansas City Life Insurance Company 
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                             2,004,516<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              145,661<F2>
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                151,661<F2>
<EQUITIES>                                         114,986<F3>
<MORTGAGE>                                         270,054
<REAL-ESTATE>                                       80,111<F4>
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                   2,746,014
<CASH>                                             125,268
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                  99,593
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             209,826
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,439,452
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                    803,738
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                      0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      37,569
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            1,886,050<F5>
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            23,121 
<OTHER-SE>                                         507,473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,439,452
<PREMIUMS>                                         150,982
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                193,696
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  14,505
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     103,711
<BENEFITS>                                         273,178
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                         35,712
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 4,894<F6>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     62,623
<INCOME-TAX>                                        17,762
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 44,861
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0   
<NET-INCOME>                                        44,861
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         7.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         7.25
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                           0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                      0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                        0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                         0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                          0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                  0
        


<FN>


   Footnotes:

<F1> Debt  securities held for sale represent FASB 115 available for sale fixed
     maturity  securities reported on a current value basis, and do not include
     trading securities or securities held to maturity.

<F2> Debt  securities  represent  FASB  115  held to  maturity  fixed  maturity
     securities,  and do not include trading securities or securities available
      for sale.

<F3> Equity  securities  include equity  securities that are available for sale
     under FASB 115.

<F4> Real estate includes real estate joint ventures.

<F5> Policyholder funds include accumulated  contract values as defined by FASB
     97, dividend and coupon accumulations and other policyowner funds.

<F6> Underwriting  expenses  - other  represent  amortization  of the  value of
     purchased insurance in force.

</FN>



</TABLE>