<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>         7
<LEGEND>          THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
                  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR AMERICAN
                  LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.  DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND
                  IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
                  SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>      1,000
       
<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                       SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                 4,940,300
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                        0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                          0
<EQUITIES>                                                              12,800
<MORTGAGE>                                                              84,400 <F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                       5,217,300
<CASH>                                                                       0 <F2>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                           0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                 437,300 <F3>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       6,243,100
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                      5,177,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                          0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                           4,400
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                   97,200
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                        171,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                             72,900
<COMMON>                                                               344,800
<OTHER-SE>                                                              49,000 <F4>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         6,243,100
<PREMIUMS>                                                              33,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                    306,400
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                       9,900 <F5>
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                           3,900
<BENEFITS>                                                             202,100 <F6>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                             34,200 <F7>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                    18,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         61,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            23,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     37,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           (800)
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            30,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                               0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                          0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                            0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                           0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                             0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                              0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                      0



<PAGE>



<FN>
  <F1>  Includes $25,300 of credit-tenant loans.
  <F2>  Cash and cash  equivalents  are  classified as  short-term  investments,
        which are included in total investments.
  <F3>  Includes $382,700 of cost of policies purchased.
  <F4>  Includes retained earnings of $34,700 and net unrealized appreciation
        of securities of $14,300.
  <F5>  Includes net realized gains of $9,800 and net trading income of $100.
  <F6>  Includes insurance policy benefits of $18,100, change in future policy
        benefits of $(200) and interest expense on annuities and financial products
        of $184,200.
  <F7>  Includes  amortization of cost of policies purchased of $24,800 and cost
        of  policies  produced  of $4,600 and  amortization  related to realized
        gains of $4,800.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>