<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 for Aetna Inc. and is qualified in its entiresty by reference
to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             JUN-30-1997             MAR-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            32,612                  31,634                  31,111                  32,336
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0                       0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0                       0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                       1,402                   1,393                   1,327                   1,333
<MORTGAGE>                                       6,014                   6,322                   6,468                   6,701
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      533                     637                     679                     850
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  43,314                  42,553                  41,991                  43,486
<CASH>                                           1,333                   1,617                   1,606                   1,463
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0                       0                       0                       0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,373                   2,373                   2,305                   2,227
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  99,147                  95,700                  91,813                  92,913
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 18,115                  18,041                  17,865                  17,783
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                199                     188                     191                     334
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   3,263                   3,100                   3,055                   3,029
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           18,939                  19,033                  19,064                  19,902
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  2,374                   2,376                   2,376                   2,380
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              865                     865                     865                     865
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         3,862                   3,997                   4,012                   4,033
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,636                   6,426                   6,031                   5,992
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    99,147                  95,700                  91,813                  92,913
<PREMIUMS>                                       9,418                   6,266                   3,087                   9,326
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              2,506                   1,687                     840                   3,565
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 130                      36                       2                     134
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,694                   1,126                     558                   2,175
<BENEFITS>                                       9,684                   6,366                   3,157                  10,379
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        159                     101                      45                     160
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,069                     858                     488                     339
<INCOME-TAX>                                       442                     349                     209                     134
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                627                     509                     279                     205
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                     446
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       627                     509                     279                     651
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.91                    3.21                    1.77                    4.77
<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.86                    3.15                    1.72                    4.72
<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                       0                       0                       0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0                       0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0                       0                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0                       0                       0
<FN>
<F1>The EPS-Primary tag represents basic EPS under SFAS 128.
<F2>The EPS-Diluted tag represents diluted EPS under SFAS 128.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>