<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 entirety 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-31-1996             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             JUN-30-1996             MAR-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            30,956                  29,828                  30,345                  31,860
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0                       0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0                       0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                       1,235                   1,225                     929                     660
<MORTGAGE>                                       7,172                   7,493                   7,948                   8,327
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,101                   1,211                   1,302                   1,277
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  42,435                  42,845                  42,490                  44,050
<CASH>                                           2,159                   4,254                   1,559                   1,713
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0                       0                       0                       0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,141                   2,078                   2,007                   1,953
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  91,540                  84,717                  84,102                  84,324
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 17,150                  17,152                  17,293                  17,232
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                217                     245                     159                     142
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   3,136                   2,583                   2,646                   2,704
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           20,483                  20,711                  21,703                  22,899
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  2,382                     987                     986                     989
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              865                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         4,104                   1,500                   1,474                   1,448
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,943                   5,842                   5,554                   5,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    91,540                  84,717                  84,102                  84,324
<PREMIUMS>                                       6,328                   3,606                   1,878                   7,493
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              2,678                   1,780                     886                   3,575
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  74                      66                      62                      47
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,625                   1,066                     518                   1,924
<BENEFITS>                                       7,242                   4,348                   2,271                   9,089
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        124                      75                      37                     139
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    487                     282                     246                     726
<INCOME-TAX>                                       175                      92                      81                     252
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                312                     190                     166                     474
<DISCONTINUED>                                     446                     446                     182                   (222)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       758                     636                     348                     252
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     5.98                    5.52                    3.03                    2.22
<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.91                    5.47                    2.99                    2.20
<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                       0                       0                  11,144
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                       0                       0                   3,099
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0                       0                   1,134
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0                       0                   1,092
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0                       0                   2,540
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0                       0                  11,745
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0                       0                 (1,134)
<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>