<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>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997     
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997     
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                34,245     
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                    0     
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                      0     
<EQUITIES>                                           1,041     
<MORTGAGE>                                           4,208     
<REAL-ESTATE>                                          370     
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                      42,562     
<CASH>                                               1,806     
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                       0     
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               2,367     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      96,001     
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                     17,837     
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    359     
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       3,294     
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                               18,761     
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      2,346     
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  865     
<PREFERRED>                                              0     
<COMMON>                                             3,644     
<OTHER-SE>                                           6,686     
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        96,001     
<PREMIUMS>                                          12,592     
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                  3,378     
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                     334     
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       2,236     
<BENEFITS>                                          12,852     
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                            218     
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                     0     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      1,511     
<INCOME-TAX>                                           610     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    901     
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0     
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0     
<CHANGES>                                                0     
<NET-INCOME>                                           901     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         5.67<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         5.60<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                           0     
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                      0     
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                        0     
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                       0     
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                         0     
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                          0     
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                  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>