<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM C.M. LIFE'S
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000883232
<NAME> C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           705,785<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      55,494
<MORTGAGE>                                      87,590
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 997,611
<CASH>                                          78,980
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,979
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,189,931
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                928,818
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   6,138
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        1,101,615
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,698
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,189,931
<PREMIUMS>                                     233,038
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             53,977
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 330
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 (1,593)
<BENEFITS>                                     200,664
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            53,458
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,459
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,171
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,171
<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
<FN>
<F1> C.M. LIFE'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN CONFORMITY WITH
ACCOUNTING PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE
COMMISSIONERS AS PRESCRIBED OR PERMITTED BY THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT OF THE
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, UNDER THESE ACCOUNTING PRACTICES, FIXED MATURITIES
ELIGIBLE FOR AMORTIZATION ARE REPORTED AT AMORTIZED COST.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>