<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>


<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM C.M. LIFE'S
MARCH 31, 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 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.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000883232
<NAME> C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           694,734
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      68,925
<MORTGAGE>                                     101,710
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,072,071
<CASH>                                          52,431
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              31,043
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,350,831
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                953,624
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   5,436
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          959,060
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,368
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,350,831
<PREMIUMS>                                      85,892
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             18,542
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 (9)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 (2,647)
<BENEFITS>                                      63,902
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            25,988
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,896
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,539
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,357
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,348
<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
        

</TABLE>