<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONWIDE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        14,167,377
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      33,718
<MORTGAGE>                                   4,786,599
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  239,089
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              19,710,703
<CASH>                                          56,217
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             621,951
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       1,094,195
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              40,614,111
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             18,200,128
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 353,554
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           71,155
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                         3,815
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,664,697
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                40,614,111
<PREMIUMS>                                     784,615
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,482,980
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 836
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   1,656,287
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     93,044
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           458,970
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                319,732
<INCOME-TAX>                                   107,254
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            212,478
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   212,478
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 199,237
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            425,907
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (17,203)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             290,605
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               111,353
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                208,525
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
The amounts presented above related to the liability for unpaid claims and
claim adjustment expenses represent amounts for Nationwide Life Insurance
Company and its insurance subsidiaries as included in note 6 to the
consolidated financial statements in accordance with the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 94-5, Disclosures of Certain
Matters in the Financial Statements of Insurance Enterprises.
        

</TABLE>