<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from statements
of financial position at September 30, 1998; Statements of Operations three 
months ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997 and nine months ended
September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997; and statements of cash flows nine
months ended September 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000910739
<NAME>                                         Lincoln Benefit Life Company
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           160,548
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            0
<EQUITIES>                                     0
<MORTGAGE>                                     0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 163,601
<CASH>                                         4,691
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             6,995,730
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 7,817,567
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                6,985,154
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       2,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     157,290
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   7,817,567
<PREMIUMS>                                     0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            7,796
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             31
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 0
<BENEFITS>                                     0
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                7,827
<INCOME-TAX>                                   2,786
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            5,041
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   5,041
<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>