<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<CIK>                         0000054473
<NAME>                        KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1998                              
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           2,053,558<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                            130,216<F2>
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                              151,495<F2>
<EQUITIES>                                       106,104<F3>
<MORTGAGE>                                       273,767
<REAL-ESTATE>                                     85,209<F4>
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 2,779,358
<CASH>                                           118,215
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               111,080
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           216,321
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3,493,110
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  806,035
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                    42,251
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          2,693,801<F5>
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          23,121
<OTHER-SE>                                       518,916
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3,493,110
<PREMIUMS>                                        35,597
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                               49,042
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 2,527
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    29,619
<BENEFITS>                                        71,800
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        8,517
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               1,830<F6>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   13,221
<INCOME-TAX>                                       3,480
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                9,741
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       9,741
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       1.57
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                0
        

<FN>


<F1>Debt securities held for sale represent FASB 115 available for sale fixed
maturity securities reported on a current value basis, and do not include
trading securities or securities held to maturity.
<F2>Debt securities represent FASB 115 held to maturity fixed maturity 
securities, and do not include trading securities or securities available for
sale.
<F3>Equity securities include equity securities that are available for sale,
under FASB 115.
<F4>Real estate includes real estate joint ventures.
<F5>Policyholder funds include accumulated contract values as defined by FASB
97, dividend and coupon accumulations and other policyowner funds.
<F6>Underwriting expenses represent amortization of the value of purchased
insurance in force.

</FN>






</TABLE>