<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  7
<LEGEND>                                                          
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF SUNAMERICA INC.'S FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
<S>                                  <C>         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 18,084,215 
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                         0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                           0
<EQUITIES>                                               91,011
<MORTGAGE>                                            3,090,069
<REAL-ESTATE>                                            53,054
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                       24,347,479
<CASH>                                                1,163,180
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                            0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                1,121,847
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       35,958,746
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                      19,934,421
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                         0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                       1,236,181
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                             248,000
<COMMON>                                                195,083
<OTHER-SE>                                            2,274,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         35,958,746
<PREMIUMS>                                                    0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                     478,366
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                        3,194
<OTHER-INCOME>                                          100,822
<BENEFITS>                                              280,213
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                              55,468
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                          0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         169,339
<INCOME-TAX>                                             45,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     123,639
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            123,639
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              0.56
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                               0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       0
        



</TABLE>