<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, 1996 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                        DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 13,776,872 
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                         0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                           0
<EQUITIES>                                              104,012
<MORTGAGE>                                            1,706,191
<REAL-ESTATE>                                            99,507
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                       17,938,686
<CASH>                                                  852,124
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                            0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  784,903
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       25,987,756
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                      14,402,792
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                         0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                       1,004,585
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                             335,869
<COMMON>                                                119,910
<OTHER-SE>                                            1,247,341
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         25,987,756
<PREMIUMS>                                                    0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                     339,743
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                      (9,304)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                           60,862
<BENEFITS>                                              196,074
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                              30,410
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                    (9,003)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         114,768
<INCOME-TAX>                                             34,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      80,368
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             80,368
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              0.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              0.58
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                               0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       0
        



</TABLE>