<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           7
<LEGEND>            THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
                    INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FOR CONSECO,
                    INC. DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
                    ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
                    STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                       DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                22,773,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                        0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                          0
<EQUITIES>                                                             228,900
<MORTGAGE>                                                           1,074,800 <F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                      26,961,200
<CASH>                                                                       0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                     849,100
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                               3,381,600 <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      35,914,800
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                     23,142,400
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                    406,100
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                       1,303,900
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                  364,900
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                      1,906,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                1,383,900
<PREFERRED>                                                            115,800
<COMMON>                                                             2,382,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                           1,392,300 <F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        35,914,800
<PREMIUMS>                                                           3,410,800
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                  1,825,300
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                     266,500
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                          65,800
<BENEFITS>                                                           3,175,000 <F4>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                            548,000 <F5>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                   577,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      1,003,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           376,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    626,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         (6,900)
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           567,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             2.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             2.64
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                               0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                          0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                            0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                           0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                             0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                              0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                      0

<FN>
  <F1>  Includes $558,600 of credit-tenant loans.
  <F2>  Includes $2,466,400 of cost of policies purchased.
  <F3>  Includes retained earnings of $1,210,300, and other comprehensive income
        of $182,000.
  <F4>  Includes insurance  policy  benefits  of  $2,185,700,  change  in future
        policy benefits of $182,600 and amounts  added  to annuity and financial
        product policyholder account balances of $806,700.
  <F5>  Includes amortization of cost of policies purchased of $261,800 and cost
        of policies produced of $105,000 and amortization  related  to  realized
        gains of $181,200.
</FN>


</TABLE>