<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           7
<LEGEND>            THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
                    INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FOR CONSECO,
                    INC. DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                       DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                17,307,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                        0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                          0
<EQUITIES>                                                              99,700
<MORTGAGE>                                                             803,100 <F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                      19,631,100
<CASH>                                                                       0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                     504,200
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                               2,559,300 <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      25,612,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                     17,975,600
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                    272,400
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                         815,900
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                  240,400
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                      1,094,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  697,000
<PREFERRED>                                                            267,100
<COMMON>                                                             2,029,600
<OTHER-SE>                                                             788,600 <F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        25,612,700
<PREMIUMS>                                                           1,654,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                  1,302,500
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                      30,400
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                          80,200 <F4>
<BENEFITS>                                                           1,863,600 <F5>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                            266,400 <F6>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                   304,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        493,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           179,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    313,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        (26,500)
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           252,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             1.77
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                               0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                          0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                            0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                           0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                             0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                              0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                      0

<FN>
  <F1>  Includes $447,100 of credit-tenant loans.
  <F2>  Includes $2,015,000 of cost of policies purchased.
  <F3>  Includes retained earnings of $749,700, and net unrealized appreciation
        of securities of $38,900.
  <F4>  Includes fee revenue and other income of $49,800 and retructuring income
        of $30,400.

  <F5>  Includes insurance policy benefits of $1,173,300,  change in future policy
        benefits of $21,700 and interest expense on annuities and financial products
        of $668,600.
  <F6>  Includes amortization of cost of policies purchased of $157,500 and cost
        of policies produced of $72,900 and amortization related to realized gains of
        $36,000.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>