<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>             7
<LEGEND>              THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR LIFE PARTNERS GROUP,
                      INC. DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED
                      IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
                      STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                                   SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                             3,353,400
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                                    0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                                      0
<EQUITIES>                                                                          14,000
<MORTGAGE>                                                                         161,100 <F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                            0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                                   3,917,500
<CASH>                                                                                   0 <F2>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                                 305,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                             595,000 <F3>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                   5,578,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                                  4,353,700
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                                      0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                                      85,300
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                               86,500
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                                    103,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                                                              0
<COMMON>                                                                           741,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                                          19,100 <F4>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                     5,578,200
<PREMIUMS>                                                                         241,600
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                                226,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                                     200 <F5>
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                                       3,600
<BENEFITS>                                                                         252,100 <F6>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                         69,600
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                                55,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                     64,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                        26,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                 38,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                       (300)
<CHANGES>                                                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                        38,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                            0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                            0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                                           0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                                      0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                                        0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                                         0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                                          0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                                  0

<FN>
  <F1>  Includes $83,100 of credit-tenant loans.
  <F2>  Cash and cash equivalents are classified as short-term investments, which
        are included in total investments.
  <F3>  Includes $577,400 of cost of policies purchased.
  <F4>  Includes retained earnings of $22,100 and net unrealized depreciation of
        securities of $3,000.
  <F5>  Includes net realized gains of $600 and net trading losses of $400.
  <F6>  Includes insurance policy benefits of $138,700 and  interest  expense on
        annuities and financial products of $113,400.
</FN>

        

</TABLE>