
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
     ALLSTATE CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN SUCH COMPANY'S 
     ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         899051                        
<NAME>                        THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U. S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           47095
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            0
<EQUITIES>                                     5561
<MORTGAGE>                                     3146
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  738
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 58329
<CASH>                                         116
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             2147
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         2614
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 74508
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                23669
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            6174
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          20120
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                1386
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       5
<OTHER-SE>                                     13447
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   74508
<PREMIUMS>                                     19702
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            3813
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             784
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 0
<BENEFITS>                                     16800
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    2266
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           2207
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                2669
<INCOME-TAX>                                   619
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            2075
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2075
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  4.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  4.62
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 16156
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            14823
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              336
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             7522
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               5787
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                15598
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        0
        


</TABLE>
