
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
     THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN SUCH
     COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
     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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            46909
<EQUITIES>                                     5222
<MORTGAGE>                                     3152
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  732
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 57616
<CASH>                                         129
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             2194
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         2774
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 74415
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                23556
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            6111
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          20207
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                1332
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       5
<OTHER-SE>                                     13208
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   74415
<PREMIUMS>                                     4915
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            944
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             320
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 0
<BENEFITS>                                     3951
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    667
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           453
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1084
<INCOME-TAX>                                   317
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            767
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   767
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.73
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        0
        


</TABLE>
