
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 1996 for Aetna Life and Casualty Company and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            30,345
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         929
<MORTGAGE>                                       7,948
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,302
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  42,490
<CASH>                                           1,559
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,007
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  84,102
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 18,460
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                159
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   1,479
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           21,703
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    986
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,474
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,554
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    84,102
<PREMIUMS>                                       1,844
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                886
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  62
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     518
<BENEFITS>                                       2,237
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                         37
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    246
<INCOME-TAX>                                        81
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                166
<DISCONTINUED>                                     182
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       348
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F1>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>There is no difference between primary and fully diluted earnings
 per share.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
