[ARTICLE] 9
[LEGEND]
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Condition and the Consolidated
Condensed Statement of Operation and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
[/LEGEND]
[CIK] 0000043512
[NAME] GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
[MULTIPLIER] 1,000

                             
[PERIOD-TYPE]                   9-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END]                          DEC-31-1994
[PERIOD-END]                               SEP-30-1994
[CASH]                                         808,234
[INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS]                             125
[FED-FUNDS-SOLD]                               180,000
[TRADING-ASSETS]                                     0
[INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE]                  3,372,489
[INVESTMENTS-CARRYING]                       3,238,034
[INVESTMENTS-MARKET]                         3,162,863
[LOANS]                                     30,123,801
[ALLOWANCE]                                    455,285
[TOTAL-ASSETS]                              39,996,606
[DEPOSITS]                                  29,406,989
[SHORT-TERM]                                 4,655,517
[LIABILITIES-OTHER]                            876,068
[LONG-TERM]                                  2,614,226
[COMMON]                                       133,748
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY]                                0
[PREFERRED]                                    294,375
[OTHER-SE]                                   2,015,683
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY]              39,996,606
[INTEREST-LOAN]                              1,760,432
[INTEREST-INVEST]                              163,020
[INTEREST-OTHER]                                24,175
[INTEREST-TOTAL]                             1,947,627
[INTEREST-DEPOSIT]                             697,157
[INTEREST-EXPENSE]                             922,372
[INTEREST-INCOME-NET]                        1,025,255
[LOAN-LOSSES]                                  154,400
[SECURITIES-GAINS]                               3,241
[EXPENSE-OTHER]                                311,241
[INCOME-PRETAX]                                270,660
[INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY]                     270,660
[EXTRAORDINARY]                                      0
[CHANGES]                                            0
[NET-INCOME]                                   162,560
[EPS-PRIMARY]                                     1.08
[EPS-DILUTED]                                     1.08
[YIELD-ACTUAL]                                    3.47
[LOANS-NON]                                    623,504
[LOANS-PAST]                                         0
[LOANS-TROUBLED]                               196,305
[LOANS-PROBLEM]                                      0
[ALLOWANCE-OPEN]                               502,269
[CHARGE-OFFS]                                  216,075
[RECOVERIES]                                    14,691
[ALLOWANCE-CLOSE]                              455,285
[ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC]                            44,187
[ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN]                                  0
[ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED]                        411,098