<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>                                811,241
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                270,660
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     162,560
<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>                           455,285
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0