<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
              EXTRACTED FROM HUMANA INC.'S FORM 10-K
      FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      DEC-31-1997 
<PERIOD-START>                                         JAN-01-1997 
<PERIOD-END>                                           MAR-31-1997 
<CASH>                                                         341 
<SECURITIES>                                                 1,226 
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  251 
<ALLOWANCES>                                                    42 
<INVENTORY>                                                      7 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                             2,012 
<PP&E>                                                         698 
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 325 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               3,185 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                        1,513 
<BONDS>                                                        203 
<COMMON>                                                        27 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0 
<PREFERRED>                                                      0 
<OTHER-SE>                                                   1,297 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 3,185 
<SALES>                                                      1,803 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                             1,832 
<CGS>                                                        1,484 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                1,769 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 0 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               3 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 60 
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    21 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             39 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0 
<CHANGES>                                                        0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                    39 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  .24 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  .24