<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lincoln National Corporation and is qualifed in its entirety by reference to such condensed consolidated financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000059558 <NAME> LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 27,906,440,000 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 992,702,000 <MORTGAGE> 3,272,980,000 <REAL-ESTATE> 655,024,000 <TOTAL-INVEST> 34,044,964,000 <CASH> 1,231,724,000 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 2,544,196,000 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 1,891,949,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 71,713,405,000 <POLICY-LOSSES> 13,331,098,000 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 766,050,000 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 21,176,963,000 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 815,271,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 315,000,000<F1> <PREFERRED> 1,212,000 <COMMON> 857,450,000 <OTHER-SE> 3,611,294,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 71,713,405,000<F2> <PREMIUMS> 3,810,180,000 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,365,922,000 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 128,052,000 <OTHER-INCOME> 417,116,000 <BENEFITS> 3,921,278,000 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 766,505,000 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 1,321,222,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 712,265,000 <INCOME-TAX> 179,152,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 513,558,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 513,558,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> 4.91 <EPS-DILUTED> 4.91 <RESERVE-OPEN> 2,406,300,000 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 1,245,600,000 <PROVISION-PRIOR> (43,200,000) <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 654,000,000 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 648,900,000 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 2,305,800,000 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 43,000,000 <FN> <F1> Consists of Preferred Stock Issued by Subsidiary Companies. <F2> In addition to Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity this amount includes Preferred Stock Issued by Subsidiary Companies. </FN>