<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>