<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lincoln National Corporation and is qualified 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-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 24,066,376,000 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 660,428,000 <MORTGAGE> 3,288,112,000 <REAL-ESTATE> 575,956,000 <TOTAL-INVEST> 29,818,846,000 <CASH> 3,794,706,000 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 2,350,766,000 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 1,623,845,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 71,174,708,000 <POLICY-LOSSES> 11,266,272,000 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 20,063,393,000 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 1,123,245,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1,153,000 <COMMON> 966,461,000 <OTHER-SE> 4,015,301,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 71,174,708,000 <PREMIUMS> 2,160,888,000 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,250,764,000 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 486,827,000 <OTHER-INCOME> 3,191,733,000 <BENEFITS> 715,915,000 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 863,426,000 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 715,915,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 34,881,000 <INCOME-TAX> 12,651,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,230,000 <DISCONTINUED> 911,758,000 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 933,988,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> 9.11 <EPS-DILUTED> 8.98 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0