<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