WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Protective Life Insurance Company and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,461,977
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      45,668
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,463,770
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   19,015
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               6,266,571
<CASH>                                          13,632
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             322,683
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         471,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,684,983
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,250,256
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            271,470
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0 
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          142,691
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     682,620
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,684,983
<PREMIUMS>                                     232,801
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            244,764
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               5,021
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   3,198
<BENEFITS>                                     308,761
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     51,340
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            63,715
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,968
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,153
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,815
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,815
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F1>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Protective Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective
Life Corporation (NYSE: PL) and is not required to present EPS information.
</FN>