<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 20-F AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <CURRENCY> UK STERLING <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 81 <SECURITIES> 1,275 <RECEIVABLES> 176 <ALLOWANCES> 27 <INVENTORY> 13 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,790 <PP&E> 2,144 <DEPRECIATION> 1,328 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,836 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,076 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 42 <OTHER-SE> 1,701 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,836 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,882 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,290 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 52 <LOSS-PROVISION> 27 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 626 <INCOME-TAX> 236 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 390 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 390 <EPS-PRIMARY> 24.0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0