<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31, 1996 FOR AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000837010
<NAME> AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            12,332
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         241
<MORTGAGE>                                          21
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  12,964
<CASH>                                             555
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   9
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,376
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  27,848
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  3,545
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  2
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      24
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           10,299
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,553
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    27,848
<PREMIUMS>                                          14
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                258
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  15
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      12
<BENEFITS>                                         217
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     69
<INCOME-TAX>                                        20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 49
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        49
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0