<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED 
JUNE 30, 1996 FOR AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED 
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            12,406
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         224
<MORTGAGE>                                          21
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  13,020
<CASH>                                             490
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   9
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,420
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,883
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  3,506
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  1
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      29
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           10,263
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,883
<PREMIUMS>                                          32
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                512
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  17
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      25
<BENEFITS>                                         441
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    114
<INCOME-TAX>                                        31
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 83
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        83
<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