<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNITED
HEALTHCARE CORPORATION FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,036,716
<SECURITIES>                                 2,415,545
<RECEIVABLES>                                  652,123
<ALLOWANCES>                                    46,322
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,739,664
<PP&E>                                         588,339
<DEPRECIATION>                                 275,355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,996,630
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,642,782
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,849
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,821,238
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,996,630
<SALES>                                      9,888,521
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,073,790
<CGS>                                        9,344,214
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,477,380
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               133,166
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 592
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                580,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                   224,598
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            355,637
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   355,637
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.76