<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of Allmerica Financial Corporation as of
December 31, 1997 and for the period then ended, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                             7,314
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         479
<MORTGAGE>                                         568
<REAL-ESTATE>                                       50
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                   8,701
<CASH>                                             215
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,040
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             966
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  22,549
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  2,599
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                847
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   2,825
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            1,853
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    235
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              300
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,380
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    22,549
<PREMIUMS>                                       2,311
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                653
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  76
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     355
<BENEFITS>                                       2,005
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        425
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    366
<INCOME-TAX>                                        94
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                272
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       209
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.82
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                   2,744
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                              1,559
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                (123)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 775
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   732
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                  2,615
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          (123)