WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


                      LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
                  EXHIBIT 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated financial statements of Lincoln National Corporation
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such condensed consolidated
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>     0000059558
<NAME>    Lincoln National Corporation
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                           Jan-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             Dec-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  27,688,613,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                0
<EQUITIES>                               603,954,000
<MORTGAGE>                             4,735,397,000
<REAL-ESTATE>                            256,202,000
<TOTAL-INVEST>                        35,578,384,000
<CASH>                                 1,895,883,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                     3,954,345,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                 2,800,290,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       103,095,733,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                       20,924,768,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                 20,228,753,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                        1,917,116,000
<PREFERRED>                                  948,000
<COMMON>                               1,007,099,000
<OTHER-SE>                             3,255,821,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         103,095,733,000
<PREMIUMS>                             3,419,120,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                    2,807,512,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                         2,955,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                           574,113,000
<BENEFITS>                             3,805,024,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>              307,338,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                   1,987,677,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          569,964,000
<INCOME-TAX>                             109,610,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      460,354,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                             460,354,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                    $2.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $2.30
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                     0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                    0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                            0