<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of UnumProvident Corporation for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        22,205,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          335,600
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            332,200
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,231,300
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  165,700
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              26,423,600<F1>
<CASH>                                         110,300
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       2,413,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              39,786,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             25,395,100<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                               1,831,900
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        2,955,200
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              2,205,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,100
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,059,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                39,786,200
<PREMIUMS>                                   3,570,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,095,100
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,600
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 150,400
<BENEFITS>                                   3,210,600
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    268,200
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           913,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                426,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   148,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            277,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   277,600
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>"Total-Invest" includes equity securities of $28,500.
<F2>"Policy-Losses" include reserves for future policy and contract benefits of
    $25,026,100 and unearned premiums of $369,000.
</FN>