<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        10,880,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          264,500
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            263,100
<EQUITIES>                                       4,900
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  151,100
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              13,317,400
<CASH>                                          19,300
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         421,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,992,500
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              8,051,300
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             58,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 411,700
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        3,881,100
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                200,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    156,200
<COMMON>                                        45,600
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,536,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,992,500
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,175,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,090,100
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              (8,600)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  34,700
<BENEFITS>                                   1,661,200
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     64,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           340,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                226,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    80,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            145,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   145,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               2,481,500
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            910,600
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              107,800
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             322,400
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               502,100
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              2,675,400
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         (2,000)