<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        17,035,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          306,800
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            336,600
<EQUITIES>                                      10,000
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,800
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   87,100
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              19,520,800
<CASH>                                          37,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             987,200
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         362,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,177,600
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             13,001,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            192,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 531,200
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        4,328,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                875,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    156,200
<COMMON>                                       135,200
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,987,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,177,600
<PREMIUMS>                                   2,053,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,354,700
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              15,100
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 129,700
<BENEFITS>                                   2,358,100
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     74,400
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           740,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                380,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                   133,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            247,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   247,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               4,970,800
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          1,537,300
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              254,500
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             337,200
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             1,011,300
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              5,414,100
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>"RESERVE OPEN" OF 4,970,800 INCLUDES 2,295,400 ASSUMED DUE TO THE 
ACQUISITION OF THE PAUL REVERE CORPORATION.
</FN>