<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        15,270,900
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          269,300
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            255,200
<EQUITIES>                                      66,000
<MORTGAGE>                                     280,400
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  132,800
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              18,195,000
<CASH>                                          29,100
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         582,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              22,325,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             12,393,700<F1>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 500,300
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        5,458,700
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                725,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    156,200
<COMMON>                                        66,900
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,227,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                22,325,200
<PREMIUMS>                                     287,500
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            262,500
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,700
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  16,600
<BENEFITS>                                     401,800
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     17,300
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            89,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.39<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>"Policy-Losses" include reserves for future policy and contract benefits of
$12,330,100 and unearned premiums of $63,600.
<F2>Historical earnings per common share amounts have been restated in accordance
with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
"Earnings per Share," and to reflect a two-for-one stock split effected in the
form of a stock dividend distributed on September 30, 1997.
</FN>