<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, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        14,392,900
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          312,800
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            343,000
<EQUITIES>                                       4,000
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,800
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   43,600
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              16,901,200
<CASH>                                          56,900
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         497,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              22,760,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             13,923,200
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 533,500
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        2,980,100
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                673,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       135,900
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,087,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                22,760,000
<PREMIUMS>                                     619,100
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            326,800
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  38,500
<BENEFITS>                                     633,300
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           240,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    78,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.54
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN> 
"Policy-Losses" include reserves for future policy and contract benefits of 
$13,732,100 and unearned premiums of $191,100.

"Underwriting-Other" includes amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 
of $23,700.
</FN>