EXHIBIT 24.4

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

     The undersigned director of Torchmark Corporation (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Michael J. Klyce, Gary Coleman, Larry M.
Hutchison and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement for the Profit Sharing
and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company and any and all
amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity
and on the date indicated below.


Date: June 14, 1999                           /s/ Joseph M. Farley
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Joseph M. Farley, Director