<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the interim
consolidated balance sheet and income statement of Allmerica Financial
Corporation as of March 31, 1996 and for the period then ended, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                              7943
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         426
<MORTGAGE>                                         741
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      169
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                    9479
<CASH>                                             139
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                  48
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             769
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   18163
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                   2645
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                818
<POLICY-OTHER>                                    3060
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                             2498
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    392
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                        1555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     18163
<PREMIUMS>                                         548
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                161
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  52
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      68<F1>
<BENEFITS>                                         497
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        120
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               116
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     96
<INCOME-TAX>                                        24
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 72
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        47
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                    2896
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                378
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                 (31)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 111
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   233
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                   2869
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                           (30)
<FN>
<F1>Includes universal life and investment product policy fees of $46 million.
</FN>