<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 September 30, 1997 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                              7363
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         476
<MORTGAGE>                                         565
<REAL-ESTATE>                                       73
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                    8741
<CASH>                                             163
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 829
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             881
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   21967
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                   2845
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                870
<POLICY-OTHER>                                    1725
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                             2591
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    391
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                        2263
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     21967
<PREMIUMS>                                        1727
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                499
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  57
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      86
<BENEFITS>                                        1516
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        354
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               453
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    220
<INCOME-TAX>                                        53
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                167
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       114
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.16
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                    2744
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                               1157
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                 (76)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 537
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   593
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                   2633
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                           (54)