<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Humana
Inc.'s form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statement.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             627
<SECURITIES>                                     1,507
<RECEIVABLES>                                      399
<ALLOWANCES>                                        48
<INVENTORY>                                          5
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,750
<PP&E>                                             728
<DEPRECIATION>                                     308
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,418
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,263
<BONDS>                                            889
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            27
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,474
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,418
<SALES>                                          7,880
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,036
<CGS>                                            6,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    7,746
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  20
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    270
<INCOME-TAX>                                        97
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                173
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       173
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05