<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JOHN
NUVEEN COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         100,913
<SECURITIES>                                   174,044
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,271
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               304,170
<PP&E>                                          36,685
<DEPRECIATION>                                (18,205)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 386,541
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           115
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     307,719
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   386,541
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               171,387
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                84,362
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,812
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,213
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,562
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             52,651
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    52,651
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0