<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          46,564
<SECURITIES>                                   143,013
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,682
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               238,747
<PP&E>                                          35,768
<DEPRECIATION>                                (21,248)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 390,327
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         18
<COMMON>                                           387
<OTHER-SE>                                     321,333
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   390,327
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,122
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,360
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 568
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,194
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,392
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,802
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,802
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50