<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         110,671
<SECURITIES>                                    58,927
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,108
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               212,801
<PP&E>                                          36,712
<DEPRECIATION>                                (22,271)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 366,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           45,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           387
<OTHER-SE>                                     258,605
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   366,521
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               121,401
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                61,958
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,383
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,060
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,517
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,543
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,543
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.01