<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDENT LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        12,113,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          173,700
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            182,700
<EQUITIES>                                       7,200
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,236,300
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  222,600
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              15,258,700
<CASH>                                          23,100
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         460,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,012,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              7,331,400<F1>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 358,900
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        6,733,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                213,700
<COMMON>                                        45,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    156,200
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,373,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                17,012,200
<PREMIUMS>                                     674,100
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            622,800
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (28,500)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  89,500
<BENEFITS>                                   1,018,900
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     35,200
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           221,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 71,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>"POLICY - LOSSES" INCLUDES RESERVES FOR FUTURE POLICY AND CONTRACT BENEFITS OF
$7,274,900 AND UNEARNED PREMIUMS OF $56,500.
</FN>