<ARTICLE>                     7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FOR AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000837010
<NAME>                        Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
<MULTIPLIER>                                 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            13,257
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         222
<MORTGAGE>                                          13
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  14,058
<CASH>                                             614
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   9
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,522
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  3,758
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  1
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      27
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           11,075
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,783
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,522
<PREMIUMS>                                         200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                805
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  18
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      29
<BENEFITS>                                         853
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    209
<INCOME-TAX>                                        64
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                145
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       145
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0