<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 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
<CURRENCY>                    U.S Dollars
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                        DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                          12,906
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                         0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                         200
<EQUITIES>                                   13
<MORTGAGE>                                    0
<REAL-ESTATE>                            13,553
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              459
<CASH>                                       10
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                        1,515
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                   31,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            3,617
<POLICY-LOSSES>                               1
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          28
<POLICY-OTHER>                           10,664
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                         0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                   3
<COMMON>                                  1,607
<OTHER-SE>                               31,693
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                134
<PREMIUMS>                                1,046
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          20
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           45
<OTHER-INCOME>                              969
<BENEFITS>                                    0
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                   0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        199
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              58
<INCOME-TAX>                                141
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           0
<DISCONTINUED>                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                   141
<NET-INCOME>                                  0
<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