<ARTICLE>                     7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q 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>                         0000785986
<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