<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Health Net's
Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q
filing.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         103,787
<SECURITIES>                                   378,689
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,717
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,142
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               643,173
<PP&E>                                         189,523
<DEPRECIATION>                                 109,263
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,119,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          397,825
<BONDS>                                        362,769
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            51
<OTHER-SE>                                     346,470
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,119,500
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               807,915<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  647,961<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               110,338
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,616<F3>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,201
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,448
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,448
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .51
<FN>
<F1>Includes 9,956 million of investment income.
<F2>Includes healthcare expenses only.
<F3>Excludes 33 thousand of minority interest in lose of subsidiary.
</FN>