<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>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         139,661
<SECURITIES>                                   387,557
<RECEIVABLES>                                  104,257
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (9,358)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               694,745
<PP&E>                                         210,475
<DEPRECIATION>                               (116,584)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,151,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          410,108
<BONDS>                                        362,618
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            51
<OTHER-SE>                                     368,748
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,151,521
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   811<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  655,071<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               104,663
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,466
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,614<F3>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,308
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,314
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,314
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52
<FN>
<F1>Includes 8,996 million of investment income.
<F2>Includes heathcare expenses only.
<F3>Excludes 8 thousand of minority interest in loss of subsidiary.
</FN>