<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Subsidiaries consolidated financial
statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         8,045,906
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        3,688,787
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          3,602,310
<EQUITIES>                                      24,713
<MORTGAGE>                                   4,222,284
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  252,681
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              16,770,419
<CASH>                                         139,079
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             564,721
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       1,064,159
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              31,112,133
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             16,321,461
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 338,058
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           72,770
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                         3,815
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,904,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                31,112,133
<PREMIUMS>                                     534,062
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,289,501
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            (16,384)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   1,279,763
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     94,744
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           352,402
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                273,230
<INCOME-TAX>                                    89,504
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            183,726
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   183,726
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 161,460
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            273,299
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (26,156)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             175,700
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                73,889
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                199,237
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0

<FN>
The amounts presented above related to the liability for unpaid claims and
claim adjustment expenses represent amounts for Nationwide Life Insurance
Company and its insurance subsidiaries as included in note 6 to the
consolidated financial statements in accordance with the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 94-5, Disclosures of Certain
Matters in the Financial Statements of Insurance Enterprises.
</FN>