<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Subsidiaries unaudited consolidated
financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
unaudited consolidated financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         9,831,405
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        3,711,638
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          3,821,662
<EQUITIES>                                      27,484
<MORTGAGE>                                   4,538,773
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  239,925
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              18,852,219
<CASH>                                          30,345
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             588,693
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       1,079,964
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              38,216,409
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             17,751,969
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 350,015
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           75,151
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                         3,815
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,411,544
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                38,216,409
<PREMIUMS>                                     593,732
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,093,820
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               6,859
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   1,250,187
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     78,066
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           325,527
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                248,071
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,033
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            167,038
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   167,038
<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