<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K FOR THE ANNUAL PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANICAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001002813

<NAME>                        Dignity Partners, Inc.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1996
<CASH>                                         11,212,110
<SECURITIES>                                    3,000,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                   1,181,513
<ALLOWANCES>                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                    52,766,342  <F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  784,508
<PP&E>                                                  0
<DEPRECIATION>                                          0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 68,944,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,584,003
<BONDS>                                        41,218,205  <F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                           42,918
<OTHER-SE>                                     20,099,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   68,944,473
<SALES>                                         5,479,114
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                6,584,370
<CGS>                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                3,233,775
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               10,079,777
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,983,606
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,712,788)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      525,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,187,077)
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   487,600
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,699,477)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          (2.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           0


<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND PURCHASED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES.
<F2> REPRESENTS LONG TERM BORROWINGS OF THE COMPANY.
</FN>