<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,338,050
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      52,964
<MORTGAGE>                                     303,263
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    4,331
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,900,991
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,476
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         128,515
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,483,699
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,986,065
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   5,391
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           65,510
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 61,527
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           86,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,156
<OTHER-SE>                                     553,658
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,483,699
<PREMIUMS>                                      64,263
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            149,774
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              14,510
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,207
<BENEFITS>                                     126,125
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     16,767
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            46,662
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,017
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,694
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,497
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,497
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0