<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STANCORP
FINANCIAL GROUP, 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-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,123,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,922,200
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   84,000
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,149,900
<CASH>                                          35,600
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          61,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,271,400
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,808,300
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        1,524,600
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       796,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,271,400
<PREMIUMS>                                     759,600
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            234,900
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               7,300
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   6,900<F1>
<BENEFITS>                                     613,100
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    (7,600)<F2>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                115,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    77,100
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes contribution from Closed Block
<F2>Contains deferred policy acquisition costs and related amortization.
</FN>