<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDING JUNE 30, 1999
AND 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,230                     663
<SECURITIES>                                     3,378                   3,406
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,058                   1,285
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (83)                    (66)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    71                     178
<PP&E>                                             783                     727
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (503)                   (394)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   9,754                   8,888
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,260                   4,236
<BONDS>                                            249                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                     500
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,156                   4,129
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     9,754                   8,888
<SALES>                                          9,557                   8,228
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,667                   8,350
<CGS>                                            9,111                   8,005
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,221                   8,095
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                     725
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  22                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    424                   (470)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (157)                      37
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                267                   (433)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       267                   (448)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.51                  (2.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.48                  (2.33)