<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FOR AETNA INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 30,921
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 170
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 854
<MORTGAGE> 3,187
<REAL-ESTATE> 513
<TOTAL-INVEST> 40,002
<CASH> 2,968
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 3,938
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 2,527
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 120,025
<POLICY-LOSSES> 23,420
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 238
<POLICY-OTHER> 5,076
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 14,882
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 4,171
0
0
<COMMON> 3,650
<OTHER-SE> 7,663
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 120,025
19,743
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,341
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (21)
<OTHER-INCOME> 2,107
<BENEFITS> 18,249
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 186
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 870
<INCOME-TAX> 337
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 533
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 533
<EPS-BASIC> 3.78
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.73
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>