<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<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
<S> <C>
<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
0
0
<COMMON> 796,200
<OTHER-SE> 103,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6,271,400
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>
</TABLE>