<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NATIONWIDE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
JUNE 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 14,600
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 120
<MORTGAGE> 5,924
<REAL-ESTATE> 281
<TOTAL-INVEST> 21,963
<CASH> 24
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 2,792
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 96,000
<POLICY-LOSSES> 21,566
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 4
<OTHER-SE> 2,890
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 96,000
129
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 817
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (14)
<OTHER-INCOME> 9
<BENEFITS> 714
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 172
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 241
<INCOME-PRETAX> 330
<INCOME-TAX> 106
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 224
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 224
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>