<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance
Company 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> 7,245,912
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 58,319
<MORTGAGE> 2,146,972
<REAL-ESTATE> 12,713
<TOTAL-INVEST> 9,919,584
<CASH> 77,010
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 914,493
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 1,194,634
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,650,971
<POLICY-LOSSES> 5,650,940
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 117,453
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 276,198
0
0
<COMMON> 34,667
<OTHER-SE> 988,451
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 14,650,971
638,738
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 545,416
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (5,056)
<OTHER-INCOME> 134,374
<BENEFITS> 755,768
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 111,866
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 247,750
<INCOME-PRETAX> 192,222
<INCOME-TAX> 68,815
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 116,316<F1>
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 116,316
<EPS-BASIC> 1.77
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.76
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
<FN>
<F1>Net of minority interest income of consolidated subsidiaries of $7,091
</FN>
</TABLE>