<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<CIK> 0000054473
<NAME> Kansas City Life Insurance Company
<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> $1,948,435
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 89,733
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 90,119
<EQUITIES> 106,080
<MORTGAGE> 369,786
<REAL-ESTATE> 82,365
<TOTAL-INVEST> 2,739,352
<CASH> 7,767
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 124,642
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 243,738
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,635,310
<POLICY-LOSSES> 821,206
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0
<POLICY-OTHER> 34,419
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 1,779,724
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 30,000
0
0
<COMMON> 23,121
<OTHER-SE> 510,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,635,310
107,729
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 155,059
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 561
<OTHER-INCOME> 93,370
<BENEFITS> 206,578
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 18,527
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 5,852
<INCOME-PRETAX> 58,653
<INCOME-TAX> 17,237
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 41,416
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 41,416
<EPS-BASIC> 3.44
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.44
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
<FN>
<F1> Debt securities held for sale represent FASB 115 available for sale fixed
maturity securities reported on a current value basis, and do not include
trading securities or securities held to maturity.
<F2> Debt securities represent FASB 115 held to maturity fixed maturity
securities, and do not include trading securities or securities available
for sale.
<F3> Equity securities include equity securities that are available for sale
under FASB 115.
<F4> Real Estate includes real estate joint ventures.
<F5> Policyholder funds include accumulated contract values as defined by FASB
97, dividend and coupon accumulations and other policyowner funds.
<F6> Underwriting expenses - other reprsenet amortization of the value of
purchased insurance in force.
</FN>
</TABLE>
