<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Kemper
Variable Series- Growth Opportunities Portfolio Semiannual Report for the six
month period ended June 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000810573
<NAME> KEMPER VARIABLE SERIES
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 025
<NAME> KVS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 81,572
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 85,904
<RECEIVABLES> 1,078
<ASSETS-OTHER> 9,334
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 96,316
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 5,402
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 124
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,526
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 87,047
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 73,021
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 14,737
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (138)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (451)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4,332
<NET-ASSETS> 90,790
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 69
<INTEREST-INCOME> 72
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 279
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (138)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (451)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3,116
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 2,527
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 76,535
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (5,430)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 73,631
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (4)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 231
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 299
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 49,752
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.16
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.24
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.13
</TABLE>
