-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Qdrm4lNC2EWn0cHA2Jh4TWzi3bVMbelWh9bk+ofI9A/iXsu3qoDBxZjSP0o3ZU1X
 p0DxxEV0xiKi6K6ocEhxfA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000320335-96-000014.txt : 19961003
<SEC-HEADER>0000320335-96-000014.hdr.sgml : 19961003
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000320335-96-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19961002
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		19961002
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TORCHMARK CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000320335
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				630780404
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08052
		FILM NUMBER:		96638481

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2001 3RD AVE S
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35233
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2053254200

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TORCHMARK CORP SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19820825

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LIBERTY NATIONAL INSURANCE HOLDING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19820701
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<TEXT>


                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


                                 FORM 8-K

                              CURRENT REPORT


     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
                                Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 2, 1996
                                                (October 1, 1996)


                                TORCHMARK
                                CORPORATION
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     Delaware              1-8052               63-0780404
(State or other          (Commission File    (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of                Number)          Identification No.)
incorporation)

     2001 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama      35233
     (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (205) 325-4200


                                   None
       (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>

Item 5.  Other Events.

     
     Torchmark Corporation issued a press release dated October 2,
1996, which is incorporated herein by reference and attached hereto
as an exhibit.


Item 7.  Financial Statement and Exhibits

     (a)  Financial Statements of businesses acquired.
               Not applicable.

     (b)  Pro forma financial information.
               Not applicable.

     (c)  Exhibits.
                                                       Page
          Torchmark Corporation Press Release           
               Dated October 2, 1996. 

<PAGE>
                               SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                         
                                         TORCHMARK CORPORATION


Date: October 2, 1996                     /s/ William C. Barclift
           
                                            William C. Barclift
                                      Vice President and General Counsel


<PAGE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<TEXT>


Joyce Lane (972) 569-3230


            SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ARGUMENTS IN ROBERTSON CLASS


     Birmingham, Alabama, October 2, 1996....Liberty National Life Insurance 
Company, a subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK), announced today
that the United States Supreme Court had granted certiorari in the Robertson
v. Liberty National Life Insurance Company cancer class action litigation.
R. K. Richey stated that "the Company believes that the settlement in 
Robertson, which was affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court, offers the broadest
possible relief for the policyholder class and that Liberty National intends
to vigorously defend the settlement before the United States Supreme 
Court." 


                                 #######

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----