<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2000 and the consolidated statement
of operations for the 9 months ended September 30, 2000 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<CIK> 0000865084
<NAME> OXFORD HEALTH PLANS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         325,579
<SECURITIES>                                   805,807
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,552
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,291,361
<PP&E>                                         186,860
<DEPRECIATION>                                 155,030
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,537,206
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          784,054
<BONDS>                                        199,173
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          232,241
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           861
<OTHER-SE>                                     320,877
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,537,206
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,073,247
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,377,063
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               361,719
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,548
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                306,917
<INCOME-TAX>                                   128,905
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            178,012
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,624)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   174,388
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.62