Savvy Picks in a Chancy Sector

                                                 PRICE*   P-E RATIO
NORWEST
 A diversified financial-services bank with
 a strong earnings mix                           38 7/8      21

BANC ONE
 Revenue growth from First USA credit cards
 will be strong thanks to sharp marketing        56 15/16      19
 focus

WELLS FARGO
 Don't rule it out for a takeover in 1998        37  5/16      25

CRESTAR
 Well-run mid-cap; good bet for future           56  1/16      20
 consolidation

CONSECO
 A consolidator that will either buy more
 companies or buy back more of its shares
 in 1998                                         43 9/16       16

ALLSTATE
 Powerhouse, double-digit earnings potential
 even in a tough pricing environment             90 9/16       17

*As of Dec. 15

DATA: BUSINESS WEEK