<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's consolidated financial statements as filed in Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        20,099,428
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     130,751
<MORTGAGE>                                      18,262
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              20,436,463
<CASH>                                          19,414
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       2,594,188
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,590,045
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             19,679,468
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            283,549
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          216,128
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                370,516
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,687
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,017,983
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,590,045
<PREMIUMS>                                   4,405,081
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            761,993
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,921
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  76,161
<BENEFITS>                                   3,651,644
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    123,413
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         1,027,713
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                444,386
<INCOME-TAX>                                   183,771
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            260,615
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   260,615
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.80<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Per-share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock
split paid March 18, 1996.  Financial Data Schedules for periods ending
prior to December 31, 1995, have not been restated for this stock split.
</FN>