<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's consolidated financial statements as filed in Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        20,327,726
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     136,328
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,802
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              20,746,535
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       2,582,946
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,022,812
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             19,736,430
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            288,976
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          208,799
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                353,533
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,724
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,109,845
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,022,812
<PREMIUMS>                                   5,910,036
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,021,955
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,980
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 166,232<F1>
<BENEFITS>                                   4,895,522
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    162,475
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         1,392,205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                650,001
<INCOME-TAX>                                   255,638
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            394,363
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   394,363
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.73
<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>Includes $60.3 million gain from the sale of a television station on
December 31, 1996.
</FN>