<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
period ended June 30, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        22,390,967
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     156,273
<MORTGAGE>                                      16,524
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              23,157,641
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       2,745,129
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,190,120
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             21,099,438
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            291,516
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          206,842
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                539,249
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,782
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,628,519
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                30,190,120
<PREMIUMS>                                   2,903,343
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            518,630
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             266,088<F1>
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  28,169
<BENEFITS>                                   2,391,749
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     87,475
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           672,926
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                564,080<F1>
<INCOME-TAX>                                   171,130
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            392,950<F2>
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   392,950<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.77<F2>
<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 $267.2 million gain from the sale of the television stations 
in 1997.
<F2>Includes $211.2 million after-tax gain ($1.49 per share) on the sale of 
the television stations in 1997.
</FN>