<ARTICLE> 7
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        2316509098
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                       2316509098
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                         2316509098
<EQUITIES>                                   714185704
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                 21627914
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              3052322716
<CASH>                                        22581206
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           388277610
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       118890908
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              3872354425
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             1608968403
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          509154097
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        298939024
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                               55000000
<COMMON>                                       5850484
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  1090901513
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                3872354425
<PREMIUMS>                                   915912217
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          134395476
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            34408808
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   728354523
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  232864181
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                          80818621
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               42679176
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (140564)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           42819740
<DISCONTINUED>                                 3950056
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  46769796
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.33
<RESERVE-OPEN>                              1553130969
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          436239560
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                           1096816777
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           361632045
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             386801307
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                             1533056337
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                     (69512885)