<ARTICLE> 7
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        2258126363
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                       2258126363
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                         2258126363
<EQUITIES>                                   943841797
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                 21958104
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              3223926264
<CASH>                                        47806356
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           114047587
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       135483465
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              3885747333
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             1476211227
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          517056307
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                         31011175
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                               35000000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       5850484
<OTHER-SE>                                  1344118484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                3885747333
<PREMIUMS>                                   621290230
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           85933341
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            12232871
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   461136541
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  148857024
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                          59970892
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               49491984
<INCOME-TAX>                                   8588911
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           40903073
<DISCONTINUED>                                  625389
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  41528462
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24
<RESERVE-OPEN>                              1421704211
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          295303442
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                           1116254438
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           195512488
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             277470435
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                             1411557881
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                     (27979338)