<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        10,335,291
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     746,635
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  607,987
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              13,137,525
<CASH>                                          33,243
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              94,851
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         361,063
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,471,613
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             10,276,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,217,602
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                671,864
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          207,000
<PREFERRED>                                     13,265
<COMMON>                                       462,893
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,216,151
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,471,613
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,030,576
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            200,500
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              47,920
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 129,695
<BENEFITS>                                     755,460
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    230,488
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           258,663
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                164,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,259
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            128,821
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   128,821
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0