<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> JUNE 1996 - 1OQ </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 DEC-31-1995 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 0 0 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 824,296 801,308 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 818,398 815,277 <EQUITIES> 196,020 151,579 <MORTGAGE> 73,679 73,783 <REAL-ESTATE> 1,603 2,174 <TOTAL-INVEST> 1,089,700 1,042,813 <CASH> 19,067 75,906 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 19,145 21,897 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 88,835 67,160 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,653,327 1,583,546 <POLICY-LOSSES> 646,032 618,791 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 414,530 330,454 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 19,000 19,000 <OTHER-SE> 528,242 530,714 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,653,327 1,583,546 <PREMIUMS> 317,269 592,590 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 38,430 71,313 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (1,733) 712 <OTHER-INCOME> 6,284 19,420 <BENEFITS> 245,524 367,552 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 77,481 166,741 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,245 149,742 <INCOME-TAX> 6,387 39,541 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,858 110,201 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 30,858 110,201 <EPS-PRIMARY> .85 2.93 <EPS-DILUTED> .85 2.93 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 448,331 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 442,027 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 (74,475) <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 (184,182) <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 (145,028) <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 618,791 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 0