<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,624,203
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      18,241
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,760,738
<CASH>                                         125,060
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          22,625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,072,823
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                673,040
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            181,081
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                411,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       121,111
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,598,547
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,072,823
<PREMIUMS>                                     588,789
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            114,845
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,401
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  39,946
<BENEFITS>                                      94,706
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      1,440
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           152,031
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                485,713
<INCOME-TAX>                                   149,452
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            336,261
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   336,261
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.06
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0