<ARTICLE>  7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statement of Income
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           2,317,673
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                            636,119
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                              663,744
<EQUITIES>                                       708,563
<MORTGAGE>                                             0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    126,822
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 4,276,791
<CASH>                                            53,661
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             4,241,015
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           248,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                11,332,486
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                6,669,508
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            1,722,258
<POLICY-OTHER>                                         0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                  0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  903,083
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          11,486
<OTHER-SE>                                       951,029
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  11,332,486
<PREMIUMS>                                     2,810,762
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              294,971
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                73,097
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   263,806
<BENEFITS>                                     1,304,559
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    1,496,983
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  241,221
<INCOME-TAX>                                      74,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              174,496
<DISCONTINUED>                                    61,365
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                         (6,442)
<NET-INCOME>                                     229,419
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      $2.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      $1.94
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 3,311,606

<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            1,299,066
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                (35,980)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               367,763
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 963,135
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                3,242,318
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          (35,980)