<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME AND RETAINED
EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        11,344,407
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        2,188,065
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,325,185
<EQUITIES>                                   1,168,444
<MORTGAGE>                                     425,807
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  508,417
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              15,740,480
<CASH>                                          50,930
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             157,955
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         378,091
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,494,887
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,161,209
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            909,024
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 149,805
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        8,972,833
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,144,220
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       221,916
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,551,989
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,494,887
<PREMIUMS>                                     618,313
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            274,577
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              32,723
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  51,989
<BENEFITS>                                     579,960
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    103,593
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                145,534
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,831
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            110,703
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   110,703
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0