<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        11,258,490
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        2,326,838
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,418,469
<EQUITIES>                                   1,184,790
<MORTGAGE>                                     431,250
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  522,902
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              15,838,013
<CASH>                                          45,625
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             152,689
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         398,759
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,727,198
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,146,327
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            943,196
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 148,846
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        9,285,896
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,148,277
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       222,321
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,548,739
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,727,198
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,244,662
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            549,842
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              52,846
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 106,273
<BENEFITS>                                   1,167,708
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    206,820
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                284,822
<INCOME-TAX>                                    68,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            216,686
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   216,686
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0