<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        11,560,458
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        2,438,330
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,531,552
<EQUITIES>                                   1,213,647
<MORTGAGE>                                     444,063
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  547,257
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              16,301,235
<CASH>                                          57,253
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             161,461
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         404,967
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,283,699
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,108,384
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            971,121
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 150,105
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        9,556,795
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,191,989
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       222,919
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,687,040
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,283,699
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,887,924
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            830,584
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              69,564
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 158,050
<BENEFITS>                                   1,748,841
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    316,294
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                439,016
<INCOME-TAX>                                   106,344
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            332,672
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   332,672
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0