<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        11,825,458
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        2,595,729
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,654,052
<EQUITIES>                                   1,311,345
<MORTGAGE>                                     445,672
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  581,698
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              16,901,809
<CASH>                                          48,765
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             149,308
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         411,062
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,069,349
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,024,353
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            947,145
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 151,051
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                       10,047,299
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,302,844
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       227,231
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,782,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                20,069,349
<PREMIUMS>                                     648,061
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            291,033
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              21,704
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  54,188
<BENEFITS>                                     605,622
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    110,447
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                144,636
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,111
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            111,525
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   111,525
<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