<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,914,067
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        4,044,780
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          4,341,824
<EQUITIES>                                     289,183
<MORTGAGE>                                         239
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,573
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               9,525,251
<CASH>                                          35,998
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             131,872
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         998,346
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,004,783
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              8,957,367
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                234
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  52,370
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          111,867
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                187,207
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     80,000
<COMMON>                                       312,940
<OTHER-SE>                                     987,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,004,783
<PREMIUMS>                                     499,661
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            595,286
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              21,074
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  87,461
<BENEFITS>                                     892,843
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     44,234
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            88,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                178,389
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,891
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            115,498
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,498
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0