<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(UNAUDITED) 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>                         1,889,729
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        1,889,729
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          1,889,729
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,166,680
<CASH>                                          80,614
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             203,822
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          98,548
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,862,170
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                947,301
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          734,511
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                234,060
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           181
<OTHER-SE>                                     324,787
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,862,170
<PREMIUMS>                                     244,305
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            112,958
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (5,934)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     204,469
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     22,653
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            66,672
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,535
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,901
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (6,601)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,490
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0