<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 3,056,831 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 605,329 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 4,321,414 <CASH> 123,564 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 0 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 24,165 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,998,937 <POLICY-LOSSES> 1,858,055 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 369,206 <POLICY-OTHER> 66,766 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6,809 <OTHER-SE> 2,611,743 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,998,937 <PREMIUMS> 167,821 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 58,413 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 27,492 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 109,161 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 14,201 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 112,816 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 112,816 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 112,816 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.06 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.01 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0