<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 4,866,366 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 220,843 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 5,974,344 <CASH> 240,556 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 58,806 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 67,502 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,834,305 <POLICY-LOSSES> 3,678,269 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 705,712 <POLICY-OTHER> 135,664 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 8,070 <OTHER-SE> 3,901,507 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,834,305 <PREMIUMS> 218,007 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 85,096 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 130,154 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 111,169 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 27,812 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 243,881 <INCOME-TAX> 5,342 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 238,539 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 238,539 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.21 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0