<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,791,070
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        4,032,551
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          4,223,121
<EQUITIES>                                     293,846
<MORTGAGE>                                         244
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,534
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               9,384,469
<CASH>                                          42,456
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             126,106
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         977,361
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,841,083
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              8,820,134
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                241
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  52,084
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          116,636
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                191,923
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     80,000
<COMMON>                                       312,917
<OTHER-SE>                                     952,976
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,841,083
<PREMIUMS>                                     353,207
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            395,156
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              21,309
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  56,897
<BENEFITS>                                     614,597
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     28,146
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            59,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                124,704
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,076
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             80,628
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    80,628
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.59
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0