<ARTICLE> 7 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 3,285,285 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 78,974 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 85,508 <EQUITIES> 161,585 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 3,592,589 <CASH> 45,283 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 730,089 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 80,316 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,088,187 <POLICY-LOSSES> 3,265,220 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 359,830 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 508 <OTHER-SE> 1,072,171 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,088,187 <PREMIUMS> 230,443 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 54,042 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (199) <OTHER-INCOME> 3,234 <BENEFITS> 166,841 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> (3,295) <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 71,459 <INCOME-PRETAX> 45,925 <INCOME-TAX> 11,461 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 34,464 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 34,464 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.68 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <RESERVE-OPEN> 3,246,858 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 3,265,220 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0