<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the current quarter's Form 10-Q and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       776,844,465
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                  32,955,331
<MORTGAGE>                                 369,505,154
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                           1,254,288,568
<CASH>                                       3,635,599
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                     101,120,811
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,392,526,542
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            680,854,458
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         26,754,242
<POLICY-OTHER>                              10,726,130
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                       73,584,153
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,329,240
<OTHER-SE>                                 524,568,011
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,392,526,542
<PREMIUMS>                                  87,526,548
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         67,146,487
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              21,142
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                  70,840,295
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                 12,989,009
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        27,608,066
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             43,256,807
<INCOME-TAX>                                15,200,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         28,056,807
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                28,056,807
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.62
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0