<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,485,327 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 184,530 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 1,756,749 <CASH> 33,167 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 52,454 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 70,782 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,040,333 <POLICY-LOSSES> 279,721 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 177,037 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 145,351 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 528 <OTHER-SE> 1,168,887 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,040,333 <PREMIUMS> 407,761 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 67,579 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 512 <OTHER-INCOME> 13,767 <BENEFITS> 83,934 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 60,971 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 124,542 <INCOME-PRETAX> 208,530 <INCOME-TAX> 60,916 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 147,614 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 147,614 <EPS-BASIC> 3.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.26 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0