<ARTICLE>           7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated financial statements of the registrant and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,941,290
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      11,461
<MORTGAGE>                                     185,370
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               3,973,607
<CASH>                                          39,327
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             341,432
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         311,247
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,074,857
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              3,604,765
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 389,258
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                106,991
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           261
<OTHER-SE>                                     520,805
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,074,857
<PREMIUMS>                                     269,978
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             63,679
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 922
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   6,554
<BENEFITS>                                     251,808
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     18,033
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            28,901
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,902
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,840
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,062
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,909
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.62
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0