<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           5980343
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 6129369
<CASH>                                              45
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          103922
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 7412709
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  61087
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            1042081
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 223847
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           707
<OTHER-SE>                                     1787245
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   7412709
<PREMIUMS>                                      109091
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             117814
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               20118
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    7671
<BENEFITS>                                        2122
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      28997
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 209869
<INCOME-TAX>                                     45723
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             164146
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    164146
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.28
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0