<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         7,791,952
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                       5,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               7,974,379
<CASH>                                          28,490
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         110,973
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,235,140
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                112,651
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,220,701
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                423,897
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           707
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,989,227
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,235,140
<PREMIUMS>                                     106,502
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             90,912
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (5,065)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,200
<BENEFITS>                                       3,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     23,208
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                164,710
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,256
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            126,454
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   126,454
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.77
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0