<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         8,885,127
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                       2,592
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               9,078,134
<CASH>                                          11,714
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         133,079
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,325,663
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                123,027
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,365,545
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                423,979
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           707
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,026,490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,325,663
<PREMIUMS>                                     192,566
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            153,726
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              (8,059)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,304
<BENEFITS>                                       8,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     35,765
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                293,319
<INCOME-TAX>                                    69,354
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            223,965
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   223,965
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0