<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1996 
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1996 
<PERIOD-END>                             JUN-30-1996 
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       2,270,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                0
<EQUITIES>                                   224,700
<MORTGAGE>                                         0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             3,279,400
<CASH>                                        12,400  
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 0  
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             0  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             4,840,100  
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            2,031,900  
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                0  
<POLICY-OTHER>                                     0  
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                              0  
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              123,800  
<COMMON>                                       3,700  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0  
<PREFERRED>                                        0  
<OTHER-SE>                                 1,438,900  
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               4,840,100  
<PREMIUMS>                                   613,100  
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           89,500  
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             1,200  
<OTHER-INCOME>                                58,900  
<BENEFITS>                                   411,900  
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        0  
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         302,900<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               47,900  
<INCOME-TAX>                                  15,800  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           54,900<F2>
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0  
<CHANGES>                                          0  
<NET-INCOME>                                  54,900  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   1.44  
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0  
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                     0  
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                0  
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  0  
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 0  
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   0  
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                    0  
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                            0  
        
<FN>

<F1> Includes Consumer Finance Expenses of $48,200 and Interest and Other 
     Expenses of $7,300.

<F2> Includes Equity in Net Income of Investees of $22,800.
</FN>