<ARTICLE> 7

<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,589,559<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      43,228
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   10,373
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,709,992
<CASH>                                          13,712
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          71,796
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,676,497
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,150,964<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            140,968
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          119,705
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                157,546
<COMMON>                                            29
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     426,970
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,676,497
<PREMIUMS>                                     271,257
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             99,559
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     195,861
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     21,210
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            51,525
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,175
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,661
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,514
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,514
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN> 

<F1> Refer to Note 4 - Investments of the Company's Consolidated Notes to
     Financial Statements for June 30, 1996.

<F2> Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1996.
</FN>