<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,602,559
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     716,082
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               3,318,641
<CASH>                                         288,490
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          33,081
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,549,493
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,985,580
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            667,433
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  26,032
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                           874
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,808,832
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,549,493
<PREMIUMS>                                     386,747
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            148,332
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             147,658
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  43,476
<BENEFITS>                                     305,667
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     26,637
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            31,164
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                362,745
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,125
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            360,620
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   360,620
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.88
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0