<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>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,614,742<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      42,894
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    8,549
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,737,968
<CASH>                                          12,027
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          75,173
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,746,285
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,151,705<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            154,489
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          120,516
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                149,555
<COMMON>                                            29
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     450,807
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,746,285
<PREMIUMS>                                     408,669
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            149,185
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,611
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     296,230
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     32,002
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            77,126
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 66,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,202
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,838
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,838
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                00000000
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                           00000000
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             00000000
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                            00000000
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              00000000
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                               00000000
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       00000000
<FN>

<F1> Refer to Note 3 - Investments of the Company's Consolidated Notes to 
     Financial Statements for September 30, 1996.

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