<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996 
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,658,512<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      35,416
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    7,592
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,784,336
<CASH>                                          13,704
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          75,071
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,861,026
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,154,254<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            155,776
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          118,549
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                133,564
<COMMON>                                            29
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     484,366
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,861,026
<PREMIUMS>                                     502,699
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            198,607
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,451
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     346,691
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     41,063
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            97,021
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                100,619
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,817
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,802
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (9,163)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,639
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.75
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 345,889<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            368,648
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (62,546)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             206,370
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               139,272
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                306,349<F3>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         62,546
<FN>

<F1> Refer to Note 3 - Investments of the Company's Consolidated Notes to 
     Financial Statements for December 31, 1996.

<F2> Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1996.

<F3> These balances are net of reinsurance recoverables. See also Note 1 - 
     Significant Accounting Policies of the Company's Consolidated Notes to 
     Financial Statements for December 31, 1996.
</FN>