<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> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        NOV-30-1997   
<PERIOD-START>                           DEC-01-1996  
<PERIOD-END>                             FEB-28-1997   
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       2,761,226 
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                0
<EQUITIES>                                   840,179
<MORTGAGE>                                         0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             3,601,405
<CASH>                                       436,623
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                        26,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             5,025,329  
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            2,147,689
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          646,305       
<POLICY-OTHER>                                36,081      
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                              0 
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    0
<COMMON>                                         863   
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0 
<PREFERRED>                                        0 
<OTHER-SE>                                 2,123,930         
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               5,025,329         
<PREMIUMS>                                   119,837       
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           51,557      
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            32,613      
<OTHER-INCOME>                                13,155      
<BENEFITS>                                    84,960      
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    9,907     
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                          11,584      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              110,711       
<INCOME-TAX>                                   2,593     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          108,118       
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0 
<CHANGES>                                          0 
<NET-INCOME>                                 108,118      
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   1.23
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                     0 
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                0 
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  0 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 0 
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   0 
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                    0 
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                            0