<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND> THE 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,614,091<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      35,109
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    7,681
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,748,843
<CASH>                                           5,850
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          82,344
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,859,767
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,157,750<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            153,887
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          120,281
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                133,573
<COMMON>                                            29
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     467,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,859,767
<PREMIUMS>                                     131,419
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             49,787
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 857
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     114,884
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     10,840
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            24,509
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,670
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,270
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82
<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 3 - Investments of the Company's Consolidated Notes to 
     Financial Statements for March 31, 1997.

<F2> Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1997.

</FN>