<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,643,078<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      34,827
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    7,673
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,744,769
<CASH>                                           8,376
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          81,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,968,416
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,163,894<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            153,984
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          119,091
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                141,581
<COMMON>                                            30
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     466,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,968,416
<PREMIUMS>                                     267,307
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             99,708
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,645
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     230,644
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     22,098
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            49,606
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,676
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,380
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,296
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,296
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.72
<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 June 30, 1997.

<F2>  Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1997.
</FN>