<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,311,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     250,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               3,441,100
<CASH>                                          17,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,958,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,034,800
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 94,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,800
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,494,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,958,700
<PREMIUMS>                                     924,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            132,600
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  95,200
<BENEFITS>                                     600,200
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           461,800<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             71,900<F2>
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    71,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CONSUMER FINANCE EXPENSES OF $89.9 MILLION AND OTHER EXPENSES OF $9.3
MILLION.
<F2>INCLUDES EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF INVESTEES OF $10.5 MILLION
</FN>