<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Income and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997 
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,416,841
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     837,827
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,254,668
<CASH>                                         394,599
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          22,272
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,088,462
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,342,254
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            566,911
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  40,706
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                141,000
<COMMON>                                           844
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,478,286
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,088,462
<PREMIUMS>                                     540,653
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            216,552
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             335,939
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  65,882
<BENEFITS>                                     365,325
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     46,108
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            65,577
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                682,046
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,085
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            676,961
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   676,961
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     7.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     7.81
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               2,052,652
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            644,108
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                            (278,783)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              34,055
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               233,172
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              2,186,229
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        277,908