<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,674,555<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      31,934
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,288
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,874,572
<CASH>                                          10,187
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          90,545
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,358,377
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,109,573<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            166,353
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          123,586
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                141,609
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                     508,023
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,358,377
<PREMIUMS>                                     141,207
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             48,520
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               6,371
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      97,430
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     11,446
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            27,225
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,672
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,213
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,459
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,459
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50
<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, 1998.

<F2> Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1998.
</FN>