<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income and is 
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,980,953
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,112,022
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               6,092,975
<CASH>                                         550,084
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         109,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,945,480
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              3,044,304
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,120,119
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  47,117
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                371,324
<COMMON>                                         1,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,499,208
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,945,480
<PREMIUMS>                                     433,183
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            188,963
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             134,655
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  55,816
<BENEFITS>                                     256,425
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     52,933
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            87,615
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                415,644
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            411,802
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   411,802
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.65
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0