<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1998  
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1998  
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1998  
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       2,643,010<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              0  
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                0
<EQUITIES>                                         0
<MORTGAGE>                                    27,958 
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  1,278
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             2,850,941
<CASH>                                        12,799
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                        94,166
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             4,280,401
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            2,115,429<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          179,816
<POLICY-OTHER>                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        125,777
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              144,627
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                          59
<OTHER-SE>                                   508,978
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               4,280,401
<PREMIUMS>                                   429,094
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          144,458
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            13,599
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     0
<BENEFITS>                                   301,308
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                   34,149
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                          80,684
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               86,893
<INCOME-TAX>                                  23,853
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           63,040
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                  63,040
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   1.43
<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 September 30, 1998.

<F2>  Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30,
      1998.
</FN>