<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FIINANCIAL 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>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,651,379<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      26,019
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      173
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,840,820    
<CASH>                                          12,044
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         101,658
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,395,480
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,128,804<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            179,194
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          124,820   
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                149,637
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                     496,564
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,395,480
<PREMIUMS>                                     577,812
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            191,723
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,908
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     396,328
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     45,477
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           109,673
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                116,781
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,469
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             85,312
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,312
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.95
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 269,308<F2>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            379,603  
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (24,917)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             238,986
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               141,969
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                243,039<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         24,917
<FN> 
<F1>Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998.
<F2>These balances are net of reinsurance recoverables. See also Note 1 -
Significant Accounting Policies of the Company's Consolidated Notes to
Financial Statements for December 31, 1998.
</FN>