<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-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,627,613<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,840
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      168
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,851,386
<CASH>                                          15,918
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         113,340
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,402,645
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,135,064<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            178,209
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          127,712
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                150,647
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                     472,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,402,645
<PREMIUMS>                                     146,244
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             46,924
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (3,137)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     101,260
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     10,729
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            25,736
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,012
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,961
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,051
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,051
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40
<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, 1999.
<F2> Refer to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1999.
</FN>