<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             824
<SECURITIES>                                    33,590
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,251
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          43,106
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 866,667
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        302,010
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      3,910
<COMMON>                                        59,132
<OTHER-SE>                                     338,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   866,667
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               258,945
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               123,842
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 9,572
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,586
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,945
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,761
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,184
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (4,532)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,652
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.76