<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,481,371,084 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 2,481,371,084 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 2,481,371,084 <EQUITIES> 698,128,663 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 43,667,707 <TOTAL-INVEST> 3,223,167,454 <CASH> 45,558,741 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 139,021,179 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 177,744,633 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,476,443,624 <POLICY-LOSSES> 1,908,454,537 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 725,399,208 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 241,445,833 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,901,746 <OTHER-SE> 1,598,240,286 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,476,443,624 <PREMIUMS> 1,554,966,234 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 184,286,394 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 160,826,817 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 1,175,654 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 401,992,867 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 184,204,510 <INCOME-PRETAX> 136,889,384 <INCOME-TAX> 30,952,959 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 105,936,425 <DISCONTINUED> 10,459,751 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 2,254,776 <NET-INCOME> 114,141,358 <EPS-BASIC> 1.87 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.87 <RESERVE-OPEN> 1,865,544,556 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 575,150,416 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 1,248,178,312 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 615,152,916 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 640,208,629 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,823,328,728 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 22,842,385