<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,907,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,913,800
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               7,065,000
<CASH>                                          19,200
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             248,100
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         349,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,493,500
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,918,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,951,300
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,049,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        73,300
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,721,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,493,500
<PREMIUMS>                                   4,716,400
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            276,700
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (9,300)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  15,200
<BENEFITS>                                   3,971,700
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    587,100
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           398,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (34,100)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (32,200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,900)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.03)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0