<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
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,120,400
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     698,500
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,067,400
<CASH>                                          13,900
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             333,700
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         186,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,686,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,653,800
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,295,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                675,900
<COMMON>                                        72,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     78,400
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,356,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,686,700
<PREMIUMS>                                     732,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             50,900
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,900
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   9,400
<BENEFITS>                                     525,400
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    120,100
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            41,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             63,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    63,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .82
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0