<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,091,200
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     680,100
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,069,000
<CASH>                                          11,200
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             315,800
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         193,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,793,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,693,300
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,399,400
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                775,600
<COMMON>                                        71,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,388,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,793,700
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,516,500
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            103,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,700
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  19,800
<BENEFITS>                                   1,064,100
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    239,500
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            92,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                197,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    55,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            141,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   141,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.83
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0