<ARTICLE> 7
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     2,449,668,496
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                               3,306,316,275
<MORTGAGE>                                   6,590,731
<REAL-ESTATE>                               15,653,055
<TOTAL-INVEST>                           5,805,313,106<F1>
<CASH>                                      10,117,346
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           2,405,025
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                     122,258,633
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           6,405,967,599
<POLICY-LOSSES>                          2,186,651,442<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        412,718,780
<POLICY-OTHER>                              46,565,471<F2>
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        9,259,355
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                            332,709,344<F3>
<COMMON>                                   110,516,627<F4>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                               2,694,870,903<F4>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             6,405,967,599
<PREMIUMS>                                 699,644,781
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        162,522,515
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                          25,889,445
<OTHER-INCOME>                               5,783,402
<BENEFITS>                                 539,929,072
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                144,634,318<F5>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        65,805,805<F5>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            143,470,948
<INCOME-TAX>                                29,626,505
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        113,844,443
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               113,844,443
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.99
<RESERVE-OPEN>                           1,580,742,006<F6>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                          1,649,821,125<F7>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>EQUALS THE SUM OF FIXED MATURITIES, EQUITY SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTED ASSETS
<F2>EQUALS THE SUM OF LIFE POLICY RESERVES AND LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES LESS THE
LIFE COMPANY LIABILITY FOR SUPPLEMENTARY CONTRACTS WITHOUT LIFE CONTINGENCIES
OF $3,154,454 WHICH IS CLASSIFIED AS OTHER POLICYHOLDER FUNDS
<F3>EQUALS THE SUM OF NOTES PAYABLE AND THE 5-1/2% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURE
<F4>EQUALS THE TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
<F5>EQUALS THE SUM OF COMMISSIONS, OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, TAXES LICENSES AND
FEES, INCREASE IN DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS, INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER
EXPENSES.
<F6>EQUALS THE NET RESERVE FOR UNPAID CLAIMS FOR THE PROPERTY CASUALTY SUBSIDIARIES
LESS LOSS CHECKS PAYABLE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<F7>EQUALS THE NET RESERVE FOR UNPAID CLAIMS FOR THE PROPERTY CASUALTY SUBSIDIARIES
LESS LOSS CHECKS PAYABLE AS OF JUNE 30, 1996
</FN>