<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>