<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,523,003,748 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 3,452,644,298 <MORTGAGE> 6,702,089 <REAL-ESTATE> 15,602,197 <TOTAL-INVEST> 6,025,513,679<F1> <CASH> 55,370,552 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 2,903,793 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 124,890,279 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 6,652,223,995 <POLICY-LOSSES> 2,235,829,815<F2> <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 422,309,955 <POLICY-OTHER> 47,758,987<F2> <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 9,971,055 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 332,775,191<F3> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 105,674,010<F4> <OTHER-SE> 2,814,106,600<F4> <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6,652,223,995 <PREMIUMS> 1,057,828,812 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 242,451,646 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 40,939,681 <OTHER-INCOME> 8,301,379 <BENEFITS> 825,923,896 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 213,081,939<F5> <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 108,386,346<F5> <INCOME-PRETAX> 202,129,337 <INCOME-TAX> 41,336,194 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 160,793,143 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 160,793,143 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.82 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.82 <RESERVE-OPEN> 1,580,742,006<F6> <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,691,105,328<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 $3,223,459 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 acquisitions 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 September 30, 1996 </FN>