<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet and statements of income and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,350,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     774,300
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,249,000
<CASH>                                           9,300
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             319,300
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         196,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,987,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,764,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,449,400
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                775,600
<COMMON>                                        71,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,478,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,987,200
<PREMIUMS>                                   2,344,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            158,600
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  32,600
<BENEFITS>                                   1,636,700
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    359,500
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           153,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                310,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    88,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            222,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   222,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.89
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0