<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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 3,589,200 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 940,400 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 4,677,800 <CASH> 28,300 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 376,800 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 230,300 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 6,704,800 <POLICY-LOSSES> 1,999,000 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 1,671,300 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 775,800 <COMMON> 71,800 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,669,300 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6,704,800 <PREMIUMS> 894,300 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 62,600 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (3,300) <OTHER-INCOME> 11,400 <BENEFITS> 635,200 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 128,600 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 65,800 <INCOME-PRETAX> 108,100 <INCOME-TAX> 31,600 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 76,500 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 76,500 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.02 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.02 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0