<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,335,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     993,800
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,969,500
<CASH>                                          18,600
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             362,100
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         255,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,138,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,082,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,863,400
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                775,900
<COMMON>                                        72,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,830,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,138,200
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,904,100
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            129,300
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              26,300
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  22,400
<BENEFITS>                                   1,360,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    276,200
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           133,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                256,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            178,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   178,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.37
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0