<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,667,269,970 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 4,588,151,178 <MORTGAGE> 9,030,800 <REAL-ESTATE> 15,927,353 <TOTAL-INVEST> 7,309,497,307<F1> <CASH> 63,437,276 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 2,138,512 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 130,001,215 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,978,994,691 <POLICY-LOSSES> 2,320,678,439<F2> <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 428,771,039 <POLICY-OTHER> 42,592,040<F2> <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 12,401,809 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 353,617,793<F3> <COMMON> 111,795,948<F4> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 3,629,572,630<F4> <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,978,994,691 <PREMIUMS> 748,375,403 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 170,920,990 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 44,290,988 <OTHER-INCOME> 4,352,134 <BENEFITS> 525,690,079 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 155,311,466<F5> <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 88,318,424<F5> <INCOME-PRETAX> 198,619,546 <INCOME-TAX> 48,742,259 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 149,877,287 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 149,877,287 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.63 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.63 <RESERVE-OPEN> 1,702,415,290<F6> <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,751,116,588<F7> <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 <FN> <F1>Equals the sum of Fixed Maturities, Equity Maturities 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 $3,206,890 which is classified as Other Policyholder Funds <F3>Equals the sums 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, 1996. <F7>Equals the net reserve for unpaid claims for the property casualty subsidiaries less loss checks payable as of June 30, 1997 </FN>