<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,509,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,079,300
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,281,300
<CASH>                                          20,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             362,200
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         268,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,574,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,140,900
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          1,979,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                775,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,200
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,991,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,574,000
<PREMIUMS>                                   2,982,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            198,400
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              67,700
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  34,500
<BENEFITS>                                   2,116,900
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    433,600
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           223,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                426,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                   131,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            294,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   294,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.89
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0