<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> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,792,065 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 6,523,354 <MORTGAGE> 11,536 <REAL-ESTATE> 4,630 <TOTAL-INVEST> 9,363,271<F1> <CASH> 75,895 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 2,256 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 135,304 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 10,060,723 <POLICY-LOSSES> 2,417,619<F2> <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 440,697 <POLICY-OTHER> 41,126<F2> <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 15,870 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 337,823<F3> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 339,574<F4> <OTHER-SE> 4,725,841<F4> <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 10,060,723 <PREMIUMS> 394,592 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 90,300 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 25,642 <OTHER-INCOME> 2,020 <BENEFITS> 270,131 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 82,749<F5> <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 43,341<F5> <INCOME-PRETAX> 116,333 <INCOME-TAX> 32,155 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 84,178 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 84,178 <EPS-PRIMARY> .51 <EPS-DILUTED> .49 <RESERVE-OPEN> 1,776,648<F6> <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,805,385<F7> <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 <FN> <F1>Equals the sum of Fixed Maturities, Equity Securities 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 $3,607 which is classified as Other Policyholder Funds <F3>Equals the sum of Notes Payable and the 5.5% Convertible Senior Debenture <F4>Equals the Total Shareholders' Equity <F5>Equals the Sum of Commissions, Other Operating Expenses, Taxes and 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, 1997 <F7>Equals the net reserve for unpaid claims for the property casualty subsidiaries less loss checks payable as of March 31, 1998 </FN>