<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
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,885,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,143,100
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,496,900
<CASH>                                          13,400
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             326,600
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         278,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,930,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,148,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,178,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                776,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,400
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,230,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,930,700
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,145,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             69,500
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              26,700
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  10,500
<BENEFITS>                                     784,200
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    155,900
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           110,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                175,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    55,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            120,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   120,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0