<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,252,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,038,200
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,563,800
<CASH>                                          32,100
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             287,300
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         301,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,336,100
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,173,800
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,377,300
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                776,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,400
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,339,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,336,100
<PREMIUMS>                                   3,655,100
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            213,400
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              49,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  29,200
<BENEFITS>                                   2,481,200
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    488,600
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           355,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                552,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   173,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            378,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   378,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     5.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.06
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0