<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> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,219,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,013,400
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,674,300
<CASH>                                          18,600
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             281,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         299,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,463,100
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,188,600
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,329,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                776,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,500
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,484,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,463,100
<PREMIUMS>                                   4,948,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            287,400
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              11,400
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  38,200
<BENEFITS>                                   3,376,300
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    659,900
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           495,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                661,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                   204,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            456,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   456,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     6.11
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,867,500
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          3,560,500
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                            (184,200)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           2,376,000
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               922,000
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,945,800
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                      (184,200)