<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,763,200
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,463,800
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               6,380,100
<CASH>                                          20,800
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             270,400
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         355,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,610,300
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,242,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,768,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,040,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,900
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,690,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,610,300
<PREMIUMS>                                   2,726,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            156,100
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              18,700
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  28,600
<BENEFITS>                                   1,918,600
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    361,400
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           282,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                311,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    93,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            217,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   217,400
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.91
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0