<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 STATEMEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,802,400
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   1,424,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               6,351,400
<CASH>                                           8,600
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             264,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         365,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,744,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,323,600
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          2,895,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,040,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        73,100
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,689,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,744,200
<PREMIUMS>                                   4,185,900
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            242,100
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              40,900
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  43,900
<BENEFITS>                                   3,028,600
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    551,700
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           426,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                415,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                   124,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            291,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   291,400
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.90
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0