<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> $2,088,588 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 142,527 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 2,339,604 <CASH> 8,430 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 10,646 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 92,709 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,984,865 <POLICY-LOSSES> 1,603,972 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 301,711 <POLICY-OTHER> 11,380 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 299,942 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,171 <OTHER-SE> 654,890 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,984,865 <PREMIUMS> 574,647 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 123,050 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 42,675 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 379,495 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 216,312 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 21,735 <INCOME-PRETAX> 122,830 <INCOME-TAX> 27,153 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 95,677 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 95,677 <EPS-PRIMARY> 5.21 <EPS-DILUTED> 4.77 <RESERVE-OPEN> 1,513,345 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 418,091 <PROVISION-PRIOR> (38,596) <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 52,370 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 26,548 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,603,972 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0