<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,158,026 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 138,901 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 2,438,003 <CASH> 24,234 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 10,737 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 97,299 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,190,005 <POLICY-LOSSES> 1,698,265 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 330,976 <POLICY-OTHER> 23,689 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 299,947 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,195 <OTHER-SE> 730,666 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,190,005 <PREMIUMS> 398,415 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 98,066 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 23,298 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 264,945 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 154,648 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 16,278 <INCOME-PRETAX> 83,908 <INCOME-TAX> 15,175 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 68,733 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 68,733 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.76 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.42 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0