<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