<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,911,042
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,278,816
<CASH>                                         121,074
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             223,693
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          94,166
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,943,396
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                962,728
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          721,867
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                178,889
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          100,000<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           185
<OTHER-SE>                                     404,946
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,943,396
<PREMIUMS>                                     177,810
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             84,520
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,363
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     147,469
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     14,380
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            48,009
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,835
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,890
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,315
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,315
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.81<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.81<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Represents Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Capital Securities of
Delphi Funding L.L.C. holding solely junior subordinated deferrable interest
debentures of the Company.
<F2>The Company's Board of Directors declared a 2% stock dividend on May 13, 1997,
which was distributed to stockholders on June 10, 1997. Financial Data
Schedules for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the stock
dividend.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>