<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
(UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,071,223
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,506,030
<CASH>                                          56,841
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             225,225
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          92,307
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,120,374
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                980,781
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          717,074
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                178,829
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          100,000<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           188
<OTHER-SE>                                     449,667
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,120,374
<PREMIUMS>                                     267,658
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            124,948
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,577
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     220,231
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     21,557
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            72,548
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,847
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,550
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             56,154
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    56,154
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.80
<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.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>