<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                     7
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1,000
       
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                        SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  2,850,133
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                 2,884,963
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                   2,884,963
<EQUITIES>                                               38,081
<MORTGAGE>                                                   0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        2,963,257
<CASH>                                                   32,882
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                      225,104
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  195,609
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        3,547,429
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                       3,190,796
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                    12,718
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                          65,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                 16,984
<OTHER-SE>                                              220,339
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          3,547,429
<PREMIUMS>                                               14,314
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                     157,544
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                       11,993
<OTHER-INCOME>                                            2,279
<BENEFITS>                                              117,938
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                              15,536
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                     20,065
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          28,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                              9,906
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      18,396
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             18,396
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              1.17
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                               0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       0

</TABLE>