<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,502,213<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      23,539
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,556,724
<CASH>                                         122,784
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          45,856
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,270,605
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                496,952<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            321,845<F3>
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 10,573
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       748,335<F4>
<OTHER-SE>                                     624,626<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,270,605
<PREMIUMS>                                     486,741
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            103,429
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,603
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  19,598
<BENEFITS>                                     216,171
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     85,902
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            58,845
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                258,453
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,772
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            245,008
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   245,008
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     6.46
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0<F6>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>REPRESENTS FIXED MATURITY INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE.  THESE ARE CARRIED
AT MARKET VALUE.
<F2>EXCLUDE THE REDUCTION FOR OUTSTANDING LOSSES RECOVERABLE FROM REINSURERS
($17,792) WHICH IS INCLUDED IN TOTAL ASSETS.
<F3>EXCLUDE THE REDUCTION FOR PREPAID REINSURANCE PREMIUM ($14,679) WHICH IS
INCLUDED IN TOTAL ASSETS.
<F4>INCLUDES ORDINARY SHARES OF $7,797 AND ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL $740,538.
<F5>INCLUDES RETAINED EARNINGS, NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN
CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION.
<F6>AMOUNTS FOR SECURITIES ACT INDUSTRY GUIDE 6 AND EXCHANGE ACT INDUSTRY GUIDE 4
DISCLOSURES ARE NOT PROVIDED BECAUSE THE COMPANY'S LOSS RESERVES DO NOT EXCEED
ONE-HALF OF CONSOLIDATED COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>