<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           2,031,438<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                            166,809<F2>
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                              172,269<F2>
<EQUITIES>                                        91,941<F3>
<MORTGAGE>                                       252,989
<REAL-ESTATE>                                     81,113<F4>
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 2,755,686
<CASH>                                            78,843
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                95,805
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           207,620
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3,380,529
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  797,347
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                    35,628
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          1,888,100<F5>
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          23,121
<OTHER-SE>                                       487,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3,380,529
<PREMIUMS>                                       111,104
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              143,864
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                10,632
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    76,547
<BENEFITS>                                       202,395
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                       26,706
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               3,117<F6>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   46,543
<INCOME-TAX>                                      13,146
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               33,397
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      33,397
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       5.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       5.40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                0
        
<FN>
<F1>Debt  securities  held for sale  represent FASB 115 available for sale fixed
maturity  securities  reported  on a current  value  basis,  and do not  include
trading securities or securities held to maturity.
<F2>Debt  securities   represent  FASB  115  held  to  maturity  fixed  maturity
securities,  and do not include trading  securities or securities  available for
sale.
<F3>Equity  securities  include equity  securities  that are available for sale,
under FASB 115.
<F4>Real estate includes real estate joint ventures.
<F5>Policyholder  funds include  accumulated  contract values as defined by FASB
97, dividend and coupon accumulations and other policyowner funds.
<F6>Underwriting  expenses  represent  amortization  of the  value of  purchased
insurance in force.
</FN>


</TABLE>