<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        21,827,300
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     376,400
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,130,200
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              29,188,800
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             734,800
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       3,879,100<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              43,599,900
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             23,621,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            376,600
<POLICY-OTHER>                               1,221,500
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          270,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              5,321,500<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        2,096,900
<PREFERRED>                                    105,500
<COMMON>                                     2,736,500
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,431,600<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                43,599,900
<PREMIUMS>                                   3,948,800
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          2,462,300
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             208,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                               1,096,700<F4>
<BENEFITS>                                   3,580,500
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    622,800<F5>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           614,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,045,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                   445,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            600,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (42,600)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   467,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes $2,425,200 of cost of policies purchased.
<F2>Includes $2,389,300 related to finance debt.
<F3>Includes retained earnings of 42,460,000 and accumulated other comprehensive
losses of $28,400.
<F4>Includes gain on sale of finance receivables of $745,000 and fee revenue and
other income of $351,700.
<F5>Includes amortization of cost of policies purchased of 400,900 and
amortization of cost of policies produced of $221,900.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>