<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          661,445                 600,482
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            647,338                 619,267
<EQUITIES>                                     512,516                 481,386
<MORTGAGE>                                      72,451                  73,510
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,268,979               1,257,900
<CASH>                                          22,535                  75,912
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              48,365                  36,687
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          98,500                  88,759
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,871,472               1,755,983
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                675,188                 596,966
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            457,095                 391,424
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        19,000                  19,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     627,634                 686,785
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,871,472               1,755,983
<PREMIUMS>                                     871,830                 745,620
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             89,787                  86,501
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               8,130                   6,769
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  17,793                  13,440
<BENEFITS>                                     625,090                 531,429
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    233,660                 196,434
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                128,790                 124,467
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,154                  27,975
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            101,636                  96,492
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                      00
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                          952                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   102,588                  96,492
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.94                    2.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.94                    2.68
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 498,829                 530,077
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            664,978                 592,796
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (39,888)                (61,367)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             383,707                 335,047
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               243,496                 227,630
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                675,188                 596,996
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0


</TABLE>