<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          600,482                 566,784
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            619,267                 590,597
<EQUITIES>                                     481,386                 326,588
<MORTGAGE>                                      73,510                  82,839
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,257,900               1,242,695
<CASH>                                          72,243                 106,188
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              36,687                  18,170
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          88,759                  85,264
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,755,983               1,754,753
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                596,996                 649,473
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            391,424                 379,599
<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>                                     686,785                 630,796
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,755,983               1,754,753
<PREMIUMS>                                     745,620                 730,497
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             86,501                  80,972
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               6,769                  22,770
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  13,440                   7,074
<BENEFITS>                                     531,429                 526,127
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    196,434                 187,491
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                124,467                 127,517
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,975                  31,302
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             96,492                  96,215
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    96,492                  96,215
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.68                    2.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.68                    2.67
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 530,077                 533,980
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            592,796                 609,930
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (61,367)                (83,803)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             335,047               (322,822)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               227,630               (207,148)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                596,996                 649,473
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>