<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          566,784                 700,511
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            590,597                 716,702
<EQUITIES>                                     326,588                 233,721
<MORTGAGE>                                      82,839                  74,586
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,242,695               1,167,671
<CASH>                                          25,446                 140,535
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              18,170                  19,659
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          85,264                  82,968
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,754,753               1,676,799
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                649,473                 662,832
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            379,599                 367,991
<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>                                     630,796                 568,039
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,754,753               1,676,799
<PREMIUMS>                                     730,497                 668,716
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             80,794                  77,402
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              22,770                 (7,574)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   7,074                   9,713
<BENEFITS>                                     526,127                 475,231
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    187,491                 181,013
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                127,517                  92,013
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,302                  18,049
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             96,215                  73,964
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    96,215                  73,964
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.67                    2.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.67                    2.04
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 533,980                 493,911
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            609,930                 562,997
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (83,803)                (87,766)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           (322,882)               (267,653)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             (207,148)               (167,509)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                649,473                 662,832
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>