<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          700,511                 801,308
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            716,702                 815,277
<EQUITIES>                                     233,721                 151,579
<MORTGAGE>                                      74,586                  75,609
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,027,136               1,044,113
<CASH>                                         140,535                  52,665
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              19,659                  21,897
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          82,968                  67,160
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,676,799               1,564,175
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                649,913                 618,791
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            367,991                 330,454
<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>                                     568,039                 530,714
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,676,799               1,564,175
<PREMIUMS>                                     668,716                 592,590
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             77,402                  71,313
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (7,574)                     712
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   9,713                  19,420
<BENEFITS>                                     475,231                 367,552
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    181,013                 166,741
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 92,013                 149,742
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,049                  39,541
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,964                 110,201
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,964                 110,201
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.04                    2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.04                    2.93
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 486,673                 448,331
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            562,997                 442,027
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (87,766)                (74,475)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           (273,334)               (184,182)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             (167,509)               (145,028)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                649,913                 618,791
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>