<TABLE> <S> <C>

                                                                      
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,165,069
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,429,822
<CASH>                                          50,580
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             234,746
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          92,931
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,203,713
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                967,430
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          689,542
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                178,769
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          100,000<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           191
<OTHER-SE>                                     509,295
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,203,713
<PREMIUMS>                                     360,871
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            160,194
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              14,568
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     290,761
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     27,883
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            99,125
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                117,864
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,226
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             74,982
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,982
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.00<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.80<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 380,826
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             41,221
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (2,419)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               1,498
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                30,079
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                388,051
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         27,847
<FN>
<F1>Represents Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Capital Securities of
Delphi Funding L.L.C. holding solely junior subordinated deferrable interest
debentures of the Company.
<F2>Reflects the adoption in 1997 of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," ("SFAS 128"). Financial Data Schedules for 
prior periods have not been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS 128.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>