<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,889,604
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,060,873
<CASH>                                         371,762
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             356,030
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         104,460
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,396,197
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,046,388
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             20,265
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          664,576
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                265,165
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          100,000<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           204
<OTHER-SE>                                     566,236
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,396,197
<PREMIUMS>                                     418,416
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            168,692
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               8,060
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  31,468
<BENEFITS>                                     342,997
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     25,758
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           120,106
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                137,775
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,688
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             87,035
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    87,035
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.29<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.13<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 388,051
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             61,776
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                (166)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               6,953
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                36,494
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                406,214
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         33,570
<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>The Company's Board of Directors declared a 2% stock dividend on November 19,
1998, which was distributed on December 15, 1998 to stockholders' of record on
December 1, 1998. Financial Data Schedules for prior periods have not been
restated to reflect the stock dividend.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>