
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           523,025
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           42,446
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             44,318
<EQUITIES>                                          26
<MORTGAGE>                                     146,460
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   43,473
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 801,337
<CASH>                                         226,788
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             180,825
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          29,566
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,444,848
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                433,780
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             30,315
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 273,536
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 76,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           15,623
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       188,043
<OTHER-SE>                                     275,159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,444,848
<PREMIUMS>                                     208,400
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             18,782
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,335
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  22,528
<BENEFITS>                                     153,651
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      3,369
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               998
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,054
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,736
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,541
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,277
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.72
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>
