
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998         
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           511,074
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           40,486
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             42,289
<EQUITIES>                                          24
<MORTGAGE>                                     139,091
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   41,996
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 775,916
<CASH>                                         126,414
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             151,625
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          27,082
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,268,469
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                431,189
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             18,137
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 210,766
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           15,286
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       188,043
<OTHER-SE>                                     275,059
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<PREMIUMS>                                     279,066
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             34,685
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,942
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  33,854
<BENEFITS>                                     198,346
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      6,506
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             2,506
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,270
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,934
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,872
<DISCONTINUED>                                   3,311
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,183
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>
