<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 3,103,499
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 16,553
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 3,235,217
<CASH> 0
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 119,404
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 25,970
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,582,253
<POLICY-LOSSES> 614,853
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 182,440
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 410,000
0
0
<COMMON> 121,111
<OTHER-SE> 2,131,510
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,582,253
657,746
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 129,465
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 585
<OTHER-INCOME> 30,259
<BENEFITS> 66,597
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 14,646
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 118,615
<INCOME-PRETAX> 597,112
<INCOME-TAX> 187,434
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 409,678
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 409,678
<EPS-BASIC> 3.86
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.83
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>