<ARTICLE>                      7
<MULTIPLIER>                          1000
                                      
                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                95807
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                  95807
<EQUITIES>                           35723
<MORTGAGE>                            6752
<REAL-ESTATE>                           46
<TOTAL-INVEST>                      141358
<CASH>                               44641
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                   27111
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>               15257
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      265196
<POLICY-LOSSES>                     121829
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                  36873
<POLICY-OTHER>                        3882
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                    0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                      34611
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                            164
<COMMON>                             18712
<OTHER-SE>                           39917
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        265196
<PREMIUMS>                           21775
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                   2875
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                      39
<OTHER-INCOME>                           2
<BENEFITS>                           14532
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>           6044
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                     0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       1978
<INCOME-TAX>                            40
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      0
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                          1938
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                            0.08
<RESERVE-OPEN>                           0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                      0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                        0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                         0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                          0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                  0