<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations enclosed
herein electronically in Form 10Q for the year-to-date, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           280,346
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      98,944
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 420,812
<CASH>                                           2,699
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              10,105
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,294
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 510,847
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                210,534
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             10,941
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      34
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            8,134
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           752
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   510,847
<PREMIUMS>                                      31,436
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              9,863
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,684
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     659
<BENEFITS>                                      19,985
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      2,835
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             2,136
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,548
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,033
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,515
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,784
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 161,458<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             23,426<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (3,441)<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               4,548<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                13,920<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                162,975<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>