<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           273,610
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     110,814
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 426,865
<CASH>                                           3,321
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               8,145
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,316
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 515,613
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                208,883
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              9,994
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            7,455
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           752
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   515,613
<PREMIUMS>                                      45,407
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             14,695
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               5,459
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     892
<BENEFITS>                                      27,403
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      4,105
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             3,318
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,839
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,715
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,124
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,374
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 161,458<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             33,078<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (5,675)<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               7,925<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                21,499<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                159,437<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>