<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           270,105
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     122,504
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 414,280
<CASH>                                          27,170<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               7,194
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,674
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 507,935
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                194,321
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             12,425
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            6,755
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           738
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   507,935
<PREMIUMS>                                      13,322
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              4,611
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               5,444
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     378
<BENEFITS>                                       8,863
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      1,813
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               839
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,690
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,117
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,573
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,573
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 154,537<F2>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             11,116<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (3,441)<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               2,538<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 5,923<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                154,939<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Cash includes cash equivalents.
<F2>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>