<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           278,247
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     132,094
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 433,396
<CASH>                                          26,655<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               6,902
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,075
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 533,689
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                197,641
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             15,890
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      71
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            6,079
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           736
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   533,689
<PREMIUMS>                                      28,309
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              9,275
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,331
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     819
<BENEFITS>                                      18,349
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      3,155
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             2,721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,762
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,950
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,812
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,812
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .91
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 154,537<F2>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             22,051<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (3,702)<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               7,470<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                12,005<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                153,411<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Cash includes cash equivalents.
<F2>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>