<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           289,210
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     143,963
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 452,614
<CASH>                                          16,870<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               8,728
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,379
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 548,626
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                193,945
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             17,447
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            5,938
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           730
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   548,626
<PREMIUMS>                                      44,942
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             13,809
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              13,824
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,299
<BENEFITS>                                      29,019
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      5,109
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,804
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,838
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,799
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,039
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,039
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 154,537<F2>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             35,461<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (6,442)<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              11,639<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                21,946<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                149,971<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Cash includes cash equivalents.
<F2>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>