<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           263,777
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     170,493
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 452,211
<CASH>                                          31,897 <F2>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               6,993
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           3,486
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 569,997
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                197,106
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             23,930
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       2
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            4,505
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           731
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   569,997
<PREMIUMS>                                      16,985
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              4,623
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,339
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     315
<BENEFITS>                                      10,722
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      2,017
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             2,545
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,746
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,030
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,716
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,716
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .34
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 151,663<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             13,476<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (2,754)<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               2,992<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 7,560<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                151,493<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
<F2>Includes money market cash equivalents of $31,734.
</FN>