<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           266,174
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     168,245
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 452,226
<CASH>                                          23,426<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               7,250
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           4,061
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 564,480
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                195,122
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             27,535
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      56
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            4,486
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           730
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   564,480
<PREMIUMS>                                      35,840
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              9,235
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,624
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     769
<BENEFITS>                                      21,532
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      4,542
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             5,134
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,838
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,501
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,337
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,337
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 151,493<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             28,492<F3>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (6,960)<F3>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               9,171<F3>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                13,939<F3>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                149,915<F3>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes money market cash equivalents.
<F2>Basic earnings per share.
<F3>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>