<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 10K for the year-to-date, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           268,309
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          268,309
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            268,309
<EQUITIES>                                     148,060
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 438,817 
<CASH>                                          16,955 <F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,537
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           3,245
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 544,369
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                194,432
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             22,208
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            4,395
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           730
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   544,369
<PREMIUMS>                                      68,862
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             19,060
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,855
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,806
<BENEFITS>                                      42,537
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      9,108
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             8,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,707
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,895
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,895
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23 <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 151,493 <F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             53,278 <F3>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (10,741)<F3>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              24,947 <F3>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                25,088 <F3>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                143,951 <F3>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Cash includes cash money market instruments classified as cash.
<F2>EPS-PRIMARY is basic earnings per share.
<F3>All loss data is presented net of applicable reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>