<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            82,619     
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           4
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 110,708      
<CASH>                                           1,896    
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               5,359    
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          40,396     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 291,632
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 58,088     
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                129  
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  41,434     
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            5,754    
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 61,477     
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,169    
<OTHER-SE>                                      86,091     
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   291,632
<PREMIUMS>                                      32,636     
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              5,438    
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,731    
<BENEFITS>                                      16,768     
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      2,745    
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            10,104     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,971    
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,691    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,559
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,559     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    12.19   
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    12.19    
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0