<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            81,854
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           4
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 119,081
<CASH>                                             508
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              11,134
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          45,122
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 304,324
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 59,987
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                 90
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  44,304
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            5,315
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 53,792
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,169
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,680
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   304,324
<PREMIUMS>                                      40,249
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              8,106
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,548
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   3,451
<BENEFITS>                                      19,905
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      4,826
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            12,755
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,869
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,541
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,328
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,328
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.92
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0