<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
GUARANTY NATIONAL CORPORATIONS'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRELY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           402,481
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           74,378
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             75,240
<EQUITIES>                                     103,861
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 695,529
<CASH>                                           8,104
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              85,811
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          46,751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 971,074
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                371,362
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            167,152
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                101,313
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       137,392
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,370
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   971,074
<PREMIUMS>                                     263,272
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             21,608
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,955
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     183,126
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     69,336
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             6,527
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,460
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,460
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 284,681
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            181,052
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                2,074
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              75,323
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               103,610
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                288,874
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          2,074