<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM GUARANTY NATIONAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           426,259
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           74,262
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             75,814
<EQUITIES>                                     123,550
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 744,062
<CASH>                                           2,849
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              90,326
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          48,538
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,019,415
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                376,212
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            172,771
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                101,125
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       137,686
<OTHER-SE>                                     140,964
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,019,415
<PREMIUMS>                                     403,354
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             31,698
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               8,376
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     280,916
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    105,871
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             9,230
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 41,405
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,385
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,020
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,020
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.98
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 284,681
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            278,106
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                2,810
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             132,581
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               141,487
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                291,529
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          2,810