<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
3/31/97
BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       152,667,973
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                      189,103,209
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                        183,719,576
<EQUITIES>                                  25,884,665
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             383,315,159
<CASH>                                       2,709,816
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                          16,196,667
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       9,712,697
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             435,091,556
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            213,892,260
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         49,901,431
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        3,455,340
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    11,146,635
<OTHER-SE>                                 136,650,256
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               435,091,556
<PREMIUMS>                                  42,458,343
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          5,744,736
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              57,305
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  59,685
<BENEFITS>                                  31,649,886
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  8,172,702
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         5,677,868
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,070,552
<INCOME-TAX>                                   322,653
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,747,899
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,747,899
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16
<RESERVE-OPEN>                             202,502,986
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                         32,789,614
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                          (1,139,728)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           5,719,967
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                            15,934,361
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                            213,892,252
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                    (1,139,728)