<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Independence Holding Company Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       201,581,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                  20,235,000
<MORTGAGE>                                     280,000
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             305,841,000
<CASH>                                         650,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                         105,828,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      12,979,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             448,390,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            189,123,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         27,387,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                              69,167,000
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        2,513,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,431,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  86,255,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               448,390,000
<PREMIUMS>                                  21,059,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          5,921,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              18,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                               1,152,000
<BENEFITS>                                  16,387,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  1,192,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,094,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   603,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,491,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,491,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0