<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Independence Holding Company Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1998
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       208,623,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                               00
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                  23,296,000
<MORTGAGE>                                     267,000
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             329,859,000
<CASH>                                       3,514,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                         110,730,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      20,779,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             495,734,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            232,395,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         24,600,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                              67,015,000
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        3,495,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,436,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  89,869,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               495,734,000
<PREMIUMS>                                  40,898,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         12,252,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             334,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                               2,979,000
<BENEFITS>                                  31,147,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  2,476,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,949,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,511,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,438,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,438,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0