<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Chandler
Insurance Company, Ltd.'s March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           107,416
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                            1,561
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                              1,615
<EQUITIES>                                       1,765
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 110,742
<CASH>                                           9,501
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               4,194
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           5,155
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 208,565
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 79,746
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             37,020
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   4,581
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  4,048
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,593
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,020
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   208,565
<PREMIUMS>                                      23,673
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              1,815
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  14
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     820
<BENEFITS>                                      15,587
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      6,596
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            13,975
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,850)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      477
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,327)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,327)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.49)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0