<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 38,182 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 17,228 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 17,7540 <EQUITIES> 8,205 <MORTGAGE> 97 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 73,802 <CASH> 254 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 4,240 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 4,778 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 134,442 <POLICY-LOSSES> 48,964 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 27,384 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 2,445 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 5,573 <COMMON> 47 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1 <OTHER-SE> 47,443 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 134,442 <PREMIUMS> 41,248 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 42,689 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 3,282 <OTHER-INCOME> 634 <BENEFITS> 32,874 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 5,438 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 7,849 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,392 <INCOME-TAX> 492 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,900 <EPS-PRIMARY> .32 <EPS-DILUTED> .32 <RESERVE-OPEN> 36,551 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 29,803 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 3,071 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 16,339 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 12,209 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 48,964 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0