<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEC FORM S-4 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 0 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 0 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 0 <CASH> 0 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 0 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 0 <POLICY-LOSSES> 0 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 0 <PREMIUMS> 129,197 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 16,781 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 580 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 93,332 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 19,860 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,813 <INCOME-TAX> 272 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,541 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 2 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10,543 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <RESERVE-OPEN> 172,100 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 102,302 <PROVISION-PRIOR> (8,970) <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 26,812 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 56,977 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 181,643 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> (8,970)