<ARTICLE> 7 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 330,042 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 82,331 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 412,373 <CASH> 25,428 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 9,651 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 27,949 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 622,244 <POLICY-LOSSES> 198,409 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 118,297 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 68,825 <OTHER-SE> 95,530 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 622,244 <PREMIUMS> 48,627 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 6,264 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 93 <OTHER-INCOME> 2,725 <BENEFITS> 28,240 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 16,719 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 2,810 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,129 <INCOME-TAX> 2,464 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,665 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,665 <EPS-BASIC> 0.46 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.38 <RESERVE-OPEN> 161,353<F1> <PROVISION-CURRENT> 28,240 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 3,961 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 18,188 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 167,444<F1> <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 <FN> <F1>UNPAID LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES DIFFER FROM THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BECAUSE OF THE INCLUSION HEREIN OF REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES OF $30,965 AND $26,710 AT MARCH 31, 2000 AND DECEMBER 31, 1999, RESPECTIVELY. </FN>