<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           373,858
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      63,947
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 437,805
<CASH>                                          20,172
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               9,443
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          33,161
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 682,187
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                226,680
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            143,785
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,661
<OTHER-SE>                                     102,497
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   682,187
<PREMIUMS>                                     162,189
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             18,126
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,038
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   7,525
<BENEFITS>                                      94,183
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     53,568
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             9,962
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,731
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,595
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,595
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 161,353<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             94,183
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              22,207
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                47,580
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                185,749<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 $40,931 AND $26,710 AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND
DECEMBER 31, 1999, RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>