<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           156,131
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      36,433
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 192,564
<CASH>                                           8,525
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,115
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           9,649
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 251,755
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                108,591
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             36,589
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        42,119
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   251,755
<PREMIUMS>                                      47,551
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              4,615
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                (31)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     114
<BENEFITS>                                      26,313
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     14,804
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             1,179
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,953
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,339
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,614
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,614
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  85,723<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             26,313
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               3,710
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                12,378
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 95,948<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 $12,643 AND $10,919 AT JUNE 30, 1997 AND DECEMBER
31, 1996, RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>