<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>