<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           283,718
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      72,768
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 356,486
<CASH>                                          31,573
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 999
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          16,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 469,198
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                151,150
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             64,787
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        44,796     
<OTHER-SE>                                      92,687
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   469,198
<PREMIUMS>                                     122,687
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             15,448
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 474
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     219
<BENEFITS>                                      66,374
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     38,422
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             2,212
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,050
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,022
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,028
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,028
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 108,928<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             69,544
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (3,170)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              13,402
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                26,870
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                135,030<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 $16,120 AND $13,502 AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997,
RESPECTIVELY
</FN>