The Board of Directors
FPIC Insurance Group, Inc.

         We consent to the use of our report dated March 5, 1999 relating to the
consolidated  balance  sheets of FPIC Insurance  Group,  Inc. as of December 31,
1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated  statements of income,  comprehensive
income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1998  incorporated  herein by reference
and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Jacksonville, Florida
July 14, 1999