<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 137,565,000 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 8,407,000 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 197,343,000 <CASH> 152,484,000 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 0 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 23,923,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 930,596,000 <POLICY-LOSSES> 242,037,000 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 0 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 72,402,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 11,448,000 <OTHER-SE> 313,821,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 930,596,000 <PREMIUMS> 745,757,000 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12,190,000 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 2,803,000 <OTHER-INCOME> 0 <BENEFITS> 42,463,000 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 0 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 47,809,000 <INCOME-TAX> 19,800,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 28,009,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 28,009,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.45 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0