<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            54,759
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 111,553
<CASH>                                           1,731
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               3,849
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           1,162
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,605
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                100,588
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              6,917
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                              364
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 18,941
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            95
<OTHER-SE>                                      26,214
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,605
<PREMIUMS>                                      86,488
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,013
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,640
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       8
<BENEFITS>                                      79,890
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     14,853
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            13,359
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (15,294)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       606
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (15,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (15,900)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.67)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.67)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  96,525
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             62,244
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                               17,646
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              16,398
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                58,669
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                100,588
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         17,646