<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EQUIMED, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,891
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,607
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,466
<PP&E>                                          23,524
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  98,646
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,406
<BONDS>                                         18,550
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        75,714
<OTHER-SE>                                    (52,756)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    98,646
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,833
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   46,953
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (372)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,607
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,049
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,427
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,622
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,622
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.89