<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> Jan-1-1997 <PERIOD-END> Mar-31-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 590,861 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 38,622 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 38,261 <EQUITIES> 31,239 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 660,722 <CASH> 48,633 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 28,277 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 20,365 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,282,604 <POLICY-LOSSES> 758,203 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 96,496 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 135,799 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 96 <OTHER-SE> 222,209 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,282,604 <PREMIUMS> 61,785 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10,210 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (20) <OTHER-INCOME> 8,680 <BENEFITS> 42,035 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 17,120 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 3,694 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,064 <INCOME-TAX> 2,577 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,487 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,487 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.68 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.68 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0