<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOUND ON PAGES F-3 AND
F-4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       264,727,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   2,433,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             320,260,000
<CASH>                                       3,212,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                         123,181,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       1,425,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             745,779,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            185,822,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        114,758,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                             16,500,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    35,851,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 204,839,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               745,779,000
<PREMIUMS>                                  93,314,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         15,372,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           5,097,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                              38,462,000
<BENEFITS>                                  51,242,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  3,842,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        33,208,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             36,627,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,329,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         29,298,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                29,298,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81
<RESERVE-OPEN>                              66,326,000
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                         55,045,000
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                          (3,803,000)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                          15,903,000
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                            19,731,000
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                             81,934,000
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                    (3,803,000)