<ARTICLE> 7
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            72,793
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          666,752
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            672,895
<EQUITIES>                                      93,848
<MORTGAGE>                                       2,937
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 870,290
<CASH>                                          20,169
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              13,015
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          57,825
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,044,432
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                663,668
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            107,379
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        35,759
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,636
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,044,432
<PREMIUMS>                                      59,256
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             15,037
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 696
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     441
<BENEFITS>                                      38,228
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     11,723
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            15,306
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,173
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,770
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,403
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0