<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