<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 76,156 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 691,031 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 708,725 <EQUITIES> 106,687 <MORTGAGE> 2,915 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 908,317 <CASH> 6,827 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 10,964 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 59,393 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,076,956 <POLICY-LOSSES> 673,823 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 112,585 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 35,758 <OTHER-SE> 211,564 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,076,956 <PREMIUMS> 119,659 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,174 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 748 <OTHER-INCOME> 958 <BENEFITS> 80,360 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 25,015 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 29,433 <INCOME-PRETAX> 16,731 <INCOME-TAX> 4,210 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,521 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,521 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.17 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.17 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0