<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           390,616
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           12,801
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             12,865
<EQUITIES>                                      62,707
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 466,124
<CASH>                                          36,620
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 811,709
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                      0
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             53,821
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 213,277
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 55,188
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        16,429
<OTHER-SE>                                     303,151
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   811,709
<PREMIUMS>                                     768,042
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             21,208
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  31,419
<BENEFITS>                                     614,118
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           180,637
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,281
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,348
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,933
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,933
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0