<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            280553
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  280810
<CASH>                                           32272
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               18261
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           11849
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  538985
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 328911
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              62351
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  21125
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      104428
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    538985
<PREMIUMS>                                      104246
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              17061
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                6188
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     979
<BENEFITS>                                       71015
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      45089
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  10763
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1969
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               8794
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      8794
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  171307
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                              64222
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                 6793
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               13932
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 40289
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 188101
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         (6793)