<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
Company's First Quarter 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to 
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           472,783
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      28,788
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 501,571
<CASH>                                          30,097
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              42,919
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          20,172
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 687,469
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                351,671
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            123,266
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 70,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                     104,913
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   687,469
<PREMIUMS>                                      33,913
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,375
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 954
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      92
<BENEFITS>                                      22,894
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      6,744
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             3,933
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,763
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,538
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,225
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,225
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.60
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0