<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's Second Quarter 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           496,504
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      30,249
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 526,753
<CASH>                                          54,303
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              52,833
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          19,424
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 773,375
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                383,683
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            156,214
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 70,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                     118,424
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   773,375
<PREMIUMS>                                      70,338
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             14,825
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (354)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     287
<BENEFITS>                                      47,501
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     12,969
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             9,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,485
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,785
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,785
<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