<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's third quarter 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           551,396
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      38,285
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 589,681
<CASH>                                          38,608
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              63,864
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          20,987
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 827,306
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                419,334
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            173,382
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 70,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                     126,794
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   827,306
<PREMIUMS>                                     111,404
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             23,214
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (572)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     135
<BENEFITS>                                      75,279
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     20,231
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            15,083
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,588
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,059
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,529
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,529
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.83
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0