<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's 1996 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           620,392
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      45,877
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 666,269
<CASH>                                          24,706
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 808
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          22,696
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 941,247
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                457,063
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            205,348
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 70,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,671
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   941,247
<PREMIUMS>                                     155,784
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             32,646
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,047
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     166
<BENEFITS>                                     105,335
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     27,803
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            21,766
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,739
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,634
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,105
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,105
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.67
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 324,416
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            112,107
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (6,772)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             (2,239)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              (13,811)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                457,063
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0