<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's 1997 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.  DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           934,981
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      61,732
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 996,713
<CASH>                                          88,505
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               2,751
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          34,581
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,485,804
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                637,929
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            289,840
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          125,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                     276,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,485,804
<PREMIUMS>                                     211,176
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             47,115
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,212
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     144
<BENEFITS>                                     141,773
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     34,978
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            40,216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,680
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,155
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,525
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,525
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.41
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 380,147
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            152,042
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (10,269)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             (4,495)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              (36,193)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                480,763
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0