<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND I8S 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>                           153,730
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                         605
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 159,010
<CASH>                                           1,183
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              21,389<F1>
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             967
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 203,890
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                118,330
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              8,649
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            4,591
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,537
<OTHER-SE>                                      60,869<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   203,890
<PREMIUMS>                                      18,126
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              5,678
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  69
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,767<F3>
<BENEFITS>                                      13,461
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      3,097
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            11,079<F4>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,084)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        19
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,084)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,103)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.07)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 116,294
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             13,461
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               3,651
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                26,776
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                100,177<F5>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          3,123
<FN>
<F1> Included in this caption are reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of
18,151 and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses of 3,238.
<F2>Included in Stockholders' Equity-Other is treasury stock of 66.
<F3>Included in caption Other Income is trust fee income of 2,185.
<F4>Included in this caption are expenses in connection with terminated proposed
acquisition of 2,320.
<F5>Includes reserves of 851 of Valor Insurance Co. which was acquired on June 
24, 1996.
</FN>