<ARTICLE>   7
       
                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  63,681,171
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                113,012,794
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  116,588,112
<EQUITIES>                                            13,663,713
<MORTGAGE>                                                     0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                          2,496,510
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                       205,054,106
<CASH>                                                 1,826,116
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                             0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                 9,109,754
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       308,968,607
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                      122,566,123
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                   74,728,962
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                          0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        5,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                               8,245,868
<OTHER-SE>                                            97,894,695
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         308,968,607
<PREMIUMS>                                            54,782,801
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                    5,613,406
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                       347,235
<OTHER-INCOME>                                         1,175,728
<BENEFITS>                                            35,027,043
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                            9,725,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                   8,147,317
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        6,993,019
<INCOME-TAX>                                           1,782,934
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    5,210,085
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                           5,210,085
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                .62
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                            77,474
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                       36,830
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                         (1,803)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                        22,014
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                          11,350
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                           79,137
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                   (1,803)