<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           199,053
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 226,053<F1>
<CASH>                                          25,520
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 391,313
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                152,492
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 14,990
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,821
<OTHER-SE>                                     189,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   391,313
<PREMIUMS>                                     160,802
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,588
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 181
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     226
<BENEFITS>                                      14,103
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,730
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,592
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,592
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .82
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 150,331
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             13,718
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  385
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             (2,163)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               (9,779)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                152,492
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS.
</FN>