<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>