<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND ON PAGES
F-3 THROUGH F-5 OF THE COMPANY'S S-1 FILED ON AUGUST 12, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995 MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 3,363 3,028
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 65,052 69,267
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 66,840 69,647
<EQUITIES> 3,076 4,010
<MORTGAGE> 0 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 71,491 76,305
<CASH> 10,202 12,485
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 1,237 1,073
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 316 383
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 120,440 130,492
<POLICY-LOSSES> 55,427 59,571
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 3,581 3,287
<POLICY-OTHER> 0 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 10,299 10,426
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 10,113 13,037
<COMMON> 119 119
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 1 1
<OTHER-SE> 32,018 34,261
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 32,138 34,381
<PREMIUMS> 58,167 15,026
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 4,519 1,295
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 176 30
<OTHER-INCOME> 6,991 2,205
<BENEFITS> 32,924 9,250
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 245 67
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 13,279 3,445
<INCOME-PRETAX> 14,568 3,143
<INCOME-TAX> 5,234 909
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,334 2,234
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,334 2,234
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.43 0.10
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.43 0.10
<RESERVE-OPEN> 31,242 43,304
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 36,074 9,519
<PROVISION-PRIOR> (3,150) (269)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 10,219 749
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 10,643 5,512
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 43,304 46,293
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> (3,150) (269)