<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE REGISTRANT'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995,
AND 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            67,893
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      19,460
<MORTGAGE>                                         131
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 124,169
<CASH>                                          22,012
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 373
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         130,355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,166,611
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 94,477
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                674
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          897,044
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 41,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     10,500
<COMMON>                                         4,502
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,767
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,166,611
<PREMIUMS>                                       5,334
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              8,275
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 118
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     544
<BENEFITS>                                       6,733
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      4,860
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            44,521
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,113)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (477)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,636)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,636)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0