<ARTICLE> 7 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> Jan-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1998 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 659,752 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 30,539 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 31,786 <EQUITIES> 36,358 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 815,877 <CASH> 60,319 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 19,746 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 24,084 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,528,554 <POLICY-LOSSES> 878,617 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 108,495 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 108,477 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 307,923 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,528,554 <PREMIUMS> 229,504 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 48,824 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (3) <OTHER-INCOME> 19,616 <BENEFITS> 135,265 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 61,564 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 23,989 <INCOME-PRETAX> 48,584 <INCOME-TAX> 15,351 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,233 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 1,924 <NET-INCOME> 35,157 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <RESERVE-OPEN> 585,647 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 142,665 <PROVISION-PRIOR> (7,400) <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 42,102 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 130,669 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 639,558 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 7,400