<ARTICLE> 7 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 96,479 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 695,121 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 723,145 <EQUITIES> 115,891 <MORTGAGE> 2,892 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 945,500 <CASH> 3,862 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 14,701 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 59,775 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,113,248 <POLICY-LOSSES> 693,197 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 114,002 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 35,758 <OTHER-SE> 221,400 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,113,248 <PREMIUMS> 181,630 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 45,412 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 1,031 <OTHER-INCOME> 1,443 <BENEFITS> 126,094 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 36,795 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 45,947 <INCOME-PRETAX> 20,680 <INCOME-TAX> 4,568 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,112 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,112 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.50 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.50 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0