<ARTICLE> 7

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        46,434,285
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                      286,240,893
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                        333,818,000
<EQUITIES>                                 307,142,752
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             691,818,359
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                          89,091,742
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      34,128,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,155,134,406
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            484,139,521
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        157,384,417
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                             74,560,143
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    12,803,652
<OTHER-SE>                                 292,035,237
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,155,134,406
<PREMIUMS>                                  93,461,432
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         12,428,180
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           2,257,967
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                  43,099,051
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                 33,634,091
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                         8,155,695
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             20,944,473
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,345,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         15,598,573
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                15,598,573
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.50
<RESERVE-OPEN>                             415,523,392
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                            484,139,521
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0