<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           438,204<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 438,204
<CASH>                                          14,070
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           9,416
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 516,840
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 39,934
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             57,029
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,467
<OTHER-SE>                                     355,295<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   516,840
<PREMIUMS>                                     124,461<F3>
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             28,964
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                (17)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   (147)
<BENEFITS>                                      28,028
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     20,025
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 90,762
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             90,762
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    90,762
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.63<F4>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.63<F4>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  33,390
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             31,174
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (3,146)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              10,225
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                11,259
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 39,934
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>F1. Fixed maturity investments are carried at market value.
<F2>Other stockholders' equity represents additional paid-in capital.
<F3>Written premium $119,802; Earned premium $124,461.
<F4>EPS expressed in USD, no multiplier.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>