<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-10-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           133,104                 183,561
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                      60,729                  38,001
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 193,833                 221,562
<CASH>                                          51,002                   7,003
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              16,722                  22,174
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 274,212                 261,993
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                109,718                 110,037
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             16,620                   6,860
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         7,287                   7,604
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,418                 111,278
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   274,212                 261,993
<PREMIUMS>                                      20,818                  23,479
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              8,931                   9,085
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,124                   1,704
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      26,285                  21,484
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0                       0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,222                   4,987
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,366                   7,797
<INCOME-TAX>                                       518                   1,110
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                848                   6,687
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       848                   6,687
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.43                   52.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     6.43                   52.43
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                       0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>