<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           157,508                 171,975
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                      81,662                  59,759
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 239,170                 231,734
<CASH>                                           8,185                  16,287
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              18,790                     706
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 304,733                 275,515
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                108,295                 107,806
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             37,546                   6,072
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         7,095                   7,477
<OTHER-SE>                                     133,046                 126,290
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   304,733                 275,515
<PREMIUMS>                                      10,569                  33,795
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              3,168                  11,509
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,064                   6,484
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     113                     404
<BENEFITS>                                       9,382                  31,834
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0                       0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             3,067                   6,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,465                  13,763
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,563                   4,463
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,902                   9,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,902                   9,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    24.01                   77.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    21.68                   70.23
<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>