<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998                  JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        71,528,784                   73,681,394
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                            0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                            0
<EQUITIES>                                 157,094,612                  126,529,295
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                            0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                8,695,480                    7,191,665
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             243,267,518                  208,402,099
<CASH>                                         590,537                      545,506
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0                            0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      13,797,429                   13,414,263
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             288,941,620                  252,218,499
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             74,364,510                   56,385,730
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         46,264,452                   47,695,377
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                            0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                            0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                            0
<COMMON>                                    11,522,605                   11,471,850
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                            0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                 134,254,802                  113,573,744
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               288,941,620                  252,218,499
<PREMIUMS>                                  44,814,531                   41,886,245
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          4,582,773                    4,119,867
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           7,637,647                      379,060
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  48,908                       36,352
<BENEFITS>                                  26,944,554                   27,677,719
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    389,512                     (435,949)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        14,958,148                   16,110,654
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             14,791,645                    3,069,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,232,916                      405,058
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         10,558,729                    2,664,042
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                            0
<CHANGES>                                            0                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                10,558,729                    2,664,042
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.94                         0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94                         0.24
<RESERVE-OPEN>                              71,472,338                   47,702,363
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                         13,620,726                   16,548,664
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                           13,323,828                   11,129,055
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                           7,562,018                    6,376,578
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                            16,490,364                   12,617,774
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                             74,364,510                   56,385,730
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                            0
        

</TABLE>