<TABLE> <S> <C>

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<MULTIPLIER>                                 1000
<CURRENCY>                                   U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                    JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                      DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                             1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  240,233
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         0
<EQUITIES>                                              7,400
<MORTGAGE>                                                  0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                               0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        254,425
<CASH>                                                  2,807
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                    200,017
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  4,303
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        592,086
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                       342,444
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    51,295
<POLICY-OTHER>                                              0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        23,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  845
<OTHER-SE>                                            142,421
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          592,086
<PREMIUMS>                                             91,203
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                    15,209
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                            708
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<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                   24,264
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        15,153
<INCOME-TAX>                                            3,664
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    11,489
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           11,489
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            1.36
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                        139,841
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    65,705
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      (3,383)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     (9,848)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                      (41,798)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                       150,517
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                (3,383)
        





</TABLE>