<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997, AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           888,363                 582,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          147,180                 172,167
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            158,341                 184,480
<EQUITIES>                                      23,835                   3,735
<MORTGAGE>                                     103,736                  85,849
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    3,211                   3,394
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,567,170               1,211,491
<CASH>                                          23,794                   8,608
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              95,511                  82,568
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         144,844                 102,696
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,992,249               1,519,033
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                246,834                 196,655
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             13,149                  11,866
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 795,820                 542,038
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           43,751                  20,754
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                112,500                  40,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           103                      99
<OTHER-SE>                                     229,939                 209,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,992,249               1,519,033
<PREMIUMS>                                     322,006                 230,928
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             74,651                  58,449
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,978                   1,270
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,759                   3,985
<BENEFITS>                                     213,655                 140,332
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     55,876                  41,720
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            83,055                  61,191
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,396                  25,737
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,039                   9,098
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,357                  16,639
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (328)                   (195)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,029                  16,444
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.00                    1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98                    1.70
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  66,452                  55,413
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            125,296                  79,739
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                5,936                   1,151
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              74,045                  48,590
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                39,654                  21,261
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 83,985                  66,452
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0


</TABLE>