<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       167,883,832                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                   6,401,816                       0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             174,367,109                       0
<CASH>                                       9,258,285                       0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           9,972,221                       0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      76,742,702                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             297,272,542                       0
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             57,716,263                       0
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            511,610                       0
<POLICY-OTHER>                             101,083,744                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       811,100                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                 113,377,473                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               297,272,542                       0
<PREMIUMS>                                  95,064,729              75,354,675
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          7,493,143               5,666,792
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              92,665                  16,254
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 269,929                 256,429
<BENEFITS>                                  61,779,767              47,498,682
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>               (13,526,533)            (10,134,069)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        42,279,465              35,146,302
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,387,767               8,783,235
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,714,276               2,635,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,673,491               6,148,235
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,673,491               6,148,235
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23                    1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23                    1.15
<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>