<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 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-31-1997      DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997      JAN-01-1996 
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997      DEC-31-1996 
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           582,700          526,799
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          172,167          138,584 
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            184,480          147,813
<EQUITIES>                                       3,735            2,946
<MORTGAGE>                                      85,849           70,156
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    3,394            6,620 
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,211,491        1,094,274
<CASH>                                           8,608            2,079
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              82,568           65,177
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         102,696           77,968
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,519,033        1,305,222
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                196,655          151,395
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             11,866           10,679
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 542,038          460,097
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           20,754           13,662
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 40,000                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                0 
<COMMON>                                            99               99
<OTHER-SE>                                     209,099          208,573
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,519,033        1,305,222
<PREMIUMS>                                     230,928          181,690
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             58,449           54,371
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,270              167
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  19,629           15,771
<BENEFITS>                                     140,332          106,946
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     57,364           47,554
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            61,191           51,365
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,737           22,646
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,098            7,926
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,639           14,720
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (195)              295
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                0
<CHANGES>                                            0                0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,444           15,015
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.74             1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.70             1.51
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  55,413           56,050
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             79,739           72,192
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                1,151         (18,392)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              48,590           40,131
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                21,261           14,306
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 66,452           55,413
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                0
        

</TABLE>