<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           228,802      
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           23,809
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             22,892     
<EQUITIES>                                       4,045
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 255,656      
<CASH>                                          26,335     
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             170,612       
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          (2,263)        
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 790,589       
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                426,994      
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             81,029     
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 16,303      
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           363  
<OTHER-SE>                                     168,593     
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   790,589      
<PREMIUMS>                                     176,444      
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             11,347     
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  28,579     
<BENEFITS>                                     113,338      
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    (10,319)    
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            69,195     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,510     
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,465    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,045     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,045<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 261,700     
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            117,556      
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                8,698    
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              47,896     
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                60,072     
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                426,994      
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Net investment income is reported net of any realized gains and losses in the
Statement of Income.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>