<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 7
<LEGEND>   THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FOREMOST CORPORATION OF AMERICA FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000
<CURRENCY>                                                     U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                           1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                356,776
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                   947
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                     981
<EQUITIES>                                                           79,936
<MORTGAGE>                                                            5,867
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                        13,228
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                      493,661
<CASH>                                                                2,227
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                   23,914
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                               75,689
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      753,196
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                      84,128
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                 250,959
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                            0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                     0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                      89,853
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<COMMON>                                                             27,166
<OTHER-SE>                                                          236,989
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        753,196
<PREMIUMS>                                                          436,230
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                  24,568
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                    7,287
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                        2,311
<BENEFITS>                                                          249,786
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                         130,800
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                      0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      63,288
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       (16,610)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  46,678
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     (3,310)
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         43,368
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          1.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          1.56
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                       82,722
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                 254,507
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                   (4,721)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                  205,631
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                     43,168
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                      84,128
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                   0
        


</TABLE>