<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) FORM
10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           708,860
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      23,523
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 732,383
<CASH>                                          13,252
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              21,531
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                             520
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 888,449
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                454,971
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             22,072
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     346,476<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   888,449
<PREMIUMS>                                     133,866
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             42,716
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                6602
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     551
<BENEFITS>                                     123,377
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            17,987
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,371
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,176
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,176
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.66<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 440,301
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                           (53,209)
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              176,586
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              11,814
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               118,424
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                433,440
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (53,209)
<FN>
<F1>TREASURY STOCK OF $416 IS INCLUDED AS A REDUCTION OF OTHER STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY. NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OF $14,638 IS INCLUDED IN OTHER STOCKHOLDER
EQUITY.
<F2>THE ADOPTION OF FASB 128 DID NOT HAVE AN IMPACT ON ANY OF THE COMPANY'S
EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS AS IT ONLY HAS COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING.
</FN>


</TABLE>