<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           722,196
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      37,015
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 793,616
<CASH>                                          12,305
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              24,899
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           8,051
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 921,469
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                477,631
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             24,591
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     386,517<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   921,469
<PREMIUMS>                                     157,976
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             40,367
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              11,129
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     489
<BENEFITS>                                     132,208
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            28,211
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,542
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,566
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,976
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,976
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.06<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.06
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 470,412<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            197,870
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (65,662)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              14,408
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              135,,480
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                452,732
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (65,662)
<FN>
<F1>Treasury stock of $13,141 is included as a reduction of other stockholders'
equity. Accumulated other comprehensive income of $18,685 is included as a
component of stockholders' equity.
<F2>The adoption of FASB 128 did not have an impact on the prior period per share
calculations as the Company had only common stock outstanding.
<F3>Includes loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of $36,972 the Company
assumed under a reinsurance agreement from Fremont Indemnity Company as of
January 1, 1998.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>