<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,181,058               1,181,058
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                     153,010                 153,010
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,334,068               1,334,068
<CASH>                                          90,237                  90,237
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              38,238                  38,238
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          85,676                  85,676
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,168,036               2,168,036
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,080,084               1,080,084
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            316,964                 316,964
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                175,000                 175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       150,114                 150,114
<OTHER-SE>                                     309,418                 309,418
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,168,036               2,168,036
<PREMIUMS>                                     101,857                 276,241
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             21,461                  62,524
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,221                  11,733
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,870                  10,229
<BENEFITS>                                      61,875                 178,147
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     34,104                  83,868
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             3,500                  10,714
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,387                  67,087
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,378                  13,430
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,009                  53,657
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,009                  53,657
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.74                    2.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.74                    2.06
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 823,979                 823,979
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             93,380                 209,652
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               6,575                   8,000 
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                54,316                 167,777
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                857,854                 857,854
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

<FN> 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PRIOR YEAR PAID 
CLAIMS.


</TABLE>