<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
        
<S>                                                   <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                   YEAR 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         DEC-31-1998  
<PERIOD-END>                                              DEC-31-1998 
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                          337,107 
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                               0 
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                 0
<EQUITIES>                                                     71,687 
<MORTGAGE>                                                      9,549 
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                   3,300 
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                489,397 
<CASH>                                                          6,897 
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                             24,922
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                         25,433 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              1,092,943  
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                               524,744 
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           162,037 
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                      0 
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                               0 
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                               109,875 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                                         0  
<COMMON>                                                        6,187  
<OTHER-SE>                                                    229,967 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                1,092,943   
<PREMIUMS>                                                    328,044 
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                            28,320 
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                              6,825 
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                      0
<BENEFITS>                                                    237,061
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                    90,001                      
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                           14,735 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 8,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    2,544 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             5,536 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    5,536 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     .37
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                263,106
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           212,894
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                              24,167
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            100,968
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              113,224
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                               285,975
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                        24,167

        

</TABLE>