<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           737,429
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      23,671
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 786,925
<CASH>                                          16,025
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              22,344
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          10,267
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 902,289
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                489,166
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             26,124
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     367,184<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   902,289
<PREMIUMS>                                      39,686
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             10,503
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,320
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      38
<BENEFITS>                                      33,431
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             7,099
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,017
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,993
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,024
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,024
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 464,652<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             50,659
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (17,228)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                  89
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                31,172
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                466,822
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (17,228)
<FN>
<F1>TREASURY STOCK OF $1,950 IS INCLUDED AS A REDUCTION OF OTHER STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY. NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OF $13,951 IS INCLUDED IN OTHER
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.
<F2>AT MARCH 31, 1998, NO INCREMENTAL SHARES RELATED TO STOCK OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED
IN THE DILUTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING AS THE IMPACT WOULD HAVE
BEEN ANTIDILUTIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ADOPTION OF FASB 128 DID NOT HAVE AN
IMPACT ON THE PRIOR PERIOD PER SHARE CALCULATIONS AS THE COMPANY ONLY HAD
COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING.
<F3>INCLUDES LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES THE COMPANY HAS ASSUMED
UNDER A REINSURANCE AGREEMENT FROM FREMONT INDEMNITY COMPANY AS OF JANUARY 1,
1998.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>