<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
(CONTINUED) THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             JUN-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           294,513                 291,387                 329,459
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                      92,865                  84,550                  88,511
<MORTGAGE>                                      10,977                  11,142                  10,513
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    3,339                   3,335                   3,332
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 432,253                 459,443                 506,118
<CASH>                                           7,908                  10,504                   3,171
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              14,552                  13,870                  43,698
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          30,050                  29,781                  29,302
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 848,617                 932,623               1,131,359
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                380,529                 440,237                 462,694
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            145,700                 151,542                 152,799
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 69,000                  90,000                  94,875
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         6,109                   6,135                   6,137
<OTHER-SE>                                     204,953                 214,635                 238,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   848,617                 932,623               1,131,359
<PREMIUMS>                                      71,062                 144,006                 256,748
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              6,520                  13,311                  20,619
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,311                   3,331                   5,373
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0                       0                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      49,807                 102,395                 161,369
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      (613)                   (344)                     135
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            22,657                  43,847                  75,827
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,323                  11,114                  39,325
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,409                   2,988                  12,361
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,914                   8,156                  26,964
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,914                   8,156                  26,964
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26                     .54                    1.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26                     .53                    1.76
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>                       0<F1>                       0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>This amount is presented on an annual basis.  See 12/31/97 Form 10-K for the
most recent reported amounts.
</FN>


</TABLE>