<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10Q FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           734,546
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      34,952
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 809,803
<CASH>                                          12,982
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              23,309
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           8,845
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 923,955
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                483,457
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             23,236
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,821<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   923,955
<PREMIUMS>                                     117,769
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             30,394
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               7,330
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     428
<BENEFITS>                                      99,307
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            20,707
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,907
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,078
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,829
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,829
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.21<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 464,652<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            148,238
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (48,931)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               5,615
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                98,196
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                460,148
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (48,931)
<FN>
<F1>TREASURY STOCK OF $11,614 IS INCLUDED AS A REDUCTION OF OTHER STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OF $23,836 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 THE COMPANY ASSUMED UNDER A
REINSURANCE AGREEMENT FROM FREMONT INDEMNITY COMPANY AS OF JANUARY 1, 1998.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>