<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-31-1996             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996             JUN-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           205,587                 234,157                 242,668
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                      69,902                  89,706                  83,989
<MORTGAGE>                                      10,950                   9,711                  11,330
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    3,354                   3,349                   3,345
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 385,002                 385,391                 427,203
<CASH>                                           4,504                   9,041                   9,244
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              14,295                  15,689                  29,707
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          25,607                  30,920                  31,530
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 734,500                 827,170               1,077,371
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                324,998                 400,654                 500,902
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            130,653                 142,392                 143,874
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 69,000                  69,000                  69,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         6,057                   6,092                   6,098
<OTHER-SE>                                     172,886                 176,321                 193,771
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   734,500                 827,170               1,077,371
<PREMIUMS>                                      67,504                 144,400                 265,774
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              6,464                  12,992                  19,580
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,181                   2,767                   3,575
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     629                     922                   1,055
<BENEFITS>                                      45,883                 101,122                 174,985
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    (1,022)                 (6,355)                 (6,945)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            22,296                  51,497                  79,190
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,296                  10,341                  36,382
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,818                   2,838                  11,561
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,478                   7,503                  24,821
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,478                   7,503                  24,821
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30                     .50                    1.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30                     .50                    1.64
<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>