<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           725,155
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      27,574
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 796,441
<CASH>                                          11,352
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              23,087
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           9,344
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 912,667
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                484,926
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             25,218
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     373,985<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   912,667
<PREMIUMS>                                      79,480
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             20,626
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,061
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     270
<BENEFITS>                                      67,376
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            13,940
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,121
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,704
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,417
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,417
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.42<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 470,411<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            100,721
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (33,345)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 927
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                75,021
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                461,839
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (33,345)
<FN>
<F1>Treasury stock of $4,813 is included as a reduction of other stockholders'
equity. Accumulated other comprehensive income of $15,950 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>