<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996<F1>
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           220,981
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           16,523
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             16,262
<EQUITIES>                                       3,639
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 241,143
<CASH>                                          38,522
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 741,135
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                406,354
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             76,112
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 16,589
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           360
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   741,135
<PREMIUMS>                                     131,855
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,592<F2>
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  23,079
<BENEFITS>                                      89,517
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,077
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,776
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,301
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,301
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 261,700
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                402,804
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Amounts inapplicable or not disclosed as a separate line on the Statement of
Financial Position or Results of Operations are reported as 0 herein.

Financial Data Schedule information for the year ending December 31, 1995 is
incorporated by reference herein to Amendment No. 4 to Form S-1 registration
statement as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company
on February 28, 1996.
<F2>Net investment income is reported net of any realized gains and losses in 
the Statement of Income.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>