<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SUMMIT HOLDING SOUTHEAST, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH SUMMIT HOLDING SOUTHEAST, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES FORM 10-K FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                       1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            221,228
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                   0
<EQUITIES>                                       21,691
<MORTGAGE>                                            0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                         0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  249,456
<CASH>                                            5,757
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                6,211
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                              973
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  534,651
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 347,068
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              36,633
<POLICY-OTHER>                                        0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            14,015
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  16,540
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                      16,397
<COMMON>                                             58
<OTHER-SE>                                       81,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    534,651
<PREMIUMS>                                       19,532
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              11,117
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                1,551
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   23,057
<BENEFITS>                                       12,452
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                       2,731
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             22,034
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  12,688
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4,138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               8,550
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                      8,550
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      1.40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  248,691
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                              13,003
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  (551)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                2,481
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 46,938
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 211,724
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                           3,463


</TABLE>