<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements for nine months ended June 30, 1996 as filed on Form 10-Q
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 SEP-30-1996  
<PERIOD-START>                                    OCT-01-1995  
<PERIOD-END>                                      JUN-30-1996  
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  469,431
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                   469,431
<EQUITIES>                                                  0
<MORTGAGE>                                                  0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                               0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        469,431
<CASH>                                                 26,689
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                 12,868
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        637,491
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                        54,379
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                   101,385
<POLICY-OTHER>                                              0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             0
<COMMON>                                              236,366
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          637,491
<PREMIUMS>                                            171,887
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                    19,331
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                         61
<OTHER-INCOME>                                              0
<BENEFITS>                                             44,189
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                            21,450
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                        0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        63,866
<INCOME-TAX>                                                0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    63,866
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           63,866
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            4.25 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            4.23 
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         66,654
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    17,741
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      24,362
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   (13,799)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     (42,837)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        52,122
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                     0
        

</TABLE>