<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>              7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from Form 10-Q for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>      1
       
<S>                                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                          9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                     SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                             153,662,429
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                      0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                        0
<EQUITIES>                                        11,427,910
<MORTGAGE>                                                 0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                              0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                   169,834,357
<CASH>                                               170,824
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                     4,986
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                            14,659,504
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   194,258,403
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                   10,536,147
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                6,975,250
<POLICY-OTHER>                                             0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                      0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                   34,480,782
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                0
<COMMON>                                             133,925
<OTHER-SE>                                       130,225,243
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     194,258,403
<PREMIUMS>                                        38,245,072
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                6,788,337
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   582,076
<OTHER-INCOME>                                         9,648
<BENEFITS>                                         4,300,136
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        4,188,705
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               9,515,458
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   25,759,256
<INCOME-TAX>                                       7,867,914
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               17,891,342
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                      17,891,342
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           1.29
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                             0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                        0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                          0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                         0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                           0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                            0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                    0
        

</TABLE>