<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999       DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999       JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999       SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           373,468           457,219
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                 0
<EQUITIES>                                       2,102            21,099
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                 0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                 0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 537,004           587,357
<CASH>                                          11,415            47,311
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              62,709           111,577
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          61,605           100,957
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,007,188         1,347,702
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                386,447           504,911
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            168,855           309,515
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                218,338           268,302
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                 0
<PREFERRED>                                         30                 0
<COMMON>                                           190               190
<OTHER-SE>                                     188,983           157,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,007,188         1,347,702
<PREMIUMS>                                     323,371           368,720
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             23,663            26,462
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               8,199               148
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  24,040             4,203
<BENEFITS>                                     206,707           263,241
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     85,691           121,461
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            44,294            51,995
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,504           (52,499)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,051           (16,699)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,326           (39,887)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                 0
<CHANGES>                                            0                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,326           (39,887)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .98             (2.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98             (2.16)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 504,911           504,714
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                386,447           596,797
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                 0


</TABLE>