<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           313,369                 424,252
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                       1,671                  22,093
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 393,298                 585,442
<CASH>                                          13,580                  16,567
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              74,546                  95,465
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          36,780                  74,909
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 823,662               1,282,569
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                331,221                 483,942
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            118,313                 261,988
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  18,328                 103,903
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                107,116                 168,314
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           41,225                 100,000
<PREFERRED>                                         30                       0
<COMMON>                                           190                     190
<OTHER-SE>                                     207,239                 164,232
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   823,662               1,282,569
<PREMIUMS>                                      67,906                 105,604
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,065                   6,564
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   0                       0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     327                   1,335
<BENEFITS>                                      47,061                  61,710
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     20,528                  47,487
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             3,554                   4,027
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,155                  15,279
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,330                   4,794
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,254                   9,123
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                    (330)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  4,567                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,258                   8,793
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.33                    0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28                    0.47
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 354,709                 504,911
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            331,221                 483,942
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0


</TABLE>