<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                  7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-Q and is
qualified in its entiretly by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<S>                                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                              JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                          346,043
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                               0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                 0
<EQUITIES>                                                     66,090
<MORTGAGE>                                                      9,228
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                   3,294
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                469,496
<CASH>                                                            546
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                             40,594
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                         24,539
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              1,109,427
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                               559,135
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           152,415
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                      0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                               0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                94,875
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               0
<PREFERRED>                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                        6,192
<OTHER-SE>                                                    230,948
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                1,109,427
<PREMIUMS>                                                    111,572
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                            12,638
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                              5,342
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                      0
<BENEFITS>                                                     78,831
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                       894
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                           34,363
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 9,635
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    2,372
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             7,263
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                         338
<NET-INCOME>                                                    6,925
<EPS-BASIC>                                                     .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     .48
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                      0<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                 0<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                   0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                  0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                    0<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                     0<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                             0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>This amount is presented on an annual basis. See 12/31/98 Form 10-K for the
most recent reported amounts.
</FN>



</TABLE>