<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>                                                   9-MOS 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         DEC-31-1998  
<PERIOD-END>                                              SEP-30-1998 
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                          360,783 
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                               0 
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                 0
<EQUITIES>                                                     68,040 
<MORTGAGE>                                                      9,823 
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                   3,304 
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                536,872 
<CASH>                                                            219 
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                             58,817
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                         32,321 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              1,224,639  
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                               505,507 
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           165,075 
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                      0 
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                               0 
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                               107,875 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                                         0  
<COMMON>                                                        6,185  
<OTHER-SE>                                                    252,479 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                1,224,639   
<PREMIUMS>                                                    258,327 
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                            21,349 
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                              5,354 
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                      0
<BENEFITS>                                                    158,233 
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                    (1,993)                      
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                           83,828 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                35,752
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   10,414 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            25,338 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                   25,338 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    1.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    1.66
<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 12/31/97 Form 10-K for the 
most recent reported amounts.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>