<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated balances sheet at September 30, 1998, and condensed
consolidated statement of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 1998,
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000

       
<S>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               218,441
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                    0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                      0
<EQUITIES>                                               0
<MORTGAGE>                                               0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                            0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                     231,470
<CASH>                                              11,279
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   1,242
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                              32,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     452,589
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                     39,983
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                105,244
<POLICY-OTHER>                                           0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                    0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            13,924
<OTHER-SE>                                         230,062
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       452,589
<PREMIUMS>                                          26,134
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                  3,359
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                     386
<OTHER-INCOME>                                         181
<BENEFITS>                                          15,940
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          7,324
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 2,467
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      4,329
<INCOME-TAX>                                           335
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  3,994
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         3,994
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.29
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                           0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                      0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                        0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                         0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                          0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                  0
        


</TABLE>