<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 1999 10-K
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           339,429                 457,219
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                       1,865                  21,099
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 466,320                 609,347
<CASH>                                          17,677                  25,321
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              77,925                 111,577
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          40,357                  90,855
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 915,809               1,347,702
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                354,709                 504,911
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            133,029                 309,515
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                146,876                 168,302
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         30                       0
<COMMON>                                           190                     190
<OTHER-SE>                                     199,845                 157,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   915,809                 915,809
<PREMIUMS>                                     344,106                 441,325
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             26,907                  28,862
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               7,956                   3,272
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  24,327                   5,473
<BENEFITS>                                     211,701                 337,131
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     88,638                 149,905
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            42,662                  75,322
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,962                (168,153)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,633                 (48,555)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,697                (125,047)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  (2,242)                (16,137)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,892                (141,184)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.22                   (7.61)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16                   (7.61)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 504,911                 596,797
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            268,931                 396,091
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (22,167)                   (769)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                            (218,083)               (267,566)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              (178,883)               (219,642)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                354,709                 504,911
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0


</TABLE>