<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         877,439
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        291,026
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          295,773
<EQUITIES>                                   116,594
<MORTGAGE>                                         0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             1,323,847
<CASH>                                        18,948
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                            42,520
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                        96,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             1,606,419
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            1,143,655
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          168,814
<POLICY-OTHER>                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                              0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                      33,453
<OTHER-SE>                                   213,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               1,606,419
<PREMIUMS>                                   244,397
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           64,365
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (916)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 1,668
<BENEFITS>                                   177,900
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                   45,101
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                          74,021
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               12,492
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,067
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           11,425
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                  11,425
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   1.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                     0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                  0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                   0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                    0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                            0