<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE BY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0000215403
<NAME> Ceres Group
<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>                           384,771
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                          91
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 395,512
<CASH>                                          72,500
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          47,948
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 866,633
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                410,091
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             43,672
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 178,695
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           22,678
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  8,054
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,500
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,694
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   866,633
<PREMIUMS>                                     364,504
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             19,322
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  35
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  26,975
<BENEFITS>                                     275,599
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                   (21,570)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           137,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,966
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,638
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,328
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,328
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.79
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0