<ARTICLE>                                           7

                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                Jan-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  Jun-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           1,147,361
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                   0
<EQUITIES>                                      107,222
<MORTGAGE>                                            0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                         0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                1,427,371
<CASH>                                          250,029
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              743,521
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           93,132
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                3,491,181
<POLICY-LOSSES>                               2,050,332
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             434,421
<POLICY-OTHER>                                        0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           110,000
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                          1,689
<OTHER-SE>                                      437,783
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  3,491,181
<PREMIUMS>                                      288,264
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              54,018
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 (375)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    3,473
<BENEFITS>                                      206,494
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      81,047
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             34,780
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1,129
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (2,560)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   0
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     825
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                      2,864
<EPS-BASIC>                                         .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       .18
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                        0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                   0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                     0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                      0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                               0


<FN>
1    Represents net reinsurance recoverable balances after offset of funds held
     and reinsurance balances payable.
2    Represents basis earnings per share.
3    Total investments include investments held by managed syndicates of
     $147,608 and other investments of $24,736.