<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the December
31, 1999 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,149,400
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 245,535
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 246,294
<EQUITIES> 259,393
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 1,709,129
<CASH> 44,787<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 11,186
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 117,884
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,539,945
<POLICY-LOSSES> 1,264,258<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 442,972
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 171,864<F3>
0
0
<COMMON> 76,908
<OTHER-SE> 475,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,539,945
400,452
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 47,798
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 2,719
<OTHER-INCOME> 38,123
<BENEFITS> 299,809<F4>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 128,366
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 13,104
<INCOME-TAX> (912)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 14,016
<EPS-BASIC> 0.55
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.53
<RESERVE-OPEN> 1,273,80<F5>
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,264,258
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
<FN>
<F1>Equals the sum of short-term investment and cash.
<F2>Equals the sum of reserve for losses and the reserve for loss expenses.
<F3>Equals the sum of notes payable, short-term debt and convertible subordinated
debentures.
<F4>Equals the sum of losses incurred and loss expenses incurred.
<F5>Equals the sum of reserve for losses and reserve for loss expenses at the
beginning of the year.
</FN>
</TABLE>
