<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOUND IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 385,263,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 7,848,000
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 666,743,000
<CASH> 8,656,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 758,653,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 8,441,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,770,876,000
<POLICY-LOSSES> 985,439,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 189,204,000
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 229,171,000
0
0
<COMMON> 49,635,000
<OTHER-SE> 453,488,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,770,876,000
201,289,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 28,538,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (3,825,000)
<OTHER-INCOME> 131,857,000
<BENEFITS> 149,534,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 21,673,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 100,670,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 70,390,000
<INCOME-TAX> 28,350,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 42,040,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 42,040,000
<EPS-BASIC> 0.85
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.84
<RESERVE-OPEN> 273,606,000
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 253,813,000
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>