<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 1999 10-K
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 339,429 457,219
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 0
<EQUITIES> 1,865 21,099
<MORTGAGE> 0 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 466,320 609,347
<CASH> 17,677 25,321
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 77,925 111,577
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 40,357 90,855
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 915,809 1,347,702
<POLICY-LOSSES> 354,709 504,911
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 133,029 309,515
<POLICY-OTHER> 0 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 146,876 168,302
0 0
30 0
<COMMON> 190 190
<OTHER-SE> 199,845 157,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 915,809 915,809
344,106 441,325
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 26,907 28,862
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 7,956 3,272
<OTHER-INCOME> 24,327 5,473
<BENEFITS> 211,701 337,131
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 88,638 149,905
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 42,662 75,322
<INCOME-PRETAX> 44,962 (168,153)
<INCOME-TAX> 13,633 (48,555)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,697 (125,047)
<DISCONTINUED> (2,242) (16,137)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 22,892 (141,184)
<EPS-BASIC> 1.73 (7.61)
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.63 (7.61)
<RESERVE-OPEN> 504,911 596,797
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 268,931 396,091
<PROVISION-PRIOR> (22,167) (769)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> (218,083) (267,566)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> (178,883) (219,642)
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 354,709 504,911
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 0
</TABLE>
