
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>   7
       
<S>                                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                45,741,325
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              105,309,169
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                106,257,972
<EQUITIES>                                           3,891,787
<MORTGAGE>                                                   0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                          610,000
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                     173,015,402
<CASH>                                               1,932,936
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                           0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               7,910,127
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     262,143,389
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                    108,554,366
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                 67,872,999
<POLICY-OTHER>                                               0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      3,500,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                             4,532,569
<OTHER-SE>                                          75,096,702
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       262,143,389
<PREMIUMS>                                          25,134,567
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                  2,507,883
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                      16,780
<OTHER-INCOME>                                         517,165
<BENEFITS>                                          16,185,048
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          4,278,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 3,756,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      3,242,657
<INCOME-TAX>                                           757,346
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  2,485,311
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                         2,485,311
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              .56
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                          71,963
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                     15,678
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                        (507)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                      12,285
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                         1,305
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                         73,544
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                      0
        

</TABLE>
