
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       874,651,154
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          981,854
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          1,029,249
<EQUITIES>                                 121,019,290
<MORTGAGE>                                     291,170
<REAL-ESTATE>                                1,958,930
<TOTAL-INVEST>                           1,233,303,314
<CASH>                                       5,994,850
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           2,850,550
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                     140,950,326
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,421,622,092
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            626,145,770
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        119,207,296
<POLICY-OTHER>                               9,719,762
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        5,558,240
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                            134,158,355
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    41,891,512
<OTHER-SE>                                 377,780,283
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,421,622,092
<PREMIUMS>                                 105,486,896
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         17,131,830
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             865,964
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 802,116
<BENEFITS>                                  75,096,451
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                 15,252,711
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        10,874,941
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             23,062,703
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,712,528
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         16,350,175
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                16,350,175
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .41
<RESERVE-OPEN>                             146,439,100
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                         70,941,859
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                          (4,699,524)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                          48,667,203
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                            17,011,649
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                            147,724,921
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0



</TABLE>
