
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           554,089
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                           44,780
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                             46,464
<EQUITIES>                                          23
<MORTGAGE>                                     145,770
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   43,375
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,016,346
<CASH>                                          31,663
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             187,125
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          32,161
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,479,932
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                434,315
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             29,065
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 305,125
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 76,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           15,286
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       187,681
<OTHER-SE>                                     263,229
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,479,932
<PREMIUMS>                                     928,901
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             69,293
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,805
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  47,050
<BENEFITS>                                     719,455
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     14,810
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,218
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,750)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,915)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,791)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  29,679
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,888
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>
