<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 JUNE 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       378,890,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                   9,912,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             639,003,000
<CASH>                                      10,449,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                         744,488,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                       5,662,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,688,718,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            989,450,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        200,214,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                            243,241,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    49,386,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 434,561,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,688,718,000
<PREMIUMS>                                 135,010,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         18,175,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                         (4,372,000)
<OTHER-INCOME>                              90,365,000
<BENEFITS>                                 101,941,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                 15,502,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        69,197,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             42,202,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                17,156,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         25,046,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                25,046,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50
<RESERVE-OPEN>                             273,606,000
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                            269,025,000
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0