text: 7.  INCOME TAXES: 
  
  The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Income tax expense (benefit) is comprised of the 
  following: 
  
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2000 
   2001 
   2002 
  
  Current federal income tax 
  Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)  $14,280,038 
   350,415  $13,016,053 
   (188,982)  $12,966,837 
   (304,240) 
  
   Income tax expense  $14,630,453  $12,827,071  $12,662,597 
  
  Income tax expense, as a percentage of pretax earnings, differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows: 