<TABLE> <S> <C>

       

<ARTICLE>                                           7

<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated  financial  statements of MMI Companies,  Inc. and subsidiaries for
the twelve  month  period  ended  December  31,  1996,  and is  qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                            1,000
<S>                                               <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                          12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                    JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                      DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  727,080
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         0
<EQUITIES>                                             18,594
<MORTGAGE>                                                  0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                               0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        788,451
<CASH>                                                  1,079
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                      5,768
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  7,117
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,058,018
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                       640,151
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    55,679
<POLICY-OTHER>                                              0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        58,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                1,162
<OTHER-SE>                                            250,804
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,058,018
<PREMIUMS>                                            164,409
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                    44,274
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                       (40)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                         34,535
<BENEFITS>                                            135,786
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                            14,024
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                   63,002
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        26,969
<INCOME-TAX>                                              854
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    26,115
<DISCONTINUED>                                         (5,100)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           21,015
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            1.95
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                        538,707
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                   135,895
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      (5,108)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     13,900
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                      118,959
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                       536,635
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                (5,108)
        

</TABLE>