<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ACCEL INTERNATIONAL
CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997 INCLUDED HEREIN HAS BEEN RESTATED TO REFLECT DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
(SEE "NOTE B" IN THE NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS).
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            29,391                  20,549
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                           0                   5,001
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                  36,261                  33,868
<CASH>                                           2,514                   1,826
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               2,759                       0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,879                   2,913
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  89,707                  69,270
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 30,889                  13,519
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             16,056                  26,852
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0                  15,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           946                     941
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    89,707                 101,455
<PREMIUMS>                                      14,042                  12,500
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              1,796                   1,231
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                (43)                     115
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     268                     120
<BENEFITS>                                      11,807                   9,296
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                        232                 (1,495)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             6,069                   8,242
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,131)                   (806)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (125)                     108
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,006)                   (914)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                   1,947
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,006)                   1,033
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.23)                    0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.23)                    0.12
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                       0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>