<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                          7
<LEGEND>                                            
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from ACCEL
International Corporation's third quarter Form 10-Q and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>                                           
<CIK> 0000001985
<NAME> ACCEL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                                 1,000
                                                    
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                        49,796
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                            0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                              0
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<MORTGAGE>                                                       0
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<CASH>                                                       1,113
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          28,362
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      30,362
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             201,531
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                             26,884
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         83,980
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                   5
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                            0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             15,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                       941
<OTHER-SE>                                                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               201,531
<PREMIUMS>                                                  35,019
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                               2,570
<BENEFITS>                                                  18,360
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<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              1,047
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    15
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          1,032
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 1,032
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0.12
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<RESERVE-OPEN>                                              25,256
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<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                             26,884
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                          0
        

</TABLE>