<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           640,064
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          654,727
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            640,064
<EQUITIES>                                      48,013
<MORTGAGE>                                           0<F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   11,349
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 761,918
<CASH>                                          19,409
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             179,508
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,117,668
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                665,792
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             70,925
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  34,921
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,103
<OTHER-SE>                                     300,621
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,117,668
<PREMIUMS>                                     164,424
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             39,273
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,787
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,545
<BENEFITS>                                     104,657
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     21,450
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            18,762
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,160
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,460
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,700
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.95
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 660,640
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            158,303
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (53,646)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              10,297
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                88,826
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                665,792
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        (53,646)
<FN>
<F1>DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS, AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED POLICY
ACQUISITION COSTS AND MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE ARE NOT SEPARATELY DISCLOSED IN THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10K BECAUSE ITEMS ARE IMMATERIAL FOR
INDIVIDUAL DISCLOSURE. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS ARE INCLUDED AS A
COMPONENT OF OTHER ASSETS; AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS IS
INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OTHER UNDERWRITING EXPENSES; MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE
ARE INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OTHER LIABILITIES.
</FN>


</TABLE>