<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TERRA
NOVA(BERMUDA) HOLDINGS LTD AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,306,110               1,306,110
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                     109,900                 109,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,416,010               1,416,010
<CASH>                                          74,798                  74,798
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              62,162                  62,162
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          99,638                  99,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,631,700               2,631,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,409,968               1,409,968
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            468,178                 468,178
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                175,000                 175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       151,637                 151,637
<OTHER-SE>                                     292,373                 292,373
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,631,700               2,631,700
<PREMIUMS>                                     125,910                 585,281
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             24,084                  93,829
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (2,747)                  26,879
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   5,275                  17,261
<BENEFITS>                                     177,309                 491,243
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     70,171                 240,836
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             8,431                  25,397
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (116,515)                (72,602)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (35,274)                (37,628)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (81,241)                (34,974)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (81,241)                (34,974)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (3.20)                  (1.38)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.20)                  (1.38)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 967,911                 982,904
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            239,699                 569,010
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (29,134)                (44,510)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             136,609                 179,844
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              (21,618)                 264,075
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,063,485               1,063,485
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0

<FN>
(1) Foreign exchange movement during the year has been allocated to prior year
    paid claims.

(2) Net reserves from reinsurance to close has been included as prior year
    provision.
</FN>

</TABLE>