<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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,102,635               1,102,635
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                      58,105                  58,105
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                       0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,160,740               1,160,740
<CASH>                                         149,993                 149,993
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              75,727                  75,727
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          87,002                  87,002
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,567,443               2,567,443
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,467,384               1,467,384
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            494,881                 494,881
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                175,000                 175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       232,012                 232,012
<OTHER-SE>                                      51,221                  51,221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,567,443               2,567,443
<PREMIUMS>                                     170,809                 325,545
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             21,626                  43,247
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              10,977                   7,303
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,766                   6,556
<BENEFITS>                                     150,231                 307,022
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     49,737                 139,840
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,176                  12,812
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,101)               (114,206)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,058)                (27,271)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,043)                (86,935)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,043)                (86,935)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,071,389               1,063,485
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             39,183                  61,533
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              111,048                 245,489
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               2,490                   4,025
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               146,930                 294,282<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,072,200               1,072,200
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0
<FN>
<F1>FOREIGN EXCHANGE MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PRIOR YEAR PAID
CLAIMS.
</FN>



</TABLE>