<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 27

THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                          <C>                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                YEAR 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                            DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                      1,205,308
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       326,841
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         334,755
<EQUITIES>                                                  361,593
<MORTGAGE>                                                    1,187
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                            2,309,767
<CASH>                                                       11,607
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          430,293
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      136,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            3,464,357
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                           1,785,664
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         496,249
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                    0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        22,489
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             310,904
<COMMON>                                                    173,925
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  402,808
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              3,464,357
<PREMIUMS>                                                1,300,752
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                         145,391
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                           24,180
<OTHER-INCOME>                                               23,126
<BENEFITS>                                                  882,992
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                 363,547
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                         51,546
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             127,356
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 32,033
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          86,631 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0 
<CHANGES>                                                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                 86,631 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  6.24 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  6.23 
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                            1,280,317 
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                         874,123 

<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             8,869 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                          499,176      
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                            295,713   
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                           1,368,420   
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       8,869   
        




</TABLE>