<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995, 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                            DEC-31-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                        782,869
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       265,169
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         276,282
<EQUITIES>                                                  304,885
<MORTGAGE>                                                    1,979
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                            1,602,861
<CASH>                                                        3,584
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          291,527
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                       77,673
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            2,473,588
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                           1,274,982
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         302,105
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                    0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        18,946
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             209,148
<COMMON>                                                    161,996
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  328,907
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              2,473,588
<PREMIUMS>                                                  749,003
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          99,040
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                           11,885
<OTHER-INCOME>                                               14,352
<BENEFITS>                                                  512,233
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                 195,481
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                         43,352
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              88,035
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 20,413
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          67,622 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0 
<CHANGES>                                                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                 67,622 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  4.77 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  4.76 
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                              891,542 
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                         500,514 
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                            11,719 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                          146,540       
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                            263,257   
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                             993,978   
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                      11,719   
        

</TABLE>