<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,
1998,  AND  IS  QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO  SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                               12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                        DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                            JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                             DEC-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                       1,349,858
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                        260,609
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                          272,718
<EQUITIES>                                                   510,872
<MORTGAGE>                                                     2,222
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                             2,486,241
<CASH>                                                        18,031
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                           671,726       
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                       155,612
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             4,164,466
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                            2,017,682
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                          564,053
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                         17,899
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                              217,369
<COMMON>                                                     180,285
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                                   547,050
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               4,164,466
<PREMIUMS>                                                 1,503,035
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          143,242
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                            52,491
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                17,961
<BENEFITS>                                                 1,020,495
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                  417,917
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                          72,739
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              156,710
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  41,138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          102,830
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 102,830
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   3.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   3.69                                                            
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                             1,390,727                                       
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                          986,575
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             33,925 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                           450,297
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                             559,364
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                            1,418,409                                               
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       33,925 
                        








</TABLE>