WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>
                                                         
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1                                                                             

THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                         YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                     DECEMBER-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                        JANUARY-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                          DECEMBER-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  1,469,846
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                   312,770
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                     322,395
<EQUITIES>                                              438,501
<MORTGAGE>                                                2,249
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                 0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        2,543,733
<CASH>                                                    9,275
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                      496,752
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  147,124
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        3,884,058
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                       1,871,711
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                     551,590
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                    20,495
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                         310,228
<COMMON>                                                182,789
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                              540,321
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          3,884,058
<PREMIUMS>                                            1,357,680
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                     164,908
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                       47,775
<OTHER-INCOME>                                           20,172
<BENEFITS>                                              905,458
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                             387,165
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                     60,645
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         176,180
<INCOME-TAX>                                             46,481
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     115,806
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            115,806
<EPS-BASIC>                                                4.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              4.24
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                        1,377,416
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                     896,226
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                         9,232
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                      370,907
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                        521,240
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                       1,390,727
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                   9,232
        

</TABLE>