<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
         THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE REGISTRANT'S AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER  31,  1996  AND
IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001013698
<NAME>                        SYMONS INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1.000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           127,631
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            0
<EQUITIES>                                     27,920
<MORTGAGE>                                     2,430
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  466
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 168,137
<CASH>                                         13,095
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             48,294
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         12,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 344,679
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                101,719
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            87,285
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                48,000
<COMMON>                                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    38,969
<OTHER-SE>                                     21,931
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   344,679
<PREMIUMS>                                     191,759
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            6,733
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (1,015)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 9,286
<BENEFITS>                                     206,763
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    (2,496)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           44,509
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                27,703
<INCOME-TAX>                                   8,046
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            15,657
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   13,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 59,421
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            138,618
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (1,509)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             102,713
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               28,182
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                101,719
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        0



</TABLE>