<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  7                                                  
<LEGEND>                                                 

THIS FINANCIAL  SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM
ORION  CAPITAL  CORPORATION'S  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  FOR THE NINE MONTHS  ENDED
SEPTEMBER  30,  1998,  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                       SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                  1,394,335
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                   259,994
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                     271,898
<EQUITIES>                                                              422,659
<MORTGAGE>                                                                2,227
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                        2,477,654
<CASH>                                                                   38,502
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                    666,179       
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                  154,607
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        4,202,867
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                       2,006,487
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                     605,650
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                    20,808
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                         219,911
<COMMON>                                                                180,436
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                                              534,967
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          4,202,867
<PREMIUMS>                                                            1,115,716
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                     106,209
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                       52,079
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                           14,717
<BENEFITS>                                                              763,712
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                             305,578
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                     62,427
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         127,077
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             35,018
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      82,655
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             82,655
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                            3.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            2.95                
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                      1,390,727         
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                     735,757
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                        27,955 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                      246,746
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                        481,767
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                       1,449,644
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                  27,955 
          








</TABLE>