<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>7
<LEGEND>

THIS FINANCIAL  SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL  CORPORATION'S  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1999,  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

<S>                                                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                        JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                      1,425
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                       260
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                         266
<EQUITIES>                                                                  389
<MORTGAGE>                                                                    2
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                            2,375
<CASH>                                                                       16
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                          759
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                      139
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            4,115
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                           2,101
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                         567
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                                0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                        18
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                             209
<COMMON>                                                                    177
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                  453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              4,115
<PREMIUMS>                                                                  643
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                          69
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                            4
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                                2
<BENEFITS>                                                                  599
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                 177
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                         30
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                             (70)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                (31)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                         (45)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                    (5)
<NET-INCOME>                                                                (50)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                             (1.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             (1.85)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                            1,418
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                         460
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                           139
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                          190
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                            385
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                           1,406
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                     139









</TABLE>