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

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7                                                  Exhibit 27
<LEGEND>                                                 

THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>	                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>	                                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>		                             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>		                                JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>		                                 JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>		                           1,428,801
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>		                            303,539
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>		                              312,469
<EQUITIES>		                                       400,822
<MORTGAGE>		                                         3,537
<REAL-ESTATE>		                                          0
<TOTAL-INVEST>		                                 2,554,215
<CASH>		                                            21,269
<RECOVER-REINSURE>		                               662,026       
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>		                           158,631
<TOTAL-ASSETS>		                                 4,199,587
<POLICY-LOSSES>		                                1,963,452
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>		                              616,995
<POLICY-OTHER>		                                         0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>		                             20,993
<NOTES-PAYABLE>		                                  209,891
<COMMON>		                                         180,230
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>		                                  0
<PREFERRED>		                                            0
<OTHER-SE>		                                       594,474
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>		                   4,199,587
<PREMIUMS>		                                       719,178
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>		                               83,913
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>		                                51,659
<OTHER-INCOME>		                                    12,625
<BENEFITS>		                                       483,025
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>		                      203,895
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>		                              28,287
<INCOME-PRETAX>		                                  119,096
<INCOME-TAX>		                                      32,683
<INCOME-CONTINUING>		                               80,347
<DISCONTINUED>		                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>		                                        0
<CHANGES>							                                         0
<NET-INCOME>					                                   80,347
<EPS-BASIC>						                                     2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         2.85         						        
<RESERVE-OPEN>					                              1,390,727
<PROVISION-CURRENT>					                           475,402
<PROVISION-PRIOR>					                               7,623
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>				                             234,522
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>				                               266,521
<RESERVE-CLOSE>						                            1,377,253
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>					                         7,623
        		








</TABLE>