<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 27

THIS FINANCIAL SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ORION CAPITAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 
MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                          <C>                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                      1,361,948
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       328,279
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         331,541
<EQUITIES>                                                  363,986
<MORTGAGE>                                                    1,307
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                            2,450,764
<CASH>                                                        5,606
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          414,233
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      139,478
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            3,608,456
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                           1,794,801
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         497,114
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                    0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        20,780
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             310,734
<COMMON>                                                    173,930
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  403,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              3,608,456
<PREMIUMS>                                                  323,963
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          40,221
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                           15,789
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                4,939
<BENEFITS>                                                  219,002
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                  94,798
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                         11,183
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              43,364
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  9,921
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          29,478 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0 
<CHANGES>                                                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                 29,478 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  2.12 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  2.12 
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                            1,368,420
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                         217,460
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             1,542
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                           81,395
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                            125,299   
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                           1,380,728   
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       1,542   
        

</TABLE>