<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1997, 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                      1,342,885
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       324,640
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         331,164
<EQUITIES>                                                  382,264
<MORTGAGE>                                                    1,280
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                            2,511,966
<CASH>                                                       13,598
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          420,615
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      141,732
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            3,677,293
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                           1,793,358
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         502,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                    0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        21,465
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             310,565
<COMMON>                                                    173,531
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  457,287
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              3,677,293
<PREMIUMS>                                                  659,189
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          81,537
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                           24,147
<OTHER-INCOME>                                               10,119
<BENEFITS>                                                  444,696
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                 188,075
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                         26,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              82,679
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 20,791
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          54,859 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0 
<CHANGES>                                                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                 54,859 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.97 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.97 

<RESERVE-OPEN>                                            1,368,420  
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                         441,001
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             3,695
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                          163,377       
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                            266,521   
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                           1,383,218   
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       3,695   
        












































                                       


</TABLE>