<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, 1996, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                            SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                      1,132,064
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       334,734
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         340,061
<EQUITIES>                                                  366,757
<MORTGAGE>                                                    1,214
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                            2,233,468
<CASH>                                                       20,924
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                          394,599
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      137,014
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            3,354,324
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                           1,713,179
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                         505,963
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                    0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                        20,879
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             311,073
<COMMON>                                                    161,746
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  368,144
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              3,354,324
<PREMIUMS>                                                  954,447
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                         106,821
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                           16,606
<OTHER-INCOME>                                               17,473
<BENEFITS>                                                  655,018
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                 260,270
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                         37,891
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              91,252
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 21,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          62,821 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0 
<CHANGES>                                                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                 62,821 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  4.52 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  4.52 

                                           
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                            1,280,317 
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                         648,356
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                             6,662
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                          236,857
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                            369,475   
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                           1,329,003   
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                       6,662   
        











































                                       

</TABLE>