<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 THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1998,  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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                            JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                             MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                       1,465,410
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                        313,657
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                          322,748
<EQUITIES>                                                   460,343
<MORTGAGE>                                                     2,242
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                             2,623,499
<CASH>                                                         1,140
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                           567,942
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                       153,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             4,031,114
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                            1,876,701
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                          565,666
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                         20,744
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                              210,059
<COMMON>                                                     183,458
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                                   577,357
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               4,031,114
<PREMIUMS>                                                   348,812
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                           41,385
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                            28,959
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                 5,644
<BENEFITS>                                                   232,326
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                  100,779
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                          13,349
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               60,905
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  15,987
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           42,189
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  42,189
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   1.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   1.50


                                       
<PAGE>

<RESERVE-OPEN>                                             1,390,727
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                          228,115
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                              4,211
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            92,540
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                             149,003
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                            1,381,512
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                        4,211
        
                                    


</TABLE>