<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>7                                                  
<LEGEND>                                                 

THIS FINANCIAL  SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM
ORION  CAPITAL  CORPORATION'S  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                                                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                        MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                     1,430
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                      260
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                        270
<EQUITIES>                                                                 435
<MORTGAGE>                                                                   2
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                           2,420
<CASH>                                                                      35
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                         760
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                     147
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           4,206
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                          2,153
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                        560
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                               0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                       18
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                            209
<COMMON>                                                                   178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                 437
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             4,206
<PREMIUMS>                                                                 299
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                         34
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                           2
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                               1
<BENEFITS>                                                                 366
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                 88
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                         8
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           (137) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               (52)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        (88)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                   (5)
<NET-INCOME>                                                               (93)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                            (3.43) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            (3.43)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                           1,418
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                        227
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                          139 
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                          64
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                           225
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                          1,458
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                    139