<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>7
<LEGEND>

Financial Data Schedule for the Period Ended September 30, 1998

The schedule contains summary financial  information extracted from General Re's
consolidated  balance sheets and  consolidated  statements of income included in
Item 1 of Part I of the September 30, 1998 Form 10-Q.  Reference  should also be
made to these financial statements and related notes.  
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000317745
<NAME>General Re Corporation

<MULTIPLIER>                                                           1,000,000
<CURRENCY>                                                                   USD
       
<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                        Jan-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         Sep-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                      21,218
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                            0
<EQUITIES>                                                                 5,613
<MORTGAGE>                                                                     0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                            29,098
<CASH>                                                                       443
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                            56
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                       499
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            46,004
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                           13,574
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                        1,947
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                               664
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                          0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                            2,554
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          2
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                      51
<OTHER-SE>                                                                 8,399
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              46,004
<PREMIUMS>                                                                 4,436
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                          976
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                           292
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                               301
<BENEFITS>                                                                 3,083
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                1,019
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                         586
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            1,296
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                 331
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                          918
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
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<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                 918
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              11.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              11.59
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                                 0
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<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                        0

        

</TABLE>