<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     7  
                                                                  


<LEGEND>
Financial Data Schedule for the Period Ended March 31, 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 March 31, 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>                                                              3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                        Jan-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         Mar-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                      19,814
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                            0
<EQUITIES>                                                                 6,192
<MORTGAGE>                                                                     0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                            28,212
<CASH>                                                                       292
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                            51
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                       457
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            42,205
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                           13,482
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                        1,756
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                               657
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                          0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                            2,251
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          3
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                      51
<OTHER-SE>                                                                 8,317
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              42,205
<PREMIUMS>                                                                 1,474
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                          322
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                            37
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                                93
<BENEFITS>                                                                 1,005
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                  344
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                         185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                              385
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  96
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                          272
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               3.49
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<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                        0

        

</TABLE>