<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>               7
<LEGEND>
Financial Data Schedule for the Period Ended June 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 June 30, 1998 Form 10-Q.  Reference  should also be made
to these  financial  statements  and  related  notes.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000317745
<NAME>General Re Corporation

                                    Exhibit 27

<MULTIPLIER>                                       1,000,000
<CURRENCY>                                               USD
       
<S>                                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                          6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                    Jan-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                     Jun-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                            1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                  20,248
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                      0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                        0
<EQUITIES>                                             6,280
<MORTGAGE>                                                 0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                              0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                        28,445
<CASH>                                                   293
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                        54
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                   513
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        43,262
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                       13,508
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                    2,003
<POLICY-OTHER>                                           673
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                      0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        2,528
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      2
<PREFERRED>                                                0
<COMMON>                                                  51
<OTHER-SE>                                             8,428
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          43,262
<PREMIUMS>                                             2,946
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                      645
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                        34
<OTHER-INCOME>                                           204
<BENEFITS>                                             2,005
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                              683
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                     399
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          728
<INCOME-TAX>                                             170
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      526
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                             526
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           6.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           6.62
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                             0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                        0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                          0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                         0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                           0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                            0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                    0







                                       

        

</TABLE>