<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1999 FOR MARKEL CORPORATION  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,177,151
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     304,241
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,623,139
<CASH>                                           1,813
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              43,131
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          50,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,455,305
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,343,616
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            276,910
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                167,984
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,625
<OTHER-SE>                                     357,794
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,455,305
<PREMIUMS>                                     437,196
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             87,681
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (897)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     341
<BENEFITS>                                     283,630
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     81,386
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            43,455
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,440
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,826
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,614
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,614
<EPS-BASIC>                                       7.27<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     7.20<F2>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 995,650
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            332,122<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (38,492)<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              65,723<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               248,679<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                964,878<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (38,492)<F2>
<FN>
<F1>DOES NOT INCLUDE COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED CAPITAL
SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUST HOLDING SOLELY JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES OF MARKEL CORPORATION.
<F2>AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ONLY.
</FN>


</TABLE>