<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MUTUAL RISK
MANAGEMENT LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000826918
<NAME>                        MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           383,593
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 383,593
<CASH>                                          72,198
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             278,996
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          22,158
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,534,877
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                331,094
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             74,965
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           70,976
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                121,115
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,952
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           183
<OTHER-SE>                                     193,136
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,534,877
<PREMIUMS>                                      35,007
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             16,256
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              (1,172)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  59,990
<BENEFITS>                                      18,680
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     16,385
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            40,666
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,350
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,413
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,937
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,565
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.42

<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        


</TABLE>