Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ William G. White, Jr.
                                          ----------------------------
                                               William G. White, Jr.


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ Peter Lardner
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Peter Lardner


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ Anthony F. Colao
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Anthony F. Colao

WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ---------------------------- 


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ Kurt W. Kreyling
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Kurt W. Kreyling


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ John C. Collopy
                                          ----------------------------
                                               John C. Collopy


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ David Sursa
                                          -----------------------------  
                                               David Sursa


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ Jimmy A. Dew
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Jimmy A. Dew


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ John W. Popp
                                          ----------------------------  
                                               John W. Popp


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ William A. Simpson
                                          ----------------------------  
                                               William A. Simpson


WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                    Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                           /s/ Arnold L. Steiner
                                          ---------------------------- 
                                               Arnold L. Steiner




WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ---------------------------- 

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ----------------------------


                                                                   Exhibit (24)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of Old  Republic  International
Corporation,  a  corporation  duly  organized  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago,  Illinois,  does
hereby  make,  constitute,  and  appoint  A.C.  Zucaro,  President  of the  said
corporation,  as his true and lawful attorney,  for him, and in his name, place,
and stead to  execute,  sign,  acknowledge,  confirm  or ratify  all  documents,
papers,  forms,  statements,  certificates  and  filings of any kind  whatsoever
required to be filed by the said  corporation  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act  whatsoever  requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises as fully,  to all intents and  purposes,  as he might or
could do if personally present,  with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his substitute  shall
lawfully  do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  The  power  of  attorney
aforesaid shall expire as of the anniversary of the date shown below.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
and seal this 13th day of March, 1997.


                                                       
                                           /s/ Wilbur S. Legg  
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Wilbur S. Legg



WITNESS:


         /s/ Spencer LeRoy, III
       ----------------------------

         /s/ Paul D. Adams
       ---------------------------