<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE RLI CORP. FORM 10Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            15,156
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          260,901
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            271,079
<EQUITIES>                                     141,517
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 424,165
<CASH>                                           5,592
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              48,325
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          16,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 788,861
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                188,140
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            119,831
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 52,255
<COMMON>                                         8,453
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     142,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   788,861
<PREMIUMS>                                      68,789
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             10,666
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 107
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  17,744
<BENEFITS>                                      32,351
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     23,091
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             7,051
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,872
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,055
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,817
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,817
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0