<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
DECEMBER 31, 1997 10K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000230557
<NAME> SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,044,390
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          410,169
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            426,251
<EQUITIES>                                     222,273
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,725,690
<CASH>                                          33,798<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              11,088
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          98,110
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,306,191
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,161,169<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            373,766
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                113,959<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,728
<OTHER-SE>                                     492,588
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,306,191
<PREMIUMS>                                     676,268
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            100,530
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               6,021
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   5,562
<BENEFITS>                                     461,382<F4>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    211,494
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 91,020
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,412
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,608
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,189,793<F5>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,161,169<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>EQUALS THE SUM OF SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT AND CASH.
<F2>EQUALS THE SUM OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND THE RESERVE FOR LOSS EXPENSES.

EQUALS THE SUM OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND RESERVE FOR LOSS EXPENSE AT
THE END OF THE PERIOD.
<F3>EQUALS THE SUM OF NOTES PAYABLE, SHORT-TERM DEBT, AND CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.
<F4>EQUALS THE SUM OF LOSSES INCURRED AND LOSS EXPENSES INCURRED.
<F5>EQUALS THE SUM OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND RESERVE FOR LOSS EXPENSES AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
</FN>