<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> Financial Data Schedule for the Period Ended March 31, 1998 The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from General Re's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income included in Item 1 of Part I of the March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q. Reference should also be made to these financial statements and related notes. </LEGEND> <CIK>0000317745 <NAME>General Re Corporation <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> Jan-1-1998 <PERIOD-END> Mar-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 19,814 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 6,192 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 28,212 <CASH> 292 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 51 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 457 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 42,205 <POLICY-LOSSES> 13,482 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 1,756 <POLICY-OTHER> 657 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 2,251 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 3 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 51 <OTHER-SE> 8,317 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 42,205 <PREMIUMS> 1,474 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 322 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> 37 <OTHER-INCOME> 93 <BENEFITS> 1,005 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 344 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 185 <INCOME-PRETAX> 385 <INCOME-TAX> 96 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 272 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 272 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.49 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.40 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0