<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Chandler
Insurance Company Ltd.'s December 31, 1996 Form 10-K and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           109,665
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                            1,582
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                              1,675
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 111,247
<CASH>                                           7,889
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               3,805
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           4,993
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 206,827
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 79,639
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             36,009
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   4,016
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  4,391
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,593
<OTHER-SE>                                      60,954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   206,827
<PREMIUMS>                                      89,286
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              7,339
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 140
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   3,620
<BENEFITS>                                      53,391
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     32,123
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            14,076
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    655
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (317)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                972
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       972
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  82,017
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             53,314
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                   77
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              23,836
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                46,513
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 65,207
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                             77