<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HILB, ROGAL AND HAMILTON COMPANY AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE 1997 FORM 10-K, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      22,314,860
<SECURITIES>                                 3,892,533
<RECEIVABLES>                               49,312,002
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,299,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            76,832,918
<PP&E>                                      33,602,598
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,840,518
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             181,606,558
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       88,273,306
<BONDS>                                     32,457,882
<COMMON>                                    16,540,461
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  34,798,138
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               181,606,558
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           173,708,880
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           149,826,696
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,037,338
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,844,846
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,054,995
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         12,798,851
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                12,798,851
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .97