Exhibit 23.2
              
              
              
              
              
              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



              The Board of Directors
              Alleghany Corporation:
              
              We consent to incorporation by reference in the Post-
              Effective Amendment No. 1 constituting part of the 
              Registration Statement (No. 33-27598) on Form S-8 of our 
              reports dated February 23, 1994 relating to the financial 
              statements and related schedules of Alleghany Corporation and 
              subsidiaries, which appear in, or are incorporated by 
              reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Alleghany 
              Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.  Our 
              reports refer to the adoption of the provisions of Financial 
              Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting 
              Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in 
              Debt and Equity Securities" and No. 109, "Accounting for 
              Income Taxes" at December 31, 1993 and in 1992, respectively.
              
              
              KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
              
              New York, New York
              December 21, 1994