<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30,
1995 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,546,302
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     595,045
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,141,397
<CASH>                                         235,621
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             418,369
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,916,932
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,518,101
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                380,184
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,182,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,916,932
<PREMIUMS>                                     638,876
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             88,914
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (2,244)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  86,682
<BENEFITS>                                     138,673
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,058
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,982
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,982
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.55
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0