<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE RLI CORP. ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            40,663
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          294,199
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            290,219
<EQUITIES>                                     284,639
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 691,244
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             245,580
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          34,358
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,170,363
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                520,494
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            167,044
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 78,397
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,804
<OTHER-SE>                                     280,265
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,170,363
<PREMIUMS>                                     195,274
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             26,015
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,467
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      96,457
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     66,552
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            15,130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,035
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,584
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,451
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,451
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.08
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 247,262
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            101,053
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (4,596)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              21,675
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                53,892
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                274,914
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        (3,165)