<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
2000 FOR RLI CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            52,552
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          289,370
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            286,014
<EQUITIES>                                     276,652
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 669,057
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             240,332
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          37,252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,172,574
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                521,126
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            179,546
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 77,823
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,805
<OTHER-SE>                                     278,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,172,574
<PREMIUMS>                                      53,186
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              6,937
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (121)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      27,883
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     17,250
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,339
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,996
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,456
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,540
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,540
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.66
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 274,914
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                280,794
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ONLY
</FN>