<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,
2000 FOR RLI CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            67,960
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          288,218
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            285,405
<EQUITIES>                                     280,355
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 692,092
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             223,587
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          41,471
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,207,106
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                511,407
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            200,933
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 78,119
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,805
<OTHER-SE>                                     284,610
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,207,106
<PREMIUMS>                                     110,830
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             14,022
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                (87)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      59,676
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     35,895
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             8,920
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,278
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,776
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,502
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,502
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 274,914
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                287,820
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Available on an annual basis only
</FN>