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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            86,680
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          309,444
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            309,747
<EQUITIES>                                     294,648
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 744,261
<CASH>                                               0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             231,141
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          45,321
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,265,642
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                533,857
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            211,592
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 78,539
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,806
<OTHER-SE>                                     299,796
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,265,642
<PREMIUMS>                                     172,081
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             21,483
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 517
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                      94,337
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     55,234
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            13,224
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,117
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,881
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,881
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.10
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 274,914
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0<F1>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0<F1>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                302,716
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Available on annual basis only.
</FN>