<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE RLI CORP. ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT 13 TO RLI CORP.'S
FORM 10K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           1,197
<SECURITIES>                                   474,590
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,447
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               800,696
<PP&E>                                          35,516
<DEPRECIATION>                                (21,565)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 814,647
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          605,135
<BONDS>                                         46,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,453
<OTHER-SE>                                     150,155
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   814,647
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               190,549
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  176,841
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,093
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,347
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,268
<INCOME-TAX>                                       318
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,950
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,950
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.01