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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)    April 26, 2000
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                            W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
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             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



      Delaware                          0-7849                   22-1867895
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (Commission File No.)   (IRS Employer
Incorporation)                                            Identification Number)


165 Mason Street, P.O. Box 2518, Greenwich, CT                  06836-2518
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       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                  (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (203) 629-3000
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                                 Not Applicable
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

      Reference is made to the press release of Registrant, issued on April 26,
2000, which is incorporated herein by this reference. A copy of the press
release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1
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                                   SIGNATURES



      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                    W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    (Registrant)



April 27, 2000                      By:  /s/ Eugene G. Ballard
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                                         Eugene G. Ballard
                                         Senior Vice President,
                                         Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibits:
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99.1           Press Release dated April 26, 2000