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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) January 20, 1999


                            W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


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


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


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 629-3000


                                 Not Applicable
          (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 January
20, 1999, 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 and 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)



January 22, 1999                        By: /s/ William R. Berkley
- -------------------                        -------------------------------------
Date                                       William R. Berkley,
                                           Chairman of the Board and
                                           Chief Executive Officer
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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibits:
- ---------

99.1     Press Release dated January 20, 1999