<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 FOR MARKEL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,290,224
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     395,223
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,768,114
<CASH>                                         185,749
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             105,308
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         144,841
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,356,449
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,798,341
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            838,585
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                574,660
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       323,049
<OTHER-SE>                                     368,810
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,356,449
<PREMIUMS>                                     120,529
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             22,846
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               5,505
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      47
<BENEFITS>                                      73,059
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     29,046
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            18,265
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,692
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,514
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,178
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,178
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.44
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>DOES NOT INCLUDE COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED CAPITAL
SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUST HOLDING SOLELY JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES OF MARKEL CORPORATION.
<F2>AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ONLY.
</FN>