<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 2000 FOR MARKEL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,239,028
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     339,612
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,651,504
<CASH>                                         255,185
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             112,181
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         140,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,265,212
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,790,694
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            791,627
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                574,092
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       323,941
<OTHER-SE>                                     347,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,265,212
<PREMIUMS>                                     402,188
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             66,682
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (4,342)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      94
<BENEFITS>                                     293,652
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     86,885
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            57,225
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,174)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (452)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,722)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,722)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.44)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0<F2>
<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 NORTH AMERICA, INC.
<F2>AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ONLY.
</FN>