<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
September 30, 2000 for Markel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,295,119
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     392,931
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,762,862
<CASH>                                         210,947
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             123,250
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         141,018
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,279,239
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,808,970
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            760,284
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                574,513
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       324,713
<OTHER-SE>                                     366,051
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,279,239
<PREMIUMS>                                     655,344
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            110,818
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (3,462)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     141
<BENEFITS>                                     511,883
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    145,661
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            90,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (38,551)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (19,180)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (19,371)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (19,371)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.85)
<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>