<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements contained in the Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996 for Markel Corporation and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           885,874
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     193,395
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,130,776
<CASH>                                          11,054
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              11,631
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          37,979
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,605,297
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                935,582
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            200,852
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                114,691
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,347
<OTHER-SE>                                     243,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,605,297
<PREMIUMS>                                     307,453
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             51,168
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               5,013
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   3,102
<BENEFITS>                                     202,378
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     70,372
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            34,660
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (9,672)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,672
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,672
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     8.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     8.29
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 699,311
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            226,495
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (24,117)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              52,158
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               124,467
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                725,064
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (24,117)