UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

[ X ]  Quarterly  report  pursuant  to  section  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997

or

[ ] Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission File Number 1-13051

                               MARKEL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Virginia                                   54-0292420
      (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. employer
      incorporation or organization)                 identification number)

                 4551 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-3382
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip code)

                                 (804) 747-0136
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                      NONE
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                          if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

Yes [ X ]   No [   ]

Number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at 
July 29, 1997: 5,490,323






                                        1





                               Markel Corporation
                                    Form 10-Q

                                      Index

 
                                                                                      Page Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

         Item 1. Financial Statements

                  Consolidated Balance Sheets--
                   June 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996                                     3

                  Consolidated Statements of Income--
                   Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                    4

                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--
                   Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                                 5

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--
                   June 30, 1997                                                           6

         Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of Operations                                    8

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

         Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                       13

         Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                          13




                                        2





 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

                                                 MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                     Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                                         June 30,      December 31,
                                                                                        --------------------------------------------

                                                                                                           1997            1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                                                      (dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
     Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
     Fixed maturities (cost of $973,306 in 1997 and $879,401 in 1996)                                   $   982,664      $ 885,874
     Equity securities (cost of $145,834 in 1997 and $132,558 in 1996)                                      237,915        193,395
     Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)                                        110,946         51,507
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Total investments, available-for-sale                                                           1,331,525      1,130,776
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                     1,183         11,054
Receivables                                                                                                  62,963         58,336
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses                                                                    219,439        210,518
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses                                                                       13,225         11,631
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                            36,586         37,979
Prepaid reinsurance premiums                                                                                 41,157         44,881
Property and equipment                                                                                        9,055         15,434
Intangible assets                                                                                            38,104         39,297
Other assets                                                                                                 38,814         45,391
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Total assets                                                                                        $ 1,792,051     $1,605,297
===================================================================================================================================


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                                              $   956,045      $ 935,582
Unearned premiums                                                                                           193,101        200,852
Payables to insurance companies                                                                              28,136         23,870
Long-term debt (estimated fair value of $93,132 in 1997 and $115,191 in 1996)                                93,140        114,691
Other liabilities                                                                                            62,422         61,967
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
     Trust Holding Solely Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
     of the Company                                                                                         150,000              --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Total liabilities                                                                                1,482,844      1,336,962
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Shareholders' equity
     Common stock                                                                                            24,531         24,347
     Retained earnings                                                                                      218,741        200,237
     Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities and equity securities, net of taxes                            65,935         43,751
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Total shareholders' equity                                                                         309,207        268,335
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                     $ 1,792,051    $ 1,605,297
===================================================================================================================================



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                                                  3





                                                 MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                  Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                                            Quarter Ended                     Six Months Ended
                                                                               June 30,                            June 30,
                                                                      ---------------------------      ----------------------------

                                                                        1997             1996             1997              1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                              (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
      Earned premiums                                                 $84,132          $ 71,393        $ 165,803         $ 148,190
      Net investment income                                            16,797            11,853           33,503            24,137
      Net realized gains (losses) from investment sales                   418              (467)            (160)            2,507
      Other                                                               353               893            1,027             1,828
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Total operating revenues                                    101,700            83,672          200,173           176,662
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Operating expenses
      Losses and loss adjustment expenses                              54,506            46,327          107,156           100,879
      Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses                 28,912            24,089           57,226            48,819
      Other                                                               --                458              --                908
      Amortization of intangible assets                                   596               660            1,193             1,335
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Total operating expenses                                     84,014            71,534          165,575           151,941
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Operating income                                                 17,686            12,138           34,598            24,721
Interest expense                                                        5,210             2,021           10,244             4,050
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Income before income taxes                                       12,476            10,117           24,354            20,671

Income taxes (benefit)                                                  2,754           (15,973)           5,842           (13,229)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Net income                                                      $ 9,722          $ 26,090         $ 18,512          $ 33,900
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Earnings per share
      Primary                                                       $    1.72         $    4.61       $     3.28       $      5.99
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Fully diluted                                                 $    1.72         $    4.60       $     3.27       $      5.98
===================================================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                                                  4





                                                 MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                                            Six Months Ended
                                                                                                                 June 30,
                                                                                                    -------------------------------


                                                                                                          1997             1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                      (dollars in thousands)
Operating activities
      Net Income                                                                                     $    18,512          $ 33,900
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities                     8,022             1,051
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                 26,534            34,951
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Investing Activities
      Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities                                      311,108           209,900
      Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities                                                        28,519            38,670
      Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased                                          (448,045)         (288,856)
      Net change in short-term investments                                                               (59,439)           16,400
      Net proceeds from sale of building                                                                   6,500               --
      Other                                                                                               (1,813)           (2,026)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net cash used by investing activities                                                                   (163,170)          (25,912)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Financing Activities
      Net proceeds from issuance of company obligated mandatorily redeemable
             preferred securities                                                                        148,166               --
      Repayments and repurchases of long-term debt                                                       (21,577)           (7,050)
      Other                                                                                                  176                73
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities                                                         126,765            (6,977)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                    (9,871)            2,062
      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                    11,054            18,315
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                   $       1,183        $   20,377
===================================================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                                                  5





NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--June 30, 1997

1. Principles of Consolidation

The  consolidated  balance sheet as of June 30, 1997,  the related  consolidated
statements  of income for the  quarters  and six months  ended June 30, 1997 and
1996,  and the  consolidated  statements  of cash flows for the six months ended
June 30,  1997 and 1996,  are  unaudited.  In the  opinion  of  management,  all
adjustments  necessary for a fair  presentation of such  consolidated  financial
statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring
items.  Interim results are not necessarily  indicative of results of operations
for the full year.

The  consolidated  financial  statements and notes are presented as permitted by
Form 10-Q,  and do not contain  certain  information  included in the  Company's
annual consolidated financial statements and notes.



2. Earnings per share

Earnings per share was determined by dividing net income,  as adjusted below, by
the applicable shares outstanding (in thousands):


                                                                          Quarter Ended                      Six Months Ended
                                                                             June 30,                            June 30,
                                                                      -------------------------         ---------------------------
                                                                       1997             1996              1997              1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Net income, as reported                                               $ 9,722        $   26,090         $18,512             33,900
     Dividends on redeemable preferred stock                               (4)               (4)              (8)               (8)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Primary and fully diluted income                                      $ 9,718          $ 26,086         $18,504           $ 33,892
===================================================================================================================================


Average common shares outstanding                                       5,485             5,428            5,475             5,426
     Shares applicable to common stock equivalents                        174               233              171               231
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average primary shares outstanding                                      5,659             5,661            5,646             5,657

Additional dilution attributable to common
     stock equivalents                                                      5                 8                8                10
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average fully diluted shares outstanding                                5,664             5,669            5,654             5,667
===================================================================================================================================



In February 1997,  the FASB issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard
(SFAS) No. 128, Earnings per Share. The statement  establishes new standards for
computing and presenting  earnings per share (EPS). It replaces the presentation
of primary  EPS with basic EPS and the  presentation  of fully  diluted EPS with
diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes  dilution and is computed by dividing net income
by the  weighted-average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding.  Diluted  EPS
reflects  the  potential  dilution  that  could  occur if  securities  and other
contracts to issue common  stock were  exercised or converted  into common stock
and then shared in the  earnings of the entity.  The Company will be required to
adopt SFAS No. 128 during the fourth  quarter and for year ending  December  31,
1997.  Under  the new  standard,  basic  EPS  would  have been 1.77 and 3.38 and
diluted  EPS would  have been 1.72 and 3.28 for the second  quarter  and the six
months ended June 30, 1997, respectively.





                                        6





3. Reinsurance

The table below  summarizes the effect of  reinsurance  on premiums  written and
earned (dollars in thousands):


                                                                                      Quarter Ended June 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                1997                               1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                     Written            Earned          Written            Earned
Direct                                                              $ 107,969         $ 106,245        $ 106,037          $ 91,381
Assumed                                                                 2,063             1,541            1,583             2,402
Ceded                                                                 (24,230)          (23,654)         (25,809)          (22,390)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Net premiums                                                   $  85,802         $  84,132         $ 81,811          $ 71,393
===================================================================================================================================






                                                                                       Six Months Ended June 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                1997                               1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                     Written            Earned          Written            Earned
Direct                                                              $ 204,577         $ 213,058        $ 198,154         $ 187,162
Assumed                                                                 3,207             3,260            3,642             6,578
Ceded                                                                 (46,009)          (50,515)         (47,071)          (45,550)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Net premiums                                                  $ 161,775          $ 165,803        $ 154,725         $ 148,190
===================================================================================================================================




Incurred losses and loss adjustment  expenses are net of reinsurance  recoveries
of $23.2  million  and $11.1  million for the  quarters  ended June 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively, and $41.3 million and $23.7 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

4.  Company  Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable  Preferred  Securities  (Capital
    Securities)

On  January  8, 1997 the  Company  arranged  the sale of $150  million  of 8.71%
Capital  Securities  issued under an Amended and Restated  Declaration  of Trust
dated January 13, 1997 (The  Declaration) by Markel Capital Trust I (the Trust),
a statutory  business trust sponsored and  wholly-owned  by Markel  Corporation.
Proceeds  from the sale of the  Capital  Securities  were used to  purchase  the
Company's 8.71% Junior  Subordinated  Debentures (the Debentures) due January 1,
2046,  issued  to the Trust  under an  indenture  dated  January  13,  1997 (the
Indenture). The Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust. The Company has the
right to defer interest  payments on the  Debentures  for up to five years.  The
Capital  Securities  and related  Debentures are redeemable by the Company on or
after January 1, 2007.  Payments of  distributions  and other amounts due on the
Capital  Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available
for the payment of such distributions) are irrevocably guaranteed by the Company
(the Guarantee). Taken together, the Company's obligations under the Debentures,
the Indenture,  the Declaration and the Guarantee provide,  in the aggregate,  a
full,  irrevocable and unconditional  guarantee of payments of distributions and
other amounts due on the Capital Securities.



                                        7






Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

Results of Operations
Quarter and Six Months  ended June 30,  1997  compared to Quarter and Six Months
ended June 30, 1996

The Company  underwrites  specialty  insurance  products  and  programs to niche
markets.  Significant  areas of  underwriting  include excess and surplus lines,
professional and products liability,  specialty programs, specialty personal and
commercial  lines,  and  brokered  excess and surplus  lines.  Property/casualty
insurance for nonstandard and  hard-to-place  risks is underwritten on an excess
and  surplus  lines  basis.   Professional  liability  coverage  is  offered  to
physicians  and  health  professionals,   insurance  companies,   directors  and
officers,  attorneys and architects and engineers. Special risk programs provide
products  liability  insurance for  manufacturers  and distributors and tailored
coverages  for other unique  exposures.  Specialty  program  insurance  includes
coverage for camps,  youth and  recreation,  child care,  health and fitness and
agribusiness  organizations,  as well  as  accident  and  health  insurance  for
colleges.  The Company also  underwrites  personal and  commercial  property and
liability  coverages for  watercraft,  motorcycles,  automobiles,  mobile homes,
dwellings and  commercial  freight  companies.  The brokered  excess and surplus
lines unit writes  hard-to-place, large general liability and products liability
accounts.

Following is a comparison of gross premium  volume by  significant  underwriting
area:


                                                        Gross Premium Volume


                   Quarter Ended June 30,                                                                Six Months Ended June 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  1997              1996               (amounts in thousands)                              1997            1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 $ 33,385         $ 29,890       Excess & Surplus Lines                                 $ 61,960          $ 58,935
                   28,964           32,116       Professional/Products Liability                          59,613            63,311
                   20,108           24,916       Specialty Program Insurance                              38,652            45,662
                   15,573           20,528       Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines                  23,767            34,090
                   11,742               --       Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines                        22,853               --
                      968            3,488       Other                                                     2,032             6,285
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 $110,740         $110,938       Total                                                  $208,877          $208,283
===================================================================================================================================


Gross  premium  volume was $110.7  million  for the  second  quarter  and $208.9
million for the six month period in 1997  compared to $110.9  million and $208.3
million, respectively, for the same periods last year. Aggressive competition in
many of the Company's markets  contributed to decreased premium volume which was
offset by the acquisition of Investors Insurance Holding Corp. (Investors).

Excess and surplus lines second  quarter gross premium volume was $33.4 million,
an increase of 12%, compared to $29.9 million in 1996. For the six month period,
excess  and  surplus  lines  gross  premium  volume  rose 5% to $62.0 from $58.9
million in 1996.  Increased  production  in the property and excess and umbrella
programs was responsible for the growth in both periods.

Premiums from  professional/products  liability insurance were $29.0 million for
the second quarter and $59.6 million for the six month period  compared to $32.1
million and $63.3 million,  respectively, for the same periods last year. Growth
in the employment practices line was more than offset by lower production from

                                        8





other lines, including directors and officers liability, medical malpractice and
the specified medical programs.

Gross  premiums  from  specialty  program  insurance  were $20.1 million for the
second  quarter  and $38.7  million for the six month  period  compared to $24.9
million  and  $45.7  million  for the  quarter  and six  month  period  of 1996.
Increased  competition in the youth and recreation  program and  re-underwriting
portions of the agribusiness  program contributed to the decrease.  In addition,
in 1997, the division began  directly  placing all of its workers'  compensation
business with another insurance carrier.

Specialty  personal and commercial lines premiums  declined to $15.6 million for
the second quarter and $23.8 million for the six month period from $20.5 million
and $34.1 million,  respectively,  during the same periods in 1996. The decrease
was primarily due to discontinuance of two auto insurance programs.

Premiums  from  Brokered  Excess and Surplus  Lines totaled $11.7 million in the
second  quarter  and $22.9  million  for the first six months of 1997.  This new
underwriting  unit is the result of the  purchase  of  Investors  on October 31,
1996.

Other  gross  premiums  totaled  $1.0  million  for the second  quarter and $2.0
million for the six month  period  compared to $3.5 million and $6.3 million for
the quarter and six month periods in 1996.  Other gross premium volume  included
facultative reinsurance placed by the  Professional/Products  Liability unit and
run-off business related to Lincoln Insurance Company.

While  certain  of the  Company's  products  may be  adversely  affected  by the
increased  competition  and lower rates which  characterize  a "soft"  insurance
market, the Company does not intend to relax underwriting  standards or rates in
order to sustain premium  volume.  Further,  the volume of premiums  written may
vary   significantly   with  the   Company's   decision  to  alter  its  product
concentration to maintain or improve underwriting profitability.

The Company enters into reinsurance  agreements in order to reduce its liability
on individual risks and enable it to underwrite policies with higher limits. The
Company's net retention of gross premium  volume  increased to 78% in the second
quarter  of 1997  and 77% for the six  month  period  compared  to 74% for  both
periods in 1996. The increases for both periods reflect higher retentions in the
specialty personal and commercial lines division.









                                        9





Following is a comparison of earned premiums by significant underwriting area:



                                                          Earned Premiums
                    Quarter Ended June 30,                                                             Six Months Ended June 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  1997              1996             (amounts in thousands)                                1997            1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 $ 20,924         $ 17,075       Excess & Surplus Lines                                 $ 40,906          $ 35,214
                   26,047           26,455       Professional/Products Liability                          51,631            58,014
                   16,886           15,663       Specialty Program Insurance                              34,101            32,099
                   13,117           11,581       Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines                  24,947            20,300
                    7,203               --       Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines                        14,239                --
                      (45)             619       Other                                                       (21)            2,563
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 $ 84,132         $ 71,393       Total                                                  $165,803          $148,190
===================================================================================================================================



Total operating  revenues for the second quarter rose 22% to $101.7 million from
$83.7 million in the prior year.  For the six month period,  operating  revenues
rose 13% to $200.2 million from $176.7 million a year ago.

 Earned premiums advanced 18% to $84.1 million for the quarter and 12% to $165.8
million  for the six month  period  compared  to $71.3  million  for the  second
quarter and $148.2 million for the six month period of 1996. The growth resulted
from increased  retentions in the Company's core products and the acquisition of
Investors in the Fall of 1996.

Second quarter net investment  income  increased 42% to $16.8 million from $11.9
million a year ago. For the six month period,  net investment  income  increased
39% to $33.5  million from $24.1  million in 1996.  The increase  reflected  the
impact of significant  growth in the Company's  investment  portfolio due to the
acquisition of Investors,  the issuance of $150 million of Capital Securities in
January 1997 and operating cash flows.

In the second  quarter,  the Company  realized $0.4 million of investment  gains
compared to $0.5 million of losses in 1996.  For the six month period,  realized
investment  losses were $0.2  million  compared to $2.5 million of gains for the
same period last year. Variability in the timing of realized investment gains or
losses is to be expected and often results from interest rate  volatility  which
affects the market values of fixed maturities and equity investments.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter were $84.0 million,  an increase
of 17%, compared to $71.5 million in 1996. Total operating  expenses for the six
month period were $165.6 million,  an increase of 9%, compared to $151.9 million
a year ago.  The  increases  for both  periods  resulted  primarily  from higher
variable expenses associated with higher earned premiums.










                                       10









Following is a comparison  of selected data from the  Company's  operations  (in
thousands):



                  Quarter Ended June 30,                                                                Six Months Ended June 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  1997              1996                   (amounts in thousands)                         1997             1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 $110,740        $ 110,938       Gross premium volume                                   $208,877          $208,283
                 $ 85,802        $  81,811       Net premiums written                                   $161,775          $154,725
                      78%              74%       Net Retention                                               77%               74%
                 $ 84,132        $  71,393       Earned premiums                                        $165,803          $148,190
                 $ 54,506        $  46,327       Losses and loss adjustment expenses                    $107,156          $100,879
                                                 Underwriting acquisition and
                 $ 28,912        $  24,089              insurance expenses                              $ 57,226          $ 48,819

                                                 GAAP ratios
                      65%              65%            Loss ratio                                             65%               68%
                      34%              34%            Expense ratio                                          34%               33%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      99%              99%            Combined ratio                                         99%              101%
===================================================================================================================================




Underwriting  performance  is  measured  by the  combined  ratio of  losses  and
expenses to earned premiums. For the quarter, the combined ratio was flat at 99%
compared to 1996. The combined  ratio was 99% for the six month period  compared
to 101% in 1996. The quarterly loss ratio was flat at 65% when compared to 1996,
while the six month loss  ratio  decreased  to 65% from 68% a year ago.  The six
month 1997 loss ratio compares  favorably to 1996 due to winter storm losses and
underwriting losses in the professional  liability book of business in 1996. The
expense  ratio for the second  quarter  was flat at 34%  compared  to 1996.  The
expense  ratio for the six month  period was 34%  compared  to 33% in 1996.  The
increase  was  due to  higher  acquisition  and  overhead  expenses  which  were
partially offset by the recognition of contingent profit commissions.

In  evaluating  its  operating   performance,   the  Company   focuses  on  core
underwriting  and investing  results before  consideration  of realized gains or
losses from the sales of investments,  expenses  related to the  amortization of
intangible  assets and any  nonrecurring  items.  Management  believes this is a
better indicator of the Company's  operating  performance because it reduces the
variability in results  associated with realized  investment gains or losses and
eliminates the impact of accounting  transactions  which do not reflect  current
operating costs. For the second quarter of 1997,  income from core  underwriting
and  investing  operations  advanced 17% to $9.9  million,  or $1.75 per primary
share, from $8.5 million,  or $1.50 per primary share, in 1996. The increase was
due to  higher  net  investment  income  from the  larger  investment  portfolio
supported by underwriting  profits.  For the six month period,  income from core
operations  grew 32% to $19.5 million,  or $3.46 per primary  share,  from $14.9
million,  or $2.63 per primary share,  last year. The six month period benefited
from higher net investment income and a 1% underwriting  profit compared to a 1%
underwriting loss for the same period last year.

The Company's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 1997 was 22% compared
to (158%) in 1996.  For the six month  period,  the tax rate was 24% compared to
(64%)  last year.  In the  second  quarter of 1996,  the  Company  recognized  a
nonrecurring benefit of $18.4 million related to the realization of tax benefits

                                       11





attributable to certain differences between financial reporting and tax bases of
assets  acquired in a prior period.  This benefit was recognized when management
determined  that  estimated tax  liabilities  were less than amounts  previously
accrued.

Second  quarter  1997 net income was $9.7 million  compared to $26.1  million in
1996.  For the six month period net income was $18.5  million  compared to $33.9
million last year.  The 1997  decrease was due to the  nonrecurring  tax benefit
recognized in the second quarter of 1996, offset by higher net investment income
and continued underwriting profits.

Financial Condition as of June 30, 1997

The Company's  insurance  operations  collect  premiums and pay current  claims,
reinsurance commissions and operating expenses.  Premiums collected and positive
cash flows from the insurance  operations  are invested  primarily in short-term
investments and long-term bonds. The Company's  short-term  investments  provide
liquidity for projected claims, reinsurance costs and operating expenses.

For the six month  period  ended June 30,  1997,  the Company  reported net cash
provided by operating activities of $26.5 million, compared to net cash provided
by  operating  activities  of $35.0  million  for the same  period in 1996.  The
decrease  was due to various  large claims  payments and slowed  growth in gross
premium volume in the first quarter of 1997.

For the six month period ended June 30, 1997, the Company reported net cash used
by investing activities of $163.2 million compared to $25.9 million in 1996. The
difference  was primarily  due to the  Company's  investment of the $150 million
Capital Securities offering proceeds.

At June 30, 1997 the Company's fixed maturity and equity  investments  comprised
approximately  74% and  18% of  total  investments,  respectively.  The  Company
expects  variability  in its realized  and  unrealized  investment  gains due to
interest rate volatility as well as other economic conditions.

In January 1997 the Company  arranged the sale of $150 million of 8.71%  Capital
Securities  issued  by  Markel  Capital  Trust  I, a  statutory  business  trust
sponsored  by  Markel  Corporation.  Proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  Capital
Securities  were  used to  purchase  the  Company's  8.71%  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  due January 1, 2046. The Capital  Securities and related  Debentures
are  redeemable by the Company on or after January 1, 2007. The Company used $15
million  of the  proceeds  of the  offering  to  reduce  indebtedness  under its
revolving  credit  facility in the first quarter of 1997.  The remainder will be
used for general corporate purposes.

As of June 30, 1997 the unused balances available under the Company's  revolving
credit  facility  totaled $150 million  compared to $135 million at December 31,
1996.

Shareholders'  equity at June 30,  1997 was $309.2  million  compared  to $268.3
million at December  31,  1996.  Book value per share rose to $56.33 at June 30,
1997 from $49.16 at December 31, 1996.






                                       12





PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The  Corporation's  Annual  Meeting  was  held on May  13,  1997,  in  Richmond,
Virginia. At the Annual Meeting,  shareholders elected directors for the ensuing
year and ratified  the  selection by the Board of Directors of KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 1997.
The results of the meeting were as follows:

Election of Directors                      For                 Withheld
- ---------------------                      ---                 --------
      Alan I. Kirshner                  4,477,580               31,738
      Anthony F. Markel                 4,478,956               30,362
      Steven A. Markel                  4,478,956               30,362
      Darrell D. Martin                 4,477,580               31,738
      Leslie A. Grandis                 4,478,716               30,602
      Stewart M. Kasen                  4,477,395               31,923
      Gary L. Markel                    4,478,956               30,362
      V. Prem Watsa                     4,473,031               36,287



Ratification of Selection of Auditors:

                                                   Abstentions and Brokers
               For                 Against                Non-Votes
               ---                 -------                ---------

             4,502,249              5,137                   1,932




Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits.

The Exhibits to this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index.

(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1997.



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                                   Signatures

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  Report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this 29th day of July, 1997.



                                  Markel Corporation



                                  By    Alan I. Kirshner
                                     --------------------------------------


                                        Alan I. Kirshner
                                        Chief Executive Officer
                                        (Principal Executive Officer)



                                  By    Anthony F. Markel
                                     --------------------------------------

                                        Anthony F. Markel
                                        President
                                        (Principal Operating Officer)



                                  By    Steven A. Markel
                                     --------------------------------------

                                        Steven A. Markel
                                        Vice Chairman



                                  By    Darrell D. Martin
                                     --------------------------------------

                                        Darrell D. Martin
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                        (Principal Financial Officer and
                                        Principal Accounting Officer)







                                       14





                                  Exhibit Index

Number          Description

     27         Financial Data Schedule *


* Filed electronically with the Commission's operational EDGAR system

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