<ARTICLE> 7 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the financial statements contained in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997 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-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 982,664 <DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 <DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 <EQUITIES> 237,915 <MORTGAGE> 0 <REAL-ESTATE> 0 <TOTAL-INVEST> 1,331,525 <CASH> 1,183 <RECOVER-REINSURE> 13,225 <DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 36,586 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,792,051 <POLICY-LOSSES> 956,045 <UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 193,101 <POLICY-OTHER> 0 <POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 <NOTES-PAYABLE> 93,140 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 24,531 <OTHER-SE> 284,676 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,792,051 <PREMIUMS> 165,803 <INVESTMENT-INCOME> 33,503 <INVESTMENT-GAINS> (160) <OTHER-INCOME> 1,027 <BENEFITS> 107,156 <UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 40,348 <UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 16,878 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,354 <INCOME-TAX> 5,842 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,512 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,512 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.27 <RESERVE-OPEN> 0 <PROVISION-CURRENT> 0 <PROVISION-PRIOR> 0 <PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0 <PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0 <RESERVE-CLOSE> 0 <CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0