<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