<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
September  30, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           1,025,063
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                  0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                    0
<EQUITIES>                                       256,520
<MORTGAGE>                                             0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                          0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 1,389,101
<CASH>                                               886
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                15,652
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                            37,427
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,843,694
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  963,985
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                              196,218
<POLICY-OTHER>                                         0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                  0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                   93,153
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          24,606
<OTHER-SE>                                       317,418
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,843,694
<PREMIUMS>                                       250,453
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                               50,944
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 8,117
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     1,271
<BENEFITS>                                       161,469
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                       60,675
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                              26,265
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   45,393
<INCOME-TAX>                                      10,893
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               34,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      34,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       6.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       6.09
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                0