<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 MARCH 31, 1998 FOR MARKEL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,075,112
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     300,856
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,440,623
<CASH>                                           1,169
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              12,108
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          36,403
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,872,812
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                950,622
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            188,457
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 93,179
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,048
<OTHER-SE>                                     364,018
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,872,812
<PREMIUMS>                                      78,898
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             17,570
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,413
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     202
<BENEFITS>                                      49,527
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     18,890
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             9,177
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,896
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,055
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,841
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,841
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0