EXHIBIT 32.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of W. R. Berkley Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we,
William R. Berkley, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, and Eugene G. Ballard, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted
pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Company.

/s/ WILLIAM R. BERKLEY
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William R. Berkley
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ EUGENE G. BALLARD
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Eugene G. Ballard
Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

August 6, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to W. R. Berkley Corporation (the "Company") and will be retained by
the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff
upon request.