<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, 1995 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           489,236
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     116,511
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 689,488
<CASH>                                           2,493
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              39,289
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          26,917
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,196,434
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                655,471
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            154,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                100,699
<COMMON>                                        22,948
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     135,327
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,196,434
<PREMIUMS>                                      65,784
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              8,368
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,563
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     810
<BENEFITS>                                      42,023
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     15,733
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             6,872
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,838
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,298
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,540
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,540
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.17
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0