<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, 1995 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           660,436
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     131,579
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 889,314
<CASH>                                          12,192
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              16,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          33,612
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,311,872
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                729,816
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            178,285
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                118,176
<COMMON>                                        23,039
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     170,938
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,311,872
<PREMIUMS>                                     209,892
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             30,530
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               7,650
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,561
<BENEFITS>                                     137,685
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     48,370
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            21,884
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,959
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,083
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,876
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,876
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.23
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0