SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                 Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                   May 5, 2000
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                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)


                             Arch Capital Group Ltd.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     Delaware                 0-26456                      06-1424716
- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
(State or other       (Commission File Number)        (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of                                        Identification No.)
incorporation or
organization)



                 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

                                 (203) 862-4300


                                 Not Applicable
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)









ITEM 5.         Other Events.

     See press release attached as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information And Exhibits.

          99.1. Press Release, dated May 5, 2000.








                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned.

                                     ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.


Date: May 5, 2000                    By: /s/ Peter A. Appel
                                         -------------------------
                                         Peter A. Appel
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer