<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MUTUAL RISK
MANAGEMENT LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000826918
<NAME> MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           395,143
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 395,143
<CASH>                                          81,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             630,697
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          29,992
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,182,015
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                716,461
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            188,398
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           42,445
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                129,177
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           388
<OTHER-SE>                                     262,901
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,182,015
<PREMIUMS>                                      84,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             26,507
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (1,609)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 114,728
<BENEFITS>                                      49,857
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     35,816
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            78,734
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,418
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,607
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,811
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,706
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  69,419
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             50,301
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                (444)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                            (10,850)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                              (22,662)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 85,764
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0