<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the Form 10-Q for the six months ended
September 30, 2000 for Markel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,295,119
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 392,931
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 2,762,862
<CASH> 210,947
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 123,250
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 141,018
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,279,239
<POLICY-LOSSES> 2,808,970
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 760,284
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 574,513
0<F1>
0
<COMMON> 324,713
<OTHER-SE> 366,051
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,279,239
655,344
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 110,818
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (3,462)
<OTHER-INCOME> 141
<BENEFITS> 511,883
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 145,661
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 90,634
<INCOME-PRETAX> (38,551)
<INCOME-TAX> (19,180)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (19,371)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (19,371)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.85)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.85)
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0<F2>
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0<F2>
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0<F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0<F2>
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Does not include Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Capital
Securities of Subsidiary Trust Holding Solely Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures of Markel North America, Inc.
<F2>Available on an annual basis only.
</FN>
</TABLE>
