<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 JUNE
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> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,239,028
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 339,612
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 2,651,504
<CASH> 255,185
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 112,181
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 140,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,265,212
<POLICY-LOSSES> 2,790,694
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 791,627
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 574,092
0<F1>
0
<COMMON> 323,941
<OTHER-SE> 347,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,265,212
402,188
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 66,682
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (4,342)
<OTHER-INCOME> 94
<BENEFITS> 293,652
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 86,885
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 57,225
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,174)
<INCOME-TAX> (452)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,722)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (3,722)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.44)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.44)
<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>
