<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MUTUAL RISK
MANAGEMENT LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000826918
<NAME> MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 389,083
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 0
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 389,083
<CASH> 168,953
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 1,932,304
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 74,064
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,402,245
<POLICY-LOSSES> 2,046,736
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 445,026
<POLICY-OTHER> 57,039
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 27,598
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 237,456
0
0
<COMMON> 412
<OTHER-SE> 382,518
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,402,245
191,931
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,293
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (2,168)
<OTHER-INCOME> 152,160
<BENEFITS> 132,696
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 70,064
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 130,149
<INCOME-PRETAX> 39,307
<INCOME-TAX> 3,418
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 35,889
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 32,127
<EPS-BASIC> 0.78
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.77
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>