<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TERRA NOVA
(BERMUDA) HOLDINGS LTD. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,102,635 1,102,635
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0 0
<EQUITIES> 58,105 58,105
<MORTGAGE> 0 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 1,160,740 1,160,740
<CASH> 149,993 149,993
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 75,727 75,727
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 87,002 87,002
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,567,443 2,567,443
<POLICY-LOSSES> 1,467,384 1,467,384
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 494,881 494,881
<POLICY-OTHER> 0 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 175,000 175,000
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 232,012 232,012
<OTHER-SE> 51,221 51,221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,567,443 2,567,443
170,809 325,545
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 21,626 43,247
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 10,977 7,303
<OTHER-INCOME> 2,766 6,556
<BENEFITS> 150,231 307,022
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 49,737 139,840
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 4,176 12,812
<INCOME-PRETAX> (9,101) (114,206)
<INCOME-TAX> (5,058) (27,271)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,043) (86,935)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (4,043) (86,935)
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
<RESERVE-OPEN> 1,071,389 1,063,485
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 39,183 61,533
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 111,048 245,489
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 2,490 4,025
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 146,930 294,282<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,072,200 1,072,200
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0 0
<FN>
<F1>FOREIGN EXCHANGE MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PRIOR YEAR PAID
CLAIMS.
</FN>
</TABLE>