<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>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,134,469
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 72,845
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 1,207,314
<CASH> 84,891
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 78,575
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 80,302
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,454,392
<POLICY-LOSSES> 1,412,712
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 432,864
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 175,000
0
0
<COMMON> 232,012
<OTHER-SE> 57,430
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,454,392
456,994
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 64,409
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 7,676
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<BENEFITS> 416,218
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 184,532
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 17,423
<INCOME-PRETAX> (122,681)
<INCOME-TAX> (30,316)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (92,365)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (92,365)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<RESERVE-OPEN> 1,063,485
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 371,503
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 44,715<F2>
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 59,830
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 398,937<F1>
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 1,020,936
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
<FN>
<F1> FOREIGN EXCHANGE MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PRIOR YEAR
PAID CLAIMS.
<F2> PRIOR AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN RESTATED FROM THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2000.
</FN>
</TABLE>