
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 1998 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000230557
<NAME> SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,045,618
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          409,165
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            423,641
<EQUITIES>                                     254,822
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,746,375
<CASH>                                          22,478<F1>
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               9,781
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         103,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,353,090
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,174,914<F2>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            383,910
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                112,033<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        73,311
<OTHER-SE>                                     521,417
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,353,090
<PREMIUMS>                                     172,556
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             25,108
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,081
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,191
<BENEFITS>                                     121,539<F4>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     54,614
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,940
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,984
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,956
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,161,169<F5>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,174,914
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>EQUALS THE SUM OF SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT AND CASH.
<F2>EQUALS THE SUM OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND THE RESERVE FOR LOSS EXPENSE AT
THE END OF THE PERIOD.
<F3>EQUALS THE SUM OF NOTES PAYABLE, SHORT-TERM DEBT, AND CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.
<F4>EQUALS THE SUM OF LOSSES INCURRED AND LOSS EXPENSES INCURRED.
<F5>EQUALS THE SUM OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND RESERVE FOR LOSS EXPENSES AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
