
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
June 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,032,763
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          395,537
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            409,370
<EQUITIES>                                     274,239
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,730,792
<CASH>                                           6,432
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               9,911
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         110,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,384,454
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,172,323<F1>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            402,219
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                115,529<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        73,514
<OTHER-SE>                                     521,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,384,454
<PREMIUMS>                                     350,108
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             49,188
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,879
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,335
<BENEFITS>                                     248,366<F3>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    110,786
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,576
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,010
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,566
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .93
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,161,169<F4>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,172,323<F5>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Equals the sum of Reserve for losses and the Reserve for loss expenses.
<F2>Equals the sum of Notes payable, Short-term debt, and Convertible
subordinated debentures.
<F3>Equals the sum of losses incurred and loss expenses incurred.
<F4>Equals the sum of Reserve for losses and Reserve for loss expenses
at the beginning of the year.
<F5>Equals the sum of Reserve for losses and Reserve for loss expenses at
the end of the period.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
