
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
September 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,050,907
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          370,557
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            388,334
<EQUITIES>                                     236,355
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,726,257
<CASH>                                           9,967
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              10,085
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         115,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,410,080
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,184,947<F1>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            417,668
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                120,766<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        73,948
<OTHER-SE>                                     506,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,410,080
<PREMIUMS>                                     536,496
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             72,792
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,788
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   7,123
<BENEFITS>                                     381,212<F3>
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    169,583
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,006
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,508
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,498
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.37
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,161,169<F4>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              1,184,947<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>
