SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): NOVEMBER 8, 2005

                             ----------------------

                              ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

         DELAWARE                       1-9371                 51-0283071
----------------------------       ----------------        -------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION       (COMMISSION FILE          (IRS EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION)                   NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                        7 TIMES SQUARE TOWER
                             17TH FLOOR
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK                10036
            ----------------------------------------     ----------
            (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)     (ZIP CODE)


        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (212) 752-1356






ITEM 2.02  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

            On November 8, 2005, Alleghany Corporation issued a press release on
the subject of its 2005 third quarter consolidated earnings. A copy of such
release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1. The information hereunder shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into a
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be
expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) EXHIBITS

99.1                 2005 Third Quarter Earnings Release, dated
                     November 8, 2005





                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                      ALLEGHANY CORPORATION


                                                      /s/ Peter R. Sismondo
                                                      --------------------------
                                                  By: Peter R. Sismondo
                                                      Vice President,
                                                      Controller,
                                                      Treasurer and Assistant
                                                        Secretary

Date: November 8, 2005





                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number                    Exhibit Description
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99.1                          2005 Third Quarter Earnings Release, dated
                              November 8, 2005