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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LaoYLbTmV2GJ/umrWcQDluCKgcexbGaztO+oeESoE7FZr3OVK1rsNjp9jWqHRQTd
 DoXUrp9PzI4lDSyz+quNGg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000775368-04-000033.txt : 20040601
<SEC-HEADER>0000775368-04-000033.hdr.sgml : 20040601
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040601172100
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000775368-04-000033
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040601

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLEGHANY CORP /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000775368
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TITLE INSURANCE [6361]
		IRS NUMBER:				510283071
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127521356

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALLEGHANY FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870115

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAVIN WILLIAM K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001014163

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09371
		FILM NUMBER:		04842187

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-752-1356

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-05-21</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000775368</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLEGHANY CORP /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>Y</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001014163</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAVIN WILLIAM K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>190 BEACH 137TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BELLE HARBOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11694</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>57</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>262.856</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>981</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the average of the high and low sales prices of a share of common stock of Alleghany Corporation as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for all trading days during April 2004, calculated for purposes of determining the number of shares of common stock of Alleghany Corporation to be paid to the undersigned as a portion of his annual retainer pursuant to Alleghany Corporation's Directors' Equity Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes shares of Common Stock paid by Alleghany Corporation as a stock dividend in April 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This amended Form 4 is being filed to correct a calculation error made with respect to the amount of securities beneficially owned by the undersigned as reported in a Form 4 filing, dated May 21, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher K. Dalrymple, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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