<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet of Farmers Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, 
stockholder's equity and cash flows for the twelve month period ended 
December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               Dec-31-1996
<CASH>                                         499,328
<SECURITIES>                                   118,253
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               932,421
<PP&E>                                         649,721
<DEPRECIATION>                                 202,085
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,928,827
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          132,535
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,503,830
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,928,827
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,012,915
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,108,571
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                862,274
<INCOME-TAX>                                   354,333
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            507,941
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   507,941
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0