<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet of Farmers Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
March 31, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of income, 
stockholder's equity and cash flows for the three month period ended 
March 31, 1997 (unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by reference 
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               Mar-31-1997
<CASH>                                         527,548
<SECURITIES>                                   146,355
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               967,892
<PP&E>                                         661,433
<DEPRECIATION>                                 216,890
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,930,509
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          169,244
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,497,511
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,930,509
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               514,946
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  254,510
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,518
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                249,918
<INCOME-TAX>                                   114,881
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            135,037
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   135,037
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0