EXHIBIT (21) THE MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES EXHIBIT (21) - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT DECEMBER 31, 1996 The subsidiaries of the Registrant as of December 31, 1996, all of which are included in the consolidated financial statements, are as follows: Percentage State of of Voting Incorporation Stock Owned --------------- ------------ M/G Transport Services, Inc. Ohio 100 Midland-Guardian Co. Ohio 100 MGT Services, Inc. Ohio 100 CS Crable Sportswear, Inc. Ohio 100 SUBSIDIARIES OF MIDLAND-GUARDIAN CO. American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. Ohio 100 Marbury Agency, Inc. Ohio 100 SUBSIDIARIES OF AMERICAN MODERN INSURANCE GROUP, INC. American Modern Home Insurance Co. Ohio 100 American Family Home Insurance Co. Florida 100 Atlas Insurance Agency, Inc. Ohio 100 American Modern Life Insurance Company Ohio 100 Midwest Enterprises, Inc. Florida 100 Lloyds Modern Corporation Texas 100 American Modern Home Service Company Ohio 100 SUBSIDIARIES OF AMERICAN MODERN HOME INSURANCE CO. American Modern Lloyds Insurance Co. Texas 100 American Southern Home Insurance Co. Florida 100 American Western Home Insurance Co. Oklahoma 100 Guardian Underwriters Insurance Company, Inc. Pennsylvania 100 SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN WESTERN HOME INSURANCE CO. American Modern Life Insurance Company of Arizona, Inc. Arizona 100 SUBSIDIARY OF MIDWEST ENTERPRISES, INC. Sunbelt General Agency, Inc. Alabama 100 The names of five wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Midland Company are not shown above as such individual listing is not required. 15