<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Independence Holding Company Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30,
2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       366,618,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                  24,599,000
<MORTGAGE>                                      26,000
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             478,594,000
<CASH>                                      10,533,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                         141,609,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      27,831,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             696,867,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            293,731,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         23,780,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                             174,951,000
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        4,859,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                             15,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,898,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 108,661,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               696,867,000
<PREMIUMS>                                  65,506,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         27,072,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           (365,000)
<OTHER-INCOME>                               4,002,000
<BENEFITS>                                  50,775,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  4,681,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,570,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,440,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,130,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,130,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0