<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MERCURY GENERAL
CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,322,054
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     209,843
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,575,465
<CASH>                                           8,052
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          63,975
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,906,367
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                434,843
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            340,846
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 92,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           50,963
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     858,628
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,906,367
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,188,307
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             99,374
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                            (11,929)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,924
<BENEFITS>                                     789,103
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    267,399
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            50,675
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                168,539
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,830
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            133,709
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   133,709
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.44
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 385,816
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            781,316
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                7,787
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             492,314
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               263,805
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                418,800
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        (7,787)