<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MERCURY
GENERAL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           738,672
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     113,264
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 877,890
<CASH>                                           3,080
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          33,717
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,037,037
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                246,382
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            168,109
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 25,000
<COMMON>                                        40,627
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     493,495
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,037,037
<PREMIUMS>                                     453,587
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             46,321
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 858
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,080
<BENEFITS>                                     307,842
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     94,212
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            16,189
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 83,433
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,369
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             66,064
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    66,064
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0