<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MERCURY
GENERAL CORP.  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,214,986
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     173,522
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,448,248
<CASH>                                           3,011
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          57,264
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,725,532
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                409,061
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            309,376
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,412
<OTHER-SE>                                     752,180
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,725,532
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,031,280
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             86,812
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               4,973
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,881
<BENEFITS>                                     654,729
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    224,883
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            33,579
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                209,779
<INCOME-TAX>                                    53,473
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            156,306
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   156,306
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.82
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 311,754
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            641,911
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                               12,818
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             373,823
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               206,390
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                386,270
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                       (12,818)