<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>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           780,693
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     117,686
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 939,697
<CASH>                                           4,062
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          35,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,103,406
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                261,804
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            178,550
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 25,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        41,405
<OTHER-SE>                                     524,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,103,406
<PREMIUMS>                                     169,563
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             16,437
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 203
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     351
<BENEFITS>                                     117,418
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     35,833
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             5,858
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,420
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,510
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,910
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,910
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .80
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
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<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0