<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,336,289
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     239,514
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,634,146
<CASH>                                           3,486
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          64,137
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,921,747
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                411,903
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            339,234
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 78,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        49,178
<OTHER-SE>                                     884,659
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,921,747
<PREMIUMS>                                     586,452
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             49,108
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (1,394)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,277
<BENEFITS>                                     381,111
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    133,381
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            26,012
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,570
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,565
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,005
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,005
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.33
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0