<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME OF PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. 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-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            31,655
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      89,149
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 143,702
<CASH>                                          55,638
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,866
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           5,098
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 402,618
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                146,022
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             18,101
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               13
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     192,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   402,618
<PREMIUMS>                                      17,082
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              3,173
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,772
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,012
<BENEFITS>                                      12,092
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      5,638
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             7,827
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,324)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (6,341)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,017
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    442
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,459
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0