SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  MARCH 18, 1998

                    THE FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

CALIFORNIA                               0-3658                   95-1068610
(State or Other Jurisdiction           (Commission              (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                      File Number)          Identification No.)

        114 EAST FIFTH STREET, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA         92701-4642
        (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)

                                 (714) 558-3211
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)








ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

          See  the attached Exhibit.


ITEM 7.   EXHIBITS.

     99   Press Release of The First American Financial  Corporation dated March
          18, 1998.






                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


                                THE FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                (Registrant)


Date: March 18, 1998            By:    /S/ THOMAS A. KLEMENS
                                       ---------------------
                                Name:  Thomas A. Klemens
                                Title: Executive Vice President 
                                       and Chief Financial Officer