<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CRAWFORD
& COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 AND CRAWFORD & COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          13,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  162,520
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,851
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               265,255
<PP&E>                                         159,905
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112,438
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 477,853
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          164,438
<BONDS>                                         37,088
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        48,483
<OTHER-SE>                                     180,773
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   477,853
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               177,432
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,993
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,477
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 867
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,095
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,564
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,531
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,531
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21