<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         603,456
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          53,801
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               161,677
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                60,210
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,678,232
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         834,547
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           835,192
<LOANS>                                      6,658,597
<ALLOWANCE>                                    123,265
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,399,468
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,792,977
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,154,372
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            252,255
<LONG-TERM>                                    331,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       148,158
<OTHER-SE>                                     720,549
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              10,399,468
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                546,803
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              149,426
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                10,820
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               707,049
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             282,741
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             357,351
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          349,698
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,467
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                334,455
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                195,776
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     195,776
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   121,572
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.90
<LOANS-NON>                                     16,331
<LOANS-PAST>                                    11,711
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 51,700
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               132,415
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   31,430
<RECOVERIES>                                    20,154
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              123,265
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            68,452
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         54,813