<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, 1999 AND CRAWFORD & COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          20,064
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  224,753
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,393
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,378
<PP&E>                                         155,761
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112,681
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 453,036
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          168,857
<BONDS>                                          1,509
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        49,971
<OTHER-SE>                                     181,929
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   453,036
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               172,621
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,589
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,736
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,296
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,258
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,038
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,038
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20