<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CRAWFORD AND
COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND CRAWFORD AND COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          25,690
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  225,447
<ALLOWANCES>                                    20,159
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               267,824
<PP&E>                                         161,311
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,410
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 471,423
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          155,638
<BONDS>                                         16,121
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        50,765
<OTHER-SE>                                     195,134
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   471,423
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               510,699
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  373,624
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                90,655
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,420
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,825
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,595
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,595
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57