<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATE AUTO
FINANCIAL CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE INTERIM PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       555,947,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                       42,975,000
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                  51,337,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             650,259,000
<CASH>                                      57,039,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      30,346,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             835,720,000
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            239,461,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                        149,612,000
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                             45,500,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   106,008,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 228,516,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               835,720,000
<PREMIUMS>                                  98,811,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          9,374,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           3,139,000
<OTHER-INCOME>                               5,137,000
<BENEFITS>                                  64,209,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        30,895,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             18,584,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,901,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,683,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,683,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0