<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                       279,942,482
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                       91,782,988
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             371,725,470
<CASH>                                      13,854,826
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   6
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      16,515,138
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             441,906,647
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            159,452,429
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                         90,260,664
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                    90,433,560
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  85,350,065
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               441,906,047
<PREMIUMS>                                 179,035,250
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         17,866,113
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           1,292,268
<OTHER-INCOME>                               6,004,448
<BENEFITS>                                 133,475,120
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                        49,853,526
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             18,878,098
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,760,836
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         14,117,262
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                14,117,262
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .78
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0