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                                   Exhibit 23

                        Consent of Independent Auditors
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                                   Exhibit 23

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Forms S-8 pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan, the 1991 Directors' Stock
Option Plan and the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan
of our report dated February 21, 1997, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of State Auto Financial Corporation and
subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996.

                                                           /s/Ernst & Young LLP

Columbus, Ohio
March 26, 1997