EXHIBIT 23

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                      ----------------------------------

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus 
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-19065) of 
The First American Financial Corportation of our report dated February 11, 1997 
appearing on page 20 of this Form 10-K.


Price Waterhouse LLP

Costa Mesa, California
March 26, 1997