EXHIBIT 23
                                                                                
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                                        

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-19065, 333-32871, 333-41993 and 333-67451),
Form S-4 (Nos. 333-45459, 333-49687, 333-52031, 333-53681 and 333-66431) and
Form S-3 (Nos. 333-56521, 333-58865, 333-67633 and 333-74703) of The First
American Financial Corporation of our report dated February 9, 1999 appearing on
page 21 of this Form 10-K.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Costa Mesa, California
March 22, 1999