CRAWFORD & CO
10-Q, 1998-05-11
INSURANCE AGENTS, BROKERS & SERVICE
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Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 2  

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

Condensed Financial Statements:

Year-to-Date Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three-Month 
    Periods ended March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1997:

                                                 (In Thousands of Dollars
                                             Except Share and Per Share Data)

                                                            1998        1997

Revenues                                                $166,133    $165,951

Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of services provided, less reimbursed expenses
  of $9,351 in 1998 and $8,575 in 1997                   123,782     119,594

  Selling, general and administrative expenses            22,803      27,075

  Year 2000 expenses                                       1,028           0

  Restructuring charge                                         0      13,000

       Total costs and expenses                          147,613     159,669

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest          18,520       6,282

Provision for Income Taxes                                 7,113       3,166

Income Before Minority Interest                           11,407       3,116

Minority Interest in Loss of Joint Venture                    13       3,199

Net Income                                               $11,420      $6,315

Net Income Per Share
  Basic                                                    $0.23       $0.13
  Diluted                                                  $0.23       $0.12

Average Number of Class A and Class B Common
Shares used in Net Income per Share Calculations
  Basic                                               49,319,110  50,030,061
  Diluted                                             50,081,447  51,416,151

Declared Dividends Per Share - Class A Common Stock       $0.125      $0.110

Declared Dividends Per Share - Class B Common Stock       $0.125      $0.110

          (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                            Page 3  


Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997:


                                                  (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                        March 31 December 31
                                                            1998        1997

ASSETS

Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                              $45,309     $55,380
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $16,730 in 1998 and $16,802 in 1997      117,056     117,338
  Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts        86,771      87,688
  Prepaid income taxes                                     1,261         981
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets               13,467      12,558

     Total current assets                                263,864     273,945


Property and Equipment:
  Property and equipment, at cost:                       148,829     149,506
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization        (108,841)   (110,314)

     Net property and equipment                           39,988      39,192


Other Assets:
  Intangible assets arising from acquisitions, 
    less accumulated amortization of $11,045 
    in 1998 and $10,533 in 1997                           51,297      51,968
  Prepaid pension obligation                              49,010      45,972
  Other                                                    9,219       5,981

     Total other assets                                  109,526     103,921


TOTAL ASSETS                                            $413,378    $417,058


         (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 4  


                 Consolidated Balance Sheets - (Continued)


                                                    (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                        March 31 December 31
                                                            1998        1997

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

Current Liabilities:
  Short-term borrowings                                  $19,836     $19,812
  Accounts payable                                        18,059      19,956
  Accrued compensation and related costs                  20,185      26,616
  Other accrued liabilities                               44,478      41,419
  Deferred revenues                                       15,911      16,241
  Current installments of long-term debt                     453         594

     Total current liabilities                           118,922     124,638

Noncurrent Liabilities:
  Long-term debt, less current installments                  680         731
  Deferred income taxes                                   15,323      14,921
  Deferred revenues                                       13,556      13,404
  Postretirement medical benefit obligation                8,263       8,105
  Self-insured risks                                       9,151       9,067
  Minority interest                                       26,719      26,732
  Other                                                    5,111       4,455

     Total noncurrent liabilities                         78,803      77,415

Shareholders' Investment:
  Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value;  50,000,000
    shares authorized;  23,931,433 and 23,915,727
    shares issued in 1998 and 1997, respectively          23,931      23,916
  Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value;  50,000,000
    shares authorized;  25,439,054 and 25,477,233    
    shares issued in 1998 and 1997, respectively          25,439      25,477
  Retained earnings                                      177,113     174,973
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                 (10,830)     (9,361)

     Total shareholders' investment                      215,653     215,005

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT          $413,378    $417,058


        (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 5  


Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month Periods 
Ended March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1997:

                                                   (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                            1998        1997

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net income                                             $11,420      $6,315
  Reconciliation of net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
       Minority interest in loss of joint venture            (13)     (3,199)
       Depreciation and amortization                       3,832       3,800
       Deferred income taxes                                 336      (6,007) 
       (Gain)/loss on sales of property and equipment        (75)         75
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
           net of effects of acquisitions:
         Accounts receivable, net                         (1,951)      1,759
         Unbilled revenues                                (1,091)      4,910
         Prepaid or accrued income taxes                   5,686       4,416
         Accounts payable and accrued liabilities         (6,696)     11,108
         Deferred revenues                                  (370)       (264)
         Prepaid expenses and other assets                (6,676)     (4,819)
Net cash provided by operating activities                  4,402      18,094

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Acquisitions of property and equipment                  (4,630)     (4,602)
  Proceeds from sales of property and equipment               31         142
Net cash used in investing activities                     (4,599)     (4,460)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Dividends paid                                          (6,176)     (5,504)
  Repurchase of common stock                              (7,427)     (4,399)
  Issuance of common stock                                 4,301       1,103
  Increase in short-term borrowings                          905       1,410
  Decrease in long-term debt                                (115)       (576)
Net cash used in financing activities                     (8,512)     (7,966)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and 
  cash equivalents                                        (1,362)      3,487
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents         (10,071)      9,155
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period          55,380      55,485
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               $45,309     $64,640

Cash payments for income taxes                            $2,587      $1,494


          (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)




Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 6


                  NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by 
the Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote 
disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to such rules and regulations.  These condensed financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes 
contained in the Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.  

     In the opinion of management, the condensed financial statements included 
herein contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) 
necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Registrant as of 
March 31, 1998, the results of its operations for the three-month periods ended
March 31, 1998 and 1997, and its cash flows for the three-month periods then 
ended.

2.   The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 1998,
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected during the balance
of the year ending December 31, 1998.

3.   The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 
No. 128 effective December 31, 1997.  Basic earnings per share is computed 
based on the weighted average number of total common shares outstanding of 
Class A and Class B Common Stock during the respective years.  Diluted earnings
per share is computed based on the weighted average number of total common 
shares outstanding of Class A and Class B Common Stock, adjusted for dilutive 
common stock equivalents.  All prior period earnings per share amounts have 
been restated to comply with SFAS No. 128.

 
Form 10-Q                                                 Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                              Page 7


     The following reconciliation illustrates the numerators and denominators 
of the basic and diluted net income per share computations shown on the 
consolidated statements of income:


                                                       1998        1997 
(In thousands, except per share data) 	 	 

Basic net income per share computation 		
Numerator 		
   Income available to common shareholders          $11,420    $  6,315 

Denominator 		
   Weighted-average common shares outstanding        49,320      50,030 

Basic net income per share                          $  0.23    $   0.13 

Diluted net income per share computation 		

Numerator 		
   Income available to common shareholders          $11,420    $  6,315 

Denominator 		
   Weighted-average common shares outstanding        49,320      50,030 
   Option shares outstanding                            762         604 
   Shares issuable under convertible debt               ---         782 
                                                     50,082      51,416 

Diluted net income per share                       $   0.23    $   0.12 

Options to purchase 1,012,500 shares of Class A Common Stock at $19.125 and 
$19.50 per share were outstanding at March 31, 1998 but were not included in 
the computation of diluted net income per share because the options' exercise 
price was greater than the average market price of the common shares; to 
include them would have been antidilutive.

4.   The Company has adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," 
which establishes standards for reporting and display of "comprehensive 
income" and its components.  Comprehensive income for the Company consists of 
net income and foreign currency translation adjustments.  Total comprehensive
income (in thousands) was $9,951 and $2,974 for the three-month periods ended
March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 8


5.   In July 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 
131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." 
SFAS No. 131 supersedes SFAS Nos. 14, 18, 24 and 30 and establishes new 
standards for segment reporting, using the "management approach," in which
reportable segments are based on the same criteria on which management 
disaggregates a business for making operating decisions and assessing 
performance.  SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal years beginning after 
December 15, 1997.  Financial statement disclosures for prior periods are 
required to be restated.  The company is in the process of evaluating the
disclosure requirements and will adopt the standard for its 1998 fiscal year.
The adoption of SFAS No. 131 will have no impact on the Company's consolidated 
results of operations, financial position or cash flows.  

     In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 
No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement 
Benefits."  SFAS No. 132 supersedes the disclosure requirements in SFAS
Nos. 87, 88 and 106 and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 
15, 1997.  Financial statement disclosures for prior periods are required to 
be restated.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the disclosure 
requirements and will adopt the standard for its 1998 fiscal year.  The 
adoption of SFAS No. 132 will have no impact on the Company's consolidated 
results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

6.   The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a 
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of the 
statements of cash flows.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 9


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations.

Financial Condition

At March 31, 1998, current assets exceeded current liabilities by approximately
$144.9 million, a decrease of $4.4 million from the working capital balance at
December 31, 1997.  Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 1998 totaled $45.3 
million, decreasing $10.1 million from the balance at the end of 1997.  The 
Company held no short-term investments at March 31, 1998 or December 31, 1997.
Cash was generated primarily from operating activities, while the principal 
uses of cash were for repurchases of common stock, dividends paid to 
shareholders, and acquisitions of property and equipment.  The ratio of current
assets to current liabilities was 2.2 to 1 at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 
1997.

During 1997, the Company announced a share repurchase program to acquire up to 
an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of its Class A or Class B Common Stock through
open market purchases.  Through March 31, 1998, the Company has reacquired 
878,500 shares of its Class A Common Stock and 85,200 shares of its Class B 
Common Stock at an average cost of $19.68 and $20.03 per share, respectively.

The Company maintains credit lines with banks in order to meet seasonal working
capital requirements of its foreign subsidiaries or other financing needs that 
may arise.  Short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1997 totaled $19.8 million.  The Company believes that its current
financial resources, together with funds generated from operations and existing
and potential long-term borrowing capabilities, will be sufficient to maintain 
its current operations.

The Company does not engage in any hedging activities to compensate for the 
effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the operating results of its foreign 
subsidiaries.  Foreign currency denominated debt is maintained primarily to 
hedge the currency exposure of its net investment in foreign operations.

Shareholders' investment at March 31, 1998 was $215.7 million, compared with 
$215.0 million at the end of 1997.  Long-term debt totaled $0.7 million at 
March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997.


Form 10-Q                                                 Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                              Page 10


Results of Operations

Operating results for the Company's domestic and international operations for 
the three-month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

            Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

                       Domestic         International           Total 
                    1998      1997      1998      1997      1998      1997   
                         (In thousands of dollars, except percentages)

Revenues          $127,257  $139,907  $ 38,876  $ 26,044  $166,133  $165,951 

Compensation 
  & Benefits        80,194    89,433    25,267    16,424   105,461   105,857 
% of Revenues        63.0%     63.9%     65.0%     63.1%     63.5%     63.8% 

Expenses Other 
  than Compensation
  & Benefits        27,555    31,653    13,569     9,159    41,124    40,812 
% of Revenues        21.7%     22.6%     34.9%     35.2%     24.7%     24.6% 

Pretax Income Before 	 	 	 	 	 	 
  Year 2000 Expenses, 						
  Restructuring Charge 	 	 	 	 	 	 
  and Minority 
  Interest        $ 19,508  $ 18,821  $     40  $    461  $ 19,548  $ 19,282 
% of Revenues        15.3%     13.5%      0.1%      1.8%     11.8%     11.6% 


Revenues for the first three months of 1998 were $166.1 million, up 0.1% from 
the $166.0 million for the same period in 1997.  Consolidated pretax income 
before Year 2000 expenses, restructuring charge and minority interest increased
1.4%, to $19.5 million in the first quarter of 1998 compared to the same period
in 1997.  While revenues increased 0.1% in the three-month period ended March 
31, 1998, corresponding expenses actually decreased due to efficiencies 
achieved in operating and support activities throughout the Company.


DOMESTIC OPERATIONS

Revenues

Domestic revenues from insurance companies and self-insured entities totaled 
$127.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, a 9.0% decrease from 
the comparable period in 1997, due largely to the winding down of a large class
action service contract.


Form 10-Q                                                 Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                              Page 11


Domestic unit volume, measured principally by chargeable hours and excluding 
acquisitions, decreased approximately 14.6% in the first quarter of 1998, 
compared to the same period in 1997.  This decrease was partially offset by 
changes in the mix of services provided and in the rates charged for those 
services, the combined effects of which increased revenues by approximately 
5.6% in the first quarter of 1998, compared to the comparable period in 1997.

Revenues from domestic operations include $6.2 million in revenue from services
provided by the Company's catastrophe adjusters during the first three months 
of 1998, principally to clients affected by natural or man-made disasters, 
including hurricanes, floods, hail storms and oil spills.  During the same
period in 1997, such revenue approximated $6.7 million.

Compensation and Fringe Benefits

The Company's most significant expense is the compensation of its employees, 
including related payroll taxes and fringe benefits.  Domestic compensation 
expense decreased as a percent of revenues from 63.9% in the three months 
ended March 31, 1997 to 63.0% in the same period in 1998.  This decrease is due
largely to an approximate 9% decline in full-time equivalent employees and a 
reduction in retirement expense, resulting from favorable investment returns. 

Domestic salaries and wages of personnel other than contract managers decreased
by 8.2%, from $63.6 million in the first quarter of 1997, to $58.4 million in 
the comparable period in 1998, 45.5% and 45.9% of domestic revenues in 1997 and
1998, respectively.  Contract managers' compensation is based on the operating 
income of the offices which they manage.  Compensation of these managers 
totaled $8.6 million in the three-month period ended March 31, 1998, decreasing
17.3% from related 1997 costs of $10.4 million, due to the decline in revenues 
and an increase in branches headed by non-contract managers.

Payroll taxes and fringe benefits for domestic operations totaled $13.2 million
in the first three months of 1998, decreasing 14.3% from 1997 costs of $15.4 
million, due to the reduction in retirement expense.

Expenses Other than Compensation and Fringe Benefits

Domestic expenses other than compensation and related payroll taxes and fringe 
benefits approximated 21.7% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 
1998, down from 22.6% of revenues for the same period in 1997.  This decline is
largely due to reductions in administrative costs resulting from the Company's
continuing focus on cost control.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 12


INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

Revenues

Revenues from the Company's international operations totaled $38.9 for the 
first quarter of 1998, a 49.3% increase from $26.0 million for the same period 
in 1997, net of approximately a 5% decline due to the negative effect of a 
relatively stronger U.S. dollar.  This increase is due to the acquisition of 
THG, with only one month's results included in the first three months of 1997, 
due to an acquisition effective date of January 1, 1997 and a two-month delay 
in reporting international results.

Compensation and Fringe Benefits

As a percent of revenues, compensation expense, including related payroll taxes
and fringe benefits, increased from 63.1% to 65.0% in the three-month periods 
ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  Salaries and wages of 
international personnel increased from 53.7% of revenues in 1997 to 55.8% for
the comparable period in 1998.  Payroll taxes and fringe benefits decreased as 
a percent of revenues, from 9.4% in the three-month period ended March 31, 
1997, to 9.2% in the same period in 1998.

Expenses Other than Compensation and Fringe Benefits

Expenses other than compensation and related payroll taxes and fringe benefits 
approximated 34.9% of international revenues for the first three months of 
1998, compared to 35.2% of revenues for the same period in 1997.  These 
expenses comprise a higher percentage of revenues than the Company's domestic 
operations due primarily to amortization of intangible assets and higher
automobile, occupancy and interest costs.

Restructuring Charge

In connection with the acquisition of Thomas Howell Group, the Company recorded
a pretax charge of $13 million for personnel, facilities and other costs 
associated with integration of the Company's international businesses.  An 
integration management plan was developed by teams from both companies with an 
advisory board, steering committee and integration teams for each geographic 
territory.  The teams developed a timeline and a communications program, 
identified specific leases to be terminated and redundant positions to be 
eliminated.  After reflecting income tax benefits of $4.3 million and minority
interest share of $3.5 million, this charge reduced Crawford's net income for 
the three months ended March 31, 1997 by $5.2 million, or $0.10 per share.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 13

 
Minority Interest

Minority interest benefit of $13,000 and $3.2 million were recorded in the 
first quarter of 1998 and 1997, respectively, reflecting Swiss Re's 40% 
minority interest in Crawford-THG Limited.


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

The Company expects to incur significant costs during the next two to three 
years to address the impact of the so-called Year 2000 problem on its 
information systems.  The Year 2000 problem, which is common to most 
organizations, concerns the inability of information systems, primarily 
computer software programs, to properly recognize and process date sensitive 
information as the year 2000 approaches.  The Company believes it will be able 
to modify or replace its affected systems in time to minimize any detrimental 
effects on operations.  The Company estimates this cost to be approximately 
$15 million over the next two to three years, with approximately $9 million 
expected to be incurred in 1998.  Through March 31, 1998, the Company has 
incurred $1 million.  Although this cost may be material to the Company's
results of operations in one or more fiscal quarters or years, the Company 
does not believe it will have a material adverse impact on the long-term 
results of operations, liquidity or consolidated financial position of the 
Company.

Certain information presented in Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations may include forward-looking 
statements, the accuracy of which is subject to a number of risks and 
assumptions.  The Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 
discusses such risks and assumptions and other key factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-
looking statements.  An additional risk factor is the Company's ability to 
timely and efficiently address the Year 2000 problem.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 14


Review by Independent Public Accountants.

Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, has performed a review of
the interim financial information contained herein in accordance with 
established professional standards and procedures for such a review and has 
issued its report with respect thereto (see page 15).


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 15


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and 
Board of Directors of
Crawford & Company:

We have made a review of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet 
of CRAWFORD & COMPANY (a Georgia corporation) AND SUBSIDIARIES as of March 31, 
1998 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 and the related condensed
consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 
31, 1998 and 1997.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the 
Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim 
financial information consists principally of obtaining an understanding of 
the system for the preparation of interim financial information, applying 
analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons 
responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in
scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the
financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an
opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Crawford & Company and 
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 (not presented separately herein), and 
in our report dated January 30, 1998, we expressed an unqualified opinion on 
that balance sheet.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the
accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997 is 
fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated 
balance sheet from which it has been derived.

                                                                
                                      Arthur Andersen LLP 



Atlanta, Georgia
May 4, 1998  



Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 16


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

           (a)  Exhibits

                15.1  Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP
                27.1  Financial Data Schedule

           (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

                Registrant filed no reports on Form 8-K during the period 
                covered by this report.


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 17


                                SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                         Crawford & Company
                                            (Registrant)



Date:  05/08/98                     /s/D. A. Smith                   
                                    D. A. Smith
                                    Chairman of the Board, President and
                                    Chief Executive Officer


Date:  05/08/98                     /s/D. R. Chapman                 
                                    D. R. Chapman
                                    Executive Vice President - Finance
                                    (Principal Financial Officer)


Date:  05/08/98                     /s/J. F. Giblin                   
                                    J. F. Giblin
                                    Senior-Vice President and Controller
                                    (Principal Accounting Officer)     


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                            Page 18


                             INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.     Description                             Sequential Page No. 

  15.1          Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP                19 

  27.1          Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only) 	






Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended March 31, 1998                             Page 19
                                                         Exhibit 15.1




To the Stockholders and 
Board of Directors of
Crawford & Company:

We are aware that Crawford & Company has incorporated by reference in its 
previously filed Registration Statement File No. 2-78989, Registration 
Statement File No. 33-22595, Registration Statement File No. 33-47536, 
Registration Statement File No. 33-36116, Registration Statement File No. 
333-2051, Registration Statement File No. 333-24425, and Registration
Statement File No. 333-24427, its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 
1998, which includes our report dated May 4, 1998 covering the unaudited 
interim financial information contained therein.  Pursuant to Regulation C 
of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), that report is not considered a 
part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by our firm or a
report prepared or certified by our firm within the meaning of Sections 7 
and 11 of the Act.


                                   Arthur Andersen LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
May 4, 1998



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<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,420
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23
        

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