<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
SEC FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000038984
<NAME> FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 972,516
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 255,211
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 5,901,133<F1>
<CASH> 69,861
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 76,930
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 59,040
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,401,328
<POLICY-LOSSES> 2,928,086
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 171,410
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 37,414
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 405,269
100,000
0
<COMMON> 69,998
<OTHER-SE> 415,481<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,401,328
798,498
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 123,203
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (2,357)
<OTHER-INCOME> 292,019<F3>
<BENEFITS> 1,052,616
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 170,856
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 60,901
<INCOME-PRETAX> (394,834)
<INCOME-TAX> (140,272)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (254,562)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 6,909
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (247,653)
<EPS-BASIC> (4.05)
<EPS-DILUTED> (4.05)
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
<FN>
<F1>Includes Loans receivable, Loans held for sale, Short-term investments,
Residual interests in securitized loans and Other investments.
<F2>Sum of Additional paid-in-capital, Retained earnings, Deferred Compensation
and Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
<F3>Includes Loan interest and Other revenue.
</FN>
</TABLE>
