<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MERCURY
GENERAL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,411,691
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 210,794
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 1,669,347
<CASH> 3,510
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 67,320
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,990,393
<POLICY-LOSSES> 445,398
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 357,942
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 95,000
50,799
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 899,031
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,990,393
616,842
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 51,671
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 2,159
<OTHER-INCOME> 3,845
<BENEFITS> 437,903
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 136,766
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 30,196
<INCOME-PRETAX> 66,270
<INCOME-TAX> 10,330
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,940
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 55,940
<EPS-BASIC> 1.03
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.03
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>