<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> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 1,459,758
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 235,009
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 1,748,089
<CASH> 6,216
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 68,329
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,108,001
<POLICY-LOSSES> 477,635
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 372,076
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 112,889
50,701
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 934,765
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,108,001
931,950
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 78,536
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 2,784
<OTHER-INCOME> 4,383
<BENEFITS> 664,609
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 204,768
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 44,742
<INCOME-PRETAX> 98,315
<INCOME-TAX> 14,954
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 83,361
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 83,361
<EPS-BASIC> 1.54
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.54
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>