<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Independence Holding Company Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30,
2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 366,618,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 24,599,000
<MORTGAGE> 26,000
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 478,594,000
<CASH> 10,533,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 141,609,000
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 27,831,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 696,867,000
<POLICY-LOSSES> 293,731,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 23,780,000
<POLICY-OTHER> 174,951,000
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 4,859,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 15,000,000
0
0
<COMMON> 7,898,000
<OTHER-SE> 108,661,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 696,867,000
65,506,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 27,072,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (365,000)
<OTHER-INCOME> 4,002,000
<BENEFITS> 50,775,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 4,681,000
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 13,570,000
<INCOME-TAX> 4,440,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,130,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,130,000
<EPS-BASIC> 1.16
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.14
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>