<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME OF PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 71,385
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 70,876
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 153,534
<CASH> 37,735
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 1,100
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 5,840
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 402,670
<POLICY-LOSSES> 129,525
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 23,381
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 17
<OTHER-SE> 209,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 402,670
23,464
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 5,999
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> (7,588)
<OTHER-INCOME> 4,187
<BENEFITS> 18,307
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 7,343
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 17,371
<INCOME-PRETAX> (14,321)
<INCOME-TAX> (7,171)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,149)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (7,149)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.63)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.63)
<RESERVE-OPEN> 98,800
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 8,914
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 2,211
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 7,183
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 18,892
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 91,033
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 2,211
</TABLE>