<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATE AUTO
FINANCIAL CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE INTERIM PERIOD
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-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 616,977,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 40,096,000
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 0
<EQUITIES> 57,787,000
<MORTGAGE> 0
<REAL-ESTATE> 0
<TOTAL-INVEST> 714,860,000
<CASH> 17,744,000
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 32,591,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 867,228,000
<POLICY-LOSSES> 246,753,000
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 160,406,000
<POLICY-OTHER> 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 0
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 45,500,000
0
0
<COMMON> 106,290,000
<OTHER-SE> 252,097,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 867,228,000
297,892,000
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 28,741,000
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 4,640,000
<OTHER-INCOME> 15,469,000
<BENEFITS> 206,904,000
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 88,378,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 44,227,000
<INCOME-TAX> 10,044,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 34,183,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 34,183,000
<EPS-BASIC> 0.89
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.87
<RESERVE-OPEN> 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR> 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>