<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CRAWFORD &
COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND CRAWFORD & COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          27,559
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  164,860
<ALLOWANCES>                                    17,822
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               281,661
<PP&E>                                         156,894
<DEPRECIATION>                                 113,210
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 495,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          179,754
<BONDS>                                         36,814
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        48,471
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   495,602
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               541,985
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  396,065
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                92,907
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,808
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,126
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,682
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,682
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.63