8-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                              --------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)  May 18, 2004
                                                  ------------------------------

                         THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California                            0-3658                          95-1068610
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(State or Other Jurisdiction        (Commission                    (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                  File Number)              Identification No.)

1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California                           92707-5913
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (714) 800-3000
                                                    ----------------------------

                                 Not Applicable.
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Item 5.   Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.

     On May 18, 2004, The First American Corporation (the "Company") issued a
press release announcing that its board of directors has approved a stock
repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $100 million of
the Company's issued and outstanding Common shares. A copy of the press release
is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by this reference.

Item 7.        Exhibits.


Exhibit No.                   Description
- -----------                   -----------

99.1                          Press Release.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                      THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION



Date: May 18, 2004                    By:       /s/ Thomas A. Klemens
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:      Thomas A. Klemens
                                         Title:     Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1
                                                                    ------------



Contact:
Thomas A. Klemens                                           NEWS      FOR
Sr. Executive Vice President &                                        IMMEDIATE
Chief Financial Officer                                               RELEASE
(714) 800-4401



                         THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
                        ANNOUNCES STOCK BUY-BACK PROGRAM
       --BOARD AUTHORIZES REPURCHASE OF UP TO $100 MILLION IN FAF STOCK--

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 18, 2004 - The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF),
the nation's largest data provider, today announced that its board of directors
has approved the repurchase of up to $100 million of the company's currently
issued and outstanding common shares. Purchase of shares will be made from time
to time in open market transactions at prevailing prices. The amount and timing
of any share repurchases will depend on, among other factors, the market
performance of the shares; the availability of, and alternative uses of, the
company's funds; and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

     "The current market price of our stock does not begin to reflect our
success in transforming First American into a diversified provider of data and
data-related products and services," stated Parker S. Kennedy, chairman and
chief executive officer of The First American Corporation. "Given our current
stock price and growth prospects, we believe a repurchase of our shares
represents an excellent investment opportunity."

     The First American Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that traces its
history to 1889. As the nation's largest data provider, the company supplies
businesses and consumers with information resources in connection with the major
economic events of people's lives, such as getting a job; renting an apartment;
buying a car, house, boat or airplane; securing a mortgage; opening or buying a
business; and planning for retirement. The First American Family of Companies,
many of which command leading market share positions in their respective
industries, operate within six primary business segments including: Title
Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Mortgage Information, Property
Information, Credit Information and Screening Information. With revenues of
$6.21 billion in 2003, First American has 29,000 employees in approximately
1,800 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about
the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at
www.firstam.com.

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