<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.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            62,378
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      69,784
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 141,651
<CASH>                                          62,083
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                 107
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           5,071
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 408,393
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                131,656
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             19,218
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     209,860
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   408,393
<PREMIUMS>                                      15,192
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              4,124
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (500)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,081
<BENEFITS>                                      11,891
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      4,635
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            12,044
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,188)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,814)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,373)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,373)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.41)
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  98,799
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                              6,165
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                1,359
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               4,366
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                13,635
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 92,690
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          1,359