<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MAIC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           564,938
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      33,036
<MORTGAGE>                                           0<F1>
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   12,352
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 666,759
<CASH>                                          14,033
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             108,692
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 905,308
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                548,742
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             54,920
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  31,789
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,339
<OTHER-SE>                                     234,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   905,308
<PREMIUMS>                                     104,518
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             32,114
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,532
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,197
<BENEFITS>                                      72,759
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0<F1>
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            25,729
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,872
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,637
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,235
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,149
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 432,945
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            100,186
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (27,427)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              (3,468)
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               (27,361)
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                548,742<F2>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         27,309
<FN>
<F1>DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS, AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION
COSTS AND MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE ARE NOT SEPARATELY DISCLOSED IN FORM 10-K
BECAUSE ITEMS ARE IMMATERIAL FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCLOSURE.  DEFERRED POLICY
ACQUISITION COSTS ARE INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OTHER ASSETS; AMORTIZATION OF
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS ARE INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OTHER 
UNDERWRITING EXPENSES; MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE ARE INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF 
OTHER LIABILITIES.  
<F2>THE ENDING RESERVE BALANCE CONTAINS $45,643 OF RESERVES OF AN ENTITY ACQUIRED
DURING 1996.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>