<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         436,007
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           1,219
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                80,321
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                33,628
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    646,782
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,461,771
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,460,228
<LOANS>                                      5,582,667
<ALLOWANCE>                                    126,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,443,899
<DEPOSITS>                                   6,278,465
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,073,082
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            194,225
<LONG-TERM>                                    260,144
<COMMON>                                       124,839
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     513,144
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,443,899
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                325,556
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               98,354
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 3,888
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               427,798
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             159,171
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             208,490
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          219,308
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 508
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                176,929
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,482
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     118,482
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,994
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.06
<LOANS-NON>                                     16,219
<LOANS-PAST>                                     4,245
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 47,578
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               127,148
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,023
<RECOVERIES>                                    11,370
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              126,495
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            63,202
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         63,293
        

</TABLE>