<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
 consolidated financial statements of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. and is
 qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>


<MULTIPLIER>                                                       1,000

<S>                                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                      6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                     JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                       JUN-30-2000
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                               731,285
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                              0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                0
<EQUITIES>                                                         8,732
<MORTGAGE>                                                         56,101
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                      0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                     932,755
<CASH>                                                             33,759
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                 71,286
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                             66,238
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     1,449,384
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                    784,860
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                115,146
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                     0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                              0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                    131,819
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        30
<COMMON>                                                           190
<OTHER-SE>                                                         208,051
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       1,449,384
<PREMIUMS>                                                         129,396
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                12,385
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                 (901)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                     2,552
<BENEFITS>                                                         80,709
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                        27,110
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                               19,456
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    9,237
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       3,058
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                5,037
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     (544)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    5,250
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       8,617
<EPS-BASIC>                                                        .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      .40
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                     354,709
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                  0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                   0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                    784,860
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                            0







</TABLE>