
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            7
<LEGEND>

                    STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION




THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND THE RELATED  STATEMENT  OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE
MONTHS  ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1000
       
<S>                                                <C>    

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           219,273
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 255,682  <F1>
<CASH>                                          27,427
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 432,026
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                162,176
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 21,462
<COMMON>                                         6,937
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     210,248
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   432,026
<PREMIUMS>                                     180,984
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              4,274
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  68
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  11,716
<BENEFITS>                                       8,215
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,472
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,847
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,625
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,625
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 156,791
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                              7,070
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                1,145
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                (346) <F2>
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                 3,176
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                162,176
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

<FN>
<F1>  Includes short-term investments.
<F2>  Includes  reserve  balance  increase of $1,116 from the  acquisition of an
      existing underwriter.
</FN>


</TABLE>
