SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) May 17, 2001
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                         THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
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             (Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California                           0-3658                           95-1068610
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(State or Other Jurisdiction      (Commission                   (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                 File Number)               Identification No.)

1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California                           92707-5913
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (714) 800-3000
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                                 Not Applicable.
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Item 5.   Other Events.

          See the attached Exhibit.

Item 7.   Exhibits.

          99 Press Release dated May 17, 2001.


                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                   THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

Date: May 17, 2001                 By: /s/ Thomas A. Klemens
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                                      Name:   Thomas A. Klemens
                                      Title:  Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer