SCHEDULE 13D


                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. 5)

                            McFarland Energy, Inc.
              --------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Issuer)


                                 Common Stock
                        -------------------------------
                        (Title of Class of Securities)


                                  58 0432102
                       ---------------------------------
                                (CUSIP Number)

                              Michael S. Paquette
                              Vice President and
                                  Controller
                   Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
                             80 South Main Street
                               Hanover, NH 03755
                                (603) 643-1567
                  ------------------------------------------
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                    to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                 March 5, 1997
           ---------------------------------------------------------
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

     Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ].  (A
fee is not required only if the reporting person:  (1) has a previous statement
on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.
(See Rule 13d-7.)

     NOTE:  Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies
are to be sent.

 
                             CUSIP NO. 58 0432102
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)  Name of Reporting Person.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above
     Person

                   Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
                                  94-2708455
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(2)  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a)
     of a Group (See Instructions)             -------------
                                   (b)
- -----------------------------------   ------------------
(3)  (SEC Use Only)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)  Source of Funds (See Instructions) AF


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d)
     or 2(e)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)  Citizenship or Place of Organization  Delaware
                                           --------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Number of Shares      (7)  Sole Voting Power
   Beneficially Owned         86,846
   by Each Reporting          ----------------------------
   Person With           (8)  Shared Voting Power
                              333,000
                              ----------------------------
                         (9)  Sole Dispositive Power
                              ----------------------------
                         (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                              333,000
                              ----------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
     333,000

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
     Instructions)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
     Approximately 5.9%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  HC, CO

                                 Page 2 of 11

 
                             CUSIP NO. 58 0432102
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)  Name of Reporting Person.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above
     Person

                   Fund American Enterprises, Inc.
                                  51-0328932
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(2)  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a)
     of a Group (See Instructions)             -------------
                                           (b)
                                               -------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)  (SEC Use Only)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)  Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d)
     or 2(e)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)  Citizenship or Place of Organization  Delaware
                                           --------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Number of Shares      (7)  Sole Voting Power
   Beneficially Owned         
   by Each Reporting          ----------------------------
   Person With           (8)  Shared Voting Power
                              169,231
                              ----------------------------
                         (9)  Sole Dispositive Power

                              ----------------------------
                         (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                              169,231
                              ----------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
     169,231

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
     Instructions)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
     Approximately 3.0%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  CO

                                 Page 3 of 11

 
                             CUSIP NO. 58 0432102
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)  Name of Reporting Person.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above
     Person

                       White Mountain Holdings, Inc.Inc.
                                  02-0477312
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(2)  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a)
     of a Group (See Instructions)             -------------
                                   (b)
- -----------------------------------   ------------------
(3)  (SEC Use Only)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)  Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d)
     or 2(e)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)  Citizenship or Place of Organization  Delaware
                                           --------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Number of Shares      (7)  Sole Voting Power
   Beneficially Owned         
   by Each Reporting          ----------------------------
   Person With           (8)  Shared Voting Power
                              76,923   
                              ----------------------------
                         (9)  Sole Dispositive Power

                              ----------------------------
                         (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                              76,923
                              ----------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
     76,923   

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
     Instructions)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
     Approximately 1.4%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  CO

                                 Page 4 of 11

 
ONLY ITEMS REPORTED IN THIS AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO SCHEDULE 13D ARE AMENDED FROM THE
FILINGS ON SCHEDULE 13D (THE "SCHEDULE 13D") PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION".  ALL OTHER ITEMS REMAIN
UNCHANGED.  UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ALL DEFINED TERMS USED HEREIN HAVE THE
MEANING PREVIOUSLY ASCRIBED TO THEM IN THE SCHEDULE 13D.


Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
         -------------------------------------

     (a)  FAEH owns 86,846 Shares directly and owns 169,231 Shares and 76,923
Shares indirectly through FAE, WMH and certain of WMH's direct and indirect
wholly owned subsidiaries, respectively. The aggregate number of Shares and the
corresponding percentage of the outstanding Shares such number represents is as
follows:
Percentage of Shares Shares Beneficially Beneficially Person Owned Owned ------ ------------ ------------- FAEH 86,846 1.5% FAE 169,231 3.0% WMH* 76,923 1.4%
* WMH and certain of its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. (b) FAEH has sole voting power and dispositive power with respect to 86,846 Shares and shares voting power and dispositive power with respect to 169,231 Shares with FAE, 76,923 Shares with WMH and certain of WMH's direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. The persons on Schedule I listed above have sole voting power and dispositive power with respect to Shares individually owned by them respectively. (c) None (d) None (e) Not Applicable Page 5 of 11 Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect --------------------------------------------------------------------- to Securities of the Issuer. - --------------------------- FAE extended a "Standstill Agreement", originally dated September 1, 1989, until January 4, 1998. Such agreement provides the executive management and Board of McFarland Energy certain assurances, voluntary restrictions on purchasing or selling Shares of McFarland and voting limitations intended to keep FAE in the position of a friendly investor that supports the incumbent management's views. The Standstill Agreement originally applied to all 400,000 Shares of McFarland owned by FAEH and its subsidiaries. During February 1997, McFarland Energy removed the Standstill Agreement restrictions on 100,000 Shares of McFarland which provided FAEH and its subsidiaries with the opportunity to sell up to 100,000 Shares of McFarland. SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: March 17, 1997 FUND AMERICAN ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC. BY: /s/ ------------------------------------ Name: Michael S. Paquette Title: Vice President and Controller Page 6 of 11 FUND AMERICAN ENTERPRISES, INC. BY: /s/ ---------------------------------------- Name: Robert E. Snyder Title: Secretary and Controller WHITE MOUNTAINS HOLDINGS, INC. BY: /s/ ---------------------------------------- Name: Michael S. Paquette Title: Vice President and Controller Page 7 of 11 SCHEDULE I TO SCHEDULE 13D -------------------------- Following is a list of the directors and executive officers of Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. ("FAEH"), Fund American Enterprises, Inc. ("FAE"), and White Mountains Holdings, Inc. ("WMH") setting forth the business address and present principal occupation or employment (and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or organization in which such employment is conducted) of each such person. Each such person is a citizen of the United States of America.
Present Name and Principal Occupation Business Address Office or Employment - ---------------- ------ -------------------- FAEH Dennis P. Beaulieu Corporate Secretary Corporate Secretary Fund American Enterprises of FAEH, Director of WMH of FAEH Holdings, Inc. 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755-2053 John J. Byrne Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Board, Fund American Enterprises President & Chief President & Chief Holdings, Inc. Executive Officer of Executive Officer of 80 South Main Street FAEH, Chairman of the FAEH Hanover, NH 03755-2053 Board of FAE Reid T. Campbell Assistant Controller of Assistant Controller of Fund American Enterprises FAEH FAEH Holdings, Inc. 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755-2053 Howard L. Clark Director Retired 200 Park Avenue, Suite 4501 of FAEH New York NY 10166 Howard L. Clark, Jr. Director Vice Chairman of Lehman Lehman Brothers Holdings, of FAEH Brothers Holdings, Inc. Inc. American Express Tower New York NY 10128 Robert P. Cochran Director President & Chief Financial Security of FAEH Executive Officer of Assurance Financial Security Holdings, Ltd. Assurance 350 Park Avenue Holdings, Ltd. New York NY 10022 George J. Gillespie, III Director Partner in Cravath, Cravath, Swaine & Moore of FAEH Swaine & Moore 825 Eighth Avenue New York NY 10019 K. Thomas Kemp Executive Vice President Executive Vice President Fund American Enterprises of FAEH, Director of of FAEH Holdings, Inc. FAEH and FAE, Chairman 80 South Main Street of WMH Hanover, NH 03755-2053
Page 8 of 11 SCHEDULE I TO SCHEDULE 13D (cont.) ----------------------------------
Present Name and Principal Occupation Business Address Office or Employment - ---------------- ------ --------------------- FAEH Gordon S. Macklin Director Chairman of White River 8212 Burning Tree Road of FAEH Corporation Bethesda MD 20817 Frank A. Olson Director of FAEH Chairman and Chief The Hertz Corporation Executive 225 Brae Boulevard Officer of Hertz Park Ridge, NJ 07656-0713 Corporation Michael S. Paquette Vice President & Vice President & Fund American Enterprises Controller of FAEH, Controller of FAEH Holdings, Inc. Director of FAE and WMH 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755-2053 David G. Staples Vice President of FAEH Vice President of FAEH Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755-2053 Allan L. Waters Senior Vice President & Senior Vice President & Fund American Enterprises Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer Holdings, Inc. of FAEH, Director of of FAEH 80 South Main Street FAE and WMH Hanover, NH 03755-2053 Arthur Zankel Director Co-Managing Partner First Manhattan Co. of FAEH First Manhattan Co. 437 Madison Ave. New York NY 10022 FAE James H. Ozanne President of FAE, President of FAE Fund American Enterprises, Director of FAE Inc. The 1820 House, Main Street Norwich, VT 05055-0850 Robert E. Snyder Secretary and Controller Secretary and Controller Fund American Enterprises, of FAE, Director of FAE of FAE Inc. The 1820 House, Main Street Norwich, VT 05055-0850
Page 9 of 11 SCHEDULE I TO SCHEDULE 13D (cont.) ----------------------------------
Present Name and Principal Occupation Business Address Office or Employment - ---------------- ------ --------------------- WMH Dennis P. Beaulieu Vice President and Corporate Secretary (see above) Secretary of WMH, of FAEH Director of WMH John J. Byrne Director of WMH Chairman of the Board, (see above) President & Chief Executive Officer of FAEH Patrick M. Byrne Director of WMH Chief Executive Officer Centricut, LLC of Centricut, LLC 2 Technology Drive, STE 3 West Lebanon, NH 03784 Reid T. Campbell Assistant Controller of Assistant Controller of (see above) WMH FAEH Terry L. Baxter President and Director President and Director 80 South Main Street of WMH of WMH Hanover, NH 03755 Morgan Davis Executive Vice President Executive Vice President & White Mountains & Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer Holdings, Inc. of WMH, Director of WMH of WMH 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755-2053 Robert P. Cochran Director President & Chief (see above) of WMH Executive Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings, Ltd. John D. Gillespie Director of WMH Self Employed White Mountains Holdings, Inc. 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755 Robert P. Keller Director of WMH Self Employed White Mountains Holdings, Inc. 80 South Main Street Hanover, NH 03755
Page 10 of 11 SCHEDULE I TO SCHEDULE 13D (cont.) ----------------------------------
Present Name and Principal Occupation Business Address Office or Employment - ---------------- ------ --------------------- K. Thomas Kemp Chairman, Chief Executive Executive Vice President (see above) Officer and President of FAEH of WMH Phil Koerner Director of WMH Chief Executive Officer of National Grange Mutual National Grange Mutual Insurance Company Insurance Company 55 West Street, POB 2300 Keene, NH 03431 Michael S. Paquette Vice President & Vice President & (see above) Controller of WMH, Controller of FAEH Director of WMH Daniel A. Post Director of WMH President and Chief 2450 14/th/ Avenue SE Executive Albany, OR 97321-0421 Officer of Valley Insurance Company Allan L. Waters Senior Vice President & Senior Vice President & (see above) Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer of WMH, Director of of FAEH WMH
Page 11 of 11