<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                        $287,229
<SECURITIES>                                10,610,471<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  708,443
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,154,298
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        776,267
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        58,544
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,289,869
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,154,298
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               878,296
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                92,695
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,026
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,607
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,161
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,725
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $44,725
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $171 million.
</FN>