<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Corporation 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>                                        $285,379
<SECURITIES>                                10,610,471<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  708,443
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,124,098
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        395,859
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,154
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,271,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,124,098
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               880,535
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                92,376
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 73,637
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,255
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,350
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $48,350
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $171 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
    Group, Inc.
</FN>