<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Corporation's 10-Q for September 30, 1994 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000005016
<NAME> FINANCE DEPARTMENT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                        $172,803
<SECURITIES>                                 7,441,113<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  373,033
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,468,956
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,080,702
<COMMON>                                           904
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            5,299
<PREFERRED>                                    168,428
<OTHER-SE>                                     302,533<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,468,956
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,569,131
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               197,091
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              87,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 82,476
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,078
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             57,398
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (16,938)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,460
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $850,945.
<F2>Includes Capital subject to put option of $37,837.
<F3>Not applicable since all common shares are privately owned.
</FN>