<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-Q for March 31, 1995 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                        $156,767
<SECURITIES>                                 7,810,044<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  348,661
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,857,523
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,123,503
<COMMON>                                           904
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,880
<PREFERRED>                                    168,484
<OTHER-SE>                                     290,069
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,857,523
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               553,192
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,445
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,129
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,102
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,237
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,865
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,865
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $857 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are privately owned.
</FN>