<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-Q for September 30, 1995 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         178,966
<SECURITIES>                                 8,253,962<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  409,931
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,396,286
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        749,416
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,880
<PREFERRED>                                    168,484
<OTHER-SE>                                     390,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,396,286
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,722,790
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               176,919
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             103,037
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,047
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,149
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             82,898
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,048)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    79,850
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in affiliates of $832 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Group.
</FN>