<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-K for December 31, 1995 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                        $331,825
<SECURITIES>                                 8,752,238<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  376,330
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,413,591
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        535,641
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    168,484
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                     521,898
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,413,591
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,383,533
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               267,169
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             138,240
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                183,280
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,121
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            143,159
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (5,059)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $138,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in affiliates of $834 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Group.
</FN>