<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American Financial Corporation 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> $180,362 <SECURITIES> 8,982,614<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 370,437 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 12,538,381 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 483,834 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 168,484 <COMMON> 9,625 <OTHER-SE> 486,282 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,538,381 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 621,963 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 71,825 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 35,121 <INCOME-PRETAX> 57,110 <INCOME-TAX> 11,059 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 46,051 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (6,376) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 39,675 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0<F2> <EPS-DILUTED> 0<F2> <FN> <F1>Includes an investment in investees of $838 million. <F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial Group. </FN>