<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-Q for the six months ended June 30,
1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         153,647
<SECURITIES>                                 8,940,505<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  398,665
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,561,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        401,365
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    168,484
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                     468,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,561,435
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,282,923
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               147,943
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              70,247
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,927
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,648
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,279
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (16,749)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,530
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $850 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Group.
</FN>