<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-Q for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         352,261
<SECURITIES>                                11,177,859<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  709,882
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,670,098
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        390,853
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    162,760
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,382,718
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,670,098
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,967,907
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               233,214
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              67,293
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                248,964
<INCOME-TAX>                                    91,343
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            157,621
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (6,986)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   150,635
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $219 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Group.
</FN>