<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the American Financial Corporation 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 203,303 <SECURITIES> 11,624,628<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 714,286 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 15,995,222 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 499,986 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,625 <OTHER-SE> 1,462,155 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 15,995,222 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,016,663 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 76,699 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,031 <INCOME-PRETAX> 108,146 <INCOME-TAX> 41,736 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 66,410 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (685) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> $65,725 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0<F2> <EPS-DILUTED> 0<F2> <FN> <F1>Included an investment in investee of $221 million. <F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial Group, Inc. </FN>