<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                        $283,256
<SECURITIES>                                11,648,155<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  729,577
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,194,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        649,857
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        61,388
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,676,095
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,194,517
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,054,624
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               160,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                175,294
<INCOME-TAX>                                    67,842
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            107,452
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (727)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $106,725
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $240 million.
</FN>