<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                        $412,411
<SECURITIES>                                11,288,545<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  754,855
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,605,305
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        639,895
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        61,046
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,727,674
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,605,305
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,086,428
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               254,616
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,878
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                261,347
<INCOME-TAX>                                    97,464
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            163,883
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (763)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $163,120
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.62
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $233 million.
</FN>