<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule conatins summary financial information extracted from
the American Financial Corporation 10-Q for the nine months ended
Sepbember 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                        $405,831
<SECURITIES>                                11,287,608<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  754,855
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,589,991
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        539,895
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,154
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,569,093
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,589,991
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,087,224
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               248,655
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              54,059
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                262,583
<INCOME-TAX>                                    98,594
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            163,989
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (754)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $163,235
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Included an investment in investee of $233 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned
by American Financial Group, Inc.
</FN>