<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Corporation Form 10-K for December 31, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                        $289,944
<SECURITIES>                                10,945,890<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  618,198
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,847,867
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        492,432
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,154
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,448,877
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,847,867
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,058,831
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               348,588
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              72,625
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                210,821
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,418
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            129,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (763)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   128,640
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $192 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Group, Inc.
</FN>