<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>