<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                        $343,281
<SECURITIES>                                10,898,543<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  596,952
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,709,360
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        660,881
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        59,979
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,588,722
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,709,360
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               813,787
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                76,609
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,434
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 92,453
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,339
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             59,114
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (3,854)
<NET-INCOME>                                   $55,260
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $207 million.
</FN>