<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                        $408,571
<SECURITIES>                                10,883,981<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  595,402
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,097,105
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        796,668
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        59,736
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,501,019
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,097,105
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,645,142
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               164,728
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,947
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                161,326
<INCOME-TAX>                                    57,139
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            104,187
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,738)
<CHANGES>                                      (3,854)
<NET-INCOME>                                   $96,595
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $207 million.
</FN>