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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                        $312,579
<SECURITIES>                                10,585,859<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  709,348
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,018,553
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        737,652
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        58,399
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,373,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,018,553
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,499,260
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               264,210
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              48,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                207,009
<INCOME-TAX>                                    74,214
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            132,795
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,261)
<CHANGES>                                      (3,854)
<NET-INCOME>                                  $126,680
<EPS-BASIC>                                     2.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $191 million.
</FN>