<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Corporation 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>                                        $311,061
<SECURITIES>                                10,571,811<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  709,348
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,976,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        343,732
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,154
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,312,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,976,047
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,504,148
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               263,084
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              49,715
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                213,660
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,257
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            135,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,849)
<CHANGES>                                      (3,854)
<NET-INCOME>                                  127,700
<EPS-BASIC>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee of $191 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American
Financial Group, Inc.
</FN>