<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Corporation 10-K for December 31, 1996 and is
qualified in ite entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         404,831
<SECURITIES>                                10,513,038<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  609,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,999,163
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        517,919
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    162,760
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,104,510
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,999,163
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,113,848
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               400,361
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              86,148
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                337,982
<INCOME-TAX>                                    89,658
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            248,324
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (26,328)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   221,996
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $200 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American 
Financial Group.
</FN>