<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
American Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the three months ended March 31,
1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                        $249,052
<SECURITIES>                                10,292,593<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  678,019
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,855,589
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        803,448
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        60,825
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,345,845
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,855,589
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,030,922
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                86,789
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,866
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                122,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,625
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,198
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (7,633)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,565
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $1.22
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $314 million.
</FN>