<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of American States Financial Corporation and
Subsidiaries and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         3,688,524               3,688,524
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                       0
<EQUITIES>                                     411,913                 411,913
<MORTGAGE>                                      33,524                  33,524
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,281,110               4,281,110
<CASH>                                          21,047                  21,047
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             172,002                 172,002
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         208,754                 208,754
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,524,495               5,524,495
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,897,081               2,897,081
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            732,477                 732,477
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                299,462                 299,462
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       304,792                 304,792
<OTHER-SE>                                     957,333                 957,333
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,524,495               5,524,495
<PREMIUMS>                                     407,067               1,255,544
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             67,031                 201,520
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,531                  31,001
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     299,874                 955,779
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     82,368                 254,413
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            43,507                 138,309
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,596                 132,446
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,429                 117,101
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,429                 117,101
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .67                    2.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67                    2.14
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                       0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                       0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                       0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                       0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                       0