<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>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        3,763,880
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          3,763,880
<EQUITIES>                                     435,137
<MORTGAGE>                                      32,293
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,342,572
<CASH>                                          13,610
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             179,445
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         202,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,541,083
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,868,348
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            711,955
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                299,511
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       304,493
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,031,546
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,541,083
<PREMIUMS>                                   1,674,122
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            274,314
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              35,538
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                   1,248,879
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    338,012
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           201,401
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                195,682
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,976
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            169,706
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   169,706
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.03
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               2,294,458
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          1,245,580
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                             (45,705)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             653,977
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               578,664
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              2,261,692
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                         45,705