<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        3,689,243
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          3,689,243
<EQUITIES>                                     427,766
<MORTGAGE>                                      22,609
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,254,089
<CASH>                                          15,797
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             178,252
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         210,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,514,255
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,862,150
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            728,197
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                299,559
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       304,493
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,023,455
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,514,255
<PREMIUMS>                                     423,276
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             66,478
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,687
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,463
<BENEFITS>                                     297,541
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     82,793
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            54,225
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,345
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,318
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,027
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,027
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0