<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 entirely by reference to such consolidated
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0                       0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        3,787,582               3,787,582
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          3,787,582               3,787,582
<EQUITIES>                                     460,560                 460,560
<MORTGAGE>                                      21,871                  21,871
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,383,657               4,383,657
<CASH>                                          19,338                  19,338
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             175,149                 175,149
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         212,250                 212,250
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,651,873               5,651,873
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,854,688               2,854,688
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            746,058                 746,058
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0                       0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                299,607                 299,607
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       304,500                 304,500
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,112,459               1,112,459
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,651,873               5,651,873
<PREMIUMS>                                     429,821                 853,097
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             66,525                 133,003
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               9,756                  19,443
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   4,208                   6,671
<BENEFITS>                                     323,369                 620,910
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     86,178                 168,970
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            48,775                 103,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,988                 119,333
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,749                  21,067
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,239                  98,266
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,239                  98,266
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74                    1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74                    1.64
<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