<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Group, Inc. Form 10-Q for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                        $268,447
<SECURITIES>                                10,437,509<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  822,113
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,233,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        737,768
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        58,754
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,287,904
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,233,625
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,833,301
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               335,766
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              51,007
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 98,709
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,767
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,942
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $38,875
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $153 million.
</FN>