<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                        $215,118
<SECURITIES>                                11,624,628<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  714,286
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,023,319
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        599,986
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        61,316
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,667,622
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,023,319
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,016,778
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                77,193
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,951
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                108,729
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,842
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             66,887
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (687)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $66,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $221 million.
</FN>