
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                        $361,567
<SECURITIES>                                10,874,080<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  676,671
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,358,075
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        470,066
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        58,914
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,559,961
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,358,075
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,933,369
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               177,282
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                196,992
<INCOME-TAX>                                    72,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            124,397
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (78)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $124,319
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.07
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $234 million.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>
