
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Financial Group, Inc. 10-K for December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                        $448,296
<SECURITIES>                                10,513,038<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  609,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,051,118
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        517,919
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        61,072
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,493,365
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,051,118
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,115,397
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               396,744
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              76,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                353,244
<INCOME-TAX>                                    91,277
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            261,967
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (28,667)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  $233,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.84
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investees of $200 million.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>
