-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DnVcPttQJoS14uDSmrdUEiGrELLfbJuibPspWVhbNiSm0RWvQ9oiNy8NH3Q/yGAM
 KXjK1w7VtrYuE9pTFtyZdw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-011069.txt : 20040218
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-011069.hdr.sgml : 20040218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040218151342
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-011069
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LISKA PAUL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001200236

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05823
		FILM NUMBER:		04613090

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3333 BEVERLY ROAD
		STREET 2:		B6 277A
		CITY:			HOFFMAN ESTATES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60179

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CNA FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021175
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				366169860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA PLZ
		STREET 2:		235
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60685
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128225000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA PLAZA
		STREET 2:		235
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60685
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c83101-01pl.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021175</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CNA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001200236</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LISKA PAUL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>20 S. WYNSTONE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>N. BARRINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Paul J. Liska</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----