<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
American Financial Corporation Form 10-Q for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                        $243,301
<SECURITIES>                                10,494,504
<RECEIVABLES>                                  781,362
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,368,619
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        442,237
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,154
<COMMON>                                         9,625
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,222,950
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,368,619
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,834,662
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               230,845
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,098
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,313
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,618
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             71,695
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $69,550
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0

<F1>Includes an investment in investee corporation of $174 million.
<F2>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
    Group, Inc.