<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                    7
<CIK>                                                               0000021175
<NAME>                                               CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                                         1,000,000

<S>                                                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                    29,548
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                        0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                          0
<EQUITIES>                                                                 814
<MORTGAGE>                                                                  80
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                5
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                          36,203
<CASH>                                                                     383
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                       5,726
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                   2,142
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          61,269
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                         34,056
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                      4,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                             132
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                      742
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                          2,897
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                                150
<COMMON>                                                                   155
<OTHER-SE>                                                               8,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            61,269
<PREMIUMS>                                                              13,362
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                      2,209
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                         753
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                             748
<BENEFITS>                                                              11,268
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                              2,383
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                     1,865
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          1,358
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               392
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        966
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               966
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             15.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             15.52
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                          23,792
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                      7,942
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                         (113)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                       2,514
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                         5,862
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                         23,245
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                   (256)


</TABLE>