<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 7
<CIK>                                                            0000021175
<NAME>                                            CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                                      1,000,000
       
<S>                                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                 26,877
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                     0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                       0
<EQUITIES>                                                              923
<MORTGAGE>                                                              110
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                             7
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                       36,326
<CASH>                                                                  402
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                    6,805
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                1,984
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       62,441
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                      35,315
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                   4,950
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                          112
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                   721
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                       2,764
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                             150
<COMMON>                                                                155
<OTHER-SE>                                                            6,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         62,441
<PREMIUMS>                                                            3,347
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                     564
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                       66
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                          155
<BENEFITS>                                                            2,892
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                             659
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                    303
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         228
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            (50)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     178
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            178
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          2.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          2.85
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                       23,734
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                   1,980
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                        39
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                      326
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                      1,312
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                      24,037
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                  39
<FN>
                                      (27)
</FN>
        

</TABLE>