<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                   7
<CIK>                                              0000021175
<NAME>                              CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                        1,000,000
       
<S>                                                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                      SEP-30-1998
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<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         0
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<MORTGAGE>                                                 60
<REAL-ESTATE>                                               5
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                         36,305
<CASH>                                                    135
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                      6,235
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  2,359
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         62,566
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                        29,369
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                     5,084
<POLICY-OTHER>                                            150
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<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                         2,967
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                               150
<COMMON>                                                  464
<OTHER-SE>                                              8,359
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<PREMIUMS>                                             10,135
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                            598
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<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                             1,804
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           589
<INCOME-TAX>                                             (160)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       429
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                              429
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            2.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            2.29
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         23,245
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                     5,643
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                         119
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                      1,771
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                        4,635
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        22,601
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                   119
        

</TABLE>