<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                               7
<CIK>                                                          0000021175
<NAME>                                          CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                                    1,000,000
       
<S>                                                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                      6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                 JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                  JUN-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                               29,559
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                   0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                     0
<EQUITIES>                                                          1,054
<MORTGAGE>                                                             68
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                           5
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                     36,175
<CASH>                                                                156
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                  6,033
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                              2,379
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     63,164
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                    34,542
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                 5,296
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                        140
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                 784
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                     2,958
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                           150
<COMMON>                                                              464
<OTHER-SE>                                                          8,173
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       63,164
<PREMIUMS>                                                          6,835
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                 1,120
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                    415
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                        387
<BENEFITS>                                                          5,787
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                         1,259
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                  981
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       615
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          172
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   443
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          443
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        2.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        2.37
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                     23,245 
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                 4,430
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                      55  
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                    993  
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                    3,060    
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                    23,677     
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                55     
        

</TABLE>