<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                           JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                         28,169
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                             0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                               0
<EQUITIES>                                                      863
<MORTGAGE>                                                       92
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                     6
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                               36,883
<CASH>                                                          371
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                            6,031
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                        2,223
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               62,489
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                              34,658
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                           5,221
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                  126
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                           752
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                               2,871
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                     150
<COMMON>                                                        155
<OTHER-SE>                                                    7,612
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 62,489
<PREMIUMS>                                                   10,031
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                           1,641
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                              475
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                  537
<BENEFITS>                                                    8,607
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                   1,862
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                          1,099
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 963
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    276
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             687
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    687
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 11.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 11.04
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                               23,734
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                           6,400
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                               297
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                            1,904
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                              4,266
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                              23,667
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                         297
        

</TABLE>