<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                           JUN-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                        25,940
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                            0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                              0
<EQUITIES>                                                     657
<MORTGAGE>                                                     108
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                    6
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                              36,542
<CASH>                                                         402
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                           6,599
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                       2,123
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              62,585
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                             35,145
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                          5,107
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                 122
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                          720
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                              2,763
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                    150
<COMMON>                                                       155
<OTHER-SE>                                                   7,035
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                62,585
<PREMIUMS>                                                   6,695
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          1,111
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                             238
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                 331
<BENEFITS>                                                   5,752
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                  1,116
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                           841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                570
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            412
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                   412
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 6.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 6.63
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                              23,734
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                          3,933
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                               91
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                             896
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                             2,843
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                             23,837
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                         91
        

</TABLE>