<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Premier Underwriters, Inc. 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        $1,414,700
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          286,600
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            282,900
<EQUITIES>                                     119,000<F1>
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                    1,500
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,847,000<F2>
<CASH>                                          86,500
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               8,800
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          86,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,237,600
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,013,200
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            424,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           21,600
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                168,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     998,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,237,600
<PREMIUMS>                                     317,300
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             34,100
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               (900)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   3,500<F3>
<BENEFITS>                                     237,300
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            70,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,500<F4>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,900
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F5>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F5>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               1,049,000
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes an investment in investee of $38.4 million.
<F2>Includes loans receivable of $24.6 million and other investments of $.6
million.
<F3>Includes equity in net earnings of investee of $2.0 million and other income of
$1.5 million.
<F4>Includes policyholder dividends of $.8 million, interest charges on borrowed
money of $7.8 million and other operating and general expenses of $9.7 million.
<F5>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Corporation and American Financial Group, Inc.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>