<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Premier Underwriters, Inc. 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        $1,465,000
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          243,600
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            246,000
<EQUITIES>                                      99,100<F1>
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      700
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               1,833,600<F2>
<CASH>                                         123,200
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               7,800
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          89,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,205,100
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              1,045,900
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            441,800
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                            9,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                158,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,000
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,063,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,205,100
<PREMIUMS>                                     990,900
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             99,900
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              17,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  13,400<F3>
<BENEFITS>                                     766,900
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           217,700<F4>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,600<F5>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F6>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F6>
<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 $38.6 million.
<F2>Includes loans receivable of $24.5 million and other investments of $.6
million.
<F3>Includes equity in net earnings of investee of $2.5 million and other income of
$10.9 million.
<F4>Includes policyholder dividends of ($7.6) million.
<F5>Includes interest charges on borrowed money of $20.5 million and other
operating and general expenses of $45.7 million.
<F6>Not applicable since all common shares are owned by American Financial
Corporation and American Financial Group, Inc.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>