SEC FORM 13F-HR

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete.
The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 13F

FORM 13F COVER PAGE

OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0006
Expires:Oct 31, 2018
Estimated average burden
hours per response:23.8

Report for the Calendar Year or Quarter Ended:12-31-2017
Check here if Amendment  Amendment Number:
This Amendment (Check only one.):  is a restatement.
  adds new holdings entries.
Institutional Investment Manager Filing this Report:
Name:AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC
Address:GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP TOWER
301 E. 4TH STREET
CINCINNATI, OH  45202
Form 13F File Number:028-04389

The institutional investment manager filing this report and the person by whom it is signed hereby represent that the person signing the report is authorized to submit it, that all information contained herein is true, correct and complete, and that it is understood that all required items, statements, schedules, lists, and tables, are considered integral parts of this form.

Person Signing this Report on Behalf of Reporting Manager:
Name:Brian S. Hertzman
Title:Vice President and Controller
Phone:513-579-2153
Signature, Place, and Date of Signing:
/s/ Brian S. HertzmanCincinnatiOH02-09-2018
[Signature][City, State][Date]
Report Type (Check only one.):
X13F HOLDINGS REPORT. (Check here if all holdings of this reporting manager are reported in this report.)
  13F NOTICE. (Check here if no holdings reported are in this report, and all holdings are reported by other reporting manager(s).)
  13F COMBINATION REPORT. (Check here if a portion of the holdings for this reporting manager are reported in this report and a portion are reported by other reporting manager(s).)
Form 13F Summary Page
Report Summary:
Number of Other Included Managers:3
Form 13F Information Table Entry Total:208
Form 13F Information Table Value Total:939,460
(thousands)
List of Other Included Managers:
Provide a numbered list of the name(s) and Form 13F file number(s) of all institutional investment managers with respect to which this report is filed, other than the manager filing this report.
[If there are no entries in this list, state “NONE” and omit the column headings and list entries.]
No.Form 13F File NumberName
128-498Great American Insurance Company
228-1258Great American Life Insurance Company
328-17123Great American Holding, Inc

SEC FORM 13-F Information Table

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete.
The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 13F

FORM 13F INFORMATION TABLE

OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0006
Expires:Oct 31, 2018
Estimated average burden
hours per response:23.8

COLUMN 1COLUMN 2COLUMN 3COLUMN 4COLUMN 5COLUMN 6COLUMN 7COLUMN 8
VALUESHRS ORSH/PUT/INVESTMENTOTHERVOTING AUTHORITY
NAME OF ISSUERTITLE OF CLASSCUSIP(x$1000)PRN AMTPRNCALLDISCRETIONMANAGERSOLESHAREDNONE
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD181908981,25966,168SH DFND166,16800
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD1819089870837,200SH DFND237,20000
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD181908981,17361,631SH DFND361,63100
ALLERGAN PLCSHSG0177J1088185,000SH DFND25,00000
ALLERGAN PLCSHSG0177J1088185,000SH DFND35,00000
AXOVANT SCIENCES LTDCOMG0750W10445486,197SH DFND186,19700
ENDO INTL PLCSHSG304011061,517195,690SH DFND1195,69000
ENDO INTL PLCSHSG3040110624431,500SH DFND331,50000
LIBERTY GLOBAL PLCLILAC SHS CL CG5480U1532,486125,000SH DFND1125,00000
LIBERTY GLOBAL PLCLILAC SHS CL CG5480U1532,486125,000SH DFND2125,00000
MALLINCKRODT PUB LTD COSHSG5785G1072,908128,900SH DFND1128,90000
MALLINCKRODT PUB LTD COSHSG5785G1071,07347,550SH DFND347,55000
MEDTRONIC PLCSHSG5960L1036,86485,000SH DFND185,00000
CHUBB LIMITEDCOMH1467J10415,451105,734SH SOLE 105,73400
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651092,11550,000SH DFND150,00000
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651094,231100,000SH DFND2100,00000
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651092,11550,000SH DFND350,00000
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1043,196158,300SH DFND1158,30000
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1046,959344,666SH DFND2344,66600
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1044,075201,834SH DFND3201,83400
ALLY FINL INCCOM02005N10051017,500SH DFND117,50000
ALLY FINL INCCOM02005N10011,518395,000SH DFND2395,00000
ANNALY CAP MGMT INCCOM03571040981268,260SH DFND268,26000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471013,630667,250SH DFND1667,25000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471012,021371,450SH DFND2371,45000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471012,063379,250SH DFND3379,25000
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U1052,674144,912SH DFND1144,91200
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U1053,599195,071SH DFND2195,07100
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U10565035,243SH DFND335,24300
APPLE INCCOM03783310018,429108,900SH DFND1108,90000
APPLE INCCOM03783310020,477121,000SH DFND2121,00000
APPLE INCCOM0378331002,04812,100SH DFND312,10000
ARCELORMITTAL SA LUXEMBOURGNY REGISTRY SH03938L2034,308133,333SH DFND1133,33300
ARCELORMITTAL SA LUXEMBOURGNY REGISTRY SH03938L2034,308133,333SH DFND2133,33300
ARLINGTON ASSET INVT CORPCL A NEW0413562059,434800,842SH DFND1800,84200
ARLINGTON ASSET INVT CORPCL A NEW0413562057,103603,006SH DFND3603,00600
BP PLCSPONSORED ADR0556221043,46782,500SH DFND282,50000
BARCLAYS PLCADR06738E2042,191201,000SH DFND1201,00000
BARCLAYS PLCADR06738E2041,886173,000SH DFND3173,00000
BERKLEY W R CORPCOM0844231028,383117,000SH SOLE 117,00000
BIOGEN INCCOM09062X1031,1153,500SH DFND13,50000
BIOGEN INCCOM09062X1031,1153,500SH DFND23,50000
BLACKSTONE GROUP L PCOM UNIT LTD09253U10811,130347,600SH DFND2347,60000
BLACKSTONE GROUP L PCOM UNIT LTD09253U1081,42244,400SH DFND344,40000
BRIGHTHOUSE FINL INCCOM10922N10360810,363SH DFND110,36300
BRIGHTHOUSE FINL INCCOM10922N10359999SH DFND399900
CYS INVTS INCCOM12673A1089,7851,218,500SH DFND11,218,50000
CYS INVTS INCCOM12673A10810,5591,315,000SH DFND21,315,00000
CYS INVTS INCCOM12673A1085,183645,500SH DFND3645,50000
CAPITOL FED FINL INCCOM14057J10148336,000SH DFND136,00000
CARLYLE GROUP L PCOM UTS LTD PTN14309L10218,567810,777SH DFND2810,77700
CARLYLE GROUP L PCOM UTS LTD PTN14309L1021,33758,373SH DFND358,37300
CELGENE CORPCOM1510201041,04410,000SH DFND210,00000
CELGENE CORPCOM1510201041,56515,000SH DFND315,00000
CENTURY CMNTYS INCCOM15650430012,456400,500SH DFND1400,50000
CENTURY CMNTYS INCCOM15650430012,456400,500SH DFND2400,50000
CISCO SYS INCCOM17275R1023,830100,000SH DFND1100,00000
CISCO SYS INCCOM17275R1029,575250,000SH DFND2250,00000
CISCO SYS INCCOM17275R10238310,000SH DFND310,00000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742429,489396,300SH DFND1396,30000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742416,965228,000SH DFND2228,00000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742479610,700SH DFND310,70000
CLIPPER RLTY INCCOM18885T3064,440444,444SH DFND1444,44400
CLIPPER RLTY INCCOM18885T3066,660666,667SH DFND2666,66700
COLONY CAP INCNOTE 5.000% 4/119624RAA422,06721,500,000PRN DFND221,500,00000
COLONY NORTHSTAR INCCL A COM19625W10422,3231,956,468SH DFND11,956,46800
COLONY NORTHSTAR INCCL A COM19625W1046,057530,868SH DFND2530,86800
COLONY NORTHSTAR INCCL A COM19625W1041,872164,039SH DFND3164,03900
COMCAST CORP NEWCL A20030N1018,290207,000SH DFND1207,00000
CONOCOPHILLIPSCOM20825C1043847,000SH DFND37,00000
DELL TECHNOLOGIES INCCOM CL V24703L1031,72121,176SH DFND121,17600
DELL TECHNOLOGIES INCCOM CL V24703L1031,81222,292SH DFND222,29200
DELL TECHNOLOGIES INCCOM CL V24703L1035446,687SH DFND36,68700
DELTA AIR LINES INC DELCOM NEW2473617022,28540,804SH DFND140,80400
DELTA AIR LINES INC DELCOM NEW2473617021,97435,244SH DFND235,24400
DYCOM INDS INCCOM2674751011,11410,000SH DFND110,00000
DYCOM INDS INCCOM2674751011,11410,000SH DFND210,00000
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL LLCCOM2885223034,537312,700SH DFND1312,70000
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL LLCCOM28852230310,696737,153SH DFND2737,15300
ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS L PCOM29250R10662145,000SH DFND245,00000
ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS L PCOM29250R106695,000SH DFND35,00000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N10360934,000SH DFND134,00000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N10319,9011,110,550SH DFND21,110,55000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N1031,08360,450SH DFND360,45000
FLEXION THERAPEUTICS INCCOM33938J1062,640105,450SH DFND1105,45000
FLEXION THERAPEUTICS INCCOM33938J1062,640105,450SH DFND2105,45000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131012,75463,550SH DFND163,55000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131014,803110,850SH DFND2110,85000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131012,40955,600SH DFND355,60000
FULL HOUSE RESORTS INCCOM35967810913735,331SH DFND135,33100
FULL HOUSE RESORTS INCCOM35967810912331,617SH DFND231,61700
GENERAL CABLE CORP DEL NEWCOM3693001082,42081,750SH DFND281,75000
GENERAL MTRS COCOM37045V10031,874777,600SH DFND1777,60000
GENERAL MTRS COCOM37045V10012,805312,400SH DFND3312,40000
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM3755581035,52777,143SH DFND177,14300
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM3755581032,25231,428SH DFND231,42800
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM37555810381911,429SH DFND311,42900
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L10769639,231SH DFND139,23100
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L1072,194123,667SH DFND2123,66700
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L10774141,790SH DFND341,79000
GREAT AJAX CORPCOM38983D30010,857785,571SH DFND2785,57100
GREAT AJAX CORPCOM38983D30010,857785,619SH DFND3785,61900
HC2 HLDGS INCCOM4041391075,9941,007,421SH DFND21,007,42100
INFINITY PHARMACEUTICALS INCCOM45665G3034120,000SH DFND120,00000
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES INCCOM45774W10869724,609SH DFND124,60900
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES INCCOM45774W10862922,216SH DFND222,21600
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B1001,08861,000SH DFND161,00000
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B1002,191122,900SH DFND2122,90000
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B10035319,800SH DFND319,80000
INVITATION HOMES INCCOM46187W1071144,842SH DFND24,84200
INVITATION HOMES INCCOM46187W1071144,842SH DFND34,84200
KKR & CO L P DELCOM UNITS48248M1023,537167,953SH DFND1167,95300
KKR & CO L P DELCOM UNITS48248M10211,071525,685SH DFND2525,68500
KKR & CO L P DELCOM UNITS48248M1027,096336,962SH DFND3336,96200
KAYNE ANDERSON MLP INVT COCOM4866061062,221116,585SH DFND1116,58500
KAYNE ANDERSON MLP INVT COCOM4866061062,221116,584SH DFND2116,58400
KELLOGG COCOM4878361082,64138,850SH DFND138,85000
LCNB CORPCOM50181P1002,196107,385SH DFND1107,38500
LCNB CORPCOM50181P100391,900SH DFND31,90000
LEGG MASON INCCOM5249011054,677111,400SH DFND1111,40000
LEGG MASON INCCOM5249011054,677111,400SH DFND2111,40000
LEGG MASON INCCOM524901105922,200SH DFND32,20000
LEUCADIA NATL CORPCOM5272881042168,159SH DFND18,15900
LEUCADIA NATL CORPCOM5272881042208,315SH DFND28,31500
MFA FINL INCCOM55272X10219825,000SH DFND225,00000
MFA FINL INCCOM55272X10219825,000SH DFND325,00000
MTGE INVT CORPCOM55378A1057,130385,420SH DFND1385,42000
MTGE INVT CORPCOM55378A10511,876641,920SH DFND2641,92000
MTGE INVT CORPCOM55378A1053,810205,960SH DFND3205,96000
MACYS INCCOM55616P1046,423255,000SH DFND1255,00000
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F1065,6381,080,073SH DFND11,080,07300
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F1065,154987,442SH DFND2987,44200
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F1061,078206,498SH DFND3206,49800
MEDLEY MGMT INCCL A COM58503T1061,796276,350SH DFND1276,35000
MEDLEY MGMT INCCL A COM58503T1061,968302,750SH DFND3302,75000
METLIFE INCCOM59156R1085,764114,000SH DFND1114,00000
METLIFE INCCOM59156R10855611,000SH DFND311,00000
NII HLDGS INCCOM PAR62913F5081124,793SH DFND124,79300
NII HLDGS INCCOM PAR62913F50812,849SH DFND32,84900
NMI HLDGS INCCL A6292093053,892228,933SH DFND2228,93300
NRG ENERGY INCCOM NEW629377508983,424SH DFND13,42400
NRG ENERGY INCCOM NEW6293775081143,999SH DFND23,99900
NEW YORK CMNTY BANCORP INCCOM6494451034,557350,000SH DFND1350,00000
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INCCL A65336K1035877,500SH DFND17,50000
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INCCL A65336K1035877,500SH DFND27,50000
NORTHSTAR REALTY EUROPE CORPCOM66706L1011,903141,708SH DFND1141,70800
NORTHSTAR REALTY EUROPE CORPCOM66706L1011007,458SH DFND37,45800
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A67400120184220,000SH DFND120,00000
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A6740012011,05225,000SH DFND225,00000
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A6740012012115,000SH DFND35,00000
OMEROS CORPCOM6821431025,558286,040SH DFND1286,04000
OMEROS CORPCOM6821431028,337429,061SH DFND2429,06100
ORGANOVO HLDGS INCCOM68620A10412391,500SH DFND191,50000
ORGANOVO HLDGS INCCOM68620A104214160,000SH DFND2160,00000
PDVWIRELESS INCCOM69290R10413,374416,640SH DFND1416,64000
PDVWIRELESS INCCOM69290R10421,646674,329SH DFND2674,32900
PJT PARTNERS INCCOM CL A69343T1073968,690SH DFND28,69000
PJT PARTNERS INCCOM CL A69343T107511,110SH DFND31,11000
PEAK RESORTS INCCOM70469L1006,0511,120,625SH DFND11,120,62500
PEAK RESORTS INCCOM70469L100677125,361SH DFND3125,36100
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y10036930,000SH DFND130,00000
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y1001,230100,000SH DFND2100,00000
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y10086170,000SH DFND370,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 5.875% 1/174348TAM4868850,000PRN DFND2850,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 5.875% 1/174348TAM4153150,000PRN DFND3150,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 4.750% 4/174348TAQ511,84811,760,000PRN DFND211,760,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 4.750% 4/174348TAQ5443440,000PRN DFND3440,00000
PRUDENTIAL FINL INCCOM74432010212,935112,500SH DFND1112,50000
PRUDENTIAL FINL INCCOM7443201028,77676,323SH DFND376,32300
RESOLUTE FST PRODS INCCOM76117W10981873,984SH DFND173,98400
RESOLUTE FST PRODS INCCOM76117W1098,571775,627SH DFND2775,62700
RESOLUTE FST PRODS INCCOM76117W10917816,125SH DFND316,12500
REVOLUTION LIGHTING TECHNOLOCOM NEW76155G2062,969902,535SH DFND1902,53500
REVOLUTION LIGHTING TECHNOLOCOM NEW76155G2062,404730,815SH DFND2730,81500
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPON ADR B7802591076,966102,000SH DFND2102,00000
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPON ADR B7802591075468,000SH DFND38,00000
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPONS ADR A7802592064346,500SH DFND36,50000
SELECT ENERGY SVCS INCCL A COM81617J3012,052112,500SH DFND1112,50000
SELECT ENERGY SVCS INCCL A COM81617J3014,788262,500SH DFND2262,50000
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INCCL A8292261096,300166,449SH DFND1166,44900
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INCCL A8292261096,294166,300SH DFND2166,30000
STARWOOD PPTY TR INCCOM85571B10532015,000SH DFND215,00000
STARWOOD PPTY TR INCCOM85571B10532015,000SH DFND315,00000
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G1055,562367,152SH DFND1367,15200
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G10513,730906,290SH DFND2906,29000
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G1053,133206,770SH DFND3206,77000
TAPESTRY INCCOM87603010710,673241,300SH DFND1241,30000
TAPESTRY INCCOM8760301076,356143,700SH DFND3143,70000
TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDS LTDSPONSORED ADR8816242091,70690,000SH DFND190,00000
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRA CORPCOM89147L1007,902271,719SH DFND1271,71900
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRA CORPCOM89147L1005,815199,964SH DFND2199,96400
TORTOISE MLP FD INCCOM89148B1011,20268,460SH DFND168,46000
TORTOISE MLP FD INCCOM89148B1011,20268,461SH DFND268,46100
TRIBUNE MEDIA COCL A8960475036,012141,553SH DFND1141,55300
TRIBUNE MEDIA COCL A8960475036,012141,553SH DFND2141,55300
TWENTY FIRST CENTY FOX INCCL A90130A1011,72650,000SH DFND150,00000
TWENTY FIRST CENTY FOX INCCL A90130A1011,72650,000SH DFND250,00000
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B4083,366207,000SH DFND1207,00000
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B40810,610652,500SH DFND2652,50000
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B4083,585220,500SH DFND3220,50000
TWO HBRS INVT CORPNOTE 6.250% 1/190187BAA95,8575,500,000PRN DFND25,500,00000
USA COMPRESSION PARTNERS LPCOMUNIT LTDPAR90290N1091,964118,721SH DFND2118,72100
USA COMPRESSION PARTNERS LPCOMUNIT LTDPAR90290N10918411,150SH DFND311,15000
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INCCOM92343V1042,80552,994SH DFND252,99400
VERISK ANALYTICS INCCOM92345Y10617,874186,191SH DFND1186,19100
VIACOM INC NEWCL B92553P20113,506438,350SH DFND1438,35000
VIACOM INC NEWCL B92553P2017,907256,650SH DFND3256,65000
WELLS FARGO CO NEWCOM9497461017,402122,000SH DFND1122,00000