JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

                                                                       EXHIBIT 4

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  each of the undersigned  hereby enter into this Joint Filing Agreement
dated as of January 7, 1998 and agree that the Schedule 13D  regarding  Allstate
Financial Corporation to which this Agreement is being filed as an exhibit shall
be a joint statement filed on behalf of each of the undersigned.


                                         VALUE PARTNERS, LTD.

                                         By: Xxxxx & Partners as General Partner


                                         By:/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                            --------------------
                                            Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                            General Partner


                                         XXXXX & PARTNERS


                                         By:/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                            --------------------
                                            Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                            General Partner


                                            /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                            --------------------
                                            Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx


                                            /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
                                            ---------------------
                                            Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx


                                            /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
                                            ---------------------
                                            Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx


                                            /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                            ---------------------
                                            Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx