FIRST COMMONWEALTH INC
10-K, 1998-03-30
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   Form 10-K

      [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                             EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

                                      OR
         [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        Commission file number 0-27064

                           First Commonwealth, Inc.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                    75 - 2154228
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. employer identification number)
incorporation or organization)                

                444 N. Wells St., Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60610
         (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                (312) 644-1800
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

              Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, including
                  associated Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
                               (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.   YES   X     NO
                                         -----      -----

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of February 27, 1998 was approximately $42 million, based on the
closing price of $14.625 of the registrant's common stock on the Nasdaq National
Market.  This calculation does not reflect a determination that persons are
affiliates for any other purposes.

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 27, 1998:  3,639,500

                     Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Part II - Portions of the registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, as
indicated herein.

Part III - Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement to be
distributed in conjunction with registrant's annual stockholders' meeting to be
held in 1998 (the "Proxy Statement"), as indicated herein.

================================================================================

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART I

Item 1.  Business

     First Commonwealth, Inc. is a leading provider of managed dental benefits
in the upper Midwest, including the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Milwaukee,
Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis. As of December 31, 1997, the Company
provided managed care and indemnity/PPO products to approximately 592,300
employees and dependents ("members") through more than 4,500 employer groups
("groups"). The Company markets a broad range of innovative dental benefit
plans which are designed to meet the needs of large, medium and smaller-sized
groups. The managed care and PPO plans offer dental benefits primarily through
the Company's managed care and PPO network of approximately 2,250 general
dentists and specialists ("providers"). The Company distributes its products
through a network of over 1,400 independent insurance brokers which target
medium and smaller-sized groups, and a direct sales unit which targets larger
groups. 

     The Company's managed care plans are provided on a stand-alone basis
("managed care products") and also in conjunction with the Company's indemnity
and indemnity/PPO plans (collectively "indemnity/PPO plans") which provide
benefits outside the Company's managed care network (the combined managed
care/indemnity/PPO plans are referred to as "Managed Choice/SM/products").
The Company has integrated its PPO network with the indemnity plan component of
its Managed Choice/SM/ product to offer a point-of-service option to members, 
called "Managed Choice/SM/ Triple Option." The Company also provides a "network
rental" product primarily to large Taft-Hartley funds and medical HMOs. Under
the terms of this product offering, the Company provides access to the network
of reduced fee arrangements with providers, but does not handle the claims
administration. The Company charges an access fee for these arrangements. The
Company also receives fee income for administrative services only ("ASO")
arrangements whereby the Company pays claims for self funded employers but does
not assume the underwriting risk of these claims.

     The Company receives a monthly premium for each employee who enrolls in its
managed care or indemnity plans. If covered by a managed care plan, a member
selects a provider (general dentist) from the Company's managed care network.
The Company then pays a pre-arranged fee, typically a capitation payment, to the
provider selected by the member. Certain preventative and diagnostic services
(e.g., cleanings and x-rays) are provided to members at no additional fee. The
dentist provides other dental services for a reduced fee ("co-payment") paid by
the member. If covered by an indemnity plan, the member pays fees set by the
dentist for services rendered and submits claims for reimbursement.

     The Company was founded in 1986 by Christopher C. Multhauf, Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, David W.
Mulligan, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Richard M.
Burdge, a Director of the Company and Philip N. Bredesen, a former Director of
the Company. Mr. Bredesen was previously the founder and Chairman of the Board
of HealthAmerica Corporation, which grew to operate HMOs in 17 states before
being acquired by Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. in 1986. The Company commenced
operations in 1988 with the goal of building a leading managed dental care
market position in the Chicago metropolitan area.

     Since beginning operations in 1988, the Company has grown to become one of
the upper Midwest's leading dental benefit organizations. During 1996, the
Company completed acquisitions in Milwaukee and St. Louis, and began de novo
start-ups in Detroit and Indianapolis. Effective July 18, 1996, the Company
completed the acquisition of Smileage Dental Services, Inc. ("Smileage"), a
Milwaukee, Wisconsin based dental HMO administrator which provides services to
approximately 50,000 members, and an associated reinsurance transaction, for an
aggregate purchase price (including transaction costs) of $5.6 million. The
acquisition was financed through the issuance of the Company's common stock.

     Effective December 31, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of
Champion Dental Services, Inc. ("Champion"), a St. Louis, Missouri based prepaid
dental plan which provides services to approximately 60,000

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
members, for an aggregate purchase price (including transaction costs) of $5.6
million. The acquisition was financed through proceeds from the Company's
initial public offering and was paid in cash on January 2, 1997.

     As of January 1, 1997, the Company had increased the available market
population for the markets it serves from the Chicago metropolitan area, which
is the country's third most populous metropolitan market, with a population of
approximately 8.3 million, to include the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee,
Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis.  These metropolitan areas have a combined
population of approximately 18.4 million. The Company's revenues increased from
$17.3 million in 1993 to $56.6 million in 1997. Over the same period, the
Company's operating income grew from $1.6 million to $5.1 million. For the year
ended December 31, 1997, the Company's revenues increased 28% to $56.6 million
from $44.1 million in the prior year period and operating income increased 29%
to $5.1 million from $4.0 million. From December 31, 1993 to December 31, 1997,
the number of fully insured members covered by the Company's managed care and
indemnity/PPO products increased from 193,100 to 515,700.

     Several key operating strategies, including the Company's regional focus,
have contributed to the Company's growth. First, the Company has built the
largest prepaid managed dental care provider network in the Chicago metropolitan
area and maintains the quality of this network through credentialing, ongoing
peer review and Company-sponsored continuing education seminars. Second, the
Company has developed a wide range of innovative dental benefit products that it
believes have contributed to its success in attracting and retaining large
groups. For example, the Company's Managed Choice/SM/ products provide it with
the capability to completely replace a group's existing indemnity plan with the
Company's combined managed care and indemnity/PPO plan. Furthermore, the
Company's national account administration program provides its Chicago-based
employers with managed care plan options outside the Company's managed care
network service area through its relationships with independent provider
networks. Third, the Company has built an efficient business development process
that combines an extensive proprietary database with targeted direct mail and
telemarketing to contact employers, independent insurance brokers and providers.
Utilizing this process, the Company markets its products directly to large
employers, distributes its products through brokers to medium and smaller-sized
employers and continuously recruits new providers into its managed care network.
Fourth, the Company has expanded its geographic service area and is implementing
its operating strategy in other major metropolitan areas in contiguous states.
This is intended to enable the Company to continue to achieve administrative
operating efficiencies as it expands.

     The Company believes there are significant opportunities for the continued
growth of its business in its regional service area. First, the Company intends
to continue to seek to increase sales from medium and smaller-sized groups by
increasing its sales staff, telemarketing and direct mail efforts towards
brokers which sell to these market segments. The Company believes that these
market segments are currently under penetrated for managed care products.
Second, the Company intends to continue to develop innovative products in
response to group needs. Third, the Company has expanded its managed care
provider network in the markets it serves. Fourth, the Company intends to
continue to focus on achieving administrative operating efficiencies through
increased use of voice and data technologies and by emphasizing efficient
provider arrangements.

     First Commonwealth, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1986. Its
principal place of business is located at 444 North Wells Street, Suite 600,
Chicago, Illinois 60610, and its telephone number is (312) 644-1800. Unless the
context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company" shall mean First
Commonwealth, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, First Commonwealth Limited
Health Services Corporation, First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc., First
Commonwealth Insurance Company, First Commonwealth Reinsurance Company, First
Commonwealth Limited Health Service Corporation, Smileage Dental Services, Inc.
and First Commonwealth of Missouri, Inc. (formerly Champion), and its affiliate,
First Commonwealth Health Services Corporation. See "Business - Company's
Corporate Structure."

     Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
among other things, increased competition in the markets in which the Company
operates; changes in regulation affecting the Company; changes in utilization of
services; changes in arrangements relating to payments to providers; the level
of the Company's indemnity/PPO enrollment and the related indemnity/PPO risk of
indemnity/PPO plans; the ability to integrate and successfully operate acquired
businesses and the risks associated with such businesses; the possible need for,
and ability to obtain if needed, financing on acceptable terms to finance the
Company's growth strategy; the ability of the Company to operate within the
limitations imposed by any such financing arrangements; and other factors
referenced or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
The Dental Benefit Marketplace

     According to the U.S. Office of National Health Statistics, total
expenditures for dental care in the United States grew from approximately $14
billion in 1980 to an estimated $48 billion in 1996. The U.S. Health Care
Financing Administration reports that expenditures for dental services account
for approximately 4% of total national health care expenditures. According to
the U.S. Department of Labor, the cost of dental services has been rising at a
higher rate than that for consumer goods. The U.S. Department of Labor
Statistics reported that, from 1987 to 1997, the Consumer Price Index for all
Urban Consumers for dental services increased 5.39% annually whereas this index
for all items increased only 3.22% annually. As a result, the Company believes
that there has been increased interest by employers in managing dental care
costs.

     Employer-sponsored dental benefits are one of the most common employee
welfare benefits. The National Association of Dental Plans ("NADP") estimates
that approximately 124 million persons, representing approximately 47% of the
total United States population, were covered by some form of dental benefit
coverage at the end of 1996. Historically, a substantial majority of dental
coverage has been through traditional indemnity plans. In recent years, however,
managed dental care has achieved increasing market acceptance. National dental
HMO enrollment has grown at an annual rate of approximately 18% between 1993 and
1996, from approximately 14.4 million covered lives in 1993 to approximately
23.8 million in 1996. The estimated rate of growth in dental HMOs for 1997 was
approximately 6-10% in terms of enrollment. This compares to over 77 million
Americans who were enrolled in medical HMOs in 1996 according to the Managed
Care Digest Services. The Company believes the relatively high growth rate for
managed dental care plans is attributable to (i) the greater acceptance of
managed care by employers and employees; (ii) the significant price advantage
relative to indemnity plans; (iii) the cost effectiveness to employers of
managed dental care plans as an employee benefit; and (iv) the acceptance of
prepaid dental plans by dentists, resulting in improved accessibility and
convenience for members. Members of dental HMO benefit plans represent
approximately 19% of the population with dental care coverage and approximately
9% of the total U.S. population. The Company believes that there will continue
to be significant growth opportunities in the managed dental benefits industry.

     Historically, larger employers have been more likely to offer dental
benefit coverage to their employees. According to the 1993 Foster Higgins Survey
of Employer Sponsored Health Plans (the "Foster Higgins Survey"), nationally
approximately 87% of employers with more than 200 employees offer some type of
dental benefit to some or all employees and approximately 64% of these employers
have a stand-alone dental plan, separate and distinct from other health and
welfare benefits offered to employees. By comparison, this survey reported that
only 47% of employers with less than 200 employees offer dental benefits. It has
been the Company's experience that many employers that do not offer dental
benefits are willing to consider offering a plan in which the employee pays the
full cost of such benefits through payroll deductions.

     The managed dental care industry as a whole is currently fragmented and
characterized by the participation of several large, national insurance
companies and many smaller independent plan sponsors. As of December 31, 1995,
the NADP estimated that there were over 140 managed dental companies in the
United States, with no dominant market leader.

     The increase in the number of dentists nationally during the last two
decades has exceeded the rate of population growth. According to the American
Dental Association ("ADA"), the number of practicing dentists in the United
States has increased from approximately 127,000 in 1982 to approximately 153,000
in 1995. In addition, the dental marketplace is highly fragmented with
approximately 90% of all dentists working in a one or two-dentist office,
according to the ADA. Also, according to a survey of dental practices published
by the ADA in 1996, the median of staff and other costs that are part of total
overhead expenses was approximately 60-65% of the gross revenues of solo and
group dental practices. The increase in the number of dentists as a proportion
of the population, the fragmented dental marketplace, the high proportion of
overhead costs for dentists and an improved level of overall dental health has
created a highly competitive environment among dentists, particularly in
metropolitan areas. The Company

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
believes that these factors have contributed to the willingness of qualified
dentists to participate in managed care and PPO networks as dentists seek to
increase practice revenues.

     As in the case of medical coverage, the substantial majority of dental
coverage is provided through traditional fee-for-service indemnity dental plans.
Under a traditional fee-for-service indemnity plan, coverage is provided based
on a reimbursement formula of the usual and customary charges submitted by the
dentist. Compared to medical coverage, the average cost of dental services is
lower and the utilization of services is more predictable. Unlike medical
coverage, dental coverage generally does not cover catastrophic risks. Dental
care is provided almost exclusively on an outpatient basis and, according to a
1997 article in the Illinois Dental News, over 90% of all dental services are
performed by general dentists. Also, dental plans generally do not include
coverage for hospitalization, typically the most expensive component of medical
services. Common features of dental indemnity plans include deductibles, maximum
annual benefits of less than $2,000 per person and significant patient cost-
sharing. Patient cost-sharing typically varies by type of dental procedure
ranging from no cost sharing for preventive procedures to 50% cost-sharing for
crowns and even greater cost-sharing for orthodontic care. This high patient
cost-sharing and the relatively predictable nature of dental expenditures
substantially limits the underwriting risk of a dental plan when compared to the
underwriting risk of a medical plan which covers catastrophic illness and
injuries. Furthermore, since most dental problems are neither life threatening
nor represent serious impairments to overall health, there is a higher degree of
patient cost sensitivity and discretion associated with obtaining dental
services. Many dental conditions also have a range of appropriate courses of
treatment, each of which has a different out-of-pocket cost for patients. For
example, a deteriorated amalgam filling may be replaced with another amalgam
filling (a low-cost alternative), a pin-retained crown build-up (a more costly
alternative) or a gold crown with associated periodontal treatment (the most
costly alternative). The level of coverage provided to the patient and the
dental plan's reimbursement methodology may influence the type of services
selected by the patient or rendered by the dentist.

     Under a traditional indemnity insurance plan or fee-for-service
arrangement, the insurer and the patient each pays a percentage of the fee
charged by the dentist, subject to cost-sharing, maximum benefit allowances and
usual and customary limits. Under such an indemnity plan, dentists have little
incentive to reduce total charges because they are compensated on a fee-for-
service basis. By contrast, under a dental HMO plan the pre-determined payments,
typically capitated payments, are fixed and co-payments for additional services
are pre-negotiated by the Company. The co-payments generally are designed to
exceed the dentist's variable costs, but are typically less than the dentist's
usual and customary fee. Fixed capitation payments that do not vary with the
frequency of services provided create an incentive for dentists to emphasize
preventive care, control costs and maintain a long-term patient relationship
that generates consistent capitation revenue. Fixed capitation payments also
substantially reduce the underwriting risk to the Company associated with the
high utilization of services.

Markets Served by the Company

     Until July 1996, the Company had focused its efforts primarily on the
Chicago metropolitan market, including Northwest Indiana, and has grown to
become one of Chicago's leading managed dental care organizations. By the
beginning of 1997, the Company had expanded into Milwaukee and St. Louis, and
had initiated de novo activity in Detroit and Indianapolis.

     The Chicago area is the country's third most populous metropolitan market
with a population of approximately 7.5 million. In addition, northwest Indiana
has a population of approximately 750,000. According to the NADP, Illinois is
the fifth largest state in terms of enrollment in managed dental care plans and
had approximately 1.1 million persons enrolled in managed dental care plans in
1995 which represented 8.2% of the state's population. As of December 31, 1994,
virtually all of the Company's 216,000 managed care members were located in
Illinois. Approximately 300,600 of the Company's 450,400 managed care members
were located in Illinois and northwest Indiana as of December 31, 1997. The
Company believes that Illinois, and particularly the Chicago metropolitan area,
offers significant opportunities for continued growth in sales of managed dental
care products,

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
especially to medium and smaller-sized employers who have historically been less
likely to offer managed dental coverage.

     The Company believes that, in the Chicago metropolitan area, there are
approximately 500 employers with 500 or more employees (employing an aggregate
of approximately 1.3 million persons), and approximately 50,000 employers with
10 - 499 employees (employing an aggregate of approximately 1.5 million
persons). Based on its database of contacts with employers in the Chicago
metropolitan area, the Company believes that a higher percentage of larger
employers have implemented managed care plans as compared to medium and smaller-
sized employers. The Company believes that medium and smaller-sized employers
have become increasingly receptive to managed dental care products in part
because of their increasing satisfaction with managed care in their medical
benefit plans.

     The metropolitan markets of Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit and Indianapolis 
have a combined population of approximately 10.1 million. According to the NADP,
the combined states from these metropolitan areas had approximately 1.2 million 
people enrolled in dental HMO plans in 1995. Approximately 139,700 of the 
Company's 450,400 managed care members were primarily located in the greater 
metropolitan area of the cities listed above. The Company believes that these 
expansion markets continue to offer opportunities for continued growth in sales 
of managed dental care and indemnity/PPO products. The Company presently has 
limited marketing activity in Indianapolis and does not expect to generate 
significant enrollment growth from this market in 1998.

     Since the Company's operations are located primarily in the Chicago,
Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit, and Indianapolis metropolitan areas, its
operations may be more adversely affected by localized economic, regulatory or
competitive conditions than more geographically diverse companies.

     The Company also markets its products to employers based in its service
areas who have employees outside the Company's managed care network service area
("out-of-area employees"). If an employer wishes to offer a managed care
product to its out-of-area employees, the Company has arrangements to provide
this option through its relationships with independent provider networks in over
40 states. The Company collects the revenue for these plans, retains a small
processing fee, and remits the premium to the out-of-area independent dental
plan carrier. Consequently, this product provides negligible gross margin to the
Company. The Company markets this product to employers based in its service
areas in order to compete with national dental plans. As of December 31, 1997,
approximately 10,100 members were enrolled with other dental care plans through
such arrangements. The Company also provides its Managed Choice/SM/ product to
employers who have some out-of-area employees, which permits such employees to
select the local managed dental care plan or indemnity coverage through the
Company.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Growth Strategy

     The Company plans to further expand its business through the following
strategies:

     Emphasize Medium and Smaller-sized Employers. The Company believes that
employers with 10-499 employees, which account for approximately 1.5 million
employees in the Chicago metropolitan area, continue to represent an attractive
market segment for managed care products. The Company intends to continue to
build upon its current market position and increase its sales staff,
telemarketing and direct mail efforts towards brokers which sell to medium and
smaller-sized employers.

     Continue to Expand Product Line. The Company believes that it must continue
to offer its clients and prospective clients a range of new products that vary 
in cost, coverage and network access to remain competitive. The Company believes
it can expand the marketing of its Managed Choice/SM/ Triple Option product by 
expanding its PPO provider network, reducing benefits for non-network 
utilization, and reducing the overall cost of the product to reflect the lower 
non-network benefit levels. Managed care products that vary in cost relative to 
the size of the managed care network also represent areas of growth for the 
Company.

     Expand Geographic Service Area. The Company has expanded its managed care
provider network in Illinois and into northwest Indiana to meet the needs of its
large client groups. In addition, during 1996, the Company expanded into four
new markets by completing two acquisitions and initiating two de novo start-ups.
The Company intends to continue marketing to groups in these new geographic
areas over the next 12 months and may continue to expand into other contiguous
or proximate markets.

     Increase Size of Quality Provider Network. A key factor in the past success
of the Company has been the size, accessibility and quality of the Company's
managed dental care provider network. The Company plans to add new, quality
providers to its networks, as well as to continue to expand the number of
qualified providers who participate in its reduced fee-for-service PPO network.
The Company believes a large, accessible network of quality providers is an
important component in attracting new enrollment into its managed care and PPO
products, both in existing markets and in any new markets developed by the
Company.

     Achieve Cost Efficiencies. The Company believes that its strategy of
focusing operations on a regional basis provides certain SG&A cost efficiencies.
Additionally, the Company has experienced a decline in its SG&A expenses as a
percentage of revenues in recent years to a level that it believes is generally
sustainable. The Company continues to enhance its management information systems
and plans to introduce new voice and data technologies in the areas of billing
and enrollment to achieve staffing economies. The Company also regards its large
regional enrollment as an effective cost-containment strategy in its provider
contracting efforts. The Company believes the combination of its volume
purchasing arrangements with providers and its administrative cost efficiencies
can contribute to the future growth of the business.

Products

     The Company offers a comprehensive range of flexible and innovative dental
benefit products that are designed to offer flexibility to an employer, its
eligible employees and their dependents. Each product is positioned to meet the
needs of key market segments that the Company has identified. The Company
primarily markets two categories of products: (i) stand-alone managed care
products and (ii) managed care plans offered in combination with indemnity/PPO
plans (marketed by the Company as Managed Choice/SM/ products). The following
table shows the enrollment growth in the Company's managed care and
indemnity/PPO plans.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      As of December 31,
                                   -------------------------
                                    1995     1996     1997
                                    ----     ----     ----
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>
             Members
                Managed Care(1)..  265,800  341,600  450,400
                Indemnity/PPO....   36,700   56,200   65,300
                                   -------  -------  -------
                    Total........  302,500  397,800  515,700
                                   =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1)  Includes members who have selected the managed care option under the
     Company's Managed Choice/SM/ products and excludes Champion members as of
     December 31, 1996.

     From 1988 to 1992, the Company primarily marketed its managed care plans on
a stand-alone basis. Beginning in 1992, the Company combined its managed care
plans with indemnity plans and began marketing this combination as its Managed
Choice/SM/ products. Since the introduction of Managed Choice/SM/ products in
1992 and the addition of a PPO option in 1996, the Company has experienced
significant enrollment growth in its indemnity products, particularly among
large employers.

     The Company also receives fee income for providing access to its PPO
network and for ASO services. As of December 31, 1997, approximately 76,600
participants were eligible to access the Company's PPO network and were covered
under its ASO arrangements. See "Fee Income Products" below.

     Managed Care Products. The Company offers a range of managed care plans
which are designed to meet the needs of target markets. These plans vary in
coverage levels and cost, which allows the Company to tailor an appropriate
managed care product to an employer's current overall benefit program. The
Company offers its managed care products on a stand-alone basis and as an
alternative to traditional indemnity dental insurance. Managed care products
generally are more cost effective to groups and members than traditional
indemnity coverage. For example, the Company typically charges 30 to 60% less in
monthly premiums for managed care plans than for its indemnity plans which
provide comparable coverage. In addition, the Company's managed dental care
products offer more comprehensive benefits than traditional dental indemnity
plans. The following table compares certain features of the Company's managed
care plans with the features of a typical indemnity dental plan.

             COMPARISON OF FIRST COMMONWEALTH'S MANAGED CARE PLANS
                      WITH A TYPICAL DENTAL INDEMNITY PLAN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               First Commonwealth               Typical Dental
Feature                        Managed Care Plans              Indemnity Plan(1)
=====================================================================================
<S>                         <C>                        <C>
Deductible                  None                       $50 per person
=====================================================================================
Annual dollar limitation    None                       $1,000 per year
      on coverage
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claim forms for               Not required; member     Required; member or dentist
 reimbursement              makes co-payment directly      may incur delays in
                                   to dentist            obtaining reimbursement
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Member's               Member co-payment fixed    Member pays any excess charges
out-of-pocket costs          in advance of service       above customary fee levels
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------------

(1)  These features are also representative of indemnity plans offered by
     the Company.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     The Company receives a monthly premium for each employee and eligible
dependent enrolled in its managed care plans. The Company remits a predetermined
portion of the premium, typically as a capitation payment, to the participating
network dentist selected by the member to "pre-pay" for dental care to be
rendered to that member. The capitation payment is a fixed, per-member payment
which is made by the Company to the provider for each member who chooses that
dentist, regardless of the frequency or nature of services rendered.

     Members covered under the Company's managed care plans obtain certain basic
dental procedures such as exams, x-rays, cleanings and fluoride treatments at no
additional charge other than, in some cases, a small office visit co-payment.
The Company's managed care plans also establish co-payments for other services
provided by the network dentist such as fillings, root canals and crowns. The
amount of the co-payment varies in accordance with the complexity of the covered
procedure but is designed to exceed the provider's variable cost related to the
procedure. The network general dentist provides all dental care services except
those specialized services that are more appropriately delivered by dental
specialists.

     When a managed care network general dentist identifies the need for a
specialist, the general dentist completes a referral request form and forwards
it to the Company for review. Examples of dental services provided by a
specialist include oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics and
orthodontics. The Company's independent contractor dentist consultants review
the referral request to determine the appropriateness of the requested
treatment. If the dental consultant approves the referral request, the patient
is then referred by the network general dentist to a network specialist. The
specialist dentist receives a co-payment from the member, negotiated in advance
by the Company, for the specialty services rendered. In addition, the Company
makes monthly payments to the specialist dentists on a capitated or other basis
negotiated by the Company and the specialist.

     When an employer first introduces the Company's managed care product to its
employees, the employer offers an open enrollment period in which employees may
join the managed care plan. Employees enroll for a one year period. Each year
thereafter the employer offers an open enrollment period in which employees may
join the managed care plan and existing enrollees may terminate their coverage
under the plan. When employees enroll in the managed care plan, they select a
participating dentist from the Company's managed care network for each family
member. Unlike many competing plans, the Company's managed care plans permit
each member of an employee's family to choose a different dentist. This choice
allows an employee to select a dentist closer to work while other family members
may choose a dentist closer to home.

     The Company has designed a range of products to market to employers that
currently do not offer a dental plan and to employers that currently offer only
a traditional dental indemnity plan. A description of these products and the
manner in which they are offered to employer groups follows.

     Managed Care Plans Offered on a Voluntary Basis. The Company's managed care
plans can be offered on a voluntary (employee-pays-all) basis, in which only
those employees who wish to receive and pay for coverage do so. This product is
attractive to many employers who do not presently offer dental benefits to their
employees, because it does not require the employer to contribute toward the
cost of the dental plan. The Company believes that the primary reasons many
employers do not offer a dental plan are cost and the restrictive underwriting
requirements of dental indemnity plans. These underwriting restrictions often
include minimum financial contributions from the employer, a guaranteed minimum
number of employees participating in the dental plans and significant coverage

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
exclusions. Under the Company's managed care products offered on a voluntary
basis, the employee pays for the cost of the plan through a payroll deduction,
which may be made on a pre-tax basis if the employer has adopted a flexible
spending plan under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore,
unlike many traditional indemnity carriers, the Company does not require any
minimum number of employees to enroll in order for this employee-pay-all dental
plan to be implemented. The Company's managed care products also do not have the
extensive coverage exclusions of dental indemnity plans.

     Managed Care Plans Offered as an Alternative to an Existing Indemnity
Dental Plan. The Company also offers its managed care plans as an alternative to
an employer's existing dental indemnity program. Employees have the choice of
enrolling in the Company's managed care plan or remaining in the employer's
existing indemnity dental plan. In offering the Company's managed care plan as
an alternative, the employer does not have to change existing indemnity dental
benefits or its existing dental claims processor. Unlike traditional indemnity
plan designs, the Company's managed care plans have no deductible to satisfy, no
annual limitation on benefits, no claim forms to file and are easier for many
employees to understand because of the relatively simple co-payment structure.

     The managed care plans offered by the Company to employers as an
alternative to existing indemnity plans typically offer more comprehensive
coverage than the managed care plans offered to employees on a voluntary basis.
The more comprehensive coverage of the managed care alternative is designed to
encourage employees to move from the existing dental indemnity plan because the
managed care product provides the employer with lower cost per employee.
Employers hold an annual open enrollment period in which employees may transfer
between the traditional dental indemnity alternative and the managed care
alternative. The Company has generally experienced net growth at annual renewals
in its managed care plan when offered on such a basis.

     Managed Care Plans Offered as a Replacement for an Existing Dental
Indemnity Plan. In evaluating the Company's managed care plans, some employers
have elected to implement the managed care plan as a replacement for an existing
dental indemnity plan. The Company believes that, typically, this decision is
based on three considerations: (i) the lower cost to the employer of the
Company's managed dental care plan compared with the traditional dental
indemnity plan, (ii) the improved coverage to employees available through the
Company's managed care plans as compared with a typical indemnity dental plan
and (iii) the Company's large and accessible network of credentialed dentists.

     In addition to the Company's stand-alone managed care products, the Company
also markets its managed care plans in combination with indemnity coverage. A
discussion of these products follows.

     Managed Care Plans Combined with Indemnity Plans--Managed Choice/SM/
Products. The Company has combined its managed care plans with indemnity dental
coverage in its Managed Choice/SM/ products which offer coverage from the dental
HMO network and non-network dentists. Managed Choice/SM/ products enable the
Company to replace an employer's existing traditional dental indemnity plan
offered by a third party insurance company. Upon enrollment or for a limited 
number of clients, at point of service, members select the managed care product
or the indemnity plan provided by the Company. The Company provides the out-of-
network coverage on a traditional dental indemnity basis and administers the
claims for the out-of-network coverage.

     In marketing its Managed Choice/SM/ products, the Company consults with
prospective groups to identify potential areas of cost containment for the out-
of-network coverage. Because the Company controls the design of both the managed
care and indemnity plans, it can encourage greater participation levels in the
less expensive managed care plan. Through a combination of plan design and
claims administration, the Company has helped contain the aggregate cost of its
groups' indemnity dental benefit programs through its Managed Choice/SM/
products.

     The Company has experienced considerable demand for its Managed Choice/SM/
products since their introduction in 1992. As of December 31, 1997, Managed
Choice/SM/ products accounted for approximately 142,600 (approximately 28%) of
the Company's approximately 515,700 members. Of the 142,600 Managed Choice/SM/
enrollees, approximately 84,000 are enrolled in the Company's managed care plans
and approximately 58,600 are enrolled in the Company's indemnity plans.

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
     Managed Care Plans Combined with Indemnity/PPO Plans--Managed Choice/SM/
"Triple Option" Products. The Company has integrated a PPO network with the
indemnity plan component of the Managed Choice/SM/ product to offer a point-of-
service option to members. Called the Managed Choice/SM/ Triple Option, members
have a point-of-enrollment choice between the managed care and the indemnity/
PPO plans. If a member selects the indemnity/PPO plan, the member then has a
point-of-service option to choose a participating PPO dentist or a non-
participating dentist. The member's out-of-pocket cost is reduced by selecting
a participating managed care or dental PPO provider over a non-participating
provider.

     Under the Company's Managed Choice/SM/ Triple Option product, members who
select the indemnity/PPO plan will have a benefit incentive to select the
participating PPO dentist. The reduced fee arrangements of the PPO are expected
to assist groups in containing dental costs. As of December 31, 1997, the
Company's PPO network of providers had approximately 500 more dentists than its
network of managed care providers. The Company is actively recruiting other
dentists to participate in its PPO network and intends to add more dentists to
its PPO plan to support this triple option product.

     The Company has had limited success with its Managed Choice/SM/ Triple
Option products since their introduction in 1996. As of December 31, 1997,
Managed Choice/SM/ Triple products accounted for approximately 14,700
(approximately 2.9%) of the Company's approximately 515,700 members. Of the
14,700 Managed Choice/SM/ Triple Option enrollees, approximately 8,000 are
enrolled in the Company's managed care plans and approximately 6,700 are
enrolled in the Company's indemnity/PPO plans. See "Fee Income Products" below
for members covered under this product on a self-insured basis.

     Fee Income Products. For self-insured employers, the Company provides
claims administration under an administrative services only ("ASO") arrangement
whereby the Company does not assume the underwriting risk for the indemnity
claims. The Company receives an administrative fee to process the claims and the
underwriting risk is retained by the employer sponsoring the self-insured plan.
Also under self-insured plans, the Company has offered the integration of the
PPO network into employer sponsored plans and can receive a PPO access fee for
each member who selects the indemnity/PPO self-insured plan as well as an ASO
fee for providing third party administration services. As of December 31, 1997,
the Company had approximately 31,900 members in these two categories.

     In 1996, the Company introduced a new product called a PPO network "rental"
option. Under the terms of this new product offering, the Company provides
access to its reduced fee arrangements with providers, but does not handle the
third party administration services. This product capability was developed in
response to the opportunity to market to large union Taft-Hartley funds, many of
which handle their own claims processing. The Company has been selected by a
coalition of unions representing more than 50,000 members as the endorsed PPO
vendor and enrolled the first union group on January 1, 1997. Although this PPO
network "rental" option generates modest fee income, it enhances the Company's
purchasing power in the dental community and opens up the organized labor market
as a new opportunity for the Company's other managed care products. As of
December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately 44,700 members in this 
category.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
Network Providers

     The Company believes that the size, quality and accessibility of its
network of managed care dentists has been an essential element in its managed
care enrollment growth. The Company maintains a proprietary database of dentist
contacts throughout its service area which it utilizes to continuously recruit
new providers into its network. The Company also believes that its ability to
effectively market its network of managed care dentists to employers through its
managed care products makes participation in its provider network attractive to
many dentists. The Company regards its managed care network providers as
customers and has implemented practices and procedures to attract and retain
qualified providers.

     The Company attempts to compensate managed care providers primarily on a
capitated basis because it believes that capitated compensation is the most
effective method of containing dental benefit plan costs on an ongoing basis.
The Company typically ''prepays'' the capitated amounts on the first business
day of each month for those members who have selected that dentist, thereby
creating attractive cash flow advantages to dentists who participate in the
Company's managed care network. Dentists have relative high fixed costs
associated with their practices. Many dentists are willing to negotiate their
fees and find capitation an attractive revenue source to help them cover such
costs. In addition to capitation, managed care dentists also receive co-payments
for services (other than certain preventative/diagnostic procedures) at the time
service is rendered. The Company attempts to price its members' co-payments so
that they exceed a dentist's variable costs for the procedure, but are less than
the dentist's usual and customary fee. The Company's benefit plans require a
patient to make co-payments directly to the dentist at the time of service,
which eliminates delays in payments and reduces the overhead associated with
filing claims and attendant collection efforts.

     In addition, the Company also may negotiate other payment arrangements with
managed care dentists under certain circumstances. This may involve, among other
things, contributions by the Company toward costs for infection control, cost-
sharing by the Company on a discounted fee-for-service basis, or for new
providers, minimum monthly payment arrangements. A significant portion of the
specialists with which the Company has managed care provider contracts are
compensated by the Company on a discounted and full fee-for-service basis and
not on a capitated basis. Accordingly, the Company retains the risk of its share
of the cost for services provided through such arrangements. Total payments to
specialists represented approximately 12% of the Company's payments to providers
in 1997.

     The Company believes that the large number of practicing dentists and the
high proportion of solo practitioners make the Chicago metropolitan markets
highly competitive for private practice dentists. It has been the Company's
experience within the Chicago metropolitan marketplace that dental providers are
willing to participate in its managed care network. The Company believes that
providers find participation in its managed care network attractive for several
reasons. The Company has established a record of delivering large volumes of new
patients to participating providers. The Company regards its network providers
as customers and believes that it provides higher levels of service and support
than typically provided by its competitors. These factors, coupled with the fact
that the Company's capitated payment arrangements provide attractive cash flow
advantages to its managed care dentists, have enabled the Company to attract and
retain qualified providers for its managed care network.

     The Company also believes that its managed care network must be of
demonstrable quality. The Company has developed a multi-step quality assessment
program which begins by initially qualifying interested dentists followed by a
personal office visit with the dentists. Further credentialing involves
verifying a dentist's license, the existence of professional liability coverage
and reviewing any previous claims history. Additionally, the dental office
itself is reviewed to determine if the Company's managed care quality assessment
program standards, which include proper infection control procedures, are being
followed. After dentists are added to the managed care network, they and their
practices are periodically recredentialed to ensure Company quality assessment
standards are being maintained. This recredentialing also includes a periodic
random chart audit of members who have received services from network dentists
at that practice. Additionally, a comprehensive membership complaint/inquiry
database is maintained by the Company, the contents of which are discussed with
network dentists when considered necessary. The Company administers its
continuing quality assessment program through its staff and through consulting
dentists, under the supervision of its corporate Dental Director. The Company
further demonstrates its commitment to maintaining a quality

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
oriented managed care network through routine, on-site field visits and
telephone service calls to dentists. Additionally, the Company provides an
ongoing series of continuing education seminars covering such topics as
infection control. The Company also maintains a working relationship with
professional dental organizations in dealing with issues of common interest.

     The Company believes that its managed care network must be stable in order
to offer long-term continuity of care. The Company views its providers as
customers rather than vendors of care and, consequently, focuses significant
resources upon assessing and addressing provider concerns and sources of
dissatisfaction. The Company conducts periodic network dentist satisfaction
surveys and also provides an ongoing series of continuing education seminars, at
no cost for its managed care network providers. Through these contacts, the
Company proactively works to meet network dentists' expectations. As a result,
the Company's managed care provider annual retention rate has been on average
approximately 95%.

     Managed care network providers are independent contractors who provide
services to members pursuant to contractual arrangements with the Company. The
Company's relationships with its managed care network dentists generally are
terminable at any time by either party upon short notice. The contracts do not
require managed care network dentists to provide services exclusively to members
of the Company's plans. The Company may, following any required regulatory
approval, change the terms, capitation rates, benefits and conditions of the
various plans serviced by its managed care network upon advance notice. The
Company's contracts with managed care network dentists require the dentists to
maintain their own malpractice insurance. The Company also carries insurance
protecting it against liability relating to acts or omissions of managed care
network dentists. Although no material malpractice or similar claims have been
asserted against the Company in the past, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not become involved in such litigation or otherwise become subject
to material claims relating to its managed care or PPO network dentists in the
future. In the event of litigation or claims against the Company for malpractice
by one of the providers or for negligence in credentialing one of the providers
in its networks, there is no assurance that the Company's professional liability
insurance will be sufficient to cover any liability which might result from such
litigation or claims.

     The Company's policy is to permit dentists to participate in either its
managed care network, its PPO network or both. Consistent with the practice of
other dental PPOs, if a dentist elects to only participate in the Company's PPO
network, the credentialing requirements are less extensive than those for the
managed care network and currently there are no ongoing peer review requirements
for PPO dentists. Presently, substantially all of the participating dentists in
the Company's managed care network participate in the Company's PPO network. In
addition, at December 31, 1997, the Company's PPO network had approximately 500
additional dentists that do not participate in the Company's managed care
network. The Company is actively recruiting other dentists to participate in its
PPO network and intends to add more dentists to its PPO network.

Customer Groups

     The following table shows a breakdown of the Company's groups by size as of
December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Number of     Subscribers(2)
                                                           --------------
 Size of Group by Number of Subscribers(1)    Groups     Total   % of Total
 -----------------------------------------    ------     -----   ---------- 
<S>                                           <C>        <C>     <C>
     Individuals...........................      N/A      8,700        3.6% 
     2-10..................................    1,418     11,900        5.0% 
     11-50.................................    2,392     37,300       15.6% 
     51-100................................      364     25,700       10.8% 
     101-500...............................      318     63,700       26.6% 
     500+..................................       57     91,800       38.4% 
                                               -----    -------      -----  
          Total............................    4,549    239,100      100.0% 
                                               =====    =======      =====  
</TABLE>
               
- --------------
                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
(1)  The number of subscribers represents the number of employees of an employer
     group who have enrolled in one of the Company's products but does not
     include dependents of such employees.

(2)  Amounts do not include subscribers in the Company's ASO, ASO/PPO, PPO
     network access, PPO network rental programs and fully insured Medicare
     HMO members.

     The Company's 10 largest groups accounted for approximately 25% of the
Company's revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997 and accounted for
approximately 17% of total members for such period. None of the Company's groups
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues in 1997.

     The Company's group contracts generally provide for a defined set of dental
benefits to be delivered to members for a period of one year at specified
monthly rates. The contracts normally have fixed terms of one year and provide
for automatic renewal unless terminated by notice from either party provided a
specified period (typically 60 days) prior to the end of the term thereof.


Marketing and Sales

     The Company markets its dental benefit plans through a network of over
1,400 independent insurance brokers and a direct sales force consisting of 16
employees. This dual distribution system is designed to reach large groups as
well as smaller groups and individuals in an efficient and cost effective
manner. The Company believes that this marketing strategy provides it with a
competitive advantage by enabling it to market to a wider range of potential
groups more efficiently than companies relying on a single distribution system.

     The Company's direct sales force targets larger employers and groups which
are more likely to contribute towards the cost of dental benefits for their
employees. In marketing to large groups, the Company's sales force focuses on
stand-alone managed care products as an economical alternative to traditional
indemnity coverage as well as Managed Choice/SM/ products. The Company pays its
direct sales force through a combination of salary and bonus based upon the
number of members enrolled for new groups. As part of its growth strategy, the
Company intends to increase its internal sales and marketing staff to recruit
and manage its network of brokers and expand telemarketing and direct mail
efforts.

     The Company's independent insurance broker network focuses on offering
primarily voluntary (employee-pays-all) managed care products to medium and
smaller-sized employers which have not previously contributed toward or offered
dental care benefits to their employees. The Company believes that there are
significant opportunities for the Company to expand managed care coverage to
medium and smaller-sized employers by expanding its network of independent
brokers who can efficiently sell dental benefit products to the medium and
smaller-sized market. Brokers typically do not market the Company's dental
benefit plans on an exclusive basis. Brokers generally receive a flat percentage
of the premium collected as commission for the initial sale of the Company's
product as well as a commission for each annual renewal thereof.

     The Company has developed a proprietary business development process which
is used in conjunction with the Company's direct and brokered sales efforts.
This business development process relies heavily on a computerized prospect
tracking system which contains detailed benefit and contact information on
approximately 35,000 employers in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Detroit
metropolitan areas. Using this database, the Company's business development
representatives use direct mail to target employer decision makers and brokers
and telemarketing to follow up with these employer decision makers and brokers.
It has been the Company's experience that the sales cycle may be a multi-year
process, particularly since employers tend to make decisions regarding dental
coverage on an annual basis. The Company believes that the continuity of
communication which it has established with these decision makers gives the
Company a significant advantage over its competitors in the metropolitan markets
it serves. This comprehensive database also links brokers with their clients
which permits the Company's field staff to contact brokers at the time of their
clients' annual renewal periods.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
     Marketing generally is a two-step process in which presentations are made
first to employers and then directly to employees. Once selected by an employer,
the Company typically solicits potential subscribers from the employee base
directly. During periodic "open enrollments," when employees are permitted to
change dental benefit programs, the Company uses direct mail, work site
presentations and other marketing methods to attract new subscribers. The
Company stresses its ability to provide a flexible schedule of benefits, quality
dental services oriented toward preventive care at reasonable prices and a large
panel of dentists from which to choose in these marketing efforts.

     The Company also has a member services department which assists members on
such matters as schedules of benefits, available network dentists, transfers
from one network dentist to another, emergency dental services, billing issues
and other administrative and group service matters. The member services
department also handles complaints about providers and conducts member
satisfaction surveys.

     The Company has a separate account management department that focuses on
servicing the needs of benefit managers and groups. The Company believes that
this service effort is important to group retention and enrollment growth among
group members. The Company manages its groups with a long-term strategic goal to
increasing participation in the Company's managed care plans.

Management Information Systems

     The management information systems used by the Company are designed to
facilitate subscriber and provider service. The Company depends on these systems
for comprehensive group service, premium collection and reconciliation,
administration of capitation and commission payments, member eligibility
processing, marketing support, corporate accounting and management reporting.
The Company's management information systems allow it to offer multiple plans
tailored to the needs of its groups and have the capability to interface
directly with the systems of its groups, which can facilitate expeditious
processing of changes in membership information.

     The Company periodically upgrades its hardware and software systems to (i)
enhance its capability for electronic interchange with its groups, (ii)
streamline the systems' ability to support both multi-state accounts and
multiple products for the same group, (iii) enhance the integration between the
Company's management information systems and its corporate accounting software,
(iv) improve statistical and analytical capability with respect to various
aspects of the Company's business and (v) make other technological changes to
improve the efficiency of the Company's systems. The Company plans to introduce
new voice and data technologies in 1999 and to increase the use of electronic
methods for billing, enrollment and ongoing eligibility maintenance between
employer groups and network dentists. The Company believes that these steps
should help it to limit staff increases in the future and to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of its administrative operations.

     The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its information 
technology infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance and should be substantially 
completed by the end of 1998. The Company does not expect the cost to modify its
information technology infrastructure to be Year 2000 compliant to be material 
to its financial condition or results of operations. The Company does not 
currently have any information concerning the Year 2000 compliance status of its
customers. In the event that any of the Company's significant customers do not 
successfully and timely achieve Year 2000 compliance, the Company does not 
believe that its business or operations would be adversely affected.

Competition

     The Company operates in a highly competitive environment. Its competitors
principally include insurance companies, which often offer both managed dental
care and indemnity dental products in the Company's market, and independent
companies offering managed dental care products similar to those offered by the
Company. The managed dental care industry as a whole is currently fragmented and
characterized by the participation of several large, national insurance
companies and many smaller independent plan sponsors. The Company also competes
with numerous other types of businesses in the health care industry, including
health maintenance organizations, limited health services corporations, self-
funded plans which are administered by third party administrators, preferred
provider organizations and other discount fee-for-service dental plans. The
Company has experienced, and expects that it will continue to experience in the
future, increased competition from all such sources. Many of the Company's
competitors are larger and have substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. Price considerations have been a

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
significant competitive factor in the past and the Company believes pricing will
continue to be a significant competitive factor in the future, especially with
respect to large government and labor union contracts awarded on the basis of
competitive bidding. Currently such contracts constitute less than 5% of the
Company's total revenues. The Company believes that it competes principally on
the basis of the pricing of managed care products in comparison to traditional
indemnity plan coverage, the size, accessibility and quality of its provider
network, its service reputation and the diversity of its products. Of these, the
Company has found that provider network size, accessibility and quality, service
reputation and cost are generally the factors most critical in employer 
decision-making.

     While the managed dental care business does not require substantial amounts
of capital, the Company believes that certain factors may limit the number of
new competitors that successfully enter its marketplace. These include the need
for new competitors to comply with governmental licensing requirements and to
establish provider and insurance broker networks in order to enter and compete
in the market. The Company believes that it is well positioned to continue to
compete in the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis metropolitan areas as a result
of its growing network of providers and insurance brokers and the Company's
service reputation and client base. The Company also believes that it is well
positioned to compete in the Detroit and, on a longer term basis, Indianapolis
metropolitan areas as a result of the competitive size of its network of
providers and the Company's focused marketing efforts. While the Company
believes that it has successfully established one of the leading market
positions in the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis metropolitan areas, there can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to increase or
maintain its market share. Increased competition could adversely affect the
Company's results of operations.

Government Regulation

     The business of the Company is subject to extensive regulation, by, as may
be applicable, the insurance statutes and regulations of the states in which the
Company operates with respect to the prepaid health plan, insurance,
reinsurance, and related operations of the Company (''Insurance Regulation'').
The Company is registered in Illinois and in Michigan as a Third Party
Administrator and in Illinois as an Insurance Firm; its subsidiary, First
Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc., is registered in Illinois as a Preferred
Provider Administrator; another subsidiary, First Commonwealth Limited Health
Services Corporation, is licensed in Illinois as a Limited Health Service
Organization and in Indiana as a Limited Service Health Maintenance
Organization; another subsidiary, First Commonwealth Insurance Company, is
licensed in Illinois as a domestic life, accident and health insurer with the
intent to underwrite indemnity dental business and is awaiting additional
licensure as a Limited Health Service Organization; another subsidiary, First
Commonwealth Limited Health Service Corporation, is licensed in Wisconsin as a
Limited Service Health Organization; another subsidiary, First Commonwealth of
Missouri, Inc. (formerly Champion Dental Services, Inc.), is licensed in
Missouri as a prepaid dental plan corporation; and an affiliate, First
Commonwealth Health Services Corporation, is organized under Illinois law as a
Voluntary Health Services Plan.

     Insurance Regulation, which may vary from state to state, establishes
extensive operational, financial, reporting, and other requirements applicable
to the Company's business in such state. Depending upon the nature and scope of
regulatory requirements adopted from time to time in each of the states having
jurisdiction over the legal entities or operations of the Company, Insurance
Regulation may materially and adversely affect the business, operating results
and financial condition of the Company. Insurance Regulation generally requires
the Company to be licensed by the state insurance department in order to offer
its dental care products, administrative services or preferred provider network
in such state and otherwise conduct its operations in such state. In addition,
Insurance Regulation generally prescribes minimum levels of net worth and
reserves, limits the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends to
the extent required surplus would be impaired, requires filings for approval of
products and services offered by the Company and its subsidiaries and the filing
of rate schedules, certain product literature, forms of contracts with
subscribers, dentists and others (which may entail substantial delay in
implementing changes or introducing new products), establishes minimum benefit
levels for the Company's dental products in some cases, provides for periodic
examinations, including quality assessment review, establishes standards for the
Company's management and other personnel, specifies measures for resolving
grievances and requires prior approval if more than a certain percentage of the
Company's outstanding voting securities are to be acquired. Changes in Insurance
Regulation or the application thereof could involve, among other things, premium
taxes, increased capitalization requirements, limitations on the payment of
dividends, distributions, or principal or interest on subordinated debt, the

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
imposition of guaranty fund assessments, mandated health benefits and other
terms of enrollment contracts, restrictions on the use of "fronting
arrangements" and reinsurance agreements, requirements for admission of or
licensing as foreign reinsurance companies, limited health service
organizations, limited service health organizations, prepaid dental plan
corporations, preferred provider administrators and third party administrators,
state health insurance reforms for groups and individuals, "any willing
provider" requirements limiting the Company's right to restrict the size of its
provider network, minimum loss ratio requirements, enterprise liability
statutes, which may increase the Company's liability for the negligent acts of
its providers, or other matters. There can be no assurance that changes in
Insurance Regulation or the application of existing Insurance Regulation,
including matters relating to the Company's limited operations outside its
service areas, will not materially and adversely affect the business or
financial condition of the Company. Failure of the Company to comply with the
Insurance Regulation could subject the Company to financial penalties, cease and
desist orders or the revocation of one or more licenses required to conduct its
business.

     Any future expansion of the Company's business may subject the Company to
additional regulation by the state or federal governments. The insurance
statutes and regulations of certain states may limit the ability of the Company
to expand its operations in or into such states, or may substantially delay the
commencement of operations in such states as a result of the need to comply with
the licensing requirements of such states. Expansion of the Company's business
by acquisition of control of existing regulated entities may subject the Company
to substantial filing and approval requirements. Furthermore, proposals have
been made in the past, and may be made again, for national and state health care
reform which, if enacted, could materially and adversely affect the business and
financial condition of the Company. It has been the Company's policy to maintain
regular contact and productive working relationships with regulators in each
jurisdiction in which it is licensed to conduct business.

     In general, Insurance Regulation of the states in which the Company and its
subsidiaries operate require a person seeking to acquire control, directly or
indirectly, of certain regulated entities or of any person controlling such
entity to file with the relevant insurance regulatory authority an application
for change of control (commonly known as a "Form A") containing certain
information regarding the identity and background of the acquiror and its
affiliates, the source and amount of funds to be used to effect the acquisition
and certain other matters. For purposes of many of these statutes and
regulations promulgated thereunder, a person that owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of any other person
is generally presumed to "control" that other person. Accordingly, any
purchase of Common Stock that would result in the purchaser having beneficial
ownership of Common Stock equal to or in excess of the specified threshold
level, which may be lower than 10% in some states or, as a result of future
regulatory action, in one or more of those states in which the Company currently
operates, pursuant to the offering of Common Stock made hereby or otherwise
(including through purchases in the open market), must file for and obtain prior
approval from all applicable regulatory authorities. Such prior approval could
also apply to the acquisition of proxies to vote specified percentages of the
outstanding Common Stock and, therefore, could delay or prevent a stockholder
from acquiring such proxies in a proxy contest. No assurance can be given that
the Company would not seek to invoke these laws and regulations in a proxy
contest or a tender offer or merger situation. Failure to comply with change of
control provisions under applicable state insurance codes by an investor
acquiring the Company's Common Stock at or above the specified threshold levels
could result in a material adverse effect on such investor, including the
possible entry of a divestiture order, and could also possibly result in adverse
regulatory action against the Company and its subsidiaries. Prospective and
current stockholders, and not the Company, are responsible for compliance with
Form A and similar filing and prior approval requirements. The Company assumes
no obligation with respect to these matters.

     The Company's business is not currently regulated at the federal level.
During 1994, however, Congress considered legislation proposing comprehensive
reform of the health care system in the United States. The Company cannot
predict whether or when future health care reform initiatives at the federal or
state level or other initiatives affecting insurance and/or managed care
providers such as the Company may be proposed, enacted or implemented or what
impact such initiatives may have on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition.

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
Company's Corporate Structure

     The Company contracts to provide dental care benefits to groups and members
in Illinois and Indiana through First Commonwealth Limited Health Services
Corporation ("FC-Limited"), a wholly-owned subsidiary; in Wisconsin through
First Commonwealth Limited Health Service Corporation ("FC-Wisconsin"), a 
wholly-owned subsidiary; in Missouri through First Commonwealth of Missouri,
Inc. ("FC-Missouri"), a wholly-owned subsidiary; and in Michigan through a
fronting arrangement described below. The Company provides administrative and
marketing services for FC-Limited, FC-Wisconsin, and FC-Missouri. Another 
wholly-owned subsidiary, First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. ("FC-Illinois"),
contracts with dentists and dental care specialists to provide dental care
services to groups and to members for whom FC-Limited, FC-Wisconsin, and FC-
Missouri provides dental benefits. Smileage, a wholly-owned subsidiary, is a
Wisconsin based dental HMO administrator.

     As the Company has increased its indemnity business, it has entered into a
reinsurance agreement with North American Insurance Company ("North American"),
an Illinois licensed reinsurer, covering a portion of its indemnity business.
North American, in turn, has entered into an agreement with another third party
insurer, Capitol Indemnity Corporation ("Capitol"). Capitol has entered into an
agreement with another subsidiary of the Company, First Commonwealth Reinsurance
Company ("FC-RE"), whereby North American transfers most of this reinsured risk
from FC-Limited to Capitol and onto FC-RE. The Company currently retains
virtually all of the underwriting risk of its indemnity plans. FC-RE engages in
no reinsurance activity that is not related to the Company's indemnity and
managed care products.

     In addition, in 1997, the Company, acting as agent for North American and
according to a fronting arrangement, began selling managed care and indemnity
dental insurance policies in the state of Michigan. According to the reinsurance
agreement above, North American ceded all policies in Michigan to Capitol who
ceded these policies to FC-RE.

     First Commonwealth Health Services Corporation ("FCHSC") is consolidated
with the Company and its subsidiaries for financial reporting purposes. FCHSC is
not material to the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
FCHSC is licensed under the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act (the "VHSP
Act"). In accordance with the VHSP Act, FCHSC is operated and conducted as a
not-for-profit and is also governed by the provision of the General Not-for-
Profit Corporation Act. FCHSC was initially capitalized by First Commonwealth,
Inc. ("FC Inc.") through the purchase of a subordinated note. Certain officers
and trustees of FCHSC are common to the officers and directors of FC Inc.
Consistent with its authority under the VHSP Act, FCHSC provides reimbursement
to its members for covered dental care. The VHSP Act requires, among other
provisions, that FCHSC not expend more than 20% of its annual subscriber revenue
for administrative costs and 10% for marketing costs. FC Inc. provides
administrative and marketing services to FCHSC pursuant to a management
agreement.

     First Commonwealth Insurance Company was incorporated in Illinois during 
1997 and is a wholly owned subsidiary. It is currently licensed as a domestic 
life, accident and health insurer with the intent to underwrite indemnity dental
business and is awaiting additional licensure under the LHSO Act. As of December
31, 1997, it had not yet commenced business.

Risk Management

     The Company maintains general and professional liability insurance to cover
the risk of operating its managed care dental plans. In addition, each dentist
in the provider network is required to maintain malpractice insurance.

     The Company seeks to enter into capitation arrangements whenever possible
as its primary means of managed care dentist compensation. In addition to
capitation arrangements, the Company also may negotiate other payment
arrangements with dentists and specialists. Such arrangements may involve, among
other things, contributions by the Company toward costs for infection control,
discounted fee-for-service pricing arrangements, or for new providers, minimum
monthly payment arrangements. Certain specialists with which the Company has
provider contracts are compensated by the Company on a discounted or full fee-
for-service basis and not on a capitated basis. Accordingly, the Company retains
the risk of its share of the cost for services provided under these compensation
arrangements. If the number of managed care providers covered under other
compensation requirements materially increase, or the cost of such arrangements
becomes significantly higher than projected, including utilization of specialty
care benefits, the Company's profitability could be materially and adversely
affected. Total payments to specialists represented approximately 12% of the
Company's payments to managed care providers in 1997.

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
     In addition, an increasing portion of the Company's business is the sale of
indemnity/PPO plans as part of its Managed Choice/SM/ product. The Company
retains virtually all of the underwriting risk of its indemnity/PPO products.
Although dental indemnity/PPO plans have limitations on coverage (including
limits on procedures covered, amounts covered per procedure and annual and
lifetime benefits), due to variability in both the utilization of services and
the cost per service under an indemnity/PPO plan, increased indemnity/PPO
enrollment increases the underwriting risk undertaken by the Company. The dental
benefit costs associated with the Company's Managed Choice/SM/ products include
an estimate of dental expenses incurred by its members outside of the Company's
provided network, but which have not yet been reported to the Company. If the
utilization or cost per service incurred outside of the Company's network were
to be greater than estimated, the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. The Company has
not experienced any significant adverse variations between such estimated and
actual expenses, but there can be no assurance that such variations will not
occur in the future.

     The Company staffs its claims processing operation with individuals
experienced in dental terminology and procedures such as hygienists, dental
office assistants and dentist consultants, who review claims submitted for
appropriateness. The Company also uses specific underwriting criteria as an
integral part of its risk management program for its indemnity/PPO plans.
Utilizing specific underwriting criteria, the Company attempts to assure that
each employer group's profile is consistent with relevant rating assumptions. In
addition, high patient cost-sharing in dental plans substantially limits the
underwriting risk of a dental plan, particularly when compared to the risk in a
medical plan. Furthermore, unlike medical plans, dental plans typically do not
cover catastrophic risks.

Employees

     The Company had approximately 135 employees as of December 31, 1997. None
of the Company's employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The
Company believes its relations with its employees are good.


Item 2.   Properties

     The Company does not own any real estate; it leases approximately 24,000
feet of office space in Chicago. The lease has a term expiring in 2000, with an
option for the Company to extend the lease through 2003. In addition, the
Company leases approximately 1,700 feet of office space in Milwaukee with a term
expiring in 1999; 1,700 feet of office space in St. Louis with a term expiring
in 2000; 500 feet of office space in Detroit with a term expiring in 1998, and
500 feet of office space in Indianapolis with a term expiring in 1998.


Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

     The Company is involved from time to time in routine legal and regulatory
proceedings incidental to its business. The Company is not involved in any
currently pending lawsuits or proceedings that it believes will have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company.


Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

          None.

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II


Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters

     (a) Incorporated herein by reference from section entitled "Related
Stockholder Matters and Market for the Company's Common Stock" in the
Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is included as Exhibit
13 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

     (b)   Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

     The following information is reported pursuant to Item 701(f) of
Regulation S-K:
     The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 which became
effective on November 16, 1995 (Registration No. 33-97426).
     The offering commenced on November 16, 1995 and terminated after the
sale of all securities registered.
     The managing underwriters for this offering were William Blair &
Company and Piper Jaffray Inc.
     The offering related to the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001
per share, and was for the account of the Company and certain selling
shareholders, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Company      Selling Shareholders
                                                     ----------    --------------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>  
Number of Shares Registered and Sold                    530,000          1,577,200

Aggregate Price of Offering Registered and Sold      $7,950,000        $23,658,000
</TABLE>

     The following amounts of expenses were incurred for the Company's account
in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered
for each category listed below:

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                                    <C> 
                                              Direct or indirect payments to directors,
                                          officers, general partners of the issuer or their
                                             associates; to persons owning ten percent or
                                            more of any class of equity securities of the        Direct or indirect
                                               issuer; and to affiliates of the issuer           payments to others
                                          -------------------------------------------------      ------------------
Underwriting discounts and                                                                0              $  556,500
commissions

Finders Fees                                                                              0              $        0

Expenses paid to or for underwriters                                                      0              $   20,000

Other Expenses                                                                      $50,000              $  715,173

Total Expenses                                                                      $50,000              $1,291,673

   Net offering proceeds to the Company after total expenses:                                    $6,608,327

Purchase and installation of
machinery and equipment                                                                   0              $  789,877

   Acquisition of other businesses                                                  $     0              $5,818,450
   Total                                                                                         $6,608,327
</TABLE>

     The use of proceeds reported herein does not represent a material change
from the use of proceeds described in the prospectus.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

     Incorporated herein by reference from section entitled "Selected
Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" in the Company's 1997 Annual Report
to Stockholders, which is included as Exhibit 13 to this Annual Report on Form
10-K.

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

     Incorporated herein by reference from section entitled "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" in the
Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is included as Exhibit 13 to
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     Not Applicable

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     Incorporated herein by reference from sections entitled "Financial
Statements" and "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is included as Exhibit 13 to this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

     None.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                                   PART III


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

     The information contained under the headings "Election of Directors" and
"Executive Officers" in the Proxy Statement (which Proxy Statement will be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 5, 1998) is
incorporated herein by reference.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation

     Except for information referred to in Item 402(a)(8) of Regulation S-K, the
information contained under the headings "Election of Directors" and "Executive
Compensation and Other Information" in the Proxy Statement (which Proxy
Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before
May 5, 1998) is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     The information contained under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement (which Proxy Statement
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 5,
1998) is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     The information contained under the heading "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" in the Proxy Statement (which Proxy Statement will be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 5, 1998)
is incorporated herein by reference.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV


Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a)(1)    Financial Statements

     The following financial statements are filed as part of this report:

          Report of Independent Public Accountants on Consolidated
          Financial Statements.*

          Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company as of December 31,
          1997, 1996 and 1995.*

          Consolidated Statements of Income of the Company for the years
          ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.*

          Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity of the
          Company for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.*

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company for the
          years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.*

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.*

- -----------------

* Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders.

     (a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                    <C> 
     Report of Independent Public Accountants on Financial Statement Schedule          Page 26

     Schedule II  --  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                Page 27
</TABLE>


     All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required
under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been
omitted.

     (a)(3)    Exhibits
               --------

     The following Exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.                             Description
- -----------                             -----------

        <C>      <S>
        3.1  --  Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (1)

        3.2  --  Restated By-laws of the Company (2)

        4.1  --  Stockholders Rights Agreement between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company of
                 New York (1)
</TABLE>

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit No.                              Description
- -----------                              ----------- 

       10.1  --     First Commonwealth, Inc. Management Bonus Plan (1)(3)
           
       10.2  --     1987 Statutory-Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, as amended
                    (1)(3)
           
       10.3  --     1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended as of February 18,
                    1998 (3)
           
       10.4  --     First Commonwealth, Inc. Salary Savings Plan (1)(3)
           
       10.5  --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Christopher C.
                    Multhauf (1)(3)

       10.6  --     Employment Agreement between the Company and David W.
                    Mulligan (1)(3)
           
       10.7  --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Gregory D.
                    Stobbe, as amended (1)(3)
           
       10.8  --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark R.
                    Lundberg (1)(3)
           
       10.9  --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Scott B.
                    Sanders (1)(3)
           
       10.10 --     Reinsurance Agreement between First Commonwealth Limited
                    Insurance Company and First Commonwealth Reinsurance Company
                    (1)
           
       10.11 --     Reinsurance Agreement between North American Insurance
                    Company and First Commonwealth Reinsurance Company (1)
           
       10.12 --     Form of First Commonwealth Limited Health Services
                    Corporation Group Master Contract (1)
           
       10.13 --     Form of First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. Dental Provider
                    Agreement (1)
           
       10.14 --     Form of First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. Participating
                    PPO Dentist Contract (1)
           
       10.15 --     Lease Agreement between 444 North Wells Limited Partnership
                    as sole beneficiary of American National Bank & Trust
                    Company of Chicago Trust No. 56647 as Landlord and the
                    Company as Tenant, as amended (1)
           
       10.16 --     Administrative Master Contract, dated December 12, 1990,
                    between First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. and First
                    Commonwealth Limited Health Services Corporation (1)
           
       10.17 --     Administrative Contract, dated December 12, 1990, between
                    First Commonwealth, Inc. and First Commonwealth Limited
                    Health Services Corporation (1)

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit No.                        Description
- -----------                        -----------

      10.18  --     Management Agreement, dated November 20, 1987, between First
                    Commonwealth, Inc. and First Commonwealth Health Services
                    Corporation (1)

      10.19  --     Administrative Master Contract, dated February 1, 1989,
                    between First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. and First
                    Commonwealth Health Services Corporation, as amended (1)

      10.20  --     Public Offering Agreement among the Company, Christopher C.
                    Multhauf, David W. Mulligan and the Selling Stockholders
                    identified therein (1)

      10.21  --     Stock Exchange Agreement, dated July 18, 1996, by and among
                    the Company and the Shareholders of Smileage Dental
                    Services, Inc., is hereby incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K,
                    dated July 18, 1996

      10.22  --     Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 18, 1996, between
                    the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities
                    referred to therein, is hereby incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K,
                    dated July 18, 1996

      10.23  --     Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 2, 1996, among
                    the Company, Group Health Plan, Inc., Champion Dental
                    Services, Inc. and Coventry Corporation, is hereby
                    incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
                    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                    September 30, 1996

      11     --     Statement re: computation of per share earnings (included
                    in Exhibit 13 filed herewith)

      13     --     1997 Annual Report to Stockholders
          
      21     --     Subsidiaries of the Registrant
          
      23     --     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
          
      24     --     Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
          
      27     --     Financial Data Schedule

- ----------------------

(1)  Incorporated herein by reference to an exhibit with the same number as
     filed with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended
     (Registration No. 33-97426).

(2)  Incorporated herein by reference to an exhibit with the same number as
     filed with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
     ended June 30, 1996.

(3)  Represents management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

     (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

          No reports on Form 8-K were filed in the fourth quarter of 1997.

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                        ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
First Commonwealth, Inc.:

     We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
the consolidated financial statements included in FIRST COMMONWEALTH, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES' 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders incorporated by reference in
this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated February 11, 1998. Our
audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial
statements taken as a whole. The schedule included on page 25 is the
responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to
be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a
whole.


ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 11, 1998

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
                   FIRST COMMONWEALTH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Period                                                      Additions
   ------                                           -------------------------------
                                       Balance at    Charged to
Year Ended                            Beginning of   Costs and     Charged to Other                            Balance at
December 31,       Description           Period       Expenses    Accounts-Describe   Deductions-Describe    End of Period
- -----------   ----------------------  ------------  -----------   -----------------   -------------------    -------------
<S>           <C>                     <C>            <C>          <C>                 <C>                     <C>
    1995      Claims liability         $  387,714   $ 5,451,936          --              $ 4,581,969(1)        $1,257,681
              Allowance for doubtful                                                                           
              accounts                 $  116,782   $   192,808          --              $   112,274(2)        $  197,316
    1996      Claims liability         $1,257,681   $ 8,341,669          --              $ 8,019,681(1)        $1,579,669
              Allowance for doubtful                                                                           
              accounts                 $  197,316   $   104,000          --              $    31,762(2)        $  289,554
    1997      Claims liability         $1,579,669   $10,506,867          --              $10,482,207(1)        $1,604,329
              Allowance for doubtful                                                                           
              accounts                 $  289,554   $   204,655          --              $   160,197(2)        $  334,012
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1)   Payment for claims
(2)   Write-off of bad debt
                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  March 30, 1998               FIRST COMMONWEALTH, INC

                                By: /s/ Christopher C. Multhauf
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Christopher C. Multhauf
                                    Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
                                    Executive Officer


                       POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

     Each of the undersigned officers and directors of First Commonwealth, Inc.
hereby severally constitutes and appoints Christopher C. Multhauf, David W.
Mulligan and Scott B. Sanders, and each of them singly, our true and lawful
attorneys, with full power to them and each of them singly, to sign for us in
our names in the capacities indicated below, all amendments to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and generally to do all things in our names and on our
behalf in such capacities to enable First Commonwealth, Inc. to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and all requirements of
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on this 30th day of March, 1998.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
            Name                                     Capacity
            ----                                     --------
<S>                                      <C> 
/s/ Christopher C. Multhauf              Chairman of the Board of Directors and 
- --------------------------------------   Chief Executive Officer 
    Christopher C. Multhauf              (principal executive officer)


/s/ David W. Mulligan                    Director, President, Secretary and
- --------------------------------------   Chief Operating Officer
    David W. Mulligan


/s/ Scott B. Sanders                     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 
- --------------------------------------   (principal financial and accounting 
    Scott B. Sanders                     officer)


/s/ Richard M. Burdge, Sr.               Director
- --------------------------------------          
    Richard M. Burdge, Sr.


/s/ William J. McBride                   Director
- --------------------------------------           
    William J. McBride


/s/ Jackson W. Smart, Jr.                Director
- --------------------------------------           
    Jackson W. Smart, Jr.
</TABLE> 
                                     -28-
<PAGE>
 
                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.                         Description
- -----------                         -----------
<C>         <S>  <C>
    10.3    --   1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended as of February 18,
                 1998

      13    --   1997 Annual Report to Stockholders

      21    --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant

      23    --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

      24    --   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)

      27    --   Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE> 
                                     -29-

<PAGE> 
                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                           FIRST COMMONWEALTH, INC.

                         1995 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
                     (As Amended as of February 18, 1998)


                               I.  INTRODUCTION

     1.1   Purposes. The purposes of the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") of First Commonwealth, Inc. (the "Company"), and its subsidiaries from
time to time (individually a "Subsidiary" and collectively the "Subsidiaries"),
are (a) to align the interests of the Company's stockholders and the recipients
of awards under this Plan by increasing the proprietary interest of such
recipients in the Company's growth and success, (b) to advance the interests of
the Company by attracting and retaining officers and other key employees,
consultants, advisors, agents and other independent contractors of the Company,
and well-qualified persons who are not officers or employees of the Company
("non-employee directors") for service as directors of the Company and (c) to
motivate such employees, independent contractors and non-employee directors to
act in the long-term best interests of the Company's stockholders. For purposes
of this Plan, references to employment by the Company shall also mean employment
by a Subsidiary.

     1.2   Certain Definitions.

     "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in Rule 12b-2, as in effect on the effective date of this Plan, under
the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no director or officer of the Company
shall be deemed an Affiliate or Associate of any other director or officer of
the Company solely as a result of his or her being a director or officer of the
Company.

     "Agreement" shall mean the written agreement evidencing an award hereunder
between the Company and the recipient of such award.

     "Beneficial Owner" (including the terms "Beneficially Own" and "Beneficial
Ownership"), when used with respect to any Person, shall be deemed to include
any securities which:

     (a)  such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
          beneficially owns, directly or indirectly (determined as provided in
          Rule 13d-3, as in effect on the effective date of this Plan, under the
          Exchange Act);

     (b)  such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates, directly
          or indirectly, has:

     (i)  the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or
     only after the passage of time or upon the satisfaction of any conditions,
     or both) pursuant to any written or oral otherwise; provided, however, that
     a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially
     Own securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or
     on securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or agreement,
     arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and
     among underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide
     public offering of securities), upon the exercise of any options, warrants,
     rights or conversion or exchange privileges or of such Person or any of
     such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered

     (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any written or oral agreement,
     arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be
     deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, any security
     otherwise subject to this item (ii) if such agreement, arrangement or
     understanding to vote (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
     given to such Person or any of such Affiliates or Associates in response to
     a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant

<PAGE>
 
     to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the
     Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule
     13D (or any comparable or successor report then in effect) under the
     Exchange Act; or
 
     (iii) the right to dispose of pursuant to any written or oral agreement,
           arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with
           and among underwriters and selling group members with respect to a
           bona fide public offering of securities); or

     (c)   are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person
           with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
           Associates has any written or oral agreement, arrangement or
           understanding (other than customary agreements with and among
           underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide
           public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
           voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to item (ii)
           of subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of this definition) or
           disposing of any securities of the Company.

     Notwithstanding the first paragraph of this definition, no director or
officer of the Company shall be deemed to be the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to
"Beneficially Own," shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company
beneficially owned by any other director or officer of the Company solely as a
result of his or her being a director or officer of the Company.

     "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

     "Bonus Stock" shall mean shares of Common Stock which are not subject to a
Restriction Period or Performance Measures.

     "Bonus Stock Award" shall mean an award of Bonus Stock under this Plan.

     "Cause" shall mean any act of dishonesty, commission of a felony,
significant activities harmful to the reputation of the Company, refusal to
perform or substantial disregard of duties properly assigned or significant
violation of any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to the Company.

     "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.8(b).

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Committee" shall mean the Committee designated by the Board, consisting of
two or more members of the Board, each of whom shall be (a) a "Non-Employee
Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (b) an
"outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to
any transition rules applicable to the definition of outside director.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.001 par value, of the
Company.

     "Company" has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.

     "Directors Options" shall have the meaning set forth 
in Section 5.1.

     "Directors Restricted Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in 
Section 5.1.

     "Disability" shall mean the inability of the holder of an award to perform
substantially such holder's duties and responsibilities for a continuous period
of at least six months, as determined solely by the Committee.

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

                                     -31-
<PAGE>
 
     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "Exempt Person" shall mean each of Christopher C. Multhauf and David W.
Mulligan and each Affiliate thereof.

     "Fair Market Value" shall mean the average of the high and low transaction
prices of a share of Common Stock as reported in the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation National Market System on the date as of
which such value is being determined, or, if the Common Stock is listed on a
national securities exchange, the average of the high and low transaction prices
of a share of Common Stock on the principal national stock exchange on which the
Common Stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined,
or, if there shall be no reported transactions for such date, on the next
preceding date for which transactions were reported; provided, however, that if
Fair Market Value for any date cannot be so determined, Fair Market Value shall
be determined by the Committee by whatever means or method as the Committee, in
the good faith exercise of its discretion, shall at such time deem appropriate.

     "Free-Standing SAR" shall mean an SAR which is not issued in tandem with,
or by reference to, an option, which entitles the holder thereof to receive,
upon exercise, shares of Common Stock (which may be Restricted Stock), cash or a
combination thereof with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair
Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the base
price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of such SARs which are exercised.

     "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option to purchase shares of Common
Stock that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor
provision, which is intended by the Committee to constitute an Incentive Stock
Option.

     "Incumbent Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.8(b)(2)
hereof.

     "Independent Contractor" shall mean a consultant, advisor, agent or other
independent contractor which performs services for the Company or its
Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, dentist consultants, dentist
advisors, dentist providers and insurance agents.

     "Mature Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock for which the holder
thereof has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances and which
such holder either (a) has held for at least six months or (b) has purchased on
the open market.

     "Non-Employee Director" shall mean any director of the Company who is not
an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary (except in the
definition of Committee, in which case "Non-Employee Director" shall have the
meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act).

     "Non-Statutory Stock Option" shall mean a stock option which is not an
Incentive Stock Option.

     "Performance Measures" shall mean the criteria and objectives, established
by the Committee, which shall be satisfied or met (a) as a condition to the
exercisability of all or a portion of an option or SAR or (b) during the
applicable Restriction Period or Performance Period as a condition to the
holder's receipt, in the case of a Restricted Stock Award, of the shares of
Common Stock subject to such award, or, in the case of a Performance Share
Award, of payment with respect to such award. Such criteria and objectives may
include, but are not limited to, the attainment by a share of Common Stock of a
specified Fair Market Value for a specified period of time, earnings per share,
return on equity, earnings of the Company, revenues, market share, cash flows or
cost reduction goals, or any combination of the foregoing and any other criteria
and objectives established by the Committee.

     "Performance Period" shall mean any period designated by the Committee
during which the Performance Measures applicable to a Performance Share Award
shall be measured.

                                     -32-
<PAGE>
 
     "Performance Share" shall mean a right, contingent upon the attainment of
specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period, to receive
one share of Common Stock, which may be Restricted Stock, or in lieu thereof,
the Fair Market Value of such Performance Share in cash.

     "Performance Share Award" shall mean an award of Performance Shares under
this Plan.

     "Permanent and Total Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code or any successor thereto.

     "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or other
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of any of the
forgoing.

     "Restricted Stock" shall mean shares of Common Stock which are subject to a
Restriction Period.

     "Restricted Stock Award" shall mean an award of Restricted Stock under this
Plan.

     "Restriction Period" shall mean any period designated by the Committee
during which the Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may not be
sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or
disposed of, except as provided in this Plan or the Agreement relating to such
award.

     "SAR" shall mean a stock appreciation right which may be a Free-Standing
SAR or a Tandem SAR.

     "Stock Award" shall mean a Restricted Stock Award or a Bonus Stock Award.
 
     "Tandem SAR" shall mean an SAR which is granted in tandem with, or by
reference to, an option (including a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted prior to
the date of grant of the SAR), which entitles the holder thereof to receive,
upon exercise of such SAR and surrender for cancellation of all or a portion of
such option, shares of Common Stock (which may be Restricted Stock), cash or a
combination thereof with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair
Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the base
price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
such option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered.

     "Tax Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.

     "Ten Percent Holder" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

     1.3  Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Any
one or a combination of the following awards may be made under this Plan to
eligible persons: (a) options to purchase shares of Common Stock in the form of
Incentive Stock Options or Non-Statutory Stock Options, (b) SARs in the form of
Tandem SARs or Free-Standing SARs, (C) Stock Awards in the form of Restricted
Stock or Bonus Stock and (d) Performance Shares. The Committee shall, subject to
the terms of this Plan, select eligible persons for participation in this Plan
and determine the form, amount and timing of each award to such persons and, if
applicable, the number of shares of Common Stock, the number of SARs and the
number of Performance Shares subject to such an award, the exercise price or
base price associated with the award, the time and conditions of exercise or
settlement of the award and all other terms and conditions of the award,
including, without limitation, the form of the Agreement evidencing the award.
The Committee shall, subject to the terms of this Plan, interpret this Plan and
the application thereof, establish rules and regulations it deems necessary or
desirable for the administration of this Plan and may impose, incidental to the
grant of an award, conditions with respect to the award, such as limiting
competitive employment or other activities. All such interpretations, rules,
regulations and conditions shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

     The Committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority hereunder
to the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or other executive
officer of the Company as the Committee deems

                                     -33-
<PAGE>
 
appropriate; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its power
and authority with regard to (a) the grant of an award under this Plan to any
person who is a "covered employee" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code or who, in the Committee's judgment, is likely to be a covered employee at
any time during the period an award hereunder to such employee would be
outstanding or (b) the selection for participation in this Plan of an officer or
other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or decisions concerning
the timing, pricing or amount of an award to such an officer or other person.

     No member of the Board of Directors or Committee, and neither the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer nor any other executive officer to whom
the Committee delegates any of its power and authority hereunder, shall be
liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made
in connection with this Plan in good faith, and the members of the Board of
Directors and the Committee and the President and Chief Executive Officer or
other executive officer shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement
by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including
attorneys' fees) arising therefrom to the full extent permitted by law, except
as otherwise may be provided in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
and/or By-laws, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, and
under any directors' and officers' liability insurance that may be in effect
from time to time.

     A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of the
Committee shall be either (a) acts of a majority of the members of the Committee
present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or (b) acts approved in
writing by a majority of the members of the Committee without a meeting.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any grants of awards to a
Non-Employee Director (not including awards under Article V) shall be null and
void unless such awards and all terms thereof are approved in advance by the
Board.

     1.4  Eligibility. Participants in this Plan shall consist of such
directors, officers or other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
and such Independent Contractors, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
select from time to time. The Committee's selection of a person to participate
in this Plan at any time shall not require the Committee to select such person
to participate in this Plan at any other time. Non-Employee Directors shall also
be eligible to participate in this Plan in accordance with Article V.

     1.5  Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 6.7
and 6.8, 350,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available under this Plan,
reduced by the sum of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (a) that
are issued upon the grant of a Stock Award and (b) which become subject to
outstanding options, including Directors' Options, outstanding Free-Standing
SARs and outstanding Performance Shares. To the extent that shares of Common
Stock subject to an outstanding option (other than in connection with the
exercise of a Tandem SAR), Free-Standing SAR or Performance Share are not issued
or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or
forfeiture of such award or by reason of the delivery or withholding of shares
of Common Stock to pay all or a portion of the exercise price of an award, if
any, or to satisfy all or a portion of the tax withholding obligations relating
to an award, then such shares of Common Stock shall again be available under
this Plan.

     Shares of Common Stock to be delivered under this Plan shall be made
available from authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, or authorized and
issued shares of Common Stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or
otherwise or a combination thereof.

               II.  STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     2.1  Stock Options. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant options to
purchase shares of Common Stock to such eligible persons as may be selected by
the Committee. Each option, or portion thereof, that is not an Incentive Stock
Option, shall be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. Each Incentive Stock Option shall
be granted within ten years of the effective date of this Plan. To the extent
that the aggregate Fair Market Value

                                     -34-
<PAGE>
 
(determined as of the date of grant) of shares of Common Stock with respect to
which options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by a participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any
other plan of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds the amount
(currently $100,000) established by the Code, such options shall constitute Non-
Statutory Stock Options. The Committee may not grant an Incentive Stock Option
to an Independent Contractor or a Non-Employee Director.

     Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall
contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of
this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:

     (a)  Number of Shares and Purchase Price. The number of shares of Common
Stock subject to an option shall be determined by the Committee, except that the
Committee shall not grant an option or SAR (or any combination of options and
SARs) in any calendar year to any eligible person which, in the aggregate, gives
such person an option or SAR (or any combination of options and SARs) to
purchase more than 62,500 shares of Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to
Section 6.7). The purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise of the option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however,
that the purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of
an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant of such option; provided further, that if an
Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who, at the time such
option is granted, owns capital stock possessing more than ten percent of the
total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company (or
of any parent or Subsidiary) (a "Ten Percent Holder"), the purchase price per
share of Common Stock shall be the price (currently 110% of Fair Market Value)
required by the Code in order to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.

     (b)  Option Period and Exercisability. The period during which an option
may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that
no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercised later than ten years after its date
of grant; provided further, that if an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted
to a Ten Percent Holder, such option shall not be exercised later than five
years after its date of grant. The Committee may, in its discretion, establish
Performance Measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant
of an option or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an option. The
Committee shall determine whether an option shall become exercisable in
cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time. An
exercisable option, or portion thereof, may be exercised only with respect to
whole shares of Common Stock.

     (c)  Method of Exercise. An option may be exercised (i) by giving written
notice to the Company specifying the number of whole shares of Common Stock to
be purchased and accompanied by payment therefor in full (or arrangement made
for such payment to the Company's satisfaction) either (1) in cash, (2) by
delivery of Mature Shares having a Fair Market Value, determined as of the date
of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price payable by reason of such
exercise, (3) by authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Common
Stock which would otherwise be delivered upon exercise of the option having a
Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate
purchase price payable by reason of such exercise, (4) in cash by a broker-
dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an
irrevocable notice of exercise or (5) a combination of (1), (2) and (3), in each
case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the option, (ii) if
applicable, by surrendering to the Company any Tandem SARs which are cancelled
by reason of the exercise of the option and (iii) by executing such documents as
the Company may reasonably request. The Committee shall have sole discretion to
disapprove of an election pursuant to any of clauses (2)-(5) and in the case of
an optionee who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Company may
require that the method of making such payment be in compliance with Section 16
and the rules and regulations thereunder. Any fraction of a share of Common
Stock which would be required to pay such purchase price shall be disregarded
and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the optionee. No
certificate representing Common Stock shall be delivered until the full purchase
price therefor has been paid.

     (d)  Additional Options. The Committee shall have the authority to include
in any Agreement relating to an option a provision entitling the optionee to an
additional option in the event such optionee exercises the option represented by
such option agreement, in whole or in part, by delivering previously owned whole

                                     -35-
<PAGE>
 
shares of Common Stock in payment of the purchase price in accordance with this
Plan and such Agreement. Any such additional option shall be for a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the number of delivered shares, shall have a
purchase price determined by the Committee in accordance with this Plan, shall
be exercisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Agreement relating to such additional option.

     2.2 Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant
SARs to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee. The Agreement
relating to an SAR shall specify whether the SAR is a Tandem SAR or a Free-
Standing SAR.

     SARs shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall
contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of
this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:

     (a) Number of SARs and Base Price. The number of SARs subject to an award
shall be determined by the Committee, except that the Committee shall not grant
an option or SAR (or any combination of options and SARs) in any calendar year
to any eligible person which, in the aggregate, gives such person an option or
SAR (or any combination of options and SARs) to purchase more than 62,500 shares
of Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 6.7). Any Tandem SAR
related to an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted at the same time that such
Incentive Stock Option is granted. The base price of a Tandem SAR shall be the
purchase price per share of Common Stock of the related option. The base price
of a Free-Standing SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however,
that such base price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a
share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such SAR.

     (b) Exercise Period and Exercisability. The Agreement relating to an award
of SARs shall specify whether such award may be settled in shares of Common
Stock (including shares of Restricted Stock) or cash or a combination thereof.
The period for the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by the Committee;
provided, however, that no Tandem SAR shall be exercised later than the
expiration, cancellation, forfeiture or other termination of the related option.
The Committee may, in its discretion, establish Performance Measures which shall
be satisfied or met as a condition to the exercisability of an SAR. The
Committee shall determine whether an SAR may be exercised in cumulative or non-
cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time. An exercisable SAR,
or portion thereof, may be exercised, in the case of a Tandem SAR, only with
respect to whole shares of Common Stock and, in the case of a Free-Standing SAR,
only with respect to a whole number of SARs. If an SAR is exercised for shares
of Restricted Stock, a certificate or certificates representing such Restricted
Stock shall be issued in accordance with Section 3.2(c) and the holder of such
Restricted Stock shall have such rights of a stockholder of the Company as
determined pursuant to Section 3.2(d). Prior to the exercise of an SAR for
shares of Common Stock, including Restricted Stock, the holder of such SAR shall
have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares of
Common Stock subject to such SAR and shall have rights as a stockholder of the
Company in accordance with Section 6.10.

     (c) Method of Exercise. A Tandem SAR may be exercised (i) by giving written
notice to the Company specifying the number of whole SARs which are being
exercised, (ii) by surrendering to the Company any options which are cancelled
by reason of the exercise of the Tandem SAR and (iii) by executing such
documents as the Company may reasonably request. A Free-Standing SAR may be
exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the whole
number of SARs which are being exercised and (ii) by executing such documents as
the Company may reasonably request.

     2.3  Termination of Employment or Service with the Company.

     (a) Disability. Subject to paragraph (f) below and Section 6.8, and unless
otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option or SAR, as the case
may be, if the employment or service with the Company of the holder of an option
or SAR terminates by reason of Disability, each option and SAR held by such
holder shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option or SAR, as the
case may be, is exercisable on the effective date of such holder's termination
of employment or service and may thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such
holder's legal representative or similar person) until and including the
earliest to occur of (i) the date which is

                                     -36-
<PAGE>
 
three months (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to
such option or SAR) after the effective date of such holder's termination of
employment or service and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option or
SAR.

     (b) Retirement. Subject to paragraph (f) below and Section 6.8, and unless
otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option or SAR, as the case
may be, if the employment or service with the Company of the holder of an option
or SAR terminates by reason of retirement on or after age 65 with the consent of
the Company, each option and SAR held by such holder shall be exercisable only
to the extent that such option or SAR, as the case may be, is exercisable on the
effective date of such holder's termination of employment or service and may
thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such holder's legal representative or
similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which
is three months (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to
such option or SAR) after the effective date of such holder's termination of
employment or service and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option or
SAR.

     (c) Death. Subject to paragraph (f) below and Section 6.8, and unless
otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option or SAR, as the case
may be, if the employment or service with the Company of the holder of an option
or SAR terminates by reason of death, each option and SAR held by such holder
shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option or SAR, as the case may
be, is exercisable on the date of such holder's death, and may thereafter be
exercised by such holder's executor, administrator, legal representative,
beneficiary or similar person, as the case may be, until and including the
earliest to occur of (I) the date which is one year (or such other period as set
forth in the Agreement relating to such option or SAR) after the date of death
and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option or SAR.

     (d) Other Termination. If the employment or service with the Company of the
holder of an option or SAR is terminated by the Company for Cause, each option
and SAR held by such holder shall terminate automatically on the effective date
of such holder's termination of employment or service.

     Subject to paragraph (f) below and Section 6.8, and unless specified in the
Agreement relating to an option or SAR, as the case may be, if the employment or
service with the Company of the holder of an option or SAR terminates for any
reason other than Disability, retirement on or after age 65 with the consent of
the Company, death or Cause, each option and SAR held by such holder shall be
exercisable only to the extent that such option or SAR is exercisable on the
effective date of such holder's termination of employment or service and may
thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such holder's legal representative or
similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (I) the date which
is three months (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to
such option or SAR) after the effective date of such holder's termination of
employment or service and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option or
SAR.

     (e) Death Following Termination of Employment or Service. Subject to
paragraph (f) below and Section 6.8, and unless otherwise specified in the
Agreement relating to an option or SAR, as the case may be, if the holder of an
option or SAR dies during the three-month period following termination of
employment or service by reason of Disability, or if the holder of an option or
SAR dies during the three-month period following termination of employment or
service by reason of retirement on or after age 65 with the consent of the
Company, or if the holder of an option or SAR dies during the three-month period
following termination of employment or service for any reason other than
Disability or retirement on or after age 65 with the consent of the Company (or,
in each case, such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such
option or SAR), each option and SAR held by such holder shall be fully
exercisable and may thereafter be exercised by the holder's executor,
administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar person, as the case
may be, until and including the earliest to occur of (I) the date which is one
year (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option
or SAR) after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such
option or SAR.

     (f) Termination of Employment or Service - Incentive Stock Options. Subject
to Section 6.8 and unless otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to the
option, if the employment or service with the Company of a holder of an
incentive stock option terminates by reason of Permanent and Total Disability
(as defined in

                                     -37-
<PAGE>
 
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), each incentive stock option held by such optionee
shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable on the
effective date of such optionee's termination of employment or service by reason
of Permanent and Total Disability, and may thereafter be exercised by such
optionee (or such optionee's legal representative or similar person) until and
including the earliest to occur of (I) the date which is three months (or such
other period no longer than one year as set forth in the Agreement relating to
such option) after the effective date of such optionee's termination of
employment or service by reason of Permanent and Total Disability and (ii) the
expiration date of the term of such option.

     Subject to Section 6.8 and unless otherwise specified in the Agreement
relating to the option, if the employment or service with the Company of a
holder of an incentive stock option terminates by reason of death, each
incentive stock option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the
extent that such option is exercisable on the date of such optionee's death and
may thereafter be exercised by such optionee's executor, administrator, legal
representative, beneficiary or similar person until and including the earliest
to occur of (I) the date which is one year (or such shorter period as set forth
in the Agreement relating to such option)after the date of death and (ii) the
expiration date of the term of such option.

     If the employment or service with the Company of the optionee of an
Incentive Stock Option is terminated by the Company for Cause, each Incentive
Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate automatically on the
effective date of such optionee's termination of employment or service.

     If the employment or service with the Company of a holder of an incentive
stock option terminates for any reason other than Permanent and Total
Disability, death or Cause, each incentive stock option held by such optionee
shall be exercisable only to the extent such option is exercisable on the
effective date of such optionee's termination of employment or service, and may
thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such holder's legal representative or
similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (I) the date which
is three months after the effective date of such optionee's termination of
employment or service and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

     If the holder of an incentive stock option dies during the three-month
period following termination of employment or service by reason of Permanent and
Total Disability (or such shorter period as set forth in the Agreement relating
to such option), or if the holder of an incentive stock option dies during the
three-month period following termination of employment or service for any reason
other than Permanent and Total Disability, death or Cause, each incentive stock
option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent such option
is exercisable on the date of the optionee's death and may thereafter be
exercised by the optionee's executor, administrator, legal representative,
beneficiary or similar person until and including the earliest to occur of (I)
the date which is one year (or such shorter period as set forth in the Agreement
relating to such option) after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of
the term of such option.

     2.4 Termination of Independent Contractor. Not-withstanding anything to the
contrary herein, all of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or
other disposition of an option or SAR upon a termination of an Independent
Contractor, whether by reason of Disability, retirement, death, Cause or other
termination, shall be determined by the Committee. Such determination shall be
made at the time of the grant of such option or SAR, as the case may be, and
shall be specified in the Agreement relating to such option or SAR.

                               III.  STOCK AWARDS

     3.1 Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Awards
to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee. Subject to
adjustment as provided in Sections 6.7 and 6.8 of this Plan, the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock available under this Plan pursuant to all Stock
Awards shall not exceed 50,000 of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
available under this Plan. The Agreement relating to a Stock Award shall specify
whether the Stock Award is a Restricted Stock Award or Bonus Stock Award.

                                     -38-
<PAGE>
 
     3.2 Terms of Stock Awards. Stock Awards shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.

     (a) Number of Shares and Other Terms. The number of shares of Common Stock
subject to a Restricted Stock Award or Bonus Stock Award and the Performance
Measures (if any) and Restriction Period applicable to a Restricted Stock Award
shall be determined by the Committee.

     (b) Vesting and Forfeiture. The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock
Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its
discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Plan, for the vesting of the
shares of Common Stock subject to such award (i) if specified Performance
Measures are satisfied or met during the specified Restriction Period or (ii) if
the holder of such award remains continuously in the employment or service of
the Company during the specified Restricted Period and for the forfeiture of the
shares of Common Stock subject to such award (x) if specified Performance
Measures are not satisfied or met during the specified Restriction Period or (y)
if the holder of such award does not remain continuously in the employment or
service of the Company during the specified Restriction Period.

     Bonus Stock Awards shall not be subject to any Performance Measures or
Restriction Periods.

     (c) Share Certificates. During the Restriction Period, a certificate or
certificates representing a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the
holder's name and may bear a legend, in addition to any legend which may be
required pursuant to Section 6.6, indicating that the ownership of the shares of
Common Stock represented by such certificate is subject to the restrictions,
terms and conditions of this Plan and the Agreement relating to the Restricted
Stock Award. All such certificates shall be deposited with the Company, together
with stock powers or other instruments of assignment (including a power of
attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed
necessary or appropriate, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a
portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award in
the event such award is forfeited in whole or in part. Upon termination of any
applicable Restriction Period (and the satisfaction or attainment of applicable
Performance Measures), or upon the grant of a Bonus Stock Award, in each case
subject to the Company's right to require payment of any taxes in accordance
with Section 6.5, a certificate or certificates evidencing ownership of the
requisite number of shares of Common Stock shall be delivered to the holder of
such award.

     (d) Rights with Respect to Restricted Stock Awards. Unless otherwise set
forth in the Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, and subject to the
terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, the holder of such award shall
have all rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, but not limited to,
voting rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to participate in
any capital adjustment applicable to all holders of Common Stock; provided,
however, that a distribution with respect to shares of Common Stock, other than
a distribution in cash, shall be deposited with the Company and shall be subject
to the same restrictions as the shares of Common Stock with respect to which
such distribution was made.

     3.3  Termination of Employment or Service.

     (a) Disability, Retirement and Death. Subject to Section 6.8 and unless
otherwise set forth in the Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, if
the employment or service with the Company of the holder of such award
terminates by reason of Disability, retirement on or after age 65 with the
consent of the Company or death, the portion of such award which is subject to a
Restriction Period shall terminate as of the effective date of such holder's
termination of employment or service shall be forfeited and such portion shall
be cancelled by the Company.

     (b) Other Termination. Subject to Section 6.8 and unless otherwise set
forth in the Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, if the employment
or service with the Company of the holder of a Restricted Stock Award terminates
for any reason other than Disability, retirement on or after age 65 with the
consent of the

                                     -39-
<PAGE>
 
Company or death, the portion of such award which is subject to a Restriction
Period on the effective date of such holder's termination of employment or
service shall be forfeited and such portion shall be cancelled by the Company.

     3.4  Termination of Independent Contractor. Not-withstanding anything to
the contrary herein, all of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or
other disposition of a Restricted Stock Award upon a termination of an
Independent Contractor, whether by reason of Disability, retirement, death,
Cause or other termination, shall be determined by the Committee. Such
determination shall be made at the time of the grant of such Restricted Stock
Award, and shall be specified in the Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock
Award.

                         IV.  PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS

     4.1  Performance Share Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant
Performance Share Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the
Committee.

     4.2  Terms of Performance Share Awards. Performance Share Awards shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional
terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the
Committee shall deem advisable.

     (a)  Number of Performance Shares and Performance Measures. The number of
Performance Shares subject to any award and the Performance Measures and
Performance Period applicable to such award shall be determined by the
Committee.

     (b)  Vesting and Forfeiture. The Agreement relating to a Performance Share
Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its
discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Plan, for the vesting of such
award, if specified Performance Measures are satisfied or met during the
specified Performance Period, and for the forfeiture of such award, if specified
Performance Measures are not satisfied or met during the specified Performance
Period.

     (c)  Settlement of Vested Performance Share Awards. The Agreement relating
to a Performance Share Award (i) shall specify whether such award may be settled
in shares of Common Stock (including shares of Restricted Stock) or cash or a
combination thereof and (ii) may specify whether the holder thereof shall be
entitled to receive, on a current or deferred basis, dividend equivalents, and,
if determined by the Committee, interest on any deferred dividend equivalents,
with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such award. If a
Performance Share Award is settled in shares of Restricted Stock, a certificate
or certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be issued in accordance
with Section 3.2(c) and the holder of such Restricted Stock shall have such
rights of a stockholder of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 3.2(d).
Prior to the settlement of a Performance Share Award in shares of Common Stock,
including Restricted Stock, the holder of such award shall have no rights as a
stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to
such award.

     4.3  Termination of Employment or Service.

     (a)  Disability, Retirement and Death. Subject to Section 6.8 and unless
otherwise set forth in the Agreement relating to a Performance Share Award, if
the employment or service with the Company of the holder of such award
terminates by reason of Disability, retirement on or after age 65 with the
consent of the Company or death, the portion of such award which is subject to a
Performance Period on the effective date of such holder's termination of
employment or service shall be forfeited and such portion shall be cancelled by
the Company.

     (b)  Other Termination. Subject to Section 6.8 and unless otherwise set
forth in the Agreement relating to a Performance Share Award, if the employment
or service with the Company of the holder of a Performance Share Award
terminates for any reason other than Disability, retirement on or after age 65
with the

                                     -40-
<PAGE>
 
consent of the Company or death, the portion of such award which is subject to a
Performance Period on the effective date of such holder's termination of
employment or service shall be forfeited and such portion shall be cancelled by
the Company.

     4.4  Termination of Independent Contractor. Not-withstanding anything to
the contrary herein, all of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or
other disposition of a Performance Share Award upon a termination of an
Independent Contractor, whether by reason of Disability, retirement, death,
Cause or other termination, shall be determined by the Committee. Such
determination shall be made at the time of the grant of such Performance Share
Award, and shall be specified in the Agreement relating to such Performance
Share Award.

               V.  PROVISIONS RELATING TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

     5.1  Eligibility. Each Non-Employee Director shall be granted options to
purchase shares of Common Stock in accordance with this Article V ("Director
Options"). All options granted under this Article V shall constitute Non-
Statutory Stock Options.

     5.2  Grants of Stock Options. Each Non-Employee Director shall be granted
Non-Statutory Stock Options as follows:

     (a)  Initial Public Offering. On the date of the initial public offering by
the Company, each person who is a Non-Employee Director immediately after such
initial public offering or meeting of stockholders (other than any Non-Employee
Director who is expected to resign in connection with the Company's initial
public offering) shall be granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Common
Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant of such option.

     (b)  Annual Meeting. On the date of each annual meeting of stockholders of
the Company, each person who is a Non-Employee Director immediately after such
annual meeting of stockholders shall be granted an option to purchase 1,000
shares of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such option.

     (c)  New Non-Employee Directors. In addition, following the initial public
offering of the Company, on the date on which a person is first elected or
begins to serve as a Non-Employee Director (other than by reason of termination
of employment or service) shall be granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares
of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the Fair Market Value of
a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such option.

     (d)  Option Period and Exercisability. Except as otherwise provided herein,
each option granted under this Article V shall become exercisable in full on the
first to occur of (I) the day before the Company's annual meeting of
stockholders next following the date of grant or (ii) the first anniversary of
its date of grant. Each option granted under this Article V shall expire ten
years after its date of grant. An exercisable option, or portion thereof, may be
exercised in whole or in part only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock.
Options granted under this Article V shall be exercisable in accordance with
Section 2.1(c).

     5.3  Termination of Directorship.

     (a)  Disability. Subject to Section 6.8, if the holder of an option granted
under this Article V ceases to be a director of the Company by reason of
Disability, each such option held by such holder shall be exercisable only to
the extent that such option is exercisable on the effective date of such
holder's ceasing to be a director and may thereafter be exercised by such holder
(or such holder's guardian, legal representative or similar person) until the
earliest to occur of the (i) date which is three months after the effective date
of such holder's ceasing to be a director and (ii) the expiration date of the
term of such option.

                                     -41-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  Retirement. Subject to Section 6.8, if the holder of an option granted
under this Article V ceases to be a director of the Company on or after age 65,
each such option held by such holder shall be exercisable only to the extent
that such option is exercisable on the effective date of such holder's ceasing
to be a director and may thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such
holder's legal representative or similar person) until the earliest to occur of
the (i) date which is three months after the effective date of such holder's
ceasing to be a director and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such
option.

     (c)  Death. Subject to Section 6.8, if the holder of an option granted
under this Article V ceases to be a director of the Company by reason of death,
each such option held by such holder shall be fully exercisable and may
thereafter be exercised by such holder's executor, administrator, legal
representative, beneficiary or similar person, as the case may be, until the
earliest to occur of the (i) date which is one year after the date of death and
(ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

     (d)  Other Termination. Subject to Section 6.8, if the holder of an option
granted under this Article V ceases to be a director of the Company for any
reason other than Disability, retirement on or after age 65 or death, each such
option held by such holder shall be exercisable only to the extent such option
is exercisable on the effective date of such holder's ceasing to be a director
and may thereafter be exercised by such holder (or such holder's legal
representative or similar person) until the earliest to occur of the (i) date
which is three months after the effective date of such holder's ceasing to be a
director and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

     (e)  Death Following Termination of Directorship. Subject to Section 6.8,
if the holder of an option granted under this Article V dies during the three-
month period following such holder's ceasing to be a director of the Company by
reason of Disability, or if such a holder dies during the three-month period
following such holder's ceasing to be a director of the Company on or after age
65, or if such a holder dies during the three-month period following such
holder's ceasing to be a director for any reason other than by reason of
Disability or retirement on or after age 65, each such option held by such
holder shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable
on the date of the holder's death and may thereafter be exercised by the
holder's executor, administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar
person, as the case may be, until the earliest to occur of the (i) date one year
after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

                                 VI.  GENERAL

     6.1  Effective Date and Term of Plan. This Plan shall be submitted to the
stockholders of the Company for approval and, if approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote thereon, shall become effective as of the commencement
of the initial public offering of the Company. This Plan shall terminate ten
years after its effective date unless terminated earlier by the Board.
Termination of this Plan shall not affect the terms or conditions of any award
granted prior to termination.

     Awards hereunder may be made at any time prior to the termination of this
Plan, provided that no award may be made later than ten years after the
effective date of this Plan. In the event that this Plan is not approved by the
stockholders of the Company, this Plan and any awards hereunder shall be void
and of no force or effect.

     6.2  Amendments. The Board may amend this Plan as it shall deem advisable,
subject to any requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law,
rule or regulation including Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and Section
162(m) of the Code; provided, however, that no amendment shall be made without
stockholder approval if such amendment would (a) increase the maximum number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan (subject to
Section 6.7), (b) reduce the minimum purchase price in the case of an option or
the base price in the case of an SAR, (c) effect any change inconsistent with
Section 422 of the Code or (d) extend the term of this Plan. No amendment may
impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding award without the consent of
such holder.

                                     -42-
<PAGE>
 
     6.3  Agreement. Each award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an
Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to such award. No
award shall be valid until an Agreement is executed by the Company and the
recipient of such award and, upon execution by each party and delivery of the
Agreement to the Company, such award shall be effective as of the effective date
set forth in the Agreement.

     6.4  Non-Transferability of Stock Options, SARs and Performance Shares. No
option, SAR or Performance Share shall be transferable other than (i) by will,
the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to beneficiary designation
procedures approved by the Company or (ii) as otherwise permitted under Rule 
16b-3 under the Exchange Act as set forth in the Agreement relating to such
award. Each option, SAR or Performance Share may be exercised or settled during
the participant's lifetime only by the holder or the holder's legal
representative or similar person. Except as permitted by the second preceding
sentence, no option, SAR or Performance Share may be sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar
process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate,
encumber or otherwise dispose of any option, SAR or Performance Share, such
award and all rights thereunder shall immediately become null and void.

     6.5  Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to require, prior to
the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock or the payment of any
cash pursuant to an award made hereunder, payment by the holder of such award of
any Federal, state, local or other taxes which may be required to be withheld or
paid in connection with such award. An Agreement may provide that (i) the
Company shall withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be
delivered to a holder, having an aggregate Fair Market Value determined as of
the date the obligation to withhold or pay taxes arises in connection with an
award (the "Tax Date"), or withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be
payable to a holder, in the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation or
(ii) the holder may satisfy any such obligation by any of the following means:
(1) a cash payment to the Company, (2) delivery to the Company of Mature Shares
having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to
the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation, (3) authorizing the Company
to withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered
having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, or
withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be payable to a holder, equal
to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation, (4) in the case of the
exercise of an option, a cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the
Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or
(5) any combination of (1), (2) and (3), in each case to the extent set forth in
the Agreement relating to the award; provided, however, that the Committee shall
have sole discretion to disapprove of an election pursuant to any of clauses 
(2)-(5) and that in the case of a holder who is subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, the Company may require that the method of satisfying such an
obligation be in compliance with Section 16 and the rules and regulations
thereunder. An Agreement may provide for shares of Common Stock to be delivered
or withheld having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of the minimum
amount required to be withheld. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which
would be required to satisfy such an obligation shall be disregarded and the
remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the holder.

     6.6  Restrictions on Shares. Each award made hereunder shall be subject to
the requirement that if at any time the Company determines that the listing,
registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to such
award upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval
of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action is necessary or
desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the delivery of shares
thereunder, such shares shall not be delivered unless such listing,
registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action shall have been
effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. The
Company may require that certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock
delivered pursuant to any award made hereunder bear a legend indicating that the
sale, transfer or other disposition thereof by the holder is prohibited except
in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.

     6.7  Adjustment. Except as provided in Section 6.8, in the event of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other
similar change in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of
Common Stock other than a

                                     -43-
<PAGE>
 
regular cash dividend, the number and class of securities available under this
Plan, the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding option and
the purchase price per security, the number of securities subject to each option
to be granted to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Article V, the terms of each
outstanding SAR, the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding
Stock Award, and the terms of each outstanding Performance Share shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Committee, such adjustments to be made in the case
of outstanding options and SARs without an increase in the aggregate purchase
price or base price. The decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustment
shall be final, binding and conclusive. If any such adjustment would result in a
fractional security being (a) available under this Plan, such fractional
security shall be disregarded, or (b) subject to an award under this Plan, the
Company shall pay the holder of such award, in connection with the first
vesting, exercise or settlement of such award, in whole or in part, occurring
after such adjustment, an amount in cash determined by multiplying (i) the
fraction of such security (rounded to the nearest hundredth) by (ii) the excess,
if any, of (1) the Fair Market Value on the vesting, exercise or settlement date
over (2) the exercise or base price, if any, of such award.

     6.8  Change in Control.

          (a)  (i)  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan or any Agreement
     (other than an Agreement with an Independent Contractor), in the event of a
     Change in Control pursuant to Section (b)(iii) or (iv) below, (1) all
     outstanding options and SARS shall immediately become exercisable in full,
     (2) the Restriction Period applicable to any outstanding Restricted Stock
     Award shall lapse, (3) the Performance Period applicable to any outstanding
     Performance Share shall lapse and (4) the Performance Measures applicable
     to any outstanding Restricted Stock Award (if any) and to any outstanding
     Performance Share shall be deemed to be satisfied at the maximum level. If,
     in connection with such Change in Control, holders of Common Stock receive
     solely shares of common stock that are registered under Section 12 of the
     Exchange Act, there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock
     available under this Plan, whether or not then subject to an outstanding
     award, the number and class of shares into which each outstanding share of
     Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to such Change in Control. If, in
     connection with such Change in Control, holders of Common Stock receive
     solely cash and shares of common stock that are registered under Section 12
     of the Exchange Act, each outstanding award shall be surrendered to and
     canceled by the Company, and the holder shall receive, within ten days of
     the occurrence of such Change in Control, a proportionate amount of cash in
     the manner provided in Section (a)(ii) below, and there shall be
     substituted for the award surrendered a similar award reflecting a
     proportionate number of the class of shares into which each outstanding
     share of Common Stock shall be converted to such Change in Control. In the
     event of any such substitution, the proportion of cash and common stock,
     the purchase price per share in the case of an option and the base price in
     the case of an SAR, and any other terms of outstanding awards shall be
     appropriately adjusted by the Committee, such adjustments to be made in the
     case of outstanding options and SARs without an increase in the aggregate
     purchase price or base price; provided, that the proportion of cash and
     common stock substituted for outstanding awards shall reflect the
     approximate proportion of cash and common stock received by holders of
     Common Stock in such Change in Control. If, in connection with a Change in
     Control, holders of Common Stock receive any portion of the consideration
     in a form other than cash or shares of common stock that are registered
     under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, each share of Common Stock available
     under this Plan, whether or not then subject to an outstanding award, shall
     be substituted or surrendered for such proportion of common stock, cash or
     other consideration as shall be determined by the Committee pursuant to
     Section 6.7.

               (ii) Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan or any Agreement
     (other than an Agreement with an Independent Contractor), in the event of a
     Change in Control pursuant to Section (b)(I) or (ii) below, or in the event
     of a Change in Control pursuant to Section (b)(iii) or (iv) below in
     connection with which the holders of Common Stock receive cash, each
     outstanding award shall be surrendered to the Company by the holder
     thereof, and each such award shall immediately be canceled by the Company,
     and the holder shall receive, within ten days of the occurrence of a Change
     in Control pursuant to Section (b)(I) or (ii) below or within ten days of
     the approval of the stockholders of the Company contemplated by Section

                                     -44-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)(iii) or (iv) below, a cash payment from the Company in an amount equal
     to (1) in the case of an option, the number of shares of Common Stock then
     subject to such option, multiplied by the excess, if any, of the greater of
     (A) the highest per share price offered to stockholders of the Company in
     any transaction whereby the Change in Control takes place or (B) the Fair
     Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of occurrence of the
     Change in Control, over the purchase price per share of Common Stock
     subject to the option; (2) in the case of a Free-Standing SAR, the number
     of shares of Common Stock then subject to such SAR, multiplied by the
     excess, if any, of the greater of (A) the highest per share price offered
     to stockholders of the Company in any transaction whereby the Change in
     Control takes place or (B) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
     on the date of occurrence of the Change in Control, over the base price of
     the SAR; and (3) in the case of a Restricted Stock Award or Performance
     Share Award, the number of shares of Common Stock or the number of
     Performance Shares, as the case may be, then subject to such award,
     multiplied by the greater of (A) the highest per share price offered to
     stockholders of the Company in any transaction whereby the Change in
     Control takes place or (B) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
     on the date of occurrence of the Change in Control. In the event of a
     Change in Control, each Tandem SAR shall be surrendered by the holder
     thereof and shall be canceled simultaneously with the cancellation of the
     related option. The Company may, but is not required to, cooperate with any
     person who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act to assure that any
     cash payment in accordance with the foregoing to such person is made in
     compliance with Section 16 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

          (b)  "Change in Control" shall mean:

          (i)  the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (a "Person"),
     including any "person" within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2)
     of the Exchange Act, of Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more of either (1)
     the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
     "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (2) the combined voting power of the
     then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
     the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
     excluding, however, the following: (A) any acquisition directly from the
     Company (excluding any acquisition resulting from the exercise of an
     exercise, conversion or exchange privilege unless the security being so
     exercised, converted or exchanged was acquired directly from the Company),
     (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by an employee
     benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or
     any corporation controlled by the Company, (D) any acquisition by an Exempt
     Person or (E) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
     which complies with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (iii) of this
     Section 6.8(b); provided further, that for purposes of clause (2), if any
     Person (other than an Exempt Person, the Company or any employee benefit
     plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
     corporation controlled by the Company) shall become the Beneficial Owner of
     50% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or 50% or more of the
     Outstanding Company Voting Securities by reason of an acquisition by the
     Company, and such Person shall, after such acquisition by the Company,
     become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of the Outstanding
     Company Common Stock or any additional Outstanding Company Voting
     Securities and such Beneficial Ownership is publicly announced, such
     additional Beneficial Ownership shall constitute a Change in Control;

          (ii) individuals who, as of the effective date hereof, constitute the
     Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
     constitute at least a majority of such Board; provided that any individual
     who becomes a director of the Company subsequent to the effective date
     hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
     stockholders, was approved by the vote of at least a majority of the
     directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be deemed a member of
     the Incumbent Board; and provided further, that any individual who was
     initially elected as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or
     threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
     Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any other actual or
     threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any
     Person other than the Board shall not be deemed a member of the Incumbent
     Board;

                                     -45-
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
     reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all
     or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Corporate
     Transaction"); excluding, however, a Corporate Transaction pursuant to
     which (1) all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who are
     the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
     Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
     such Corporate Transaction will Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly,
     more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and
     the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation
     entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may
     be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction
     (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
     transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
     assets either directly or indirectly) in substantially the same proportions
     relative to each other as their Beneficial Ownership, immediately prior to
     such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the
     Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person
     (other than an Exempt Person; the Company; any employee benefit plan (or
     related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
     controlled by the Company; the corporation resulting from such Corporate
     Transaction; and any Person which Beneficially Owned, immediately prior to
     such Corporate Transaction, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the
     Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting
     Securities, as the case may be) will Beneficially Own, directly or
     indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common
     stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the
     combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation
     entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (3) individuals
     who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority
     of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from
     such Corporate Transaction; or

          (iv)   approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of
     complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Change of Control
shall be deemed to have taken place as a result of the issuance of shares of
Common Stock by the Company or the sale of shares of Common Stock by its
stockholders in connection with the Company's initial public offering.

          6.9  No Right of Participation or Employment. No person shall have any
right to participate in this Plan. Neither this Plan nor any award made
hereunder shall confer upon any person any right to continued employment by the
Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or affect in any manner
the right of the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company to
terminate the employment of any person at any time without liability hereunder.

          6.10 Rights as Stockholder. No person shall have any right as a
stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other
equity security of the Company which is subject to an award hereunder unless and
until such person becomes a stockholder of record with respect to such shares of
Common Stock or equity security.

          6.11 Governing Law. This Plan, each award hereunder and the related
Agreement, and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant thereto, to
the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States,
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and construed in
accordance therewith without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

                                     -46-

<PAGE>
       
                                                                      EXHIBIT 13



                      1997 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS



NOTE: Attached hereto are the incorporated pages from the Company's 1997 Annual
                            Report to Stockholders.




                                     -47-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 

      
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION SECTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data              18

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results  
of Operations and Financial Condition                           20

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report of Independent Public Accountants                        25

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Statements                                            26

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                      32

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Officers and Directors                                          43

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related Stockholder Matters and
Market for the Company's Common Stock                           44
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                                                              17
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The selected consolidated statement of income data and balance sheet data as of,
and for, the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 are derived from, and
are qualified by reference to, the consolidated financial statements of the
Company audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated statement
of income data and balance sheet data as of, and for, the years ended December
31, 1994 and 1993 are derived from audited financial statements of the Company
not included herein. The selected consolidated financial information set forth
below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and the Company's consolidated
financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual
Report. The selected operating data has been derived from the accounting records
of the Company and has not been audited.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                                                              -----------------------
                                                                                  1997       1996(3)     1995      1994      1993
                                                                                  ----       ------      ----      ----      ----
                                                                        (in thousands, except for per share and operating data)
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>        <C> 
Consolidated Statement of Income Data:
Subscriber revenue.........................................................    $ 56,594     $ 44,099  $ 33,315  $ 22,077   $ 17,337
Benefit coverage expenses..................................................      37,932       27,873    20,286    12,321      9,429
                                                                               --------     --------  --------  --------   --------
Gross margin...............................................................      18,662       16,226    13,029     9,756      7,908
Selling, general and administrative expense................................      13,550       12,273     9,883     7,458      6,263
                                                                               --------     --------  --------  --------   --------
Operating income...........................................................       5,112        3,953     3,146     2,298      1,645
Interest income, net.......................................................         495          642       194        59         32
                                                                               --------     --------  --------  --------   --------
Income before income taxes.................................................       5,607        4,595     3,340     2,357      1,677
Provision for income taxes.................................................       2,284        1,864     1,336     1,009        672
                                                                               --------     --------  --------  --------   --------
Net income.................................................................    $  3,323     $  2,731  $  2,004  $  1,348   $  1,005
                                                                               ========     ========  ========  ========   ========
Basic earnings per share (1)...............................................    $   0.92     $   0.79  $   0.69  $   0.48   $   0.36
                                                                               ========     ========  ========  ========   ========
Diluted earnings per share (1).............................................    $   0.89     $   0.76  $   0.67  $   0.47   $   0.36
                                                                               ========     ========  ========  ========   ========
Selected Operating Data:
Members at end of period:
Managed Care...............................................................     450,400      341,600   265,800   215,700    181,800
Indemnity/PPO..............................................................      65,300       56,200    36,700    11,600     11,300
Fee Income.................................................................      76,600       34,000     6,100    NC (2)      NC(2)
                                                                               --------     --------  --------  --------   --------
   Total Members...........................................................     592,300      431,800   308,600   227,300    193,100
                                                                               ========     ========  ========  ========   ======== 

</TABLE>                                                                       
                         See notes on following page.

18
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA--continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                         Year Ended December 31,
                                                                         ----------------------
                                                               1997    1996(3)      1995     1994     1993
                                                               ----    ------       ----     ----     ----
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>
                                                         (in thousands, except for per share and operating data)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total current assets.......................................   $16,554  $21,023     $16,889   $5,716   $3,941
Total assets...............................................    31,896   34,454      19,111    7,217    5,203
Total current liabilities..................................     8,325   14,331       7,280    3,977    3,276
Total liabilities..........................................     8,573   14,498       7,405    4,077    3,414
Preferred stock............................................        --       --          --      892      892
Stockholders' equity.......................................    23,323   19,956      11,706    2,248      898
</TABLE>


(1)  Earnings per share reflects the conversion of all outstanding shares of
     Series B Preferred Stock upon the consummation of initial public offering
     in November 1995. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
     Statements.

(2)  1994 and 1993 members are not comparable.

(3)  Reflects results of the acquisition of Smileage Dental Services, Inc. from
     July 18, 1996. Balance sheet data (but not income or operating data) as of
     December 31, 1996 includes amounts relating to Champion Dental Services,
     Inc., which was acquired as of December 31, 1996.

                                                                              19
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following discussion and analysis of the Company's consolidated results of
operations and consolidated financial condition should be read in conjunction
with the Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data and the Company's
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Overview
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company began operations in the Chicago area in 1988 and has grown to be a
leading provider of managed dental benefits in the upper Midwest, including the
metropolitan areas of Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit and Indianapolis.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 450,400 members in its managed care
plans, 65,300 members in its fully insured indemnity/PPO plans, and 76,600
members eligible to access the Company's PPO network and covered under its
administrative services only ("ASO") arrangements. In 1992, the Company began
marketing indemnity plans as part of its Managed Choice/SM/ products. Since the
introduction of Managed Choice/SM/ products in 1992, the Company has experienced
significant enrollment growth in this product line, particularly among large
employers. In January 1996, the Company introduced its new PPO product (Managed
Choice/SM/ Triple Option), which integrates a managed component, the PPO option,
into the Company's indemnity plans. The Indemnity/PPO revenue line includes
revenue from both indemnity business that includes the PPO component as well as
indemnity business that does not include the PPO component. The PPO component
was available to approximately 19% of the Company's Indemnity/PPO members as of
December 31, 1997. The Company's Managed Choice/SM/ products enable the Company
to completely replace an employer's existing indemnity plan with the Company's
combined managed care and indemnity/PPO plan.

Acquisitions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective July 18, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Smileage
Dental Services, Inc. ("Smileage"), a Wisconsin-based dental HMO administrator,
which provided services to approximately 50,000 members, and an associated
reinsurance transaction, for an aggregate purchase price (including transaction
costs) of $5.6 million. The acquisition was financed through the issuance of the
Company's common stock.

Effective December 31, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Champion
Dental Services, Inc. ("Champion"), a Missouri-based prepaid dental plan, which
provided services to approximately 60,000 members, for an aggregate purchase
price (including transaction costs) of $5.6 million. The acquisition was
financed through proceeds from the Company's initial public offering and was
paid in cash on January 2, 1997.

Both acquisitions offer managed care products that are typically at a lower
gross margin level than what the Company has experienced in the past.

Revenues
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company's annual revenues have increased from $33.3 million in 1995 to $56.6
million in 1997. Revenues increased to $56.6 million for 1997 from $44.1 million
for 1996. Revenue growth for 1997 has been strong both in dollar and percentage
terms, primarily as the result of the addition of new managed care and
indemnity/PPO members as well as the full year effect of the acquisition of
Smileage in July 1996 and the acquisition of Champion. The Company believes that
the rate of revenue growth in its current markets will decline from historical
levels primarily as a result of its higher revenue base.

The Company's product pricing varies based on the type of plan, the services
provided and the member copayment (or coinsurance). In addition, pricing varies
by marketplace based on employer and employee preference and competition.
Pricing also may vary as a result of different pricing terms of the plans in
effect at companies when acquired by the Company. As a result, per member
pricing can fluctuate based on product mix, shifting marketplace preferences and
acquisition timing. As contracts are renewed, the Company will seek to improve
profitability on lower margin plans by increasing pricing, by offering plans
with additional services at higher prices and margins, and by offering higher
margin plans with fewer services at lower costs.

The largest source of Company revenue is derived from members enrolled in
managed care plans. From 1995 to 1997, the Company's revenue from its managed
care products grew from $25.7 million to $43.5 million. This increase is
primarily attributable to managed care enrollment growth and, to a lesser
degree, a shift toward managed care products with higher benefit and premium
levels, as well as the acquisition of Smileage and Champion in 1996. In 1995 and
1997, managed care enrollment accounted for approximately 77% of total revenue.


20
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second largest source of Company revenue is generated from indemnity/PPO
plan premiums. From 1995 to 1997, the Company's revenue from its indemnity/PPO
products grew from $6.9 million to $12.2 million. For 1997, revenue from
indemnity/ PPO enrollment accounted for approximately 22% of total revenue
compared to approximately 21% of total revenue in 1995. The Company believes
that revenue from indemnity/PPO enrollment will continue to increase in the
future.

The third largest source of revenue is fee income which is generated from the
Company's PPO network rental program and ASO arrangements. Under the network
rental program, PPO network providers offer services according to a reduced fee
schedule negotiated by the Company. The Company charges its PPO groups a monthly
fee for each member eligible to access under such reduced fee arrangements. The
Company does not make any payments to its PPO network providers on behalf of the
eligible members access under such reduced fee arrangements. Under the Company's
ASO arrangements, the Company provides claims payments and related services for
self-insured employers' indemnity plans. Under these arrangements the Company
does not assume any of the underwriting risk for the indemnity claims.

Benefit Coverage Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From 1995 to 1997, total benefit coverage expenses increased from $20.3 million
to $37.9 million. Between 1995 and 1997, total benefit coverage expenses as a
percentage of revenues increased from 60.9% to 67.0% of total revenue. This
increase is largely the result of increases in the benefit coverage expenses of
the Company's managed care products (primarily associated with the Company's
acquisitions) and increases in benefit coverage expenses associated with
indemnity/PPO plans.

Gross Margin
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From 1995 to 1997, gross margin increased from $13.0 million to $18.7 million.
Between 1995 and 1997, gross margin as a percentage of total revenue decreased
from 39.1% to 33.0% of total revenue. This change is due to a decline in the
gross margin of the Company's managed care products, primarily due to the lower
gross margin on the managed care products sold in the Wisconsin and Missouri
marketplaces, and the decrease in the gross margin on the Company's
indemnity/PPO products in 1997. The Company believes that the decline in gross
margin percentage by product line should cease in the near future as a result of
price increases passed on to both the indemnity/PPO and managed care clients.
Overall gross margin percentages will vary if the mix of the Company's
indemnity/PPO and managed care business changes from current levels.

Selling, General and Administrative
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percent of revenues
declined from 29.7% in 1995 to 23.9% in 1997. The change is primarily the result
of economies of scale in meeting the administrative needs of increased
enrollment due to the relatively fixed nature of certain SG&A expenses, higher
revenues relative to the SG&A expenses associated with indemnity/PPO plans, and
cost containment moves by the Company in 1997 to offset the decline in gross
margin. This decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue from 1995
through 1997 to a large degree offsets the decreases in the gross margin
percentage during that period. The Company does not expect SG&A expenses as a
percentage of revenue to decline further in the near future.

Year 2000 Issue
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its information technology
infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance and should be substantially completed by
the end of 1998. The Company does not expect the cost to modify its information
technology infrastructure to be Year 2000 compliant to be material to its
financial condition or results of operations. The Company does not currently
have any information concerning the Year 2000 compliance status of its
customers. In the event that any of the Company's significant customers do not
successfully and timely achieve Year 2000 compliance, the Company does not
believe that its business or operations would be adversely affected.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Results of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following tables set forth certain information from the Company's
consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated. In the opinion of
management, these tables have been prepared on the same basis as the audited
consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report and
fairly present the results of operations of the Company for the periods covered
thereby.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                          ---------------------------
                                             1997      1996      1995
                                             ----      ----      ----
                                                (in thousands)
<S>                                        <C>      <C>       <C>
Consolidated Statement of Income Data:
Subscriber revenue
  Managed care.........................   $43,509   $32,807    $25,739
  Indemnity/PPO........................    12,204    10,629      6,893
  Fee income...........................       881       663        683
                                          -------   -------    -------
       Total subscriber
       revenue.........................    56,594    44,099     33,315
                                          -------   -------    -------
Benefit coverage expenses
  Managed care.........................    27,468    19,555     14,835
  Indemnity/PPO........................    10,464     8,318      5,451
  Fee income...........................        --        --         --
                                          -------   -------    -------
       Total benefit
       coverage expenses...............    37,932    27,873     20,286
                                          -------   -------    -------
Gross margin
  Managed care.........................    16,041    13,252     10,904
  Indemnity/PPO........................     1,740     2,311      1,442
  Fee income...........................       881       663        683
                                          -------   -------    -------
       Total gross margin..............   $18,662   $16,226    $13,029
                                          =======   =======    =======
</TABLE>


Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1996

Total subscriber revenue increased by $12.5 million, or 28.3%, to $56.6 million
in 1997 from $44.1 million in 1996. Of this increase, $3.3 million, or 26.4%,
was attributable to the operations added through the acquisition of Champion.
The remaining $9.2 million increase was a 20.9% increase in revenues and was
primarily attributable to increased enrollment in the Company's managed care and
indemnity/PPO dental plans, as well as a full year effect of the Smileage
transaction. Managed care revenue increased $10.7 million over the same period,
primarily due to an increase in new members and $3.3 million from Champion.
Indemnity/PPO revenue increased $1.6 million to $12.2 million in 1997 from $10.6
million in 1996, primarily as a result of adding new indemnity/PPO plan members.

Total gross margin increased by $2.5 million, or 15.4%, to $18.7 million in 1997
from $16.2 million in 1996. Total gross margin as a percentage of revenue was
33.0% in 1997 as compared to 36.8% in 1996. This percentage decline was the
result of the lower gross margin from the Champion and Smileage acquisitions as
well as from a decrease in gross margin in the Company's indemnity/PPO plans.
Managed care gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 36.9% in 1997 as
compared to 40.4% in 1996. This percentage decline was primarily the result of
revenue acquired through the two acquisitions which had a combined gross margin
percentage of 28.0% as compared with the existing managed care business which
had a gross margin percentage of 40.0%. The level of indemnity/PPO gross margin
as a percentage of revenue decreased to 14.3% in 1997 from 21.7% in 1996. This
decline in indemnity/PPO gross margin was the result of increased expenses in
the Company's indemnity/PPO plans, primarily attributable to higher utilization
patterns.

22
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SG&A expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 10.6%, to $13.6 million for 1997
from $12.3 million in 1996. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses dropped to
23.9% for 1997 from 27.8% for 1996. The change is primarily the result of
economies of scale in meeting the administrative needs of increased enrollment
due to the relatively fixed nature of certain SG&A expenses, higher revenues
relative to the SG&A expenses associated with indemnity/PPO plans, and cost
containment moves by the Company in 1997 to offset the decline in gross margin.
Included in the SG&A total is $265,000 and $64,000, respectively, for 1997 and
1996, for the amortization of goodwill associated with the acquisitions.

Operating income increased by $1.2 million, or 29.3%, to $5.1 million for 1997
from $3.9 million in 1996. As a percentage of revenue, operating income was 9.0%
in 1997 and 1996.

The effective tax rate for 1997 was 40.7% compared to 40.6% for 1996.

Net income increased by $592,000, or 21.9%, to $3.3 million for 1997 from $2.7
million for 1996.

Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total subscriber revenue increased by $10.8 million, or 32.4%, to $44.1 million
in 1996 from $33.3 million in 1995. Of this increase, $3.6 million, or 33.3%,
was attributable to the operations added through the acquisition of Smileage and
the associated reinsurance transaction. The remaining $7.2 million increase was
a 21.6% growth in revenues and was primarily attributable to increased
enrollment in the Company's managed care and indemnity/PPO dental plans. Managed
care revenue increased $7.1 million over the same period, primarily due to the
$3.6 million from Smileage and from an increase in new members. Indemnity/PPO
revenue increased $3.7 million to $10.6 million in 1996 from $6.9 million in
1995, primarily as a result of adding new indemnity/PPO plan members.

Total gross margin increased by $3.2 million, or 24.5%, to $16.2 million in 1996
from $13.0 million in 1995. Total gross margin as a percentage of revenue was
36.8% in 1996 as compared to 39.1% in 1995. This percentage decline was
primarily the result of a shift in the Company's product mix toward a higher
percentage of overall revenues being generated by the Company's indemnity/PPO
products, which have a relatively lower percentage gross margin than the
Company's managed care products. Managed care gross margin as a percentage of
revenue was 40.4% in 1996 as compared to 42.4% in 1995. This percentage decline
was primarily the result of revenue acquired through the Smileage transaction
which has a gross margin percentage of 22.2% as compared with the existing
managed care business which had a gross margin percentage of 42.6%. The level of
indemnity/PPO gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 21.7% in 1996
from 20.9% in 1995. This improved indemnity/PPO gross margin is the result of
increased premium rates charged for the Company's indemnity/PPO plans.

SG&A expenses increased by $2.4 million, or 24.2%, to $12.3 million for 1996
from $9.9 million in 1995. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses dropped to
27.8% for 1996 from 29.7% for 1995. The change is primarily the result of
economies of scale in meeting the administrative needs of increased enrollment
due to the relatively fixed nature of certain SG&A expenses as well as higher
revenues relative to the SG&A expenses associated with indemnity/PPO plans.
Commissions to independent brokers increased 34.1% primarily due to higher
revenue. As a percentage of total revenue, commissions for 1996 declined to 4.3%
from 5.3% for 1995 as a result of a higher proportion of direct sales and lower
commissions associated with the Company's growing indemnity/PPO business. In
1996, included in the SG&A total is $64,000 for the amortization of goodwill
associated with the acquisition of Smileage.

Operating income increased by $807,000, or 25.7%, to $4.0 million for 1996 from
$3.1 million in 1995. As a percentage of revenue, operating income was 9.0% in
1996 as compared to 9.4% in 1995. The percentage decline was due primarily to
the decrease in the overall percentage gross margin which was partially offset
by lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue.

The effective tax rate for 1996 was 40.6% compared to 40.0% for 1995. The tax
rate for 1996 was higher primarily as the result of the non-deductibility of the
amortization of goodwill from the Smileage acquisition.

Net income increased by $727,000, or 36.3%, to $2.7 million for 1996 from $2.0
million for 1995.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company's historical operating cash requirements have been met principally
through operating cash flows. The primary uses of cash have been for operating
activities and capital investments in the business. The acquisition of Champion
was financed through proceeds from the Company's initial public offering and was
paid in cash on January 2, 1997. The Company believes that cash generated from
operations will be adequate to finance its anticipated operating needs for the
foreseeable future.

Cash flow (used in) provided by operations was ($0.6) million, $3.7 million and
$4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
The Company primarily receives premium payments in advance of disbursing managed
care dentist capitation payments and indemnity/PPO claims payments. Cash
balances in excess of current needs are invested in interest-bearing accounts or
cash equivalents. Cash flow provided by operations consist primarily of
subscriber premiums and investment income net of capitation payments to network
dentists, claims paid, brokers' commissions, general and administrative expenses
and income taxes. In 1997, $2.0 million was transferred to restricted cash for
the formation of an insurance company. Excluding cash transferred to restricted
funds, cash flow provided by operations was $1.5 million, $4.1 million, and $4.7
million for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

Capital expenditures were $682,000 for 1997 mainly for computer system
enhancements, furniture, and leasehold improvements. Capital expenditures were
$745,000 and $765,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
respectively, primarily for office furniture and new computer systems.

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $43,000, ($45,000), and
($103,000) (excluding the $6.6 million net proceeds received from the initial
public offering) for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, primarily
for payments on capital leases and dividends on preferred stock.

As of December 31, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.0
million and no debt outstanding. As of December 31, 1996, included in other
current liabilities is a payable to the parent of Champion for the $5.5 million
purchase price. In addition, the Company has a committed unsecured line of
credit (the "Credit Agreement") available which expires June 30, 1998. Pursuant
to this Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to $5 million at the rate of
LIBOR plus one-half percent. To the extent the Company makes acquisitions, a
portion of the purchase price may be financed through borrowings.

Under applicable insurance laws of the states in which the Company conducts
business, the Company's subsidiaries operating in the particular state are
required to maintain a minimum level of net worth and reserves. The Company may
be required from time to time to invest funds in one or more of its subsidiaries
to meet regulatory requirements, or to expand its operations into new geographic
areas. In addition, applicable laws generally limit the ability of the Company's
subsidiaries to pay dividends to the extent that required regulatory capital or
surplus would be impaired.

Impact of Inflation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company does not believe the impact of inflation has significantly affected
the Company's operations.

24
<PAGE>
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
of First Commonwealth, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FIRST
COMMONWEALTH, INC. (a Delaware corporation) AND SUBSIDIARIES as of December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes
in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of First Commonwealth, Inc. and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.



ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Chicago, Illinois
February 11, 1998

                                                                              25
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
ASSETS                                                          1997           1996           1995
- ------                                                          ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................   $ 9,047,214    $15,817,498    $12,680,153
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
       $334,012, $289,554 and $197,316 at
       December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
       respectively...................................     3,443,661      3,010,585      1,751,376
  Other receivables...................................       163,329        220,819         52,091
  Deposit under reinsurance agreement.................       752,284        696,564        431,522
  Prepaid expenses....................................     2,288,559        408,447      1,289,973
  Deferred tax asset..................................       859,000        869,000        665,000
  Income taxes receivable.............................            --             --         19,000
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total current assets...........................    16,554,047     21,022,913     16,889,115
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost.......................     4,029,771      3,347,829      2,464,782
  Less Accumulated depreciation.......................    (2,319,790)    (1,725,450)    (1,086,279)
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
       Property and equipment, net....................     1,709,981      1,622,379      1,378,503
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Restricted cash equivalents and government
  securities on deposit, at cost which
  approximates market.................................     3,263,820      1,222,022        798,744
  Goodwill and other intangibles, net of
  accumulated amortization of $328,442 and $63,814
  at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.........    10,264,298     10,482,110             --
  Deposits and other..................................       103,495        104,554         44,700
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total other assets.............................    13,631,613     11,808,686        843,444
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total assets...................................   $31,895,641    $34,453,978    $19,111,062
                                                         ===========    ===========    ===========

</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                           of these balance sheets.

26
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          1997         1996          1995
- ------------------------------------                      -----------   -----------  -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable--trade...............................  $    88,399   $   338,000  $   364,349
  Accounts payable--dental service providers............      394,946       347,529      399,206
  Claims liability......................................    1,604,329     1,579,669    1,257,681
  Accrued payroll and related costs.....................      485,166       739,292      846,263
  Other accrued expenses................................      355,429       648,000      760,555
  Deferred subscriber revenue...........................    4,444,468     4,448,953    3,262,791
  Payable under reinsurance agreement...................      752,427       627,789      389,254
  Income taxes payable..................................      200,327       101,472           --
  Other current liabilities (Note 2)....................           --     5,500,000           --
                                                          -----------   -----------  -----------
       Total current liabilities........................    8,325,491    14,330,704    7,280,099
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY..................................      247,300       167,157      125,157
                                                          -----------   -----------  -----------
       Total liabilities................................    8,572,791    14,497,861    7,405,256
                                                          -----------   -----------  -----------
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock ($.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares
       authorized, 3,636,951 shares in 1997, 3,600,996
       shares in 1996 and 3,365,375 shares in 1995
       issued and outstanding)..........................        3,637         3,601        3,365
  Capital in excess of par value........................   13,251,815    13,206,633    7,676,536
  Retained earnings.....................................   10,080,858     6,757,451    4,025,905
  Less 495 shares and 425 shares of common stock
       held in treasury at December 31, 1997
       and 1996, respectively, at cost..................      (13,460)      (11,568)          --
                                                          -----------   -----------  -----------
       Total stockholders' equity.......................   23,322,850    19,956,117   11,705,806
                                                          -----------   -----------  -----------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.......  $31,895,641   $34,453,978  $19,111,062
                                                          ===========   ===========  ===========
</TABLE>



The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these balance sheets.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1997         1996         1995
                                    ----         ----         ----
<S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>
SUBSCRIBER REVENUE.............  $56,594,410  $44,098,529  $33,315,410

BENEFIT COVERAGE EXPENSES......   37,932,044   27,872,976   20,286,131
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
   Gross margin................   18,662,366   16,225,553   13,029,279

SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE.........   13,549,645   12,272,835    9,883,288
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------

   Operating income............    5,112,721    3,952,718    3,145,991

INTEREST INCOME, net...........      494,686      642,828      193,531
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------

   Income before income taxes..    5,607,407    4,595,546    3,339,522

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.....    2,284,000    1,864,000    1,336,000
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------

NET INCOME.....................  $ 3,323,407  $ 2,731,546  $ 2,003,522
                                 ===========  ===========  ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE.......  $      0.92  $     0 .79  $      0.69
                                 ===========  ===========  ===========

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE.....  $      0.89  $     0 .76  $      0.67
                                 ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.

28
<PAGE>

First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Capital                                             Total
                                                              -------                                             -----
                                       Common Stock          in Excess   Retained         Treasury Stock       Stockholders'
                                       ------------          ---------   --------         --------------       -------------
                                    Shares       Dollars       of Par    Earnings     Shares          Dollars     Equity
                                    ------       -------     ---------   --------     ------          -------     ------
<S>                               <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
BALANCE, December 31, 1994......  1,049,000    $    1,049   $  175,801 $ 2,071,443        --         $     --   $ 2,248,293
   Preferred dividends..........         --            --           --     (49,060)       --               --       (49,060)
   Net income...................         --            --           --   2,003,522        --               --     2,003,522
   Conversion of preferred
   shares.......................  1,784,000         1,784      890,216          --        --               --       892,000
   Stock issued.................    532,375           532    6,610,519          --        --               --     6,611,051
                                  ---------     ---------   ----------   ---------    ------         --------   -----------
BALANCE, December 31, 1995......  3,365,375         3,365    7,676,536   4,025,905        --               --    11,705,806
   Net income...................         --            --           --   2,731,546        --               --     2,731,546
   Stock issued.................    235,621           236    5,530,097          --        --               --     5,530,333
   Treasury stock purchased.....         --            --           --          --      (425)         (11,568)      (11,568)
                                  ---------     ---------   ----------   ---------    ------         --------   -----------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996......   3,600,996         3,601   13,206,633   6,757,451     (425)         (11,568)   19,956,117
   Net income...................          --            --           --   3,323,407       --               --     3,323,407
   Stock issued.................      35,955            36       45,182          --       --               --        45,218
   Treasury stock purchased.....          --            --           --          --      (70)          (1,892)       (1,892)
                                   ---------    ----------  ----------- -----------   ------         --------   -----------

BALANCE, December 31, 1997......  3,636,951    $    3,637  $13,251,815 $10,080,858      (495)        $(13,460)  $23,322,850
                                  =========    ==========  =========== ===========    ======         ========   ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.

                                                                              29
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1997           1996           1995
                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Cash received from subscribers.................  $ 55,767,127   $ 43,124,110   $ 34,107,857
  Cash paid to providers of care.................   (26,593,902)   (15,202,299)   (13,984,854)
  Cash paid to employees, brokers and suppliers..   (15,887,165)   (14,465,535)    (9,385,336)
  Claims paid....................................   (10,300,714)    (8,063,681)    (4,581,969)
  Interest paid..................................            --           (514)        (4,995)
  Interest received..............................       459,212        624,373        179,154
  Income taxes paid..............................    (1,993,502)    (1,911,500)    (1,662,677)
  Cash transferred to restricted funds...........    (2,035,911)      (373,158)      (436,107)
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------
       Net cash (used in) provided by
       operating activities......................      (584,855)     3,731,796      4,231,073
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of property and equipment, net........      (681,939)      (745,509)      (765,418)
  Purchase of short-term investments.............      (517,130)    (5,161,968)            --
  Proceeds from sale of short-term investments...       517,130      5,097,314             --
  Cash received in acquisition...................            --        432,326             --
  Cost of acquisitions...........................    (5,546,816)      (171,680)            --
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------
       Net cash used in investing activities.....    (6,228,755)      (549,517)      (765,418)
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of common stock.......................        45,218          7,010      6,611,051
  Principal payments on capital leases...........            --        (26,996)       (61,425)
  Purchase of treasury stock.....................        (1,892)       (11,568)            --
  Payments of preferred dividends................            --        (13,380)       (41,540)
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------
       Net cash provided by (used in)
       financing activities......................        43,326        (44,934)     6,508,086
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------
       Net (decrease) increase in cash and
       cash equivalents..........................    (6,770,284)     3,137,345      9,973,741

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of year................................    15,817,498     12,680,153      2,706,412
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
end of year......................................  $  9,047,214   $ 15,817,498   $ 12,680,153
                                                   ============   ============   ============

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.

30
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECONCILIATIONS OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1997         1996          1995
                                                            -----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>          <C>
Net income...............................................   $ 3,323,407   $2,731,546   $ 2,003,522
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities--
  Depreciation and amortization..........................       858,965      648,247       411,927
  Loss on sale of equipment..............................            --           --        60,420
  (Increase) decrease in assets--
       Accounts receivable, net..........................      (433,076)  (1,109,339)     (187,929)
       Other receivables.................................        57,490     (149,728)      (19,523)
       Deposit under reinsurance agreement...............       (55,720)    (265,042)     (431,522)
       Prepaid expenses..................................    (1,880,112)     881,526      (187,719)
       Deferred tax asset................................        10,000     (154,000)     (446,410)
       Income taxes receivable...........................            --           --        73,249
       Restricted cash equivalents and
       government securities on deposit..................    (2,041,798)    (373,158)     (436,107)
       Deposits and other................................         1,059      (59,854)        8,771
  Increase (decrease) in current liabilities-
       Accounts payable--trade...........................      (249,601)     (26,349)      215,602
       Accounts payable--dental service providers........        47,417      (67,676)      106,003
       Claims liability..................................        24,660      321,988       869,967
       Accrued payroll and related costs.................      (254,126)     (78,972)      254,486
       Other accrued expenses............................      (292,571)     (91,022)      491,512
       Deferred subscriber revenue.......................        (4,485)   1,186,160     1,002,910
       Payable under reinsurance agreement...............       124,638      238,535       389,254
       Income taxes payable..............................        98,855       56,934            --
  Increase in long-term liabilities-
       Deferred tax liability............................        80,143       42,000        52,660
                                                             ----------   ----------   -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities......    $ (584,855)  $3,731,796   $ 4,231,073
                                                             ==========   ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.

                                                                              31
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1. ORGANIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First
Commonwealth, Inc. ("FC Inc."), First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc. ("FCI"),
First Commonwealth Limited Health Services Corporation ("LHSC"), First
Commonwealth Health Services Corporation ("HSC"), First Commonwealth Reinsurance
Company ("FCRC"), First Commonwealth Insurance Company ("FC Insurance"), First
Commonwealth Limited Health Service Corporation ("LHSCWI"), Smileage Dental
Services, Inc. ("SDS") and First Commonwealth of Missouri, Inc. ("FCMO"),
formerly Champion Dental Services, Inc. ("CDS"). These companies are
collectively referred to hereinafter as "the Company".

As discussed in Note 15, FC Inc. completed the acquisitions of SDS on July 18,
1996, and CDS on December 31, 1996. Included in the consolidated statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 1996, are the results of SDS since its
acquisition. SDS's and CDS's balance sheets are also included in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheet beginning December 31, 1996.

The Company is a provider of managed dental benefits in the upper Midwest,
including the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and
Indianapolis, and with the acquisition of CDS, St. Louis. The Company provides
dental care coverage and/or arranges for dental care services to be provided to
its subscribers primarily on a prepaid basis. The Company also provides
indemnity/Preferred Provider Organization dental coverage and administrative
claim services.

FC Inc. operates as an Illinois and Michigan licensed Third Party Administrator
("TPA"). As a TPA, FC Inc. provides administrative and marketing services to
certain subsidaries pursuant to management agreements. It also provides claim
processing services for self-funded employers.

FCI is an Illinois corporation and is a wholly owned subsidiary of FC Inc. FCI
operates as a Preferred Provider Administrator which directly contracts with
general dentists and specialists. These provider arrangements are made available
to LHSC, LHSCWI, FCMO and HSC, as well as health maintenance organizations and
self-funded employers. In making these provider arrangements available, FCI does
not undertake any underwriting risk.

LHSC is an Illinois for-profit corporation and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
FC Inc. LHSC is licensed under the Illinois Limited Health Service Organization
Act ("LHSO Act"). LHSC is also licensed by the Indiana Department of Insurance
as a Limited Service Health Maintenance Organization. LHSC has entered into a
Provider Agreement with FCI whereby FCI arranges for dental care services to
LHSC's subscribers through FCI's network of private practice dentists.
Consistent with its authority under the LHSO Act, LHSC also provides
reimbursement for covered dental care provided outside of this network. In
providing such services, LHSC undertakes underwriting risk. The LHSO Act
requires, among other provisions, that LHSC meet certain net worth and deposit
requirements discussed in Note 4. It is management's opinion that LHSC was in
compliance with these provisions as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

HSC is an affiliated Illinois corporation, licensed under the Voluntary Health
Services Plans Act (the "VHSP Act"). In accordance with the VHSP Act, HSC is
operated and conducted not for profit and is also governed by the provisions of
the General Not for Profit Corporation Act. HSC was initially capitalized by FC
Inc. through the purchase of a subordinated note. That note and accrued interest
thereon (both of which are eliminated in consolidation) may be repaid, in whole
or in part, only from HSC's earned surplus, subject to the written approval of
the Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance. Certain officers and
trustees of HSC are common to the officers and directors of the Company.
Consistent with its authority under the VHSP Act, HSC provides reimbursement to
its members for covered dental care. The VHSP Act requires, among other
provisions, that HSC not expend more than 20% of its annual subscriber revenue
for administrative costs and 10% for marketing costs. It is management's opinion
that HSC was in compliance with these provisions as of December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995.

FCRC was incorporated in Arizona during 1994 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
FC Inc. It is licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance as a domestic life
and disability reinsurer.

32
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


FC Insurance was incorporated in Illinois during 1997 and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of FC Inc. It is currently licensed as a domestic life, accident and
health insurer with the intent to underwrite indemnity dental business and is
awaiting additional licensure under the LHSO Act. As of December 31, 1997, it
had not yet commenced business.

LHSCWI was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1996 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
FC Inc. LHSCWI is licensed to operate as a Limited Service Health Organization
under chapter 611 of the Wisconsin insurance statutes ("Statutes") and is
registered with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Wisconsin. The
Statutes require, among other provisions, that LHSCWI meet certain net worth and
deposit requirements discussed in Note 4. It is management's opinion that LHSCWI
was in compliance with these provisions as of December 31, 1997.

SDS, a wholly owned subsidiary of FC Inc., is a Wisconsin based dental health
maintenance organization administrator.

FCMO is a Missouri corporation and is a wholly owned subsidiary of FC Inc. FCMO
is a St. Louis, Missouri based prepaid dental plan corporation organized under
Section 379.900RSMo.


2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include all the accounts of the Company.
All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.

HSC, a not-for-profit company managed by FC Inc., has been included in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements. HSC's financial position and
results of operations are not material to the Company's financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of these statements, the Company considers all cash and short-term
investments with original maturities of less than 90 days to be cash and cash
equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Deferred Subscriber Revenue

The Company invoices most of its subscriber groups prior to the month in which
the groups' members will be entitled to service. The Company records these
invoices as accounts receivable on the date the invoices are sent and also
records as deferred subscriber revenue those amounts either invoiced or received
in advance of the period of service.

Revenue Recognition

Subscriber revenue collected for dental care is recognized as revenue in the
period in which the member is entitled to service. Related costs for dental care
are expensed in the period the Company is obligated to provide such service.

Prepaid Expenses

The Company pays its providers to render covered dental care to eligible
enrolled subscribers and dependents. Payment is typically made during the month
prior to the month in which the subscribers and dependents become eligible for
coverage. This payment is recorded as a prepaid expense at December 31, 1997 and
1995.

                                                                              33
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

Property and Equipment

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the assets'
estimated useful lives which are as follows:

Leasehold improvements                5 years or life of lease
Furniture                            10 years
Office equipment                      5 years
Computer equipment
and software                          3 years

Property and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  December 31
                                       ----------------------------------
                                          1997        1996        1995
                                          ----        ----        ----
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
Leasehold improvements                 $  433,409  $  422,231  $  349,658
Furniture                                 830,220     780,967     562,400
Office equipment                          567,954     513,566     442,668
Computer equipment and software         2,198,188   1,631,065   1,110,056
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------- 
    Total property and equipment       $4,029,771  $3,347,829  $2,464,782
                                       ==========  ==========  ========== 
</TABLE>

Goodwill

The excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired resulting from the SDS
and CDS acquisitions, accounted for using the purchase method, is being
amortized using the straight-line method over 40 years.

Accounts Payable--Dental Service Providers

The Company records payables to dental service providers for certain services
not included in the monthly prepayment to such providers discussed above.

Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities at December 31, 1996, represents the Company's
liability relating to its acquisition of CDS. This amount was paid on January 2,
1997.

Claims Liability

The Company provides indemnity dental coverage for certain customers and records
a liability for incurred but not reported and unpaid claims related to this
coverage. Generally, this liability is estimated based on the age of existing
claims and the Company's historical lag with respect to the reporting and
payment of such claims. Changes in these estimates are reflected in the results
of operations in the period in which such changes occur.

Reinsurance Activity

Effective January 1, 1995, LHSC entered into an agreement with a third party
insurer ("Insurer") whereby LHSC ceded certain losses on indemnity insurance
policies to the Insurer. Concurrent with the execution of this agreement,
Insurer entered into an agreement with FCRC whereby Insurer ceded certain losses
related to LHSC policies to FCRC. In 1997, a separate independent third party
insurer was inserted into the agreement between Insurer and FCRC. The Company
has effectively retained all insurance risk on these LHSC losses ceded to
Insurer. Accordingly, LHSC accounts for net payments to Insurer as deposits and
records a claims liability for all incurred and unpaid losses on such policies.
FCRC records a payable to Insurer for amounts Insurer has deposited with FCRC.
The Company does not recognize any revenue from these reinsurance arrangements.

In addition, in 1997, FC Inc., acting as agent for Insurer and according to a
fronting arrangement, began selling managed care and indemnity dental insurance
policies in the state of Michigan. According to the same agreement, Insurer
ceded all managed care and indemnity dental insurance policies in Michigan to
the same separate independent third party insurer who ceded these policies to
FCRC.

34
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

Earnings Per Share

In 1997, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." Under
SFAS No. 128, primary earnings per share is replaced by "Basic" earnings per
share ("EPS"), which excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income
available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding for the period. "Diluted" EPS, which is computed similarly to fully
diluted EPS, reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or
other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common
stock. All prior-period EPS information (including interim EPS) has been
restated to conform with the provisions of SFAS No. 128.

The following table reconciles the numerators (Net income) and denominators 
(Share) of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      1997        EPS         1996        EPS        1995         EPS
                                      ----                    ----                   ----
<S>                                <C>            <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>             <C>
Net income                         $3,323,407              $2,731,456              $2,003,522
                                   ==========              ==========              ==========
Basic Shares/EPS (1)                3,617,994    $0.92      3,470,871    $0.79      2,898,174   $0.69
                                                 =====                   =====                  =====
Effect of dilutive common
stock options                         109,340                 128,694                  95,145
                                   ----------              ----------              ----------
Diluted Shares/EPS                  3,727,334    $0.89      3,599,565    $0.76      2,993,319   $0.67
                                   ==========    =====     ==========    =====     ==========   =====
</TABLE>

Notes: (1) In 1995, reflects the number of shares of common stock into which the
Series B Preferred Stock were converted upon the occurrence of the initial
public offering for the period prior to the initial public offering.

Options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding during 1997 and 1996 that
were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options'
exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares
are summarized in the following table.
<TABLE>
                                                          1997        1996
                                                          ----        ----
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
Weighted average shares under option                    17,875      31,167

Weighted average option price                          $ 16.78     $ 23.10

Weighted average contractual life (in years)               8.6         9.4
</TABLE>

Subsequent to December 31, 1997, the Company issued 61,000 options to various
key employees at the option price of $11.25 per share.

3. USE OF ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.


4. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTED FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The State of Illinois statutes and related regulations of the Illinois
Department of Insurance require LHSC, which is licensed under the LHSO Act, to
maintain a minimum net worth of $500,000. LHSC maintains a deposit with the
State of $200,000 in accordance with the State of Illinois requirements.

The State of Indiana statutes and related regulations of the Indiana Department
of Insurance require LHSC, which is licensed as a Limited Service Health
Maintenance Organization, to maintain a $50,000 deposit with the State.

                                                                              35
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

The State of Arizona statutes and related regulations of the Arizona Department
of Insurance require FCRC, which is licensed as a domestic life and disability
reinsurer, to maintain a minimum of $100,000 deposited in trust with the State
and a minimum surplus of $25,000. FCRC is required to maintain a trust account
equal to the amount of claims payable on all insurance ceded. At December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, balances of $632,767, $705,867 and $450,374, respectively,
were required in the trust account.

The State of Illinois statutes and related regulations of the Illinois
Department of Insurance require HSC, which is licensed under the VHSP Act, to
maintain a contingency reserve in contributed capital of $19,037, $15,674 and
$11,939 at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

The State of Wisconsin insurance statutes require, among other provisions, that
LHSCWI maintain a minimum capital of $100,000, apply a ten percent compulsory
surplus factor to Point of Service/Indemnity ("POS") premium, and limits POS
business to ten percent of total premium volume. LHSCWI has a certificate of
deposit for $102,682 at a Wisconsin bank and had POS business of $189,788 in
1997 and none in 1996.

The State of Missouri statutes and related regulations of the Missouri
Department of Insurance require FCMO, which is licensed as a Prepaid Dental Plan
Corporation, to maintain a $50,000 deposit with the state and to maintain a
maximum net worth of $150,000.

The State of Illinois statutes and related regulations of the Illinois
Department of Insurance require FC Insurance to maintain a minimum net worth of
$1.5 million. FC Insurance maintains a deposit with the State of $1.6 million in
accordance with State requirements.

It is management's opinion that the Company was in compliance with these
provisions at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

Interest income earned on restricted funds is included in interest income, net
in the consolidated statements of income.

5. CLAIMS LIABILITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company's claims liability, claims incurred and payments related to
indemnity/PPO policies for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     December 31
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                           1997         1996           1995
                                           ----         ----           ----
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>
Claims liability, beginning of year    $ 1,579,669   $ 1,257,681   $   387,714
Add-- Claims incurred                   10,506,867     8,341,669     5,451,936
Less-- Claims payments--
  Current year                          (9,042,693)   (7,274,355)   (4,421,539)
  Prior years                           (1,439,514)     (745,326)     (160,430)
                                       -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Claims liability, end of year          $ 1,604,329   $ 1,579,669   $ 1,257,681
                                       ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

6. Lease Obligations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company leases office space and various office equipment which are accounted
for as operating leases. Rental costs under the operating lease agreements
approximated $617,000, $486,000 and $350,000 for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Minimum future obligations under operating leases in effect at December 31,
1997, are:

Years ending December 31-

  1998             $322,409
  1999              310,796
  2000               47,138
                   --------
       Total       $680,343
                   ======== 

36
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995



7. Income Taxes
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current and deferred components of the provision for taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     December 31                  
                                        -------------------------------------    
                                           1997         1996          1995       
                                           ----         ----          ----       
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>           

Current provision                       $2,195,000    $1,962,000   $1,706,000
Deferred provision                                
  (benefit)                                 89,000       (98,000)    (370,000)
                                        ----------    ----------   ----------        
Total tax provision                     $2,284,000    $1,864,000   $1,336,000
                                        ==========    ==========   ========== 
</TABLE> 
A reconciliation of the effective tax rate from statutory U.S. federal income
tax rate of 34% for 1997, 1996 and 1995, is as follows:
<TABLE> 
                                        1997       1996      1995
                                        ----       ----      ----  
<S>                                     <C>        <C>       <C> 
Statutory rate                           34%        34%       34%
                                                                 
State tax, net of                                                
federal benefit                           5          5         5 
                                                                 
Goodwill and other                                               
permanent items                           2          2         1 
                                        ----       ----      ----
Effective tax rate                       41%        41%       40%
                                        ====       ====      ====       
</TABLE>                                                        

As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, total net current deferred tax assets
were $859,000, $869,000 and $665,000, respectively, and total net noncurrent
deferred tax liabilities were $247,300, $167,157 and $125,157, respectively. The
temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are
as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                     December 31                  
                                        -------------------------------------    
                                           1997         1996          1995       
                                           ----         ----          ----       
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>           
Claims liability                        $ 608,804    $ 616,100    $ 490,500 
Allowance for                                                               
doubtful accounts                         130,265      112,900       54,400 
Vacation accrual                           52,566       54,700       39,500 
Miscellaneous                              67,365       85,300       80,600 
                                        ---------    ---------    ---------      
   Total current                                                            
   tax asset                              859,000      869,000      665,000 
                                        ---------    ---------    ---------      
Accumulated amortization                  (80,103)          --           -- 
Accumulated                                                                 
depreciation and other                   (167,197)    (167,157)    (125,157)
                                        ---------    ---------    ---------      
   Total noncurrent                                                         
      tax liability                      (247,300)    (167,157)    (125,157)
                                        ---------    ---------    ---------        
        Total                           $ 611,700    $ 701,843    $ 539,843 
                                        =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>

                                                                              37
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

 
8. Sources of Revenue (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table shows the percentage of revenue attributable to each type of
product offered:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     1997    1996    1995
                     ----    ----    ----
<S>                  <C>     <C>     <C>
Managed care          77%     74%     77%
Indemnity/PPO         22      24      21
Fee income             1       2       2
                     ----    ----    ----
  Total              100%    100%    100%
                     ====    ====    ====
</TABLE>


9. Significant Customers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no customers that account for a significant amount of the Company's
subscriber revenue in the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and 1995.


10. Line of Credit
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has a committed unsecured line of credit (the "Credit Agreement")
available with a Chicago bank that expires June of 1998, which to date has not
been utilized. Pursuant to this Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to
$5 million at the rate of LIBOR plus one-half percent.

11.    Preferred Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During 1995, the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company approved an
amendment and restatement of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to, among
other things, authorize 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value,
which may be issued from time to time in one or more series with such rights,
preferences and qualifications as the Company's Board of Directors may
determine. The Board of Directors has designated 150,000 shares of the preferred
stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. There are no shares
issued or outstanding of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

6% Series B Preferred Stock
Concurrent with the closing of the initial public offering discussed in Note 12,
each share of 6% Series B Preferred Stock ("Series B Stock") was converted into
2,000 shares of common stock in accordance with the Series B Stock conversion
features. Following the offering, no shares of Series B Stock were issued or
authorized for issuance. While outstanding, the Series B Stock had voting rights
equal to the number of common shares into which such shares could be converted.
The Series B Stockholders were able to elect two of six directors. The Series B
Stock was also entitled to certain dividend rights.

12. Common stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In November, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering of 530,000
shares of its common stock at $15 per share. As discussed in Note 11, concurrent
with the initial public offering, each share of Series B Stock was converted
into 2,000 shares of common stock.

The holder of each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote to the stockholders of the Company.

38
<PAGE>

First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 


The Company has two incentive plans, a 1987 Statutory-Nonstatutory Stock Option
Plan ("1987 Plan") and a 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("1995 Plan"), which were
approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders. The Company has adopted the
disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had
compensation cost for the Company's two stock option plans been determined based
on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 1997, 1996 and 1995 consistent
with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income (in thousands) and
diluted earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts of
$3,268 and $0.88 in 1997, $2,645 and $0.73 in 1996 and $1,987 and $0.66 in 1995.

The weighted average grant-date fair values of options granted in 1997, 1996 and
1995 were $6.80, $12.25 and $8.14, respectively. The fair value of each option
grant was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for options issued
in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 6.8%, 6.5% and
5.8%; expected lives of 7 years; expected volatility of 41% in 1997 and 42% in
1996 and 1995; and no expected dividends.

Under the 1987 Plan, the Company can award up to 250,000 options to key
employees, granted at a price equal to the fair market value at the date of the
grant as determined by the Board of Directors or the Stock Option Compensation
Committee, and vesting ratably over a period of two to four years from the date
of the grant. The Company had granted 248,125 total options as of December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, to key employees and directors at option prices ranging
from $.50 to $15.00 per share. Of the total options granted, 133,375, 148,950
and 134,959 had vested and were exercisable as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively, and 87,925, 60,675 and 51,375 of the total options, granted
and vested had been exercised as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

In connection with the initial public offering, the Company adopted the 1995
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan"). Under the 1995 Plan, the Company may
grant incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. The 1995 Plan also
provides for the grant of stock appreciation rights, bonus stock awards which
are vested upon grant, stock awards which may be subject to a restriction period
and specified performance measures, and performance shares. A total of 200,000
shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1995 Plan.
Subsequent to December 31, 1997, the Board of Directors has approved increasing
the shares from 200,000 to 350,000, subject to shareholders' approval.

Under the 1995 Plan, options are granted at a price equal to the fair market
value at the date of the grant as determined by the Board of Directors and vest
ratably over a period of one to four years from the date of the grant. As of
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company had granted 94,000, 105,500 and
39,000, respectively, total options to key employees and directors at option
prices ranging from $11.75 to $28.625 per share. Of the total options granted,
38,813 and 11,000 had vested and were exercisable as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively. In addition, 77,238 and 42,000 options were rescinded as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively and in 1995, in connection with the
initial public offering, stock bonus awards totaling 1,865 shares of common
stock were granted to non-officer employees.

A summary of the status of the Company's two stock option plans at December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 and changes during the years then ended is presented in the
table on the following page.


                                                                              39
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                       1997                        1996                        1995
                                       ----                        ----                        ----
                                           Weighted                    Weighted                    Weighted
                                           Average                     Average                     Average
                             Shares      Option Price     Shares     Option Price     Shares     Option Price
                             ------      ------------     ------     ------------     ------     ------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>     
Outstanding at beginning
  of year                    289,950        $ 7.90        235,750       $ 4.15        191,250       $ 1.31
    Granted                   94,000         12.26        105,500        22.06         49,000        15.00
    Exercised                (29,012)         1.56         (9,300)        0.75         (2,375)        1.15
    Forfeited                (16,238)        10.36         (2,000)       21.81         (2,125)        1.49
    Cancelled                (61,000)        20.47        (40,000)       24.12             --           --
                             -------                      -------                     -------
Outstanding at end of year   277,700          7.08        289,950         7.90        235,750         4.15
                             =======                      =======                     =======
Exercisable at end of year   172,188          4.38        159,950         2.43        134,959         1.19
                             =======                      =======                     =======
</TABLE>

Of the 277,700 total options outstanding at December 31, 1997, 146,500 have
option prices between $.50 and $1.70, with a weighted average option price of
$1.39 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of three years. 133,375
of these options are exercisable at December 31, 1997, with a weighted average
option price of $1.36.

Of the total options outstanding at December 31, 1997, 71,700 have option prices
of $11.75, with a weighted average remaining contractual life of ten years.
11,063 of these options are exercisable at December 31, 1997, with a weighted
average option price of $11.75.

Of the total options outstanding at December 31, 1997, 57,500 have option prices
between $15.00 and $17.00, with a weighted average option price of $14.85 and a
weighted average remaining contractual life of eight years. 25,750 of these
options are exercisable at December 31, 1997, with a weighted average option
price of $15.00.

The remaining 2,000 options outstanding at December 31, 1997, have option prices
of $28.625, with a weighted average remaining contractual life of eight years.
These options are exercisable at December 31, 1997.

During 1995, the Board of Directors adopted a stockholders rights plan. Under
the stockholders rights plan, each share of common stock will have associated
with it one preferred share purchase right (a "Right"). Under certain
circumstances, each Right would entitle the holders thereof to purchase one one-
hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for a
price of $40 per one one-hundredth of a share. The Rights are not presently
exercisable and are transferable only with the related shares of common stock.

The Rights would become exercisable at the specified exercise price upon the
occurrence of certain events, including the acquisition of 15% or more of the
Company's common stock by a person or group, as defined. The Rights may be
redeemed, as a whole, at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, subject to
adjustment, at the direction of the Board of Directors, at any time prior to the
occurrence of certain events. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Board
of Directors may direct the exchange of shares of common stock (or preferred
shares) for all or any part of the Rights at the exchange rate of one share of
common stock (or one one-hundredth of a preferred share) per Right, subject to
adjustment.

40
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


 
13. Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Quarter
                  ---------------------------------- 
                    First   Second    Third   Fourth
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  
<S>               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
1997
- ----
Subscriber
revenue           $13,463  $13,856  $14,519  $14,756
Gross margin        4,700    4,733    4,573    4,656
Net income            760      798      882      883
Basic earnings
per common
share                 .21      .22      .24      .24
Diluted earnings
per common
share                 .20      .21      .24      .24


1996
- ----
Subscriber
revenue           $ 9,773  $10,019  $11,786  $12,521
Gross margin        3,747    3,799    4,220    4,460
Net income            669      698      667      697
Basic earnings
per common
share                 .20      .21      .19      .19
Diluted earnings
per common
share                 .19      .20      .18      .19


1995
- ----
Subscriber
revenue           $ 7,934  $ 8,204  $ 8,528  $ 8,649
Gross margin        3,100    3,197    3,291    3,441
Net income            501      532      513      458
Basic earnings
per common
share                 .18      .19      .18      .16
Diluted earnings
per common
share                 .18      .19      .18      .14

</TABLE>

                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
First Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


14. RETIREMENT PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has a 401(k) salary deferral plan in which all employees of the
Company who have completed at least ninety days of service are eligible to
participate. Under the plan, the Company provides a matching contribution of
$.50 for every dollar an employee invests in the plan up to an annual maximum of
2% of the employee's compensation for the year. The Company may make additional
discretionary contributions to the plan. The Company incurred 401(k)
contributions expense of $91,949, $58,937 and $44,427 during the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

15. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective July 18, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of SDS and an
associated reinsurance transaction, for an aggregate purchase price (including
transaction costs) of $5.6 million. The acquisition was financed through the
issuance of 231,399 shares of the Company's common stock. The acquisition
resulted in the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired of
approximately $5.6 million.

Effective December 31, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of CDS for an
aggregate purchase price (including transaction costs) of $5.6 million. The
acquisition was financed through proceeds from the Company's initial public
offering and was paid in cash on January 2, 1997. The acquisition resulted in
the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired of approximately $4.9
million.

The acquisitions of SDS and CDS were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting with SDS's results of operations included in the accompanying
consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 1996 from the
effective date of the acquisition.

Unaudited pro forma combined results of operations of the Company for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 for the acquisitions are as follows: Revenues
(in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 would be $50,860
and $42,058, respectively; Net income (in thousands) for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 would be $2,856 and $2,444, respectively; and Diluted
Net Income per share for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 would be
$0.77 and $0.66, respectively. This pro forma information has been prepared
assuming the acquisitions of SDS and CDS and the Company's initial public
offering had occurred as of January 1, 1995.

The pro forma results include the historical accounts of the Company and the
historical accounts of the acquired businesses and pro forma adjustments
including the amortization of the excess purchase price over the fair value of
the net assets acquired, the reduction of salaries and expenses which will not
be incurred on an ongoing basis, and the applicable income tax effects of these
adjustments. The pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative
of actual results which may have occurred had the operations of the acquired
companies been combined in prior periods.

42
<PAGE>
 
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers

Christopher C. Multhauf
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

David W. Mulligan
  President and Chief Operating Officer, Secretary

Gregory D. Stobbe
  Senior Vice President, Operations

Mark R. Lundberg
  Vice President, Sales

Scott B. Sanders
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
  Assistant Secretary

Directors

Christopher C. Multhauf
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

David W. Mulligan
  President and Chief Operating Officer, Secretary

Richard M. Burdge, Sr.
  Executive Vice President-Retired,
  CIGNA Corporation

William J. McBride
  Chairman,
  Novaeon, Inc.;
  President-Retired,
  Value Health, Inc.,
  a managed healthcare company

Jackson W. Smart, Jr.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-Retired,
  MSP Communications, Inc., a radio
  broadcasting company

                                                                              43
<PAGE>
 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Form 10-K 
A copy of the Form 10-K, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, will be sent free to any shareholder upon written request. Write to:
     Mr. Scott B. Sanders
     Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary
     444 N. Wells Street, Suite 600
     Chicago, IL 60610

Transfer Agent & Registrar
     First Chicago Trust Co. of New York

Analyst Contacts
Security analyst inquiries are welcomed. Please call:
     Mr. Scott B. Sanders
     Chief Financial Officer
     (312) 644-1800

Annual Meeting
     May 5, 1998
     Chicago, Illinois

Dividend Policy
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. The Company
currently intends to retain earnings to finance the growth and development of
its business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will
depend upon the financial condition, capital requirements and earnings of the
Company, limitations on dividend payments by susidiaries of the Company under
applicable state laws requiring the maintenance of specified levels of capital
and surplus and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Stock Trading and Common Stock Prices
The Company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market/SM/ under the
symbol FCWI. At February 28, 1998, there were 154 registered shareholders and
the Company believes there are at least 400 round lot shareholders of beneficial
interest.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices by quarter for
1996 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996
- ----
Quarter ending                    High          Low   
- --------------                   ------        ------ 
<S>                              <C>           <C>
March 31                         $27.00        $24.00
June 30                          $29.00        $24.25
September 30                     $29.00        $20.75
December 31                      $24.50        $16.50

1997
- ----
Quarter ending                  
- --------------                  
March 31                         $21.25        $14.75
June 30                          $19.50        $11.25
September 30                     $20.50        $14.75
December 31                      $15.25        $11.25
</TABLE>
44

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21



                        SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Jurisdiction
          Name of Subsidiary                 Of Incorporation           Doing Business As
          ------------------                 ----------------           -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                       <C>
First Commonwealth Limited Health                Illinois                First
Services Corporation                                                     Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Commonwealth of Illinois, Inc.             Illinois                First
                                                                         Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Commonwealth Insurance                     Illinois                First
Company                                                                  Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Commonwealth Reinsurance                   Arizona                 First
Company                                                                  Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Commonwealth Limited Health               Wisconsin                First
Service Corporation                                                      Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smileage Dental Services, Inc.                  Wisconsin                First
                                                                         Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Commonwealth of Missouri,                  Missouri                First
Inc.                                                                     Commonwealth, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                        

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23



                        CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Form 10- K of First Commonwealth, Inc., of our report,
dated February 11, 1998, on the consolidated financial statements of First
Commonwealth, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") included in the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, and to the incorporation of our report,
dated February 11, 1998, on the financial statement schedule of the Company, and
included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed S-3 Registration
Statement, File No. 333-18379, and S-8 Registration Statement, File No. 333-
00474.



ARTHUR ANDERSEN  LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 30, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from The
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of December 31,
1997 and for the twelve months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000                                                             
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          9,047
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                   3,444
<ALLOWANCES>                                      334
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,554 
<PP&E>                                          4,029
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,320
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 31,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           8,325
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     23,323
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   31,896
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               56,594
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  51,277
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  205
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 5,607
<INCOME-TAX>                                    2,284
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             3,323
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    3,323
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.89
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of September
30, 1997, and for the nine months then ended, 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-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         10,336
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                   3,841
<ALLOWANCES>                                      352
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               17,420 
<PP&E>                                          3,927
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,161
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 30,552
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,915
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     22,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   30,552
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               41,838
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  37,549
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  153
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 4,136
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,696
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,440
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,440
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.65
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of June 30,
1997, and for the six months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000                                                             
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          8,246
<SECURITIES>                                      511         
<RECEIVABLES>                                   4,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                      367
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,567 
<PP&E>                                          3,761
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,008
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 29,778
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           8,051
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     21,516
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   29,778
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               27,319
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  24,574
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  102
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,643
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,085
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,558
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    1,558
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.42
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of March 31,
1997, and for the three months then ended, 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-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         10,094
<SECURITIES>                                      515
<RECEIVABLES>                                   3,297
<ALLOWANCES>                                      350
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               17,110
<PP&E>                                          3,534
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 30,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           9,671
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     20,719
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   30,581
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               13,463
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  12,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   51
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1,290
<INCOME-TAX>                                      530
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               760
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                      760
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.20
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of December 31,
1996, and for the twelve months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000                                                             
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         15,817
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                   3,011
<ALLOWANCES>                                      290
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               21,023
<PP&E>                                          3,348
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,725
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 34,454
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          14,331
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     19,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   34,454
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               44,099
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  40,042
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  104
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 4,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,864
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,731
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,731
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.76
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
       
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of September
30, 1996, and for the nine months then ended, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         10,820
<SECURITIES>                                    3,015
<RECEIVABLES>                                   2,421
<ALLOWANCES>                                      231
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               18,704
<PP&E>                                          3,131
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,579
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 27,076
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,725
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                     19,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   27,076
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               31,578
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  28,567
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   81
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 3,412
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,378
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,034
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,034
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.57
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of June 30,
1996, and for the six months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000                                                             
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          9,272
<SECURITIES>                                    4,121
<RECEIVABLES>                                   1,933
<ALLOWANCES>                                      219
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               18,049
<PP&E>                                          2,770
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,328
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 20,660
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,472
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            3
<OTHER-SE>                                     13,060
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   20,660
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               19,792
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  17,779
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   54
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,281
<INCOME-TAX>                                      914
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,367
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    1,367
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.39
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of March 31,
1996, and for the three months then ended, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         10,551
<SECURITIES>                                    2,141
<RECEIVABLES>                                   2,840
<ALLOWANCES>                                      224
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               18,100
<PP&E>                                          2,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,201
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 20,458
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,957
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            3
<OTHER-SE>                                     12,373
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   20,458
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                9,773
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   8,793
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   27
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1,115
<INCOME-TAX>                                      446
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               669
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                      669
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.19
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of First Commonwealth, Inc. as of December 31,
1995, and for the twelve months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000                                                             
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                         12,680
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                   1,751
<ALLOWANCES>                                      197
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,889
<PP&E>                                          2,465
<DEPRECIATION>                                  1,086
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 19,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,280
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            3
<OTHER-SE>                                     11,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   19,111
<SALES>                                             0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               33,315
<CGS>                                               0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  29,976
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  193
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 3,340
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,336
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,004
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,004
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.67
        


</TABLE>


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