CONSECO FUND GROUP
497, 1998-10-16
Previous: TEXAS UTILITIES CO /TX/, 424B5, 1998-10-16
Next: GK INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS INC, S-8, 1998-10-16





CONSECO FUND GROUP
CONSECO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND
CLASS A, B AND C SHARES
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: 11815 N. PENNSYLVANIA STREET, CARMEL, INDIANA 46032
                       800-825-1530

The Conseco Convertible Securities Fund ("Fund") is a series of the Conseco Fund
Group  ("Trust"),   an  open-end  diversified   management   investment  company
registered  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  under  the
Investment  Company  Act of 1940  ("1940  Act").  The Trust was  organized  as a
Massachusetts business trust on September 24, 1996. The Trust is a "series" type
of mutual  fund which  issues  seven  separate  series of shares,  each of which
represents a separate portfolio of investments.  The Fund offers four classes of
shares.  This  Prospectus  relates solely to Class A shares,  Class B shares and
Class C shares of the Fund. Class Y shares are offered to certain  institutional
investors and qualifying  individual  investors  through a separate  prospectus.
Each class may have different expenses, which may affect performance.

         The Fund seeks  high  total  return  through a  combination  of current
income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in securities that can be
converted  into common stock.  The Fund may invest a  significant  amount of its
assets in lower-rated fixed income securities, commonly known as "junk bonds" or
"high yield securities." THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO GREATER FLUCTUATIONS IN
VALUE AND  GREATER  RISK OF LOSS OF INCOME AND  PRINCIPAL  DUE TO DEFAULT BY THE
ISSUER THAN ARE HIGHER-RATED SECURITIES;  THEREFORE,  INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY
ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.

         Conseco  Capital  Management,  Inc.  ("Adviser")  serves as the Trust's
investment adviser. The Adviser supervises the Trust's management and investment
program,  performs a variety of administrative  services on behalf of the Trust,
and  pays all  compensation  of  officers  and  Trustees  of the  Trust  who are
affiliated  persons  of the  Adviser  or the  Trust.  The  Trust  pays all other
expenses incurred in its operations, including fees and expenses of Trustees who
are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Trust.

                                    * * * * *

         There is no  assurance  that  the  Fund  will  achieve  its  investment
objective.  The Fund may be used  independently  or in  combination  with  other
mutual funds.  You may also purchase shares of the other series of the Trust and
of a money market fund  currently  managed by Federated  Management  ("Federated
money market  fund")  through  separate  prospectuses.  Those  prospectuses  are
available upon request by calling 800-986-3384.

         This Prospectus  sets forth  concisely the information  about the Trust
and the Fund that an  investor  should  know before  investing.  A Statement  of
Additional  Information  ("SAI")  dated October 1, 1998,  containing  additional
information  about the Trust and the Fund,  has been  filed  with the SEC and is
incorporated by reference in this  Prospectus in its entirety.  You may obtain a
copy of  the SAI  without  charge by calling or writing the Trust at the address

<PAGE>

and telephone  number above.  The SEC maintains an Internet  World Wide Web site
(http://www.sec.gov)  that contains the SAI,  materials that are incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and the SAI, and other information  regarding the
Fund.  Information  about the Trust and its series is  available on the Internet
World Wide Web at http://www.conseco.com.

         INVESTORS SHOULD READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

         THESE   SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE
SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

               The date of this Prospectus is October 1, 1998.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

       FEE TABLE.............................................................2
       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.....................................4
       INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES...................6
       MANAGEMENT...........................................................15
       PURCHASE OF SHARES...................................................16
       ALTERNATIVE PRICING ARRANGEMENTS.....................................19
       REDEMPTION OF SHARES.................................................24
       DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES.............................27
       OTHER INFORMATION....................................................30
       APPENDIX A SECURITIES RATINGS.......................................A-1


FEE TABLE

         The  following   fee  tables  are  provided  to  assist   investors  in
understanding  the  various  fees and  expenses  which may be borne  directly or
indirectly by an investment in Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>           <C>           <C>

                                                                                   CLASS A       CLASS B        CLASS C
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases                                          5.75%         None          None
 (as a percentage of offering  price)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (as a percentage of           None          None          None
offering price)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of offering price or     None          5%*           1%**
net asset value at the time of sale, whichever is less)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fees                                                                    None          None          None
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         *The maximum 5% contingent  deferred  sales charge  applies to sales of
Class B shares  during  the first  year after  purchase.  The  charge  generally
declines annually, reaching zero after six years.

         **The 1% contingent  deferred  sales charge applies only if an investor
sells Class C shares within the first year after purchase.

                                       2
<PAGE>

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CLASS A SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>               <C>                 <C>           <C>               <C>
FUND                                  MANAGEMENT FEES   ADMINISTRATIVE      12B-1 FEES(2) OTHER             TOTAL
                                      AFTER FEE RATE    FEES                              EXPENSES(3)       OPERATING
                                      REDUCTION(1)                                                          EXPENSES(4)

                                                                                          AFTER FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE
                                                                                          REIMBURSEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conseco Convertible                   0.75%             0.20%               0.50%         0.10%              1.55%
Securities Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND                                  MANAGEMENT FEES   ADMINISTRATIVE      12B-1         OTHER             TOTAL
                                      AFTER FEE RATE    FEES                FEE(2)        EXPENSES(3)       OPERATING
                                      REDUCTION(1)                                                          EXPENSES(4)

                                                                                          AFTER FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE
                                                                                          REIMBURSEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conseco Convertible                  0.75%             0.20%               1.00%         0.10%              2.05%
Securities Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1 The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to reduce its advisory fee with respect
to the Fund to 0.75% of the  Fund's  average  daily net assets  until  April 30,
1999.  Absent such  undertaking  the  advisory  fee would be 0.85% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.

2 As a result of 12b-1 fees,  a long-term  shareholder  in the Fund may pay more
than the  economic  equivalent  of the maximum  sales  charge  permitted  by the
Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").

3 Other  Expenses  in the Fee  Table  for all  classes  of the Fund are based on
estimated  amounts for the current  fiscal  year and  exclude  taxes,  interest,
brokerage and other transaction expenses, and any extraordinary expenses.

4 The expense information set forth above reflects voluntary  commitments of the
Adviser,  Conseco Services, LLC ("Administrator") and Conseco Equity Sales, Inc.
("Distributor")  to waive a portion of their  fees  under the Fund's  Investment
Advisory Agreement,  Administration Agreement and Distribution and Service Plan,
respectively, and/or to reimburse a portion of the Fund's expenses through April
30, 1999. The voluntary  commitments  provide that the Total Operating  Expenses
for the Fund, on an annual basis, will not exceed the amounts set forth above.

         In the  absence  of such  waivers  and  reimbursements  (as well as the
Adviser's  undertaking as noted above),  it is estimated that Other Expenses and
Total Operating Expenses of the Fund would be as follows:

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
          ESTIMATED                        ESTIMATED
       OTHER EXPENSES              TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
  CLASS A        CLASS B         CLASS A           CLASS B
                 CLASS C                           CLASS C
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   .25%            .25%           1.80%             2.30%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

EXAMPLE

         Assuming a hypothetical investment of $1,000 and a 5% annual return, an
investor  in  Class  A,  Class B and  Class  C  shares  of the  Fund  would  pay
transaction and operating expenses at the end of each year as follows:

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES                                 1 YEAR         3 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $72            $103
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Assuming redemption at end of period            $71           $93
Assuming no redemption                          $21           $63
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Assuming redemption at end of period            $31           $63
Assuming no redemption                          $21           $63
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

         THESE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE THE EFFECT OF EXPENSES,  BUT ARE NOT MEANT TO
SUGGEST ACTUAL OR EXPECTED COSTS OR RETURNS, ALL OF WHICH MAY VARY.


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

         The Fund seeks  high  total  return  through a  combination  of current
income  and  capital   appreciation   by  investing   primarily  in  convertible
securities.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.  The Fund is subject to the risk of changing economic conditions,  as
well as the risk  inherent  in the  ability  of its  investment  adviser to make
changes in investments in  anticipation  of changes in economic,  business,  and
financial  conditions.  The investment objective of the Fund is not fundamental,
as defined below.

         The different types of securities and investment techniques of the Fund
all have attendant risks of varying degrees. For example, with respect to equity
securities,  there can be no  assurance of capital  appreciation  and there is a
substantial risk of decline.  With respect to debt  securities,  there can be no
assurance  that  the  issuer  of such  securities  will  be  able  to  meet  its
obligations on interest or principal  payments in a timely manner.  In addition,
the value of debt instruments  generally rises and falls inversely with interest
rates. The investments and investment techniques of the Fund and their risks are
described  in  greater  detail in  "Description  of  Securities  and  Investment
Techniques" in the SAI.

         The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under
"Investment  Restrictions"  in the SAI. Those investment  restrictions  that are
"fundamental  policies"  may  not be  changed  without  a  majority  vote of the
outstanding  shares  of the Fund.  Except as  otherwise  noted,  all  investment
policies  and  practices  described  in this  Prospectus  and in the SAI are not
fundamental,  meaning that the Trust's  Board of Trustees  ("Board")  may change
them without shareholder approval. See "Description of Securities and Investment
Techniques" and "Investment Restrictions" in the SAI for further information.

                                       4
<PAGE>

CONSECO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

         Under  normal  circumstances,  the Fund will invest at least 65% of its
total  assets in  convertible  securities.  Convertible  securities  are  bonds,
preferred stocks,  and other securities that pay interest or dividends and offer
the buyer the option of converting the security into common stock.  The Fund may
invest in other  securities,  including  common  stock and  securities  that are
convertible other than at the option of the holder.

         Convertible  securities  generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common  stocks.  In general,  a convertible  security  performs more like a
stock when the  underlying  stock's price is high (because it is assumed it will
be converted  into the stock) and more like a bond when the  underlying  stock's
price  is  low  (because  it is  assumed  that  it  will  mature  without  being
converted).  Each convertible security offers a different  combination of upside
potential and downside risk.  Securities that are convertible  other than at the
option of the holder  generally do not limit the  potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder.

         Because  convertible  securities have both an equity and a fixed-income
component,  the  value of the  Fund's  investments  varies in  response  to many
factors. The equity component makes the value of convertible  securities subject
to the  activities  of  individual  companies,  and general  market and economic
conditions.  The fixed-income  component causes fluctuations based on changes in
interest rates and in the credit quality of the issuer. In addition, convertible
securities are often lower-rated securities.

         The Fund may invest over 50% of its assets in lower-rated  fixed-income
securities,  commonly  known as "junk  bonds" or "high  yield debt  securities."
Lower-rated fixed income securities are securities rated BB or lower by Standard
& Poor's ("S&P") or Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. ("Moody's"),
securities comparably rated by another nationally recognized  statistical rating
organization  ("NRSRO"),  or unrated  securities  of equivalent  quality.  While
lower-rated  fixed income  securities  are subject to all risks  inherent in any
investment in debt securities, these risks are significantly greater than is the
case for investment  grade debt  securities.  A debt security will be considered
"investment  grade" if it is rated in one of the four highest rating  categories
by at least one NRSRO or, if  unrated,  is  determined  by the  Adviser to be of
comparable  quality.  The lowest rating categories in which the Fund will invest
are CCC/Caa.  See "Risks  Associated With High Yield Debt Securities"  below and
"Description  of Securities and Investment  Techniques" in the SAI. The Appendix
to this Prospectus describes Moody's and S&P's rating categories.

         The Fund may  invest  in zero  coupon  securities  and  payment-in-kind
securities.  A zero coupon  security  pays no  interest to its holders  prior to
maturity, and a payment-in-kind security pays interest in the form of additional
securities.  These  securities will be subject to greater  fluctuation in market
value in response to  changing  interest  rates than  securities  of  comparable
maturities that make periodic cash distributions of interest.

         The Fund also may  invest  in equity  and debt  securities  of  foreign
issuers,  including  issuers  based in emerging  markets.  As a  non-fundamental
policy,  the Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets (measured at the time
of  investment)  in foreign  securities;  however,  the Fund  presently does not
intend  to  invest  more  than  25% of its  total  assets  in  such  securities.
Investments in foreign securities may involve risks in addition to those of U.S.
investments.  See "Foreign Securities" below for further information.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         The Fund may invest in private  placements,  securities traded pursuant
to Rule 144A under the  Securities  Act of 1933 ("1933  Act") (Rule 144A permits
qualified  institutional buyers to trade certain securities even though they are
not registered under the 1933 Act), or securities  which,  though not registered
at the time of their initial sale, are issued with registration  rights. Some of
these  securities  may be deemed by the  Adviser to be liquid  under  guidelines
adopted by the Board. As a matter of fundamental  policy, with respect to 75% of
its total assets,  the Fund will not (1) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in any one issuer,  except for U.S.  Government  securities;  or (2) invest more
than 25% of its total assets in  securities  of issuers  having their  principal
business activities in the same industry.

         The Adviser does not rely solely on the ratings of rated  securities in
making  investment  decisions;  rather  it also  evaluates  other  economic  and
business  factors  affecting  the issuer.  Ratings are only the  opinions of the
agencies issuing them and are not absolute standards as to quality.  The Adviser
seeks to enhance total return specifically  through purchasing  securities which
it believes are undervalued and selling,  when appropriate,  those securities it
believes are  overvalued.  In order to  determine  value,  the Adviser  utilizes
independent  fundamental  analysis  of the issuer as well as an  analysis of the
specific structure of the security.

         The Fund may use various investment  strategies and techniques when the
Adviser  determines that such use is appropriate in an effort to meet the Fund's
investment  objective.  Such  strategies  and  techniques  include,  but are not
limited to, writing call and put options and purchasing options;  purchasing and
selling,  for hedging purposes,  interest rate and other futures contracts,  and
purchasing and writing options on such futures contracts;  entering into foreign
currency futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies;
borrowing  from banks to purchase  securities;  investing in securities of other
investment companies;  entering into repurchase  agreements,  reverse repurchase
agreements  and dollar  rolls;  investing  in  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
securities; selling securities short, and entering into swaps and other interest
rate  transactions.  The Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in
preferred stocks and investment-grade debt instruments for temporary,  defensive
purposes.  See "Description of Securities and Investment  Techniques" in the SAI
for further information.

INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

         A convertible security is a bond,  debenture,  note, preferred stock or
other security that may be converted  into or exchanged for a prescribed  amount
of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular  period of
time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder
to receive  interest  paid or accrued on debt or the dividend  paid on preferred
stock  until the  convertible  security  matures or is  redeemed,  converted  or
exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the
same or  similar  issuers,  but lower  than the yield on  non-convertible  debt.
Convertible    securities   are   usually    subordinated   to   comparable-tier
non-convertible  securities  but rank senior to common stock in a  corporation's
capital structure.

         The value of a  convertible  security is a function of (1) its yield in
comparison  with the  yields of other  securities  of  comparable  maturity  and
quality that do not have a  conversion  privilege  and (2) its worth,  at market
value, if converted into the underlying common stock. Convertible securities are
typically  issued by smaller  capitalized  companies,  whose stock prices may be

                                       6
<PAGE>

volatile.  The price of a convertible security often reflects such variations in
the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does
not. A  convertible  security may be subject to  redemption at the option of the
issuer  at  a  price  established  in  the  convertible   security's   governing
instrument,  which could have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to achieve
its investment objective.

EQUITY SECURITIES

         The Fund may  invest in equity  securities,  which may  include  common
stocks,  preferred stocks,  convertible securities and warrants.  Common stocks,
the most familiar type, represent an equity interest in a corporation. The value
of equity  securities  fluctuates  based on  changes  in a  company's  financial
condition  and  overall  economic  and market  conditions.  The Fund  invests in
larger,  more  established  companies as well as companies with small and medium
capitalizations ("small- and mid-cap companies").

         While small- and mid-cap  companies  generally have potential for rapid
growth,   investments  in  such  companies  often  involve  greater  risks  than
investments in larger,  more  established  companies  because small- and mid-cap
companies  may lack the  management  experience,  financial  resources,  product
diversification,  and  competitive  strengths  of companies  with larger  market
capitalizations.  In addition,  in many  instances the  securities of small- and
mid-cap companies are traded only  over-the-counter  or on a regional securities
exchange,  and the frequency and volume of their trading is  substantially  less
than is typical of larger companies.  Therefore, these securities may be subject
to greater and more abrupt price fluctuations. When making large sales, the Fund
may have to sell portfolio  holdings at discounts from quoted prices or may have
to make a series  of small  sales  over an  extended  period  of time due to the
trading volume of small- and mid-cap company securities.  The Adviser's research
efforts may also play a greater  role in  selecting  small- and mid-cap  company
securities for the Fund than securities of larger, more established companies.

PREFERRED STOCK

         The Fund may invest in preferred stock.  Preferred stock pays dividends
at a specified  rate and  generally  has  preference  over  common  stock in the
payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuer's assets but is junior to
the debt  securities  of the  issuer in those  same  respects.  Unlike  interest
payments on debt securities,  dividends on preferred stock are generally payable
at the  discretion of the issuer's  board of  directors,  and  shareholders  may
suffer  a loss of  value  if  dividends  are not  paid.  Preferred  shareholders
generally have no legal  recourse  against the issuer if dividends are not paid.
The market prices of preferred  stocks are subject to changes in interest  rates
and are more sensitive to changes in the issuer's  creditworthiness than are the
prices of debt securities.  Under ordinary  circumstances,  preferred stock does
not carry voting rights.

DEBT SECURITIES

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  U.S.   dollar-denominated   corporate  debt
securities of domestic  issuers,  and in debt securities of foreign issuers that
may or may not be U.S. dollar-denominated.

         The investment  return on a corporate debt security  reflects  interest
earnings  and changes in the market value of the  security.  The market value of
corporate  debt  obligations  may be  expected to rise and fall  inversely  with
interest  rates  generally.  There also  exists the risk that the issuers of the
securities  may not be able to meet their  obligations  on interest or principal
payments at the time called for by an instrument.  Debt securities  rated BBB or
Baa,  which are considered  medium-grade  debt  securities,  generally have some
speculative  characteristics.  A debt  security  will be placed  in this  rating


                                       7
<PAGE>

category when interest  payments and principal  security appear adequate for the
present, but economic characteristics that provide longer term protection may be
lacking. Any debt security,  and particularly those rated BBB or Baa (or below),
may be susceptible to changing  conditions,  particularly to economic downturns,
which could lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.

         Corporate debt  securities may pay fixed or variable rates of interest,
or interest at a rate  contingent  upon some other factor,  such as the price of
some  commodity.  These  securities may be convertible  into preferred or common
stock (see "Convertible  Securities"  above), or may be bought as part of a unit
containing  common  stock.  A debt  security may be subject to redemption at the
option of the issuer at a price set in the security's governing instrument.

         In  selecting  corporate  debt  securities  for the Fund,  the  Adviser
reviews and monitors the  creditworthiness of each issuer and issue. The Adviser
also analyzes interest rate trends and specific  developments  which it believes
may affect individual issuers.

         RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH YIELD DEBT  SECURITIES.  The Fund may invest
significantly in high yield,  high risk,  lower-rated  fixed income  securities.
Lower-rated  fixed income  securities  are subject to all risks  inherent in any
investment in debt securities. As discussed below, these risks are significantly
greater in the case of lower-rated fixed income securities.

         Lower-rated fixed income securities generally offer a higher yield than
that available from higher-rated issues with similar maturities, as compensation
for holding a security that is subject to greater risk. Lower-rated fixed income
securities are deemed by rating agencies to be  predominately  speculative  with
respect to the issuer's  capacity to pay interest  and repay  principal  and may
involve  major risk or exposure to adverse  conditions.  Lower-rated  securities
involve higher risks in that they are especially  subject to (1) adverse changes
in general  economic  conditions  and in the industries in which the issuers are
engaged,  (2) adverse  changes in the  financial  condition of the issuers,  (3)
price  fluctuation  in  response  to changes in  interest  rates and (4) limited
liquidity and secondary market support.

         An  economic  downturn  affecting  the  issuer may result in a weakened
capacity to make principal and interest  payments and an increased  incidence of
default.  In addition,  a fund that invests in lower-rated  securities may incur
additional  expenses to the extent  recovery is sought on defaulted  securities.
Because of the many risks  involved in  investing  in  lower-rated  fixed income
securities,  the  success  of such  investments  is  dependent  upon the  credit
analysis  of the  Adviser.  Although  the market for  lower-rated  fixed  income
securities  is not  new,  and  the  market  has  previously  weathered  economic
downturns,  the past performance of the market for such securities may not be an
accurate  indication  of its  performance  during future  economic  downturns or
periods of rising  interest  rates.  This  market may be thinner and less active
than the market for higher  quality  securities,  which may limit the ability to
sell such  securities  at their fair value in response to changes in the economy
or the financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or
not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of
lower-rated securities,  especially in a thinly traded market.  Differing yields
on debt  securities  of the same  maturity  are a function  of several  factors,
including the relative financial strength of the issuers.

ZERO COUPON BONDS

         The Fund may invest in zero coupon  securities.  Zero coupon  bonds are
debt obligations which make no fixed interest payments but instead are issued at

                                       8
<PAGE>

a significant  discount from face value. Like other debt securities,  the market
price can  reflect a premium or  discount,  in addition  to the  original  issue
discount,  reflecting the market's judgment as to the issuer's creditworthiness,
the  interest  rate or  other  similar  factors.  The  original  issue  discount
approximates  the total  amount of interest  the bonds will accrue and  compound
over the period until maturity (or the first interest payment date) at a rate of
interest reflecting the market rate at the time of issuance. Because zero coupon
bonds do not make periodic interest payments,  their prices can be very volatile
when market interest rates change.

         The  original  issue  discount on zero coupon bonds must be included in
the  Fund's  income  ratably as it  accrues.  Accordingly,  to  qualify  for tax
treatment as a regulated  investment  company and to avoid a certain excise tax,
the Fund may be required to  distribute  as a dividend an amount that is greater
than the total amount of cash it actually receives.  These distributions must be
made from the Fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of
portfolio  securities.  Such  sales  could  occur  at  a  time  which  would  be
disadvantageous to the Fund and when it would not otherwise choose to dispose of
the assets.

PAY-IN-KIND BONDS

         The Fund may invest in  pay-in-kind  bonds.  These bonds pay "interest"
through the issuance of additional  bonds,  thereby  adding debt to the issuer's
balance  sheet.  The market prices of these  securities are likely to respond to
changes in  interest  rates to a greater  degree  than the prices of  securities
paying  interest  currently.  Pay-in-kind  bonds carry  additional risk in that,
unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the period to maturity,  the Fund will
realize no cash until the cash payment date and the Fund may obtain no return at
all on its investment if the issuer defaults.

         The holder of a  pay-in-kind  bond must accrue  income with  respect to
these  securities  prior  to the  receipt  of cash  payments  thereon.  To avoid
liability  for  federal  income and excise  taxes,  the Fund most likely will be
required to distribute  income  accrued with respect to these  securities,  even
though the Fund has not  received  that  income in cash,  and may be required to
dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous  circumstances in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

         The Fund may  invest  in  mortgage-backed  securities.  Mortgage-backed
securities are interests in "pools" of mortgage  loans made to residential  home
buyers, including mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage
bankers,  commercial banks and others.  Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as
securities for sale to investors by various governmental, government-related and
private organizations (see "Mortgage Pass-Through  Securities," below). The Fund
also may invest in debt securities which are secured with collateral  consisting
of  mortgage-backed   securities  (see  "Collateralized  Mortgage  Obligations,"
below), and in other types of mortgage-related securities.

         MORTGAGE  PASS-THROUGH  SECURITIES.  These are securities  representing
interests in pools of mortgages in which periodic  payments of both interest and
principal on the securities are made by "passing through" periodic payments made
by the individual  borrowers on the residential  mortgage loans  underlying such
securities  (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the  securities  and
possibly  other costs).  Early  repayment of principal on mortgage  pass-through
securities  (arising from prepayments of principal due to sale of the underlying
property,  refinancing,  or  foreclosure,  net of fees and  costs  which  may be
incurred)  may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return  upon  reinvestment  of

                                       9
<PAGE>

principal.  Payment of  principal  and  interest on some  mortgage  pass-through
securities may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
(in the  case of  securities  guaranteed  by the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association  ("GNMA")),  or guaranteed by agencies or  instrumentalities  of the
U.S. Government (in the case of securities  guaranteed by Fannie Mae ("FNMA") or
Freddie   Mac   ("FHLMC")).   Mortgage   pass-through   securities   created  by
non-governmental   issuers   (such  as  commercial   banks,   savings  and  loan
institutions,  private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other
secondary  market issuers) may be uninsured or may be supported by various forms
of insurance or guarantees,  including  individual loan,  title, pool and hazard
insurance,  and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities,
private insurers, or the mortgage poolers.

         GNMA  CERTIFICATES.  GNMA certificates are  mortgage-backed  securities
representing  part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which timely payment
of interest and principal is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.  As a result, GNMA certificates are considered to have a low risk of
default,  although they are subject to the same market risk as  comparable  debt
securities.  GNMA  certificates  differ from typical bonds because  principal is
repaid  monthly over the term of the loan rather than  returned in a lump sum at
maturity.  Although the mortgage loans in the pool will have maturities of up to
30 years,  the actual  average life of the GNMA  certificates  typically will be
substantially  less because the  mortgages may be purchased at any time prior to
maturity, will be subject to normal principal  amortization,  and may be prepaid
prior to  maturity.  Reinvestment  of  prepayments  may occur at higher or lower
rates than the original yield on the certificates.

         FNMA AND FHLMC MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS. FNMA, a federally chartered
and privately owned corporation,  issues  pass-through  securities  representing
interests in pools of conventional  mortgage  loans.  FNMA guarantees the timely
payment of principal and interest,  but this guarantee is not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S.  Government.  FNMA also issues REMIC  certificates,
which  represent  interests  in a trust  funded  with FNMA  certificates.  REMIC
certificates  are guaranteed by FNMA and not by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government.

         FHLMC,  a  corporate  instrumentality  of the U.S.  Government,  issues
participation  certificates  which represent  interests in pools of conventional
mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate
collection  of  principal,  and maintains  reserves to protect  holders  against
losses due to default, but these securities are not backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government.

         As is the case with  GNMA  certificates,  the  actual  maturity  of and
realized yield on particular  FNMA and FHLMC  pass-through  securities will vary
based on the prepayment experience of the underlying pool of mortgages.

         COLLATERALIZED   MORTGAGE   OBLIGATIONS  AND   MORTGAGE-BACKED   BONDS.
Mortgage-backed  securities  may be issued  by  financial  institutions  such as
commercial banks, savings and loan associations,  mortgage banks, and securities
broker-dealers  (or affiliates of such  institutions  established to issue these
securities) in the form of either  collateralized  mortgage obligations ("CMOs")
or mortgage-backed bonds. CMOs are obligations fully collateralized  directly or
indirectly  by a pool of mortgages on which  payments of principal  and interest
are  dedicated  to payment of principal  and interest on the CMOs.  Payments are
passed  through  to the  holders  on the same  schedule  as they  are  received,
although not necessarily on a pro rata basis.  Mortgage-backed bonds are general
obligations of the issuer fully collateralized  directly or indirectly by a pool
of  mortgages.  The  mortgages  serve as  collateral  for the  issuer's  payment
obligations  on the bonds but interest and  principal  payments on the mortgages
are not passed through either directly (as with GNMA  certificates  and FNMA and
FHLMC  pass-through   securities)  or  on  a  modified  basis  (as  with  CMOs).
Accordingly,  a change in the rate of prepayments on the pool of mortgages could
change the effective  maturity of a CMO but not that of a  mortgage-backed  bond

                                       10
<PAGE>

(although, like many bonds,  mortgage-backed bonds may be callable by the issuer
prior to maturity).  Although the  mortgage-related  securities  securing  these
obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the
obligation itself is not so guaranteed.  Therefore,  if the collateral  securing
the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could
sustain a loss. If new types of  mortgage-related  securities  are developed and
offered to investors, investments in such securities will be considered.

         STRIPPED   MORTGAGE-BACKED    SECURITIES.    Stripped   mortgage-backed
securities are derivative  securities  usually  structured with two classes that
receive different  proportions of the interest and principal  distributions from
an  underlying  pool of  mortgage  assets.  The  Fund  may  purchase  securities
representing only the interest payment portion of the underlying  mortgage pools
(commonly  referred to as "IOs") or only the principal portion of the underlying
mortgage  pools  (commonly  referred  to  as  "POs").  Stripped  mortgage-backed
securities  are more  sensitive to changes in prepayment  and interest rates and
the market for such  securities is less liquid than is the case for  traditional
debt securities and  mortgage-backed  securities.  The yield on IOs is extremely
sensitive  to the rate of  principal  payments  (including  prepayments)  on the
underlying  mortgage  assets,  and a rapid rate of repayment may have a material
adverse effect on such securities' yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage
assets experience  greater than anticipated  prepayments of principal,  the Fund
will fail to recoup fully its initial  investment in these  securities,  even if
they are rated high quality.  Most IOs and POs are regarded as illiquid and will
be included in the Fund's limit on illiquid securities.

         RISKS OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.  Mortgage pass-through securities,
such as GNMA  certificates  or FNMA and FHLMC  mortgage-backed  obligations,  or
modified  pass-through  securities,  such as CMOs  issued by  various  financial
institutions  and IOs and POs,  are  subject  to early  repayment  of  principal
arising from  prepayments of principal on the underlying  mortgage loans (due to
the  sale  of  the  underlying  property,   the  refinancing  of  the  loan,  or
foreclosure).  Prepayment  rates vary  widely and may be  affected by changes in
market  interest  rates and other  economic  trends and  factors.  In periods of
falling  interest  rates,  the rate of  prepayment  tends to  increase,  thereby
shortening the actual average life of the mortgage-backed security.  Conversely,
when  interest  rates are  rising,  the rate of  prepayment  tends to  decrease,
thereby  lengthening  the actual average life of the  mortgage-backed  security.
Accordingly,  it is not  possible to  accurately  predict the average  life of a
particular pool.  Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates
than the original yield on the  securities.  Therefore,  the actual maturity and
realized  yield  on  pass-through  or  modified   pass-through   mortgage-backed
securities will vary based upon the prepayment experience of the underlying pool
of mortgages.

TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES

         The Fund may also invest in trust originated  preferred  securities,  a
relatively new type of security generally issued by financial  institutions such
as banks and insurance companies and other issuers.  Trust originated  preferred
securities  represent interests in a trust formed by the issuer. The trust sells
preferred  shares and invests the  proceeds in notes  issued by the same entity.
These  notes  may be  subordinated  and  unsecured.  Distributions  on the trust
originated  preferred securities match the interest payments on the notes; if no
interest is paid on the notes,  the trust will not make current  payments on its
preferred  securities.  Issuers  of the  notes  currently  enjoy  favorable  tax
treatment.  If the tax  characterization  of  these  securities  were to  change
adversely,  they could be redeemed by the issuers,  which could result in a loss
to the Fund.  In  addition,  some  trust  originated  preferred  securities  are
available only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A.

                                       11
<PAGE>

LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  loan  participations  or  assignments.   In
purchasing a loan participation or assignment,  the Fund acquires some or all of
the  interest of a bank or other  lending  institution  in a loan to a corporate
borrower.  Many such loans are  secured and most  impose  restrictive  covenants
which must be met by the borrower and which are generally  more  stringent  than
the covenants available in publicly traded debt securities.  However,  interests
in some loans may not be secured, and the Fund will be exposed to a risk of loss
if the borrower defaults.  Loan participations may also be purchased by the Fund
when the borrowing company is already in default.

         In purchasing a loan  participation,  the Fund may have less protection
under the federal securities laws than it has in purchasing traditional types of
securities.  The Fund's  ability to assert its rights  against the borrower will
also depend on the  particular  terms of the loan  agreement  among the parties.
Many of the  interests  in loans  purchased  by the Fund  will be  illiquid  and
therefore subject to the Fund's limit on illiquid investments.

COLLATERALIZED BOND OBLIGATIONS

         A  collateralized  bond  obligation  ("CBO") is a type of  asset-backed
security.  Specifically,  a CBO is an investment grade bond which is backed by a
diversified pool of lower-rated fixed income securities. The pool of lower-rated
securities is separated into "tiers"  representing  different  degrees of credit
quality.  The top  tier of CBOs is  backed  by the  pooled  securities  with the
highest degree of credit quality and pays the lowest  interest rate.  Lower-tier
CBOs represent  lower degrees of credit quality and pay higher interest rates to
compensate  for the  attendant  risk.  The bottom tier  typically  receives  the
residual  interest payments (i.e. money that is left over after the higher tiers
have been paid) rather than a fixed interest rate. The return on the bottom tier
of CBOs is especially sensitive to the rate of defaults in the collateral pool.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

         The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers.  These securities
may  be  U.S.  dollar  denominated  or  non-U.S.  dollar  denominated.   Foreign
securities  include   securities  issued,   assumed  or  guaranteed  by  foreign
governments or political subdivisions or instrumentalities thereof.

         Investments in foreign  securities may offer unique potential  benefits
such as  substantial  growth in industries  not yet developed in the  particular
country.  Such investments  also permit the Fund to invest in foreign  countries
with economic  policies or business  cycles  different  from those of the United
States,  or to reduce  fluctuations  in portfolio  value by taking  advantage of
foreign  securities  markets  that  may not move in a  manner  parallel  to U.S.
markets.

         Investments in securities of foreign  issuers involve certain risks not
ordinarily  associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers.  Such
risks  include   fluctuations  in  foreign  exchange  rates,  and  the  possible
imposition  of  exchange   controls  or  other  foreign   governmental  laws  or
restrictions on foreign  investments or  repatriation  of capital.  In addition,
with respect to certain  countries,  there is the possibility of nationalization
or  expropriation  of  assets;  confiscatory  taxation;   political,  social  or
financial  instability;  and war or other  diplomatic  developments  that  could
adversely affect  investments in those  countries.  Since the Fund may invest in
securities  denominated  or quoted in  currencies  other  than the U.S.  dollar,
changes in foreign  currency  exchange rates will affect the value of securities
held by the Fund and the unrealized  appreciation or depreciation of investments

                                       12
<PAGE>

so far as U.S.  investors are concerned.  The Fund generally will incur costs in
connection with conversion between various currencies.

         There  may be less  publicly  available  information  about  a  foreign
company than about a U.S.  company,  and foreign companies may not be subject to
accounting,   auditing,  and  financial  reporting  standards  and  requirements
comparable  to or as  uniform  as those to which  U.S.  companies  are  subject.
Foreign securities  markets,  while growing in volume,  have, for the most part,
substantially  less  volume  than  U.S.  markets.  Securities  of  many  foreign
companies  are less liquid and their prices more  volatile  than  securities  of
comparable  U.S.  companies.  Transaction  costs,  custodial fees and management
costs  in  non-U.S.  securities  markets  are  generally  higher  than  in  U.S.
securities  markets.   There  is  generally  less  government   supervision  and
regulation  of  exchanges,  brokers,  and  issuers  than  there is in the United
States.  The Fund might have greater  difficulty taking appropriate legal action
with  respect to foreign  investments  in non-U.S.  courts than with  respect to
domestic issuers in U.S. courts. In addition, transactions in foreign securities
may  involve  longer  time from the trade date until  settlement  than  domestic
securities  transactions  and involve the risk of  possible  losses  through the
holding of securities  by  custodians  and  securities  depositories  in foreign
countries.

         All of the foregoing risks may be intensified in emerging markets.

         Dividend and interest income from foreign  securities may be subject to
withholding  taxes by the  country in which the issuer is located and may not be
recoverable by the Fund or its investors in all cases.

         ADRs  are  certificates   issued  by  a  U.S.  bank  or  trust  company
representing  an interest  in  securities  of a foreign  issuer  deposited  in a
foreign  subsidiary or branch or a correspondent of that bank.  Generally,  ADRs
are designed  for use in U.S.  securities  markets and may offer U.S.  investors
more  liquidity  than  the  underlying  securities.   The  Fund  may  invest  in
unsponsored  ADRs. The issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose
material  information  in the United States and,  therefore,  there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of such ADRs. European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") are certificates issued by a European bank or trust
company evidencing its ownership of the underlying foreign securities.  EDRs are
designed for use in European securities markets.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES, RULE 144A SECURITIES AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  restricted  securities,   such  as  private
placements,  and in Rule 144A securities.  Once acquired,  restricted securities
may be sold by the Fund only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public
offering with respect to which a  registration  statement is in effect under the
1933  Act.  If sold in a  privately  negotiated  transaction,  the Fund may have
difficulty  finding a buyer and may be  required to sell at a price that is less
than it had  anticipated.  Where  registration  is  required,  the  Fund  may be
obligated to pay all or part of the  registration  expenses  and a  considerable
period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund
may be permitted to sell a security under an effective  registration  statement.
If, during such a period,  adverse market  conditions were to develop,  the Fund
might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.
Restricted securities are generally considered illiquid.

         Rule  144A  securities,  although  not  registered,  may be  resold  to
qualified  institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
The  Adviser,  acting  pursuant  to  guidelines  established  by the Board,  may
determine that some Rule 144A securities are liquid.


                                       13
<PAGE>

         The Fund may not invest in any security if, as a result,  more than 15%
of the Fund's net assets  would be invested in  illiquid  securities,  which are
securities that cannot be expected to be sold within seven days at approximately
the price at which they are valued.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

         The Fund may enter into repurchase  agreements.  A repurchase agreement
is an agreement under which securities are acquired from a securities  dealer or
bank  subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date.  The  acquiring
Fund  bears a risk of loss in the  event  that the other  party to a  repurchase
agreement  defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from
exercising  its rights to  dispose of the  collateral  securities.  However,  to
minimize  the risk,  the Fund will enter into  repurchase  agreements  only with
financial  institutions  which are deemed to be of good  financial  standing and
which have been approved by the Board. No more than 15% of the Fund's assets may
be subject to repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

SECURITIES LENDING

         The Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers  or other  institutional
investors  pursuant  to  agreements  requiring  that the  loans be  continuously
secured by any combination of cash,  U.S.  Government  securities,  and approved
bank letters of credit that at all times equal at least 100% of the market value
of the  loaned  securities.  Such  loans  will not be made if, as a result,  the
aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans would exceed 33-1/3% of the
Fund's total assets.  The Fund  continues to receive  interest on the securities
loaned and  simultaneously  earns either  interest on the investment of the cash
collateral  or fee income if the loan is  otherwise  collateralized.  Should the
borrower  of the  securities  fail  financially,  there  is a risk of  delay  in
recovery of the securities loaned or loss of rights in the collateral.  However,
the Fund seeks to minimize this risk by making loans only to borrowers which are
deemed by the  Adviser  to be of good  financial  standing  and which  have been
approved by the Board.

BORROWING

         The Fund may borrow  money to purchase  securities,  which is a form of
leverage.  This  leverage  may  exaggerate  the gains and  losses on the  Fund's
investments  and  changes in the net asset value of its  shares.  Leverage  also
creates  interest  expenses;   if  those  expenses  exceed  the  return  on  the
transactions  that  the  borrowings  facilitate,  the  Fund  will  be in a worse
position than if it had not  borrowed.  The Fund may pledge assets in connection
with  permitted  borrowings.  The Fund may borrow an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
assets.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

         The Fund does not have a predetermined rate of portfolio turnover since
such turnover will be incidental to transactions  taken with a view to achieving
its  objective.  It is  anticipated  that the annual  turnover  rate of the Fund
normally will not exceed 325%. Turnover rates in excess of 100% generally result
in higher  transaction  costs and a possible  increase  in  realized  short-term
capital gains or losses. See "Dividends, Other Distributions and Taxes."

                                       14
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT

         The Trustees of the Trust decide upon matters of general policy for the
Trust. In addition, the Trustees review the actions of the Adviser, as set forth
below.  The Trust's  officers  supervise  the daily  business  operations of the
Trust.  For  information  about the Trust's  Board of  Trustees  and the Trust's
officers, see "Management" in the SAI.

THE ADVISER

         Conseco Capital Management, Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel,
Indiana 46032, has been retained under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the
Trust to provide  investment  advice and in general to supervise the  management
and investment  program of the Trust and the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Conseco,  Inc., a publicly-owned  financial services company,  the
principal operations of which are in development,  marketing, and administration
of specialized  annuity,  life and health insurance  products.  The Adviser also
manages  the other  series of the Trust,  manages and serves as  sub-adviser  to
other registered investment companies, and manages all of the invested assets of
its parent company,  Conseco, Inc., which owns or manages several life insurance
subsidiaries,  and provides  investment  and servicing  functions to the Conseco
companies  and  affiliates.  The Adviser also manages  foundations,  endowments,
public and corporate pension plans, and private client accounts.  As of December
31, 1997, the Adviser managed in excess of $32 billion in assets.

         The Adviser generally manages the affairs of the Trust,  subject to the
supervision of the Board. Under the Investment Advisory  Agreement,  the Adviser
has contracted to receive an investment  advisory fee equal to an annual rate of
 .85% of the  average  daily  net  asset  value  of the  Fund.  The  Adviser  has
voluntarily undertaken to reduce its advisory fee with respect to the Fund until
April  30,  1999.  See  "Fee  Table"  for more  information.  The  Adviser,  the
Administrator,  and the Distributor have voluntarily  agreed to waive their fees
and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the ratio of expenses to net assets
on an annual basis for the Fund exceeds  1.55% with respect to Class A and 2.05%
with respect to Class B and Class C. This voluntary limit may be discontinued at
any time after April 30, 1999.

         Andrew  S.  Chow,  CFA,  FLMI,   Vice  President,   is  the  investment
professional  primarily  responsible for the management of the Fund. Mr. Chow is
responsible  for  trading   mortgage-backed   securities  (MBS),   exchange  and
over-the-counter  derivatives and convertible  bonds. He also holds fixed income
portfolio  management  responsibilities.  Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Chow
was Manager of Quantitative Analysis at Washington Square Capital,  where he was
responsible  for MBS,  non-dollar  bonds and  derivatives.  Prior to  working at
Washington Square, Mr. Chow traded futures on the floor of the Minneapolis Grain
Exchange.  Mr.  Chow is a Chartered  Financial  Analyst and a Fellow of the Life
Management Institute.

         Like other  financial  and  business  organizations,  the Fund could be
adversely  affected if  computer  systems it relies on do not  properly  process
date-related  information  and data  involving  the years  2000 and  after.  The
Adviser is taking steps that it believes are  reasonable to address this problem
in its own computer  systems and to obtain  assurances that comparable steps are
being  taken by the Fund's  other major  service  providers.  The  Adviser  also
attempts  to evaluate  the  potential  impact of this  problem on the issuers of
investment  securities  that  the  Fund  purchases.  However,  there  can  be no
assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the
Fund.

                                       15
<PAGE>

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

         Pursuant to an administration agreement  ("Administration  Agreement"),
the  Administrator  supervises  the overall  administration  of the Fund.  These
administrative  services  include  supervising the preparation and filing of all
documents  required  for  compliance  by  the  Fund  with  applicable  laws  and
regulations, supervising the maintenance of books and records, and other general
and  administrative   responsibilities.   For  providing  these  services,   the
Administrator  receives  a fee from the  Fund of .20%  per  annum of the  Fund's
average  daily  net  assets.  Pursuant  to  the  Administration  Agreement,  the
Administrator  reserves  the right to employ one or more  sub-administrators  to
perform  administrative  services  for the Fund.  The Bank of New York  performs
certain  administrative  services for the Fund pursuant to an agreement with the
Administrator.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS

         The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class A, Class
B and Class C shares to compensate the Distributor for  distributing  the shares
and servicing the accounts of shareholders  of each such class.  With respect to
Class A shares of the Fund, the Plan  authorizes  payments to the Distributor of
up to 0.50%  annually of the average  daily net assets  attributable  to Class A
shares.  With  respect  to Class B and  Class C  shares  of the  Fund,  the Plan
authorizes  payments to the  Distributor  of up to 1.00%  annually of the Fund's
average  daily  net  assets   attributable  to  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares,
respectively. The Plan further provides for periodic payments by the Distributor
to  brokers,   dealers,   and  other  financial   intermediaries  for  providing
shareholder  services and for  promotional  and other sales related  costs.  The
portion of payments  by Class A, Class B or Class C of the Fund for  shareholder
servicing  may not exceed an annual rate of .25% of the average  daily net asset
value of the Fund's shares of that class owned by clients of such broker, dealer
or financial intermediary.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

HOW TO BUY SHARES

         You may  purchase  Class A, Class B or Class C shares  from any broker,
dealer,  or other financial  intermediary  that has a selling agreement with the
Distributor.  These firms may charge for their services in connection  with your
purchase  order. In addition,  as discussed  below, an account may be opened for
the  purchase of shares of the Fund by mailing a completed  account  application
and a check  payable  to the Fund to the  Conseco  Fund  Group,  P.O.  Box 8017,
Boston,  Massachusetts 02266-8017. Or you may telephone (800) 986-3384 to obtain
the number of an account to which you can wire or electronically  transfer funds
and  then  send  in a  completed  application.  When  placing  purchase  orders,
investors  should  specify  whether the order is for Class A, Class B or Class C
shares.

         Purchase  orders for the Fund are  accepted  only on a business  day as
defined below.  Orders for shares  received by the Fund's  Transfer Agent on any
business  day  prior  to the  close of  regular  trading  on the New York  Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE")  (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will receive that day's
offering price.  The offering price is net asset value plus, for shares of Class
A, a varying sales charge depending on the amount invested.  For a discussion of
how the  price of shares  of each  class is  computed,  see  "Alternate  Pricing
Arrangements."  Orders  received by the Transfer Agent after such time but prior
to the close of business on the next business day will receive the next business
day's offering  price. A "business day" is any day on which the NYSE is open for
business.  It is anticipated  that the NYSE will be closed Saturdays and Sundays
and on days on which the NYSE  observes New Year's Day,  Martin  Luther King Jr.
Day,  President's Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

                                       16
<PAGE>

         Certain brokers,  dealers,  and other financial  intermediaries  may be
authorized  to accept  purchase  orders on behalf of the Fund.  The Fund will be
deemed to have received a purchase order when an authorized  broker,  dealer, or
other  financial  intermediary  accepts  the  order.  Orders  placed  through an
authorized  broker,  dealer,  or other financial  intermediary  will receive the
offering  price next  calculated  after the order has been  accepted  by such an
authorized  firm. In all other cases,  it is the  responsibility  of the broker,
dealer,  or other  financial  intermediary  to forward  customer orders received
prior to the  close  of the NYSE to the  Transfer  Agent  prior to its  close of
business that same day (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

         Brokers,  dealers and other  financial  intermediaries  are required to
provide  payment within three business days after placing an order.  WHEN MAKING
PAYMENT  FOR  CONFIRMED  PURCHASES  VIA  FEDERAL  FUNDS  WIRE,  SUCH  FIRMS MUST
REFERENCE THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER TO ENSURE TIMELY CREDIT.

         The minimum initial  investment by a shareholder in Class A, Class B or
Class C shares of the Fund is $250 and the minimum subsequent investment is $50.
In the case of a salary reduction contribution under a retirement plan, both the
minimum initial  investment and subsequent  investment amount is $10. A purchase
of Class B shares of a Fund may not exceed $500,000; however, purchases of Class
A shares exceeding  $500,000 are eligible for a sales load waiver (see "Purchase
of Class A Shares" below).  These  requirements  may be changed or waived at any
time at the discretion of the Fund's  officers.  The Fund and the Distributor or
Transfer  Agent reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of shares
in whole or in part.  The Trust  reserves the right to cancel any purchase order
for which  payment has not been  received by the third  business  day  following
placement of the order.

         The  Distributor  may provide  promotional  incentives,  including cash
compensation,  to certain brokers,  dealers, or financial  intermediaries  whose
representatives  have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares
of the  Fund.  Other  programs  may  provide,  subject  to  certain  conditions,
additional compensation to brokers,  dealers, or financial  intermediaries based
on a  combination  of  aggregate  shares  sold and  increases  of  assets  under
management.  All of the above  payments will be made by the  Distributor  or its
affiliates out of their own assets.  These programs will not change the price an
investor  will pay for shares or the amount that the Fund will receive from such
sale.

         You  will  receive  a  confirmation  of each  new  transaction  in your
account,  which  will also show you the  number of Fund  shares  you own and the
number  of shares  being  held in  safekeeping  by the  Transfer  Agent for your
account. You may rely on these confirmations in lieu of certificates as evidence
of your  ownership.  Certificates  representing  shares  of the Fund will not be
issued.

PURCHASES BY WIRE

         Purchases by wire transfer should be directed to the Transfer Agent. To
receive an account number call (800) 986-3384 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day (as defined above) on which your bank
is open for business.  The following  information will be requested:  your name,
address, tax identification number, dividend distribution election, amount being
wired and the wiring bank. Instructions should then be given by you to your bank
to transfer funds by wire to: ABA # 011000028,  State Street Bank,  Boston,  MA,
Account #  9905-244-1.  If you  arrange  for  receipt by the  Transfer  Agent of
Federal funds prior to the close of regular trading  (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time) of the NYSE on a business  day as defined  above,  you will  receive  that
day's offering price. Your bank may charge for these services.

                                       17
<PAGE>

PURCHASES BY CHECK

         An  initial  investment  made  by  check  must  be  accompanied  by  an
application,  completed in its entirety.  Additional shares of the Fund may also
be  purchased  by sending a check  payable to the Fund,  along with  information
regarding your account, including the account number, to the Transfer Agent. All
checks should be drawn only on U.S. banks in U.S.  funds, in order to avoid fees
and delays.  A charge may be imposed if any check  submitted for investment does
not clear.  Third party checks will not be accepted.  When purchases are made by
check,  redemptions  will not be allowed until the investment being redeemed has
been in the account for 15 business days.

PRE-AUTHORIZED INVESTMENT PLAN

         For  your  convenience,   a  pre-authorized   investment  plan  may  be
established  where your personal bank account is automatically  debited and your
Fund account is  automatically  credited  with  additional  full and  fractional
shares  ($50  minimum   monthly   investment).   For  further   information   on
pre-authorized  investment  plans,  please  contact the Transfer  Agent at (800)
986-3384.  The  minimum  investment  requirements  may be waived by the Fund for
purchases made pursuant to certain programs such as payroll  deduction plans and
retirement plans.

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

         The Dollar Cost  Averaging  ("DCA")  program  enables a shareholder  to
transfer  assets from the  Federated  money  market  fund to another  investment
option on a  predetermined  and systematic  basis.  The DCA program is generally
suitable for  shareholders  making a substantial  investment in the Fund and who
desire to control the risk of  investing at the top of a market  cycle.  The DCA
program allows such investments to be made in equal installments over time in an
effort to reduce such risk.

         If you have at least  $5,000  invested in the  Federated  money  market
fund,  you may choose to have a specified  dollar amount  transferred  from this
fund to the Fund, or to other series of the Trust, on a monthly basis.  The main
objective  of  DCA  is  to  shield  your  investment   from   short-term   price
fluctuations.  Since  the same  dollar  amount is  transferred  to the Fund each
month,  more shares are  purchased in the Fund if the value per share is low and
fewer shares are  purchased if the value per share is high.  Therefore,  a lower
average  cost  per  share  may be  achieved  over the long  term.  This  plan of
investing allows investors to take advantage of market fluctuations but does not
assure a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets.

         DCA may be  elected on the  application  form or at a later  date.  The
minimum  amount that may be  transferred  each month into the Fund and the other
series of the Trust is $250.  The maximum  amount  which may be  transferred  is
equal to the amount  invested in the  Federated  money market fund when elected,
divided by 12.

         The transfer date will be the same calendar day each month.  The dollar
amount will be  allocated  to the Fund and the other  series of the Trust in the
proportions you specify on the appropriate  form, or, if none are specified,  in
accordance with your original investment  allocation.  If, on any transfer date,
the amount invested is equal to or less than the amount you have elected to have
transferred,  the entire amount will be transferred and the option will end. You
may change the  transfer  amount once each year or cancel this option by sending
the  appropriate  form  to the  Trust's  Administrative  Office,  which  must be
received at least seven days before the next transfer date.

                                       18
<PAGE>

ALTERNATIVE PRICING ARRANGEMENTS

         Investors  in the Fund may  select  Class A, Class B or Class C shares.
The primary  difference  between the classes lies in their  initial sales charge
and  contingent  deferred  sales charge  structures  and in their ongoing annual
expenses,  including  12b-1  distribution  and service fees.  The decision as to
which  class of shares is better  suited to your  needs  depends  on a number of
factors  that you should  discuss with your  broker,  dealer or other  financial
intermediary.  Generally,  you should consider the amount you plan to invest and
the length of time you plan to hold your  investment,  the ongoing expenses plus
contingent  deferred  sales charges for Class B and Class C shares,  the initial
sales charge plus ongoing  expenses for Class A shares,  the possibility  that a
sales charge will be reduced or waived, the possibility that the return on Class
A shares - which is anticipated to be higher due to lower ongoing  expenses will
offset  the  initial  sales  charge  paid on  such  shares,  and  the  automatic
conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares.

PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES

         The offering  price of Class A shares is net asset value plus a varying
sales charge depending on the amount invested. Although investors pay an initial
sales  charge when they buy Class A shares,  the ongoing  expenses of this class
are lower  than the  ongoing  expenses  of Class B or Class C shares.  The sales
charge applicable to shares of Class A is determined as follows:

SALES CHARGE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>                 <C>                <C>

       ON PURCHASES OF:       AS % OF PUBLIC        AS % OF NET         DEALER REALLOWANCE
                              OFFERING PRICE      AMOUNT INVESTED     AS % OF OFFERING PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Less than $50,000            5.75%                6.10%                   5.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $50,000 to $99,999           4.50%                4.71%                   3.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $100,000 to $249,999         3.50%                3.63%                   2.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $250,000 to $499,999         2.50%                2.56%                   2.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $500,000 and over             None                None                    1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The sales charge assessed upon the purchase of shares of Class A is not
an  expense  of Class A and has no effect  on the net  asset  value of shares of
Class A. The  Distributor  may allow the  selling  broker,  dealer or  financial
intermediary to retain 100% of the sales charge.  This may result in the selling
firm being considered an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

REDUCED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARE PURCHASE

         You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates
in one or more of the following ways:

         RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION

         The sales  charge for new  purchases of Class A shares of the Fund will
be determined by aggregating  the net asset value of shares of the Fund,  shares

                                       19
<PAGE>

of the other series of the Trust,  and shares of the Federated money market fund
owned by the  shareholder at the time of the new purchase.  You must identify on
the application all accounts to be linked for Rights of Accumulation.

         COMBINED PURCHASES

         You may  aggregate  your  purchases  of  shares  of the  Fund  with the
purchases  of the  other  persons  listed  below  to  achieve  discounts  in the
applicable sales charges.  The sales charge  applicable to a current purchase of
Class A shares of the Fund by a person  listed below is determined by adding the
value of Class A shares to be purchased to the  aggregate  value (at current net
asset  value) of all  shares of any of the series of the Trust and shares of the
Federated money market fund previously purchased and then owned. In addition, if
you own a Great American Reserve  Insurance  Company variable annuity  contract,
the current cash value of such contract  will be aggregated  with your shares to
determine your sales charge.  The Transfer Agent must be notified by you or your
broker,  dealer or financial  intermediary  each time a  qualifying  purchase is
made.

         Qualifying  investments  include  those by you,  your  spouse  and your
children under the age of 21, if all parties are  purchasing  Class A shares for
their  own  account(s),  which  may  include  tax  qualified  plans,  such as an
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA," including a Roth IRA or Education IRA), or
by a company solely controlled (as defined in the 1940 Act) by such individuals.
Reduced sales charges also apply to purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary if
the  investment is for a single trust,  estate or fiduciary  account,  including
pension,  profit-sharing  or other employee  benefit trust created pursuant to a
plan qualified under the Code. Reduced sales charges apply to combined purchases
by qualified  employee benefit plans of a single  corporation or of corporations
affiliated with each other in accordance  with the 1940 Act.  Purchases made for
nominee  or street  name  accounts  (securities  held in the name of a broker or
another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not
be aggregated  with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with
other nominee or street name accounts  unless  otherwise  qualified as described
above.

         LETTER OF INTENT

         You may reduce  your sales  charge on all  investments  by meeting  the
terms of a letter of intent, a non-binding commitment to invest a certain amount
within a  13-month  period.  Your  existing  holdings  in the  Trust may also be
combined  with the  investment  commitment  set forth in the letter of intent to
further reduce your sales charge.  Up to 5% of the letter amount will be held in
escrow  to  cover  additional  sales  charges  which  may be due if  your  total
investments  over the letter  period are not  sufficient  to qualify for a sales
charge reduction. See the SAI and the application for further details.

WAIVER OF CLASS A INITIAL SALES CHARGE

         No sales  charge  is  imposed  on sales  of Class A shares  to  certain
investors.  However,  in order for the  following  sales  charge  waivers  to be
effective,  the Transfer  Agent must be notified of the waiver when the purchase
order is placed.  The Transfer Agent may require evidence of your  qualification
for the waiver. No sales charge is imposed on the following investments:

o    by  current  or  retired  officers,  directors  and  employees  (and  their
     parents,  grandparents,  spouse, and minor children) of the Trust,  Conseco
     and its affiliates and the Transfer Agent;

o    by any  participant in (i) a tax qualified  retirement  plan  provided that
     the initial amount  invested by the plan totals  $500,000 or more, the plan
     has 50 or more  employees  eligible to participate at the time of purchase,

<PAGE>

     or the plan certifies that it will have projected  annual  contributions of
     $200,000  or  more,  or (ii) by one of a group  of tax  qualified  employee
     benefit plans that purchase  through an omnibus account  relationship  with
     the Fund maintained by a single service provider,  provided that such plans
     make an aggregated initial investment of $500,000 or more;

o    by  brokers,  dealers,  and  other  financial  intermediaries  that  have a
     selling  agreement with the Distributor,  if they purchase shares for their
     own accounts or for retirement plans for their employees;

o    by   employees  and   registered   representatives   (and  their   parents,
     grandparents,  spouses and minor children) of brokers,  dealers,  and other
     financial intermediaries described above; the purchaser must certify to the
     Distributor  at the  time of the  purchase  that  the  purchase  is for the
     purchaser's  own account (or for the  benefit of such  employee's  parents,
     grandparents, spouse or minor children);

o    by   any   charitable   organization,   state,   county,   city,   or   any
     instrumentality,   department,   authority  or  agency  thereof  which  has
     determined  that Class A is a legally  permissible  investment and which is
     prohibited  by  applicable  investment  law from  paying a sales  charge or
     commission  in  connection  with the  purchase of shares of any  registered
     management investment company;

o    by  one or more members of a group of at least 100 persons (and persons who
     are retirees  from such group)  engaged in a common  business,  profession,
     civic or charitable  endeavor or other activity,  and the spouses and minor
     children  of such  persons,  pursuant to a  marketing  program  between the
     Distributor and such group;

o    (i)  through  an  investment  adviser  who makes such  purchases  through a
     broker,  dealer, or other financial  intermediary (each of which may impose
     transaction fees on the purchase), or (ii) by an investment adviser for its
     own account or for a bona fide advisory  account over which the  investment
     adviser has investment discretion;

o    through  a broker, dealer or other financial intermediary which maintains a
     net asset value purchase  program that enables the Fund to realize  certain
     economies of scale;

o    through  bank trust  departments or trust  companies on behalf of bona fide
     trust or fiduciary  accounts by  notifying  the  Distributor  in advance of
     purchase; a bona fide advisory,  trust or fiduciary account is one which is
     charged an asset-based fee and whose purpose is other than purchase of Fund
     shares at net asset value;

o    by  purchasers  in  connection  with  investments  related  to  a bona fide
     medical savings account; or

o    by  an account  established  under a wrap fee or asset  allocation  program
     where the accountholder pays the sponsor an asset-based fee.

         Additionally,  no sales charge is imposed on shares that are (a) issued
in plans of  reorganization,  such as mergers,  asset  acquisitions and exchange
offers,  to which the Fund is a party, (b) purchased by the reinvestment of loan
repayments  by   participants  in  retirement   plans,   (c)  purchased  by  the
reinvestment of dividends or other distributions from the Fund, or (d) purchased
and paid for with the  proceeds  of shares  redeemed in the prior 60 days from a
mutual fund on which an initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge
was paid (other than a fund managed by the Adviser or any of its affiliates that
is subject to the  exchange  privilege  described  below);  the  purchaser  must
certify to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchaser is a prior
load investor.

21-
<PAGE>

PURCHASE OF CLASS B SHARES

         The  offering  price of Class B shares is net asset  value  without any
initial sales charge.  As a result,  the entire  purchase  amount is immediately
invested.  However, the ongoing expenses of Class B shares are higher than those
of  Class A  shares.  A  purchase  of Class B shares  may not  exceed  $500,000;
however, purchases of Class A shares exceeding $500,000 are eligible for a sales
waiver (see  "Purchase of Class A Shares"  above).  A contingent  deferred sales
charge is imposed upon  redemptions  of Class B shares within six years of their
purchase.  The  contingent  deferred sales charge is a percentage of (1) the net
asset  value of the shares at the time of purchase or (2) the net asset value of
the shares at the time of redemption, whichever is less. The contingent deferred
sales charge is determined as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION DURING                           CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st year since purchase                                    5%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd year since purchase                                    4%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd year since purchase                                    3%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th year since purchase                                    3%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th year since purchase                                    2%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6th year since purchase                                    1%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th year since purchase                                    0%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th year since purchase                                    0%

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

The contingent  deferred  sales charge will not apply to shares  acquired by the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

         In determining the  applicability  and rate of any contingent  deferred
sales charge,  Class B shares  acquired  through  reinvestment  of dividends and
capital  gains  distributions  will be redeemed  first,  followed by the Class B
shares held by the  shareholder  for the longest  period of time. The contingent
deferred  sales  charge,  if any,  upon  redemption  of Class B shares  acquired
through an exchange  will be calculated  based on the original  purchase date of
the Class B shares exchanged.

         The  Distributor  compensates  brokers,  dealers,  and other  financial
intermediaries  who sell  Class B shares.  At the time a  shareholder  purchases
Class B shares,  the  Distributor  pays the broker,  dealer,  or other financial
intermediary 4% of the purchase amount from the  Distributor's  own assets.  The
proceeds of the contingent deferred sales charge and the 12b-1 fee, in part, are
used to defray these expenses.

AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES

         Class B shares will automatically convert to a number of Class A shares
of equal  dollar  value eight  years after  purchase.  This  conversion  feature
benefits  shareholders  because Class A shares have lower ongoing  expenses than

                                       22
<PAGE>

Class B  shares.  No  initial  sales  charge  or  other  charge  is  imposed  at
conversion.  When Class B shares  convert,  a pro rata  amount of Class B shares
that  were  acquired  by  the   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gain
distributions will also convert to Class A shares.

PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES

         The  offering  price of Class C shares is net asset  value  without any
initial sales charge.  As a result,  the entire  purchase  amount is immediately
invested.  However, the ongoing expenses of Class C shares are higher than those
of Class A shares. Class C shares never convert to any other class of shares.

         Class C shares held for less than one year are subject to a  contingent
deferred  sales charge on  redemptions  in an amount equal to 1% of the lower of
(1) the net asset  value of the  shares at the time of  purchase  or (2) the net
asset  value of the shares at the time of  redemption.  Class C shares  held one
year or longer are not subject to this  contingent  deferred  sales charge.  The
contingent  deferred sales charge also will not apply to shares  acquired by the
reinvestment  of dividends or capital  gains  distributions.  The order in which
Class C shares are redeemed  will be  determined as described for Class B shares
(see "Purchase of Class B Shares").

         The contingent  deferred sales charge, if any, upon redemption of Class
C shares  acquired  through  an  exchange  and held  less  than one year will be
calculated based on the original purchase date of the Class C shares exchanged.

         The  Distributor  compensates  brokers,  dealers,  and other  financial
intermediaries  who sell  Class C shares.  At the time a  shareholder  purchases
Class C shares,  the  Distributor  pays the broker,  dealer,  or other financial
intermediary 1% of the purchase amount from the  Distributor's  own assets.  The
proceeds of the contingent deferred sales charge and the 12b-1 fee, in part, are
used to defray these expenses.

WAIVERS OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C

         To obtain a waiver of the contingent  deferred  sales charge,  you must
notify the Transfer Agent, who may require evidence of your  qualification.  The
contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to:

o    any  partial or  complete  redemption  in  connection  with a  distribution
     without federal tax income penalty under a tax-qualified  retirement  plan,
     upon separation from service and attaining age 55;

o    any  partial or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or
     hardship  withdrawal from a  tax-qualified  retirement  plan,  eligible 457
     plan, or 403(b)(7) plan;

o    any  complete   redemption  in   connection  with  a  distribution  from  a
     tax-qualified  retirement  plan,  eligible 457 plan,  or 403(b)(7)  plan in
     connection with  termination of employment or termination of the employer's
     plan;

o    any  redemption  resulting from a tax-free return of an excess contribution
     from a tax-qualified retirement plan, IRA, savings incentive match plan for
     employees ("SIMPLE" plan), eligible 457 plan, or 403(b)(7) plan;

o    mandated  minimum distributions from a tax-qualified  retirement plan, IRA,
     SIMPLE plan, eligible 457 plan, or 403(b) plan;



                                       23
<PAGE>

o    substantially  equal  periodic  payments as defined in Section 72(t) of the
     Code;

o    any partial or  complete  redemption  following  death or  disability  of a
     shareholder  (including  one who owns the shares as joint  tenant  with his
     spouse),  provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death
     or initial  determination of disability (as defined in Section 72(m) of the
     Code);

o    redemptions under the Fund's Systematic  Withdrawal Plan (investors may not
     withdraw  annually  more than 12% of the value of their  account  under the
     Systematic Withdrawal Plan);

o    redemptions  in  connection  with  distributions  from a Roth  IRA or  Roth
     Conversion IRA that are qualified distributions under the Code;

o    redemptions in connection with distributions from an Education IRA that are
     used for qualified  higher  education  expenses under the Code or which are
     required by the Code to be distributed;

o    redemptions in connection with  investments  related to a bona fide medical
     savings account; and

o    redemptions  from  an  account  established  under  a  wrap  fee  or  asset
     allocation  program where the accountholder pays the sponsor an asset-based
     fee.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES OF THE FUND

         Shares are redeemed at net asset value next determined after receipt of
a redemption  request in good form on any business day,  reduced,  for shares of
Class B and Class C, by any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL

         A written request for redemption must be received by the Transfer Agent
to  constitute a valid  tender for  redemption.  It will also be  necessary  for
corporate investors and other associations to have an appropriate  certification
authorizing  redemptions  by a corporation  or an  association  on file before a
redemption  request will be considered in proper form. A suggested  form of such
certification is provided on the application  accompanying  this  Prospectus.  A
signature  guarantee is required for redemptions of $50,000 or more. A signature
guarantee may be obtained from most banks,  brokers and dealers,  credit unions,
savings associations and financial institutions, but not from a notary public.

REDEMPTIONS BY WIRE OR TELEPHONE

         Brokers,  dealers,  or other financial  intermediaries  may communicate
redemption  orders  by wire or  telephone.  These  firms  may  charge  for their
services in connection with your redemption request but neither the Fund nor the
Distributor imposes any such charges.

         The  Fund  and the  Transfer  Agent  will  not be  responsible  for the
authenticity  of  telephone  instructions  or  losses,  if any,  resulting  from
unauthorized  shareholder  transactions  if  the  Fund  or  the  Transfer  Agent
reasonably  believes  that  such  instructions  are  genuine.  The  Fund and the
Transfer Agent have established procedures that the Fund believes are reasonably
appropriate to confirm that instructions  communicated by telephone are genuine.
These procedures include: (i) recording telephone instructions for exchanges and
expedited  redemptions;  (ii)  requiring  the  caller to give  certain  specific
identifying   information;   and  (iii)  providing   written   confirmations  to

                                       24
<PAGE>

shareholders  of record not later than five days  following  any such  telephone
transactions. If the Fund and the Transfer Agent do not employ these procedures,
they may be liable for any losses due to  unauthorized  or fraudulent  telephone
instructions.

REDEMPTIONS THROUGH BROKERS, DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

         Certain brokers,  dealers,  and other financial  intermediaries  may be
authorized to accept  redemption  orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be
deemed to have received a redemption order when an authorized broker, dealer, or
other  financial  intermediary  accepts  the  order.  Orders  placed  through an
authorized broker,  dealer, or other financial intermediary will receive the net
asset  value  next  calculated  after  the order  has been  accepted  by such an
authorized firm, minus any applicable  contingent  deferred sales charge. In all
other cases, it is the responsibility of the broker,  dealer, or other financial
intermediary to forward customer  redemption  orders received prior to the close
of the NYSE to the Transfer  Agent prior to its close of business  that same day
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS

         You may have the payment of redemption requests (of $250 or more) wired
or  mailed  directly  to a  domestic  commercial  bank  account  that  you  have
previously designated. Normally, such payments will be transmitted on the second
business  day  following  receipt of the request  (provided  redemptions  may be
made). You may request a wire redemption by telephone or written request sent to
the Transfer Agent. For telephone redemptions,  call the Transfer Agent at (800)
986-3384.  You  must  complete  the  "Expedited   Redemptions"  section  of  the
application for this privilege to be applicable.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

         You may elect to have  regular  monthly or  quarterly  payments  in any
fixed  amount  in  excess  of $50  made  to  you,  or to  anyone  else  properly
designated, as long as the account has a value of at least $5,000 at the time of
election.  You must  determine  the  fixed  payment  amount  for the  systematic
withdrawal plan.

         There are no  separate  charges  under this plan.  A number of full and
fractional  shares equal in value to the amount of the requested payment will be
redeemed.  Such  redemptions are normally  processed on or about the 25th day of
each  month or  quarter.  Checks  are then  mailed  on or about the first of the
following  month.  If you elect to have a Systematic  Withdrawal  Plan, you must
have all dividends and capital gains  reinvested.  To establish  systematic cash
withdrawals,  please  complete the  systematic  cash  withdrawal  section on the
application.

         You may change the amount,  frequency,  and payee,  or  terminate  this
plan, by giving written notice to the Transfer  Agent. As shares of the Fund are
redeemed  under the plan,  you may realize a capital gain or loss to be reported
for income tax  purposes.  A Systematic  Withdrawal  Plan may be  terminated  or
modified at any time upon written notice by you or the Fund.

GENERAL

         Payment to shareholders for shares redeemed or repurchased will be made
within seven days after  receipt by the Transfer  Agent.  The Fund may delay the

                                       25
<PAGE>

payment of redemption proceeds until the check used to purchase the shares being
redeemed  has  cleared,  which may take up to 15 days or longer.  To reduce such
delay,  the Fund  recommends  that all  purchases  be made by bank wire  Federal
funds. The Fund may suspend the right of redemption under certain  extraordinary
circumstances in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

         Class A,  Class B or Class C shares  of the Fund may be  exchanged  for
shares of the same  class of  another  series of the Trust or for  shares of the
Federated  money  market fund at the  relative net asset values per share at the
time of the exchange. Shares of the Federated money market fund may be exchanged
for any Class A shares at relative net asset values per share at the time of the
exchange to the extent that the money  market  fund shares are  attributable  to
Class A shares on which an initial  sales  charge  was  previously  payable  and
dividend  reinvestments on such Class A shares.  An initial sales charge will be
imposed on other  exchanges  of shares of the  Federated  money  market fund for
Class A shares of the Fund.

         No  contingent  deferred  sales  charge  applies at the time Class B or
Class C shares of the Fund are exchanged for shares of the same class of another
series of the Trust, or for shares of the Federated money market fund.  However,
upon  redemption  of shares  acquired  through  such an  exchange,  a contingent
deferred sales charge may be deducted from the redemption  proceeds based on the
original purchase date of the Class B or Class C shares exchanged.

         Shares of the Federated  money market fund that are  attributable to an
exchange  from Class B or Class C shares of the Fund may later be exchanged  for
Fund shares of the same class without the  imposition  of a contingent  deferred
sales charge.  However, upon redemption of the Fund shares acquired through such
an  exchange,  a  contingent  deferred  sales  charge may be  deducted  from the
redemption  proceeds based on the original purchase date of the Class B or Class
C shares.

         The total value of shares of a fund purchased by exchange must at least
equal the fund's minimum investment  requirement.  Before exchanging shares, you
should  consider the  differences  in investment  objectives and expenses of the
fund into which the exchange  would be made.  Shares are normally  redeemed from
one fund and purchased  from the other fund in the exchange  transaction  on the
same business day on which the Transfer Agent receives an exchange  request that
is in proper form by the close of the NYSE that day.

REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE

         If you redeem  any or all of your  Class A shares of the Fund,  you may
reinvest all or any portion of the redemption  proceeds in Class A shares of the
Fund or another series of the Trust at net asset value without any initial sales
charge,  provided that you make such reinvestment within 180 calendar days after
the redemption  date. If you redeem any or all of your Class B or Class C shares
of the Fund, and pay a contingent deferred sales charge on those shares, you may
reinvest  all or any  portion of the  redemption  proceeds in Class B or Class C
shares,  respectively,  of the Fund or any series of the Trust and be reimbursed
for the amount of the contingent  deferred sales charge,  provided that you make
such reinvestment  within 180 calendar days of the redemption date. The original
purchase  date  of the  Class B or  Class C  shares  redeemed  will be used  for
purposes of  calculating  the  contingent  deferred  sales charge,  if any, upon
redemption of the shares acquired with this privilege.

         The reinstatement  privilege may be utilized by a shareholder only once
with respect to the Fund and may be subject to other restrictions.


                                       26
<PAGE>

ELECTRONIC TRANSFERS THROUGH AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE

         Electronic transfers through Automated Clearing House ("ACH") allow you
to initiate a purchase or redemption  for as little as $50 or as much as $50,000
between  your bank  account  and Fund  account  using the ACH  network.  Initial
purchase  minimums apply. You must complete the "ACH" section of the application
for this privilege to be applicable.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

         The net asset value per share is determined for each class of shares of
the Fund as of the close of  regular  trading  on the NYSE  (normally  4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time) on each business day (as previously defined) by dividing the value
of the Fund's net assets  attributable  to a class (the class' pro rata share of
the value of the  Fund's  assets  minus the  class' pro rata share of the Fund's
liabilities) by the number of shares of that class outstanding.

         Securities held by the Fund will be valued as follows:  Securities that
are traded on stock  exchanges or the Nasdaq Stock Market are valued at the last
sale  price as of the  close of  business  on the day the  securities  are being
valued or,  lacking  any sales,  at the mean  between  the closing bid and asked
prices.  Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean
between the bid and asked  prices or yield  equivalent  as obtained  from one or
more dealers  that make markets in the  securities.  Fund  securities  which are
traded both in the  over-the-counter  market and on a stock  exchange are valued
according  to the broadest and most  representative  market,  and it is expected
that for debt securities this  ordinarily will be the  over-the-counter  market.
Securities and assets for which market  quotations are not readily available are
valued at fair value as  determined  in good faith by or under the  direction of
the Board.  Foreign  securities  are valued on the basis of quotations  from the
primary  market in which  they are  traded,  and are  translated  from the local
currency into U.S.  dollars using current  exchange rates.  Debt securities with
maturities of sixty (60) days or less are valued at amortized cost.

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

         Dividends  from net  investment  income are  declared  and  distributed
monthly by the Fund;  however,  the Trustees may decide to declare  dividends at
other  intervals.  For  dividend  purposes,  net  investment  income of the Fund
consists of all dividends and interest it receives, less its expenses (including
fees payable to the Adviser and its affiliates). Distributions of the Fund's net
capital  gain (the  excess of net  long-term  capital  gain over net  short-term
capital loss), net short-term capital gains, and net realized gains from foreign
currency  transactions are declared and distributed to its shareholders annually
after the close of the Fund's fiscal year.

         Dividends and other  distributions  paid on each class of shares of the
Fund are calculated at the same time and in the same manner.  Dividends on Class
A, Class B, and Class C shares of a Fund are  expected to be lower than those on
its Class Y shares  because  Class A,  Class B, and Class C shares  have  higher
expenses resulting from their  distribution and service fees.  Dividends on each
class  also  might  be  affected   differently   by  the   allocation  of  other
class-specific expenses.

         DISTRIBUTION  OPTIONS.  When you open  your  account,  specify  on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. For retirement accounts,
all  Fund  distributions  are  reinvested.  For  other  accounts,  you  have the
following options:


                                       27
<PAGE>

         REINVEST ALL DISTRIBUTIONS. You can elect to reinvest all dividends and
other distributions from the Fund in additional Fund shares of the same class.

         REINVEST  INCOME  DIVIDENDS  ONLY. You can elect to reinvest  dividends
from the Fund in additional  Fund shares of the same class while receiving other
distributions by check or sent to your bank account.

         REINVEST OTHER  DISTRIBUTIONS  ONLY. You can elect to reinvest  capital
gain  distributions  from the Fund in  additional  Fund shares of the same class
while receiving dividends by check or sent to your bank account.

         RECEIVE ALL DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. You can elect to receive a check for
all  dividends and other  distributions  from the Fund or have them sent to your
bank account.

TAXES

         The Fund is treated as a separate  corporation,  and intends to qualify
as a "regulated  investment  company"  ("RIC"),  under the Code. As such, and by
complying with the applicable Code provisions regarding the amount and timing of
its distributions,  the Fund will be allowed a deduction for amounts distributed
to its shareholders from its investment company taxable income  (generally,  its
net investment  income,  net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain
foreign currency  transactions)  and net capital gain and will not be subject to
federal income tax on those amounts.  To qualify for treatment as a RIC the Fund
must, among other things,  satisfy certain source of income and  diversification
requirements described in the SAI.

         The Fund  intends to  distribute  all its  investment  company  taxable
income and net  capital  gain so as to avoid  federal  income and excise  taxes.
Dividends from the Fund's  investment  company  taxable income  (whether paid in
cash or  reinvested in additional  shares)  generally  will be taxable to you as
ordinary  income.  The  portion  of those  dividends  that does not  exceed  the
aggregate dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations will be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations; however, dividends
received  by a  corporate  shareholder  and  deducted  by  it  pursuant  to  the
dividends-received  deduction are subject indirectly to the federal  alternative
minimum tax.

         Distributions  of the Fund's net capital gain  (whether paid in cash or
reinvested  additional shares),  when designated as such, will be taxable to you
as  long-term  capital  gain,  regardless  of how long you have  held  your Fund
shares. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, different maximum tax rates apply
to a  non-corporate  taxpayer's  net capital gain  depending  on the  taxpayer's
holding  period and marginal rate of federal  income tax --  generally,  28% for
gain  recognized on capital assets held for more than one year but not more than
18 months and 20% (10% for  taxpayers  in the 15% marginal tax bracket) for gain
recognized on capital  assets held for more than 18 months.  The Fund may divide
each net capital gain  distribution  into a 28% rate gain distribution and a 20%
rate gain  distribution  (in accordance  with the Fund's holding periods for the
securities it sold that  generated  the  distributed  gain),  in which event its
shareholders must treat those portions accordingly.

         Shareholders  who are not subject to tax on their income generally will
not be required to pay tax on distributions from the Fund.

         Dividends  and other  distributions  declared  by the Fund in  October,
November, or December, but received by you in January,  generally are taxable to

                                       28
<PAGE>

you in the year in which  declared.  The Fund will  inform  you after the end of
each  calendar  year  as to  the  amount  and  nature  of  dividends  and  other
distributions  paid  (or  deemed  paid) to you for that  year.  The  information
regarding capital gain distributions will designate the portions thereof subject
to the different maximum rates of tax applicable to non-corporate taxpayers' net
capital gain indicated above.

         When you redeem (sell) shares,  it may result in a taxable gain or loss
to you,  depending on whether you receive more or less than your adjusted  basis
for the shares.  An exchange of the Fund's shares,  as described under "Purchase
and Redemption of Shares -- Exchange Privilege," generally will have similar tax
consequences. Special rules apply when you dispose of Class A shares of the Fund
through a  redemption  or  exchange  within 90 after your  purchase  thereof and
subsequently  reacquire  Class A shares of the Fund or acquire Class A shares of
another series of the Trust without paying a sales charge.  In these cases,  any
gain on the disposition of the original Class A shares will be increased, or any
loss  decreased,  by the amount of the sales charge paid when you acquired those
shares,  and that  amount  will  increase  the basis of the shares  subsequently
acquired.  In addition,  if you purchase  shares of the Fund within  thirty days
before or after  redeeming  other shares of the Fund  (regardless of class) at a
loss,  all or part of that loss will not be  deductible  and will  increase  the
basis of the newly purchased shares.

         No gain or loss will be recognized  by a  shareholder  as a result of a
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares.

         The Fund is required to withhold  31% of all  dividends,  capital  gain
distributions,  and redemption  proceeds  payable to any individuals and certain
other  non-corporate  shareholders  who do not  furnish  the Fund with a correct
taxpayer  identification number.  Withholding at that rate also is required from
dividends  and capital  gain  distributions  payable to those  shareholders  who
otherwise are subject to backup withholding.

         The  foregoing  is  only  a  summary  of  certain  federal  income  tax
considerations  affecting  your  investment  in  a  Fund.  More  information  is
contained in the SAI. You should  consult with your tax adviser about the effect
of an investment in a Fund on your particular tax situation.

GENERAL

         The Fund may from time to time advertise certain investment performance
information.  Performance  information  may consist of yield and average  annual
total return quotations  reflecting the deduction of all applicable charges over
a period of time.  The Fund also may use  aggregate  total  return  figures  for
various periods, representing the cumulative change in value of an investment in
the  Fund  for the  specific  period.  Performance  information  may be shown in
schedules,  charts or graphs. These figures are based on historical earnings and
are not intended to indicate future performance.

         The "yield" of the Fund refers to the annualized  net income  generated
by an  investment  in the Fund over a specified  30-day  period,  calculated  by
dividing the net  investment  income per share  earned  during the period by the
maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.

         The "average  annual total return" of the Fund refers to the total rate
of return of an  investment in the Fund.  The figure is computed by  calculating
average  annual  compounded  rates of return over the one-,  five- and  ten-year
periods  that  would  equate  to the  initial  amount  invested  to  the  ending
redeemable value, assuming reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gain
distributions. "Total return" quotations reflect the performance of the Fund and
include the effect of capital changes.

                                       29
<PAGE>

         Further  information  about the performance of the Fund is contained in
the SAI and in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders,  which
you may obtain  without  charge by writing  the  Fund's  address or calling  the
telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.

OTHER INFORMATION

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

         Subject to the Conduct  Rules of the NASD and to obtaining  best prices
and  executions,  the Adviser may select  brokers who provide  research or other
services or who sell shares of the Fund to effect  portfolio  transactions.  The
Adviser may also select an  affiliated  broker to execute  transactions  for the
Fund,  provided that the commissions,  fees or other  remuneration  paid to such
affiliated  broker  are  reasonable  and  fair  as  compared  to  that  paid  to
non-affiliated brokers for comparable transactions.

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

         All shares of  beneficial  interest  of the Trust are  entitled  to one
vote, and votes are generally on an aggregate basis.  However,  on matters where
the  interests of the Fund and other series of the Trust (or classes of the Fund
and  other  series of the  Trust)  differ  (such as  approval  of an  investment
advisory agreement or a change in fundamental  investment policies),  the voting
is on a  series-by-series  (or  class-by-class)  basis.  The Trust does not hold
routine annual shareholders'  meetings.  The shares of the Fund issued are fully
paid and  non-assessable,  have no preference or similar rights,  and are freely
transferable.  In addition,  each issued and outstanding share in a class of the
Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions  declared
by that class.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

         Investors  in the  Fund  will be  informed  of their  progress  through
periodic  reports.   Financial   statements   certified  by  independent  public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.

RETIREMENT PLANS AND MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

         Class A,  Class B and Class C shares  are  available  for  purchase  by
qualified  retirement plans of both corporations and self-employed  individuals.
The  Trust  has  available   prototype  IRA  plans  (for  both  individuals  and
employers),  Simplified  Employee Pension ("SEP") plans,  and savings  incentive
match  plans  for  employees  ("SIMPLE"  plans)  as  well as  Section  403(b)(7)
Tax-Sheltered  Retirement  Plans  which are  designed  for  employees  of public
educational institutions and certain non-profit,  tax-exempt organizations.  The
Trust also has information  concerning  prototype Medical Savings Accounts.  For
information, call or write the Distributor.

CLASS Y SHARES

         In order to buy Class Y shares you must be an institutional investor or
a qualifying individual investor.  Institutional  investors may include, but are
not limited to, the following: (i) tax qualified retirement plans which have (a)
at least $10 million in plan assets,  or (b) 250 or more  employees  eligible to
participate  at the  time  of  purchase,  (ii)  banks  and  insurance  companies
purchasing  shares  for  their  own  account,  (iii)  investment  companies  not

                                       30
<PAGE>

affiliated with the Adviser, (iv) tax-qualified  retirement plans of the Adviser
or brokers,  dealers,  and other  financial  intermediaries  that have a selling
agreement with the Distributor and their affiliates, (v) endowments, foundations
and other charitable  organizations or (vi) accounts  established under wrap fee
or asset  allocation  programs  where  the  accountholder  pays the  sponsor  an
asset-based fee. A qualifying individual investor is an investor who is a client
of the  Adviser  and is making a purchase  of over  $500,000  or whose  purchase
together  with his current  holdings of Class Y shares  exceeds  $500,000 or any
other individual who meets the minimum investment requirement.

         Class Y shares are  available to eligible  institutional  investors and
qualifying  individual investors at net asset value without the imposition of an
initial or deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing  distribution or
service fees imposed under a plan adopted  pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act. The minimum  initial  investment  in Class Y shares is  $500,000,  but this
requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust's officers.

         The Systematic  Withdrawal Plan and Pre-Authorized  Investment Plan are
not available for Class Y shares.

         If you are considering a purchase of Class Y shares of the Fund, please
call the Distributor at (800) 986-3384 to obtain  information  about eligibility
and a prospectus.

DISTRIBUTOR

         Conseco  Equity Sales,  Inc.,  11815 N.  Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,
Indiana 46032, serves as distributor of shares of the Trust.

TRANSFER AGENT

         State  Street Bank and Trust  Company,  225  Franklin  Street,  Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, serves as the Trust's transfer agent.

CUSTODIAN

         The Bank of New York, 90 Washington  Street,  22nd Floor, New York, New
York 10826, serves as custodian of the assets of the Fund.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT

         Coopers  &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,  2900  One  American  Square,  Box  82002,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46282-0002, serves as the Trust's independent accountant.

LEGAL COUNSEL

         Certain  legal  matters for the Fund are passed upon by  Kirkpatrick  &
Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

         THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES  HEREIN  DESCRIBED
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH  OFFERING  MAY NOT  LAWFULLY  BE MADE.  NO  SALESMAN,
DEALER  OR  OTHER  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE SAI.


                                       31
<PAGE>

If you would like a free copy of the  Statement of  Additional  Information  for
this Prospectus, please complete this form, detach, and mail to:
         Conseco Fund Group
         Attn:  Administrative Offices
         11815 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032

Gentlemen:
         Please send me a free copy of the Statement of  Additional  Information
for the Conseco Fund Group at the following address:

Name:
Mailing Address:

         Sincerely,

         (Signature)


<PAGE>

APPENDIX A SECURITIES RATINGS

DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS:

Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")
are judged to be the best  quality and carry the smallest  degree of  investment
risk.  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin,  and  principal  is secure.  While the various  protective  elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group,  they  comprise  what are  generally  known as high
grade  bonds.  They are rated  lower  than the best  bonds  because  margins  of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade  obligations.  Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa - Bonds  which are rated Baa are  considered  as medium  grade  obligations;
i.e., they are neither highly  protected nor poorly secured.  Interest  payments
and principal  security appear  adequate for the present but certain  protective
elements may be lacking or may be  characteristically  unreliable over any great
period of time. Such bonds lack outstanding  investment  characteristics  and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba - Bonds  which are rated Ba are judged to have  speculative  elements;  their
future cannot be considered  as well assured.  Often the  protection of interest
and  principal  payments may be very  moderate and thereby not well  safeguarded
during  both  good  and bad  times  over the  future.  Uncertainty  of  position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B - Bonds  which are  rated B  generally  lack  characteristics  of a  desirable
investment.  Assurance of interest and principal  payments or of  maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa - Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such  issues  may be in
default or there may be present  elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca - Bonds which are rated Ca represent  obligations  which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C - Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds. Such issues can
be  regarded as having  extremely  poor  prospects  of ever  attaining  any real
investment standing.

STANDARD & POOR'S  CORPORATE BOND RATINGS:

AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") to a debt
obligation  and  indicates an extremely  strong  capacity to pay  principal  and
interest.

                                      A-1

<PAGE>

AA - Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt  obligations.  Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.

A - Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are  somewhat  more  susceptible  to the  adverse  effects  of  changes  in
circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB - Bonds  rated  BBB are  regarded  as  having an  adequate  capacity  to pay
principal  and  interest.  Whereas they  normally  exhibit  adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to weakened  capacity to pay  principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.

BB/B/CCC/CC  - Bonds  rated BB, B, CCC,  and CC are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and  repay  principal  in  accordance  with  the  terms of the  obligation.+  BB
indicates  the  lowest  degree  of  speculation  and CC the  highest  degree  of
speculation.  While such bonds will  likely  have some  quality  and  protective
characteristics,  these are  outweighed  by large  uncertainties  or major  risk
exposure to adverse conditions.

CI - The rating CI is  reserved  for income  bonds on which no interest is being
paid.

D - Debt rated D is in  default,  and payment of interest  and/or  repayment  of
principal is in arrears.

Plus (+) or Minus (-):  The ratings from AA to B may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus  sign to show  relative  standing  within  the  major  rating
categories.

PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

Both Moody's and S&P use the same  designations  for corporate  bonds as they do
for preferred stock, except that in the case of Moody's preferred stock ratings,
the  initial  letter  rating  is not  capitalized.  While the  descriptions  are
tailored for preferred stocks and relative quality,  distinctions are comparable
to those described above for corporate bonds.



                                      A-2

<PAGE>

CONSECO FUND GROUP
CONSECO CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES FUND
CLASS Y SHARES
ADMINISTRATIVE  OFFICE:  11815 N.  PENNSYLVANIA  STREET,  CARMEL,  INDIANA 46032
                                  800-825-1530


         The Conseco  Convertible  Securities  Fund  ("Fund") is a series of the
Conseco Fund Group  ("Trust"),  an open-end  diversified  management  investment
company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the
Investment  Company  Act of 1940  ("1940  Act").  The Trust was  organized  as a
Massachusetts business trust on October 1, 1996. The Trust is a "series" type of
mutual  fund  which  issues  seven  separate  series  of  shares,  each of which
represents a separate portfolio of investments.  The Fund offers four classes of
shares.  This Prospectus  relates solely to Class Y shares of the Fund.  Class A
shares,  Class B shares and Class C shares are offered to  individual  investors
through a separate prospectus. Each class may have different expenses, which may
affect performance.

         The Fund seeks  high  total  return  through a  combination  of current
income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in securities that can be
converted  into common stock.  The Fund may invest a  significant  amount of its
assets in lower-rated fixed income securities, commonly known as "junk bonds" or
"high yield securities." THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO GREATER FLUCTUATIONS IN
VALUE AND  GREATER  RISK OF LOSS OF INCOME AND  PRINCIPAL  DUE TO DEFAULT BY THE
ISSUER THAN ARE HIGHER-RATED SECURITIES;  THEREFORE,  INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY
ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.

         Conseco  Capital  Management,  Inc.  ("Adviser")  serves as the Trust's
investment adviser. The Adviser supervises the Trust's management and investment
program,  performs a variety of administrative  services on behalf of the Trust,
and  pays all  compensation  of  officers  and  Trustees  of the  Trust  who are
affiliated  persons  of the  Adviser  or the  Trust.  The  Trust  pays all other
expenses incurred in its operations, including fees and expenses of Trustees who
are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Trust.

                                    * * * * *

         There is no  assurance  that  the  Fund  will  achieve  its  investment
objective.  The Fund may be used  independently  or in  combination  with  other
mutual funds.  You may also purchase shares of the other series of the Trust and
of a money  market  fund  currently  managed  by  Federated  Management  through
separate prospectuses.  Those prospectuses are available upon request by calling
800-986-3384.

         This Prospectus  sets forth  concisely the information  about the Trust
and the Fund that an  investor  should  know before  investing.  A Statement  of
Additional  Information  ("SAI")  dated October 1, 1998,  containing  additional
information  about  the  Trust and  the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is

<PAGE>

incorporated by reference in this  Prospectus in its entirety.  You may obtain a
copy of the SAI  without  charge by calling or writing  the Trust at the address
and telephone  number above.  The SEC maintains an Internet  World Wide Web site
(http://www.sec.gov)  that contains the SAI,  materials that are incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and the SAI, and other information  regarding the
Fund.  Information  about the Trust and its series is  available on the Internet
World Wide Web at http://www.conseco.com.

INVESTORS SHOULD READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

               The date of this Prospectus is October 1, 1998.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

    FEE TABLE.................................................................2
    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.........................................3
    INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES.......................6
    MANAGEMENT...............................................................14
    PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES........................................16
    DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES.................................20
    OTHER INFORMATION........................................................22
    APPENDIX A SECURITIES RATINGS...........................................A-1


FEE TABLE

         The  following   fee  tables  are  provided  to  assist   investors  in
understanding  the  various  fees and  expenses  which may be borne  directly or
indirectly by an investment in Class Y shares of the Fund.

- --------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases         None

- --------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on                   None
Reinvested Dividends
- --------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge          None
- --------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fees                                   None
- --------------------------------------------------------

                                       2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
<S>                                   <C>             <C>                  <C>            <C>                 <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND                                  MANAGEMENT       ADMINISTRATIVE      12B-1          OTHER               TOTAL
                                      FEES             FEES                FEES           EXPENSES(2)         OPERATING
                                      AFTER FEE                                                               EXPENSES(3)
                                      RATE
                                      REDUCTION(1)                                        AFTER FEE WAIVERS AND
                                                                                          EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conseco Convertible                   0.75%             0.20%               None          0.10%              1.05%
Securities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1 The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to reduce its advisory fee with respect
to the Fund to 0.75% of the  Fund's  average  daily net assets  until  April 30,
1999.  Absent such  undertaking,  the  advisory fee would be 0.85% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.

2 Other Expenses in the fee table are based on estimated amounts for the current
fiscal  year and  exclude  taxes,  interest,  brokerage  and  other  transaction
expenses, and any extraordinary expenses.

3 The expense  information set forth above reflects voluntary commitments of the
Adviser and Conseco Services,  LLC ("Administrator") to waive a portion of their
fees  under  the  Fund's  Investment   Advisory   Agreement  and  Administration
Agreement,  respectively,  and/or to reimburse a portion of the Fund's  expenses
through  April  30,  1999.  The  voluntary  commitments  provide  that the Total
Operating  Expenses for the Fund, on an annual basis, will not exceed the amount
set forth above. In the absence of such waivers and  reimbursements  (as well as
the  Adviser's  undertaking  with  respect  to the Fund as noted  above),  it is
estimated that Other Expenses would be .25% and Total  Operating  Expenses would
be 1.30% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.


EXAMPLE

         Assuming a  hypothetical  investment of $1,000,  a 5% annual return and
redemption  at the end of each time  period,  an investor in Class Y of the Fund
would pay transaction and operating expenses at the end of each year as follows:

            -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1 YEAR      3 YEARS
            -------------------------------------------------------------
            Conseco Convertible Securities Fund      $11         $33
            -------------------------------------------------------------

         THESE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE THE EFFECT OF EXPENSES,  BUT ARE NOT MEANT TO
SUGGEST ACTUAL OR EXPECTED COSTS OR RETURNS, ALL OF WHICH MAY VARY.


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

         The Fund seeks  high  total  return  through a  combination  of current
income  and  capital   appreciation   by  investing   primarily  in  convertible
securities.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.  The Fund is subject to the risk of changing economic conditions,  as
well as the risk  inherent  in the  ability  of its  investment  adviser to make
changes in investments in  anticipation  of changes in economic,  business,  and
financial  conditions.  The investment objective of the Fund is not fundamental,
as defined below.


                                       3
<PAGE>

         The different types of securities and investment techniques of the Fund
all have attendant risks of varying degrees. For example, with respect to equity
securities,  there can be no  assurance of capital  appreciation  and there is a
substantial risk of decline.  With respect to debt  securities,  there can be no
assurance  that  the  issuer  of such  securities  will  be  able  to  meet  its
obligations on interest or principal  payments in a timely manner.  In addition,
the value of debt instruments  generally rises and falls inversely with interest
rates. The investments and investment techniques of the Fund and their risks are
described  in  greater  detail in  "Description  of  Securities  and  Investment
Techniques" in the SAI.

         The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under
"Investment  Restrictions"  in the SAI. Those investment  restrictions  that are
"fundamental  policies"  may  not be  changed  without  a  majority  vote of the
outstanding  shares  of the Fund.  Except as  otherwise  noted,  all  investment
policies  and  practices  described  in this  Prospectus  and in the SAI are not
fundamental,  meaning that the Trust's  Board of Trustees  ("Board")  may change
them without shareholder approval. See "Description of Securities and Investment
Techniques" and "Investment Restrictions" in the SAI for further information.

CONSECO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

         Under  normal  circumstances,  the Fund will invest at least 65% of its
total  assets in  convertible  securities.  Convertible  securities  are  bonds,
preferred stocks,  and other securities that pay interest or dividends and offer
the buyer the option of converting the security into common stock.  The Fund may
invest in other  securities,  including  common  stock and  securities  that are
convertible other than at the option of the holder.

         Convertible  securities  generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common  stocks.  In general,  a convertible  security  performs more like a
stock when the  underlying  stock's price is high (because it is assumed it will
be converted  into the stock) and more like a bond when the  underlying  stock's
price  is  low  (because  it is  assumed  that  it  will  mature  without  being
converted).  Each convertible security offers a different  combination of upside
potential and downside risk.  Securities that are convertible  other than at the
option of the holder  generally do not limit the  potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder.

         Because  convertible  securities have both an equity and a fixed-income
component,  the  value of the  Fund's  investments  varies in  response  to many
factors. The equity component makes the value of convertible  securities subject
to the  activities  of  individual  companies,  and general  market and economic
conditions.  The fixed-income  component causes fluctuations based on changes in
interest rates and in the credit quality of the issuer. In addition, convertible
securities are often lower-rated securities.

         The Fund may invest over 50% of its assets in lower-rated  fixed-income
securities,  commonly  known as "junk  bonds" or "high  yield debt  securities."
Lower-rated fixed income securities are securities rated BB or lower by Standard
& Poor's ("S&P") or Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. ("Moody's"),
securities comparably rated by another nationally recognized  statistical rating
organization  ("NRSRO"),  or unrated  securities  of equivalent  quality.  While
lower-rated  fixed income  securities  are subject to all risks  inherent in any
investment in debt securities, these risks are significantly greater than is the
case for investment  grade debt  securities.  A debt security will be considered
"investment  grade" if it is rated in one of the four highest rating  categories
by at least one NRSRO or, if  unrated,  is  determined  by the  Adviser to be of

                                       4
<PAGE>

comparable  quality.  The lowest rating categories in which the Fund will invest
are CCC/Caa.  See "Risks  Associated With High Yield Debt Securities"  below and
"Description  of Securities and Investment  Techniques" in the SAI. The Appendix
to this Prospectus describes Moody's and S&P's rating categories.

         The Fund may  invest  in zero  coupon  securities  and  payment-in-kind
securities.  A zero coupon  security  pays no  interest to its holders  prior to
maturity, and a payment-in-kind security pays interest in the form of additional
securities.  These  securities will be subject to greater  fluctuation in market
value in response to  changing  interest  rates than  securities  of  comparable
maturities that make periodic cash distributions of interest.

         The Fund also may  invest  in equity  and debt  securities  of  foreign
issuers,  including  issuers  based in emerging  markets.  As a  non-fundamental
policy,  the Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets (measured at the time
of  investment)  in foreign  securities;  however,  the Fund  presently does not
intend  to  invest  more  than  25% of its  total  assets  in  such  securities.
Investments in foreign securities may involve risks in addition to those of U.S.
investments. See "Foreign Securities" below for further information.

         The Fund may invest in private  placements,  securities traded pursuant
to Rule 144A under the  Securities  Act of 1933 ("1933  Act") (Rule 144A permits
qualified  institutional buyers to trade certain securities even though they are
not registered under the 1933 Act), or securities  which,  though not registered
at the time of their initial sale, are issued with registration  rights. Some of
these  securities  may be deemed by the  Adviser to be liquid  under  guidelines
adopted by the Board. As a matter of fundamental  policy, with respect to 75% of
its total assets,  the Fund will not (1) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in any one issuer,  except for U.S.  Government  securities;  or (2) invest more
than 25% of its total assets in  securities  of issuers  having their  principal
business activities in the same industry.

         The Adviser does not rely solely on the ratings of rated  securities in
making  investment  decisions;  rather  it also  evaluates  other  economic  and
business  factors  affecting  the issuer.  Ratings are only the  opinions of the
agencies issuing them and are not absolute standards as to quality.  The Adviser
seeks to enhance total return specifically  through purchasing  securities which
it believes are undervalued and selling,  when appropriate,  those securities it
believes are  overvalued.  In order to  determine  value,  the Adviser  utilizes
independent  fundamental  analysis  of the issuer as well as an  analysis of the
specific structure of the security.

         The Fund may use various investment  strategies and techniques when the
Adviser  determines that such use is appropriate in an effort to meet the Fund's
investment  objective.  Such  strategies  and  techniques  include,  but are not
limited to, writing call and put options and purchasing options;  purchasing and
selling,  for hedging purposes,  interest rate and other futures contracts,  and
purchasing and writing options on such futures contracts;  entering into foreign
currency futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies;
borrowing  from banks to purchase  securities;  investing in securities of other
investment companies;  entering into repurchase  agreements,  reverse repurchase
agreements  and dollar  rolls;  investing  in  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
securities; selling securities short, and entering into swaps and other interest
rate  transactions.  The Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in
preferred stocks and investment-grade debt instruments for temporary,  defensive
purposes.  See "Description of Securities and Investment  Techniques" in the SAI
for further information.


                                       5
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

         A convertible security is a bond,  debenture,  note, preferred stock or
other security that may be converted  into or exchanged for a prescribed  amount
of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular  period of
time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder
to receive  interest  paid or accrued on debt or the dividend  paid on preferred
stock  until the  convertible  security  matures or is  redeemed,  converted  or
exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the
same or  similar  issuers,  but lower  than the yield on  non-convertible  debt.
Convertible    securities   are   usually    subordinated   to   comparable-tier
non-convertible  securities  but rank senior to common stock in a  corporation's
capital structure.

         The value of a  convertible  security is a function of (1) its yield in
comparison  with the  yields of other  securities  of  comparable  maturity  and
quality that do not have a  conversion  privilege  and (2) its worth,  at market
value, if converted into the underlying common stock. Convertible securities are
typically  issued by smaller  capitalized  companies,  whose stock prices may be
volatile.  The price of a convertible security often reflects such variations in
the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does
not. A  convertible  security may be subject to  redemption at the option of the
issuer  at  a  price  established  in  the  convertible   security's   governing
instrument,  which could have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to achieve
its investment objective.

EQUITY SECURITIES

         The Fund may  invest in equity  securities,  which may  include  common
stocks,  preferred stocks,  convertible securities and warrants.  Common stocks,
the most familiar type, represent an equity interest in a corporation. The value
of equity  securities  fluctuates  based on  changes  in a  company's  financial
condition  and  overall  economic  and market  conditions.  The Fund  invests in
larger,  more  established  companies as well as companies with small and medium
capitalizations ("small- and mid-cap companies").

         While small- and mid-cap  companies  generally have potential for rapid
growth,   investments  in  such  companies  often  involve  greater  risks  than
investments in larger,  more  established  companies  because small- and mid-cap
companies  may lack the  management  experience,  financial  resources,  product
diversification,  and  competitive  strengths  of companies  with larger  market
capitalizations.  In addition,  in many  instances the  securities of small- and
mid-cap companies are traded only  over-the-counter  or on a regional securities
exchange,  and the frequency and volume of their trading is  substantially  less
than is typical of larger companies.  Therefore, these securities may be subject
to greater and more abrupt price fluctuations. When making large sales, the Fund
may have to sell portfolio  holdings at discounts from quoted prices or may have
to make a series  of small  sales  over an  extended  period  of time due to the
trading volume of small- and mid-cap company securities.  The Adviser's research
efforts may also play a greater  role in  selecting  small- and mid-cap  company
securities for the Fund than securities of larger, more established companies.

                                       6

<PAGE>

PREFERRED STOCK

         The Fund may invest in preferred stock.  Preferred stock pays dividends
at a specified  rate and  generally  has  preference  over  common  stock in the
payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuer's assets but is junior to
the debt  securities  of the  issuer in those  same  respects.  Unlike  interest
payments on debt securities,  dividends on preferred stock are generally payable
at the  discretion of the issuer's  board of  directors,  and  shareholders  may
suffer  a loss of  value  if  dividends  are not  paid.  Preferred  shareholders
generally have no legal  recourse  against the issuer if dividends are not paid.
The market prices of preferred  stocks are subject to changes in interest  rates
and are more sensitive to changes in the issuer's  creditworthiness than are the
prices of debt securities.  Under ordinary  circumstances,  preferred stock does
not carry voting rights.

DEBT SECURITIES

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  U.S.   dollar-denominated   corporate  debt
securities of domestic  issuers,  and in debt securities of foreign issuers that
may or may not be U.S. dollar-denominated.

         The investment  return on a corporate debt security  reflects  interest
earnings  and changes in the market value of the  security.  The market value of
corporate  debt  obligations  may be  expected to rise and fall  inversely  with
interest  rates  generally.  There also  exists the risk that the issuers of the
securities  may not be able to meet their  obligations  on interest or principal
payments at the time called for by an instrument.  Debt securities  rated BBB or
Baa,  which are considered  medium-grade  debt  securities,  generally have some
speculative  characteristics.  A debt  security  will be placed  in this  rating
category when interest  payments and principal  security appear adequate for the
present, but economic characteristics that provide longer term protection may be
lacking. Any debt security,  and particularly those rated BBB or Baa (or below),
may be susceptible to changing  conditions,  particularly to economic downturns,
which could lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.

         Corporate debt  securities may pay fixed or variable rates of interest,
or interest at a rate  contingent  upon some other factor,  such as the price of
some  commodity.  These  securities may be convertible  into preferred or common
stock (see "Convertible  Securities"  above), or may be bought as part of a unit
containing  common  stock.  A debt  security may be subject to redemption at the
option of the issuer at a price set in the security's governing instrument.

         In  selecting  corporate  debt  securities  for the Fund,  the  Adviser
reviews and monitors the  creditworthiness of each issuer and issue. The Adviser
also analyzes interest rate trends and specific  developments  which it believes
may affect individual issuers.

         RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH YIELD DEBT  SECURITIES.  The Fund may invest
significantly in high yield,  high risk,  lower-rated  fixed income  securities.
Lower-rated  fixed income  securities  are subject to all risks  inherent in any
investment in debt securities. As discussed below, these risks are significantly
greater in the case of lower-rated fixed income securities.

         Lower-rated fixed income securities generally offer a higher yield than
that available from higher-rated issues with similar maturities, as compensation
for holding a security that is subject to greater risk. Lower-rated fixed income
securities are deemed by rating agencies to be  predominately  speculative  with
respect to the issuer's  capacity to pay interest  and repay  principal  and may
involve  major risk or exposure to adverse  conditions.  Lower-rated  securities
involve higher risks in that they are especially  subject to (1) adverse changes

                                       7
<PAGE>

in general  economic  conditions  and in the industries in which the issuers are
engaged,  (2) adverse  changes in the  financial  condition of the issuers,  (3)
price  fluctuation  in  response  to changes in  interest  rates and (4) limited
liquidity and secondary market support.

         An  economic  downturn  affecting  the  issuer may result in a weakened
capacity to make principal and interest  payments and an increased  incidence of
default.  In addition,  a fund that invests in lower-rated  securities may incur
additional  expenses to the extent  recovery is sought on defaulted  securities.
Because of the many risks  involved in  investing  in  lower-rated  fixed income
securities,  the  success  of such  investments  is  dependent  upon the  credit
analysis  of the  Adviser.  Although  the market for  lower-rated  fixed  income
securities  is not  new,  and  the  market  has  previously  weathered  economic
downturns,  the past performance of the market for such securities may not be an
accurate  indication  of its  performance  during future  economic  downturns or
periods of rising  interest  rates.  This  market may be thinner and less active
than the market for higher  quality  securities,  which may limit the ability to
sell such  securities  at their fair value in response to changes in the economy
or the financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or
not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of
lower-rated securities,  especially in a thinly traded market.  Differing yields
on debt  securities  of the same  maturity  are a function  of several  factors,
including the relative financial strength of the issuers.

ZERO COUPON BONDS

         The Fund may invest in zero coupon  securities.  Zero coupon  bonds are
debt obligations which make no fixed interest payments but instead are issued at
a significant  discount from face value. Like other debt securities,  the market
price can  reflect a premium or  discount,  in addition  to the  original  issue
discount,  reflecting the market's judgment as to the issuer's creditworthiness,
the  interest  rate or  other  similar  factors.  The  original  issue  discount
approximates  the total  amount of interest  the bonds will accrue and  compound
over the period until maturity (or the first interest payment date) at a rate of
interest reflecting the market rate at the time of issuance. Because zero coupon
bonds do not make periodic interest payments,  their prices can be very volatile
when market interest rates change.

         The  original  issue  discount on zero coupon bonds must be included in
the  Fund's  income  ratably as it  accrues.  Accordingly,  to  qualify  for tax
treatment as a regulated  investment  company and to avoid a certain excise tax,
the Fund may be required to  distribute  as a dividend an amount that is greater
than the total amount of cash it actually receives.  These distributions must be
made from the Fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of
portfolio  securities.  Such  sales  could  occur  at  a  time  which  would  be
disadvantageous to the Fund and when it would not otherwise choose to dispose of
the assets.

PAY-IN-KIND BONDS

         The Fund may invest in  pay-in-kind  bonds.  These bonds pay "interest"
through the issuance of additional  bonds,  thereby  adding debt to the issuer's
balance  sheet.  The market prices of these  securities are likely to respond to
changes in  interest  rates to a greater  degree  than the prices of  securities
paying  interest  currently.  Pay-in-kind  bonds carry  additional risk in that,
unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the period to maturity,  the Fund will
realize no cash until the cash payment date and the Fund may obtain no return at
all on its investment if the issuer defaults.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         The holder of a  pay-in-kind  bond must accrue  income with  respect to
these  securities  prior  to the  receipt  of cash  payments  thereon.  To avoid
liability  for  federal  income and excise  taxes,  the Fund most likely will be
required to distribute  income  accrued with respect to these  securities,  even
though the Fund has not  received  that  income in cash,  and may be required to
dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous  circumstances in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

         The Fund may  invest  in  mortgage-backed  securities.  Mortgage-backed
securities are interests in "pools" of mortgage  loans made to residential  home
buyers, including mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage
bankers,  commercial banks and others.  Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as
securities for sale to investors by various governmental, government-related and
private organizations (see "Mortgage Pass-Through  Securities," below). The Fund
also may invest in debt securities which are secured with collateral  consisting
of  mortgage-backed   securities  (see  "Collateralized  Mortgage  Obligations,"
below), and in other types of mortgage-related securities.

         MORTGAGE  PASS-THROUGH  SECURITIES.  These are securities  representing
interests in pools of mortgages in which periodic  payments of both interest and
principal on the securities are made by "passing through" periodic payments made
by the individual  borrowers on the residential  mortgage loans  underlying such
securities  (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the  securities  and
possibly  other costs).  Early  repayment of principal on mortgage  pass-through
securities  (arising from prepayments of principal due to sale of the underlying
property,  refinancing,  or  foreclosure,  net of fees and  costs  which  may be
incurred)  may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return  upon  reinvestment  of
principal.  Payment of  principal  and  interest on some  mortgage  pass-through
securities may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
(in the  case of  securities  guaranteed  by the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association  ("GNMA")),  or guaranteed by agencies or  instrumentalities  of the
U.S. Government (in the case of securities  guaranteed by Fannie Mae ("FNMA") or
Freddie   Mac   ("FHLMC")).   Mortgage   pass-through   securities   created  by
non-governmental   issuers   (such  as  commercial   banks,   savings  and  loan
institutions,  private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other
secondary  market issuers) may be uninsured or may be supported by various forms
of insurance or guarantees,  including  individual loan,  title, pool and hazard
insurance,  and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities,
private insurers, or the mortgage poolers.

         GNMA  CERTIFICATES.  GNMA certificates are  mortgage-backed  securities
representing  part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which timely payment
of interest and principal is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.  As a result, GNMA certificates are considered to have a low risk of
default,  although they are subject to the same market risk as  comparable  debt
securities.  GNMA  certificates  differ from typical bonds because  principal is
repaid  monthly over the term of the loan rather than  returned in a lump sum at
maturity.  Although the mortgage loans in the pool will have maturities of up to
30 years,  the actual  average life of the GNMA  certificates  typically will be
substantially  less because the  mortgages may be purchased at any time prior to
maturity, will be subject to normal principal  amortization,  and may be prepaid
prior to  maturity.  Reinvestment  of  prepayments  may occur at higher or lower
rates than the original yield on the certificates.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         FNMA AND FHLMC MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS. FNMA, a federally chartered
and privately owned corporation,  issues  pass-through  securities  representing
interests in pools of conventional  mortgage  loans.  FNMA guarantees the timely
payment of principal and interest,  but this guarantee is not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S.  Government.  FNMA also issues REMIC  certificates,
which  represent  interests  in a trust  funded  with FNMA  certificates.  REMIC
certificates  are guaranteed by FNMA and not by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government.

         FHLMC,  a  corporate  instrumentality  of the U.S.  Government,  issues
participation  certificates  which represent  interests in pools of conventional
mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate
collection  of  principal,  and maintains  reserves to protect  holders  against
losses due to default, but these securities are not backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government.

         As is the case with  GNMA  certificates,  the  actual  maturity  of and
realized yield on particular  FNMA and FHLMC  pass-through  securities will vary
based on the prepayment experience of the underlying pool of mortgages.

         COLLATERALIZED   MORTGAGE   OBLIGATIONS  AND   MORTGAGE-BACKED   BONDS.
Mortgage-backed  securities  may be issued  by  financial  institutions  such as
commercial banks, savings and loan associations,  mortgage banks, and securities
broker-dealers  (or affiliates of such  institutions  established to issue these
securities) in the form of either  collateralized  mortgage obligations ("CMOs")
or mortgage-backed bonds. CMOs are obligations fully collateralized  directly or
indirectly  by a pool of mortgages on which  payments of principal  and interest
are  dedicated  to payment of principal  and interest on the CMOs.  Payments are
passed  through  to the  holders  on the same  schedule  as they  are  received,
although not necessarily on a pro rata basis.  Mortgage-backed bonds are general
obligations of the issuer fully collateralized  directly or indirectly by a pool
of  mortgages.  The  mortgages  serve as  collateral  for the  issuer's  payment
obligations  on the bonds but interest and  principal  payments on the mortgages
are not passed through either directly (as with GNMA  certificates  and FNMA and
FHLMC  pass-through   securities)  or  on  a  modified  basis  (as  with  CMOs).
Accordingly,  a change in the rate of prepayments on the pool of mortgages could
change the effective  maturity of a CMO but not that of a  mortgage-backed  bond
(although, like many bonds,  mortgage-backed bonds may be callable by the issuer
prior to maturity).  Although the  mortgage-related  securities  securing  these
obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the
obligation itself is not so guaranteed.  Therefore,  if the collateral  securing
the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could
sustain a loss. If new types of  mortgage-related  securities  are developed and
offered to investors, investments in such securities will be considered.

         STRIPPED   MORTGAGE-BACKED    SECURITIES.    Stripped   mortgage-backed
securities are derivative  securities  usually  structured with two classes that
receive different  proportions of the interest and principal  distributions from
an  underlying  pool of  mortgage  assets.  The  Fund  may  purchase  securities
representing only the interest payment portion of the underlying  mortgage pools
(commonly  referred to as "IOs") or only the principal portion of the underlying
mortgage  pools  (commonly  referred  to  as  "POs").  Stripped  mortgage-backed
securities  are more  sensitive to changes in prepayment  and interest rates and
the market for such  securities is less liquid than is the case for  traditional
debt securities and  mortgage-backed  securities.  The yield on IOs is extremely
sensitive  to the rate of  principal  payments  (including  prepayments)  on the
underlying  mortgage  assets,  and a rapid rate of repayment may have a material
adverse effect on such securities' yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage

                                       10
<PAGE>

assets experience  greater than anticipated  prepayments of principal,  the Fund
will fail to recoup fully its initial  investment in these  securities,  even if
they are rated high quality.  Most IOs and POs are regarded as illiquid and will
be included in the Fund's limit on illiquid securities.

         RISKS OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.  Mortgage pass-through securities,
such as GNMA  certificates  or FNMA and FHLMC  mortgage-backed  obligations,  or
modified  pass-through  securities,  such as CMOs  issued by  various  financial
institutions  and IOs and POs,  are  subject  to early  repayment  of  principal
arising from  prepayments of principal on the underlying  mortgage loans (due to
the  sale  of  the  underlying  property,   the  refinancing  of  the  loan,  or
foreclosure).  Prepayment  rates vary  widely and may be  affected by changes in
market  interest  rates and other  economic  trends and  factors.  In periods of
falling  interest  rates,  the rate of  prepayment  tends to  increase,  thereby
shortening the actual average life of the mortgage-backed security.  Conversely,
when  interest  rates are  rising,  the rate of  prepayment  tends to  decrease,
thereby  lengthening  the actual average life of the  mortgage-backed  security.
Accordingly,  it is not  possible to  accurately  predict the average  life of a
particular pool.  Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates
than the original yield on the  securities.  Therefore,  the actual maturity and
realized  yield  on  pass-through  or  modified   pass-through   mortgage-backed
securities will vary based upon the prepayment experience of the underlying pool
of mortgages.

TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES

         The Fund may also invest in trust originated  preferred  securities,  a
relatively new type of security generally issued by financial  institutions such
as banks and insurance companies and other issuers.  Trust originated  preferred
securities  represent interests in a trust formed by the issuer. The trust sells
preferred  shares and invests the  proceeds in notes  issued by the same entity.
These  notes  may be  subordinated  and  unsecured.  Distributions  on the trust
originated  preferred securities match the interest payments on the notes; if no
interest is paid on the notes,  the trust will not make current  payments on its
preferred  securities.  Issuers  of the  notes  currently  enjoy  favorable  tax
treatment.  If the tax  characterization  of  these  securities  were to  change
adversely,  they could be redeemed by the issuers,  which could result in a loss
to the Fund.  In  addition,  some  trust  originated  preferred  securities  are
available only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A.

LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  loan  participations  or  assignments.   In
purchasing a loan participation or assignment,  the Fund acquires some or all of
the  interest of a bank or other  lending  institution  in a loan to a corporate
borrower.  Many such loans are  secured and most  impose  restrictive  covenants
which must be met by the borrower and which are generally  more  stringent  than
the covenants available in publicly traded debt securities.  However,  interests
in some loans may not be secured, and the Fund will be exposed to a risk of loss
if the borrower defaults.  Loan participations may also be purchased by the Fund
when the borrowing company is already in default.

         In purchasing a loan  participation,  the Fund may have less protection
under the federal securities laws than it has in purchasing traditional types of
securities.  The Fund's  ability to assert its rights  against the borrower will

                                       11
<PAGE>

also depend on the  particular  terms of the loan  agreement  among the parties.
Many of the  interests  in loans  purchased  by the Fund  will be  illiquid  and
therefore subject to the Fund's limit on illiquid investments.

COLLATERALIZED BOND OBLIGATIONS

         A  collateralized  bond  obligation  ("CBO") is a type of  asset-backed
security.  Specifically,  a CBO is an investment grade bond which is backed by a
diversified pool of lower-rated fixed income securities. The pool of lower-rated
securities is separated into "tiers"  representing  different  degrees of credit
quality.  The top  tier of CBOs is  backed  by the  pooled  securities  with the
highest degree of credit quality and pays the lowest  interest rate.  Lower-tier
CBOs represent  lower degrees of credit quality and pay higher interest rates to
compensate  for the  attendant  risk.  The bottom tier  typically  receives  the
residual  interest payments (i.e. money that is left over after the higher tiers
have been paid) rather than a fixed interest rate. The return on the bottom tier
of CBOs is especially sensitive to the rate of defaults in the collateral pool.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

         The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers.  These securities
may  be  U.S.  dollar  denominated  or  non-U.S.  dollar  denominated.   Foreign
securities  include   securities  issued,   assumed  or  guaranteed  by  foreign
governments or political subdivisions or instrumentalities thereof.

         Investments in foreign  securities may offer unique potential  benefits
such as  substantial  growth in industries  not yet developed in the  particular
country.  Such investments  also permit the Fund to invest in foreign  countries
with economic  policies or business  cycles  different  from those of the United
States,  or to reduce  fluctuations  in portfolio  value by taking  advantage of
foreign  securities  markets  that  may not move in a  manner  parallel  to U.S.
markets.

         Investments in securities of foreign  issuers involve certain risks not
ordinarily  associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers.  Such
risks  include   fluctuations  in  foreign  exchange  rates,  and  the  possible
imposition  of  exchange   controls  or  other  foreign   governmental  laws  or
restrictions on foreign  investments or  repatriation  of capital.  In addition,
with respect to certain  countries,  there is the possibility of nationalization
or  expropriation  of  assets;  confiscatory  taxation;   political,  social  or
financial  instability;  and war or other  diplomatic  developments  that  could
adversely affect  investments in those  countries.  Since the Fund may invest in
securities  denominated  or quoted in  currencies  other  than the U.S.  dollar,
changes in foreign  currency  exchange rates will affect the value of securities
held by the Fund and the unrealized  appreciation or depreciation of investments
so far as U.S.  investors are concerned.  The Fund generally will incur costs in
connection with conversion between various currencies.

         There  may be less  publicly  available  information  about  a  foreign
company than about a U.S.  company,  and foreign companies may not be subject to
accounting,   auditing,  and  financial  reporting  standards  and  requirements
comparable  to or as  uniform  as those to which  U.S.  companies  are  subject.
Foreign securities  markets,  while growing in volume,  have, for the most part,
substantially  less  volume  than  U.S.  markets.  Securities  of  many  foreign
companies  are less liquid and their prices more  volatile  than  securities  of
comparable  U.S.  companies.  Transaction  costs,  custodial fees and management
costs  in  non-U.S.  securities  markets  are  generally  higher  than  in  U.S.
securities  markets.   There  is  generally  less  government   supervision  and
regulation  of  exchanges,  brokers,  and  issuers  than  there is in the United
States.  The Fund might have greater  difficulty taking appropriate legal action
with  respect to foreign  investments  in non-U.S.  courts than with  respect to
domestic issuers in U.S. courts. In addition, transactions in foreign securities

                                       12
<PAGE>

may  involve  longer  time from the trade date until  settlement  than  domestic
securities  transactions  and involve the risk of  possible  losses  through the
holding of securities  by  custodians  and  securities  depositories  in foreign
countries.

         All of the foregoing risks may be intensified in emerging markets.

         Dividend and interest income from foreign  securities may be subject to
withholding  taxes by the  country in which the issuer is located and may not be
recoverable by the Fund or its investors in all cases.

         ADRs  are  certificates   issued  by  a  U.S.  bank  or  trust  company
representing  an interest  in  securities  of a foreign  issuer  deposited  in a
foreign  subsidiary or branch or a correspondent of that bank.  Generally,  ADRs
are designed  for use in U.S.  securities  markets and may offer U.S.  investors
more  liquidity  than  the  underlying  securities.   The  Fund  may  invest  in
unsponsored  ADRs. The issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose
material  information  in the United States and,  therefore,  there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of such ADRs. European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") are certificates issued by a European bank or trust
company evidencing its ownership of the underlying foreign securities.  EDRs are
designed for use in European securities markets.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES, RULE 144A SECURITIES AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  restricted  securities,   such  as  private
placements,  and in Rule 144A securities.  Once acquired,  restricted securities
may be sold by the Fund only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public
offering with respect to which a  registration  statement is in effect under the
1933  Act.  If sold in a  privately  negotiated  transaction,  the Fund may have
difficulty  finding a buyer and may be  required to sell at a price that is less
than it had  anticipated.  Where  registration  is  required,  the  Fund  may be
obligated to pay all or part of the  registration  expenses  and a  considerable
period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund
may be permitted to sell a security under an effective  registration  statement.
If, during such a period,  adverse market  conditions were to develop,  the Fund
might  obtain a less  favorable  price than  prevailed  when it decided to sell.
Restricted securities are generally considered illiquid.

         Rule  144A  securities,  although  not  registered,  may be  resold  to
qualified  institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
The  Adviser,  acting  pursuant  to  guidelines  established  by the Board,  may
determine that some Rule 144A securities are liquid.

         The Fund may not invest in any security if, as a result,  more than 15%
of the Fund's net assets  would be invested in  illiquid  securities,  which are
securities that cannot be expected to be sold within seven days at approximately
the price at which they are valued.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

         The Fund may enter into repurchase  agreements.  A repurchase agreement
is an agreement under which securities are acquired from a securities  dealer or
bank  subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date.  The  acquiring
Fund  bears a risk of loss in the  event  that the other  party to a  repurchase
agreement  defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from

                                       13
<PAGE>

exercising  its rights to  dispose of the  collateral  securities.  However,  to
minimize  the risk,  the Fund will enter into  repurchase  agreements  only with
financial  institutions  which are deemed to be of good  financial  standing and
which have been approved by the Board. No more than 15% of the Fund's assets may
be subject to repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

SECURITIES LENDING

         The Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers  or other  institutional
investors  pursuant  to  agreements  requiring  that the  loans be  continuously
secured by any combination of cash,  U.S.  Government  securities,  and approved
bank letters of credit that at all times equal at least 100% of the market value
of the  loaned  securities.  Such  loans  will not be made if, as a result,  the
aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans would exceed 33-1/3% of the
Fund's total assets.  The Fund  continues to receive  interest on the securities
loaned and  simultaneously  earns either  interest on the investment of the cash
collateral  or fee income if the loan is  otherwise  collateralized.  Should the
borrower  of the  securities  fail  financially,  there  is a risk of  delay  in
recovery of the securities loaned or loss of rights in the collateral.  However,
the Fund seeks to minimize this risk by making loans only to borrowers which are
deemed by the  Adviser  to be of good  financial  standing  and which  have been
approved by the Board.

BORROWING

         The Fund may borrow  money to purchase  securities,  which is a form of
leverage.  This  leverage  may  exaggerate  the gains and  losses on the  Fund's
investments  and  changes in the net asset value of its  shares.  Leverage  also
creates  interest  expenses;   if  those  expenses  exceed  the  return  on  the
transactions  that  the  borrowings  facilitate,  the  Fund  will  be in a worse
position than if it had not  borrowed.  The Fund may pledge assets in connection
with  permitted  borrowings.  The Fund may borrow an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
assets.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

         The Fund does not have a predetermined rate of portfolio turnover since
such turnover will be incidental to transactions  taken with a view to achieving
its  objective.  It is  anticipated  that the annual  turnover  rate of the Fund
normally will not exceed 325%. Turnover rates in excess of 100% generally result
in higher  transaction  costs and a possible  increase  in  realized  short-term
capital gains or losses. See "Dividends, Other Distributions and Taxes."

MANAGEMENT

         The Trustees of the Trust decide upon matters of general policy for the
Trust. In addition, the Trustees review the actions of the Adviser, as set forth
below.  The Trust's  officers  supervise  the daily  business  operations of the
Trust.  For  information  about the Trust's  Board of  Trustees  and the Trust's
officers, see "Management" in the SAI.

THE ADVISER

         Conseco Capital Management, Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel,
Indiana 46032, has been retained under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the
Trust to provide  investment  advice and in general to supervise the  management
and investment  program of the Trust and the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned

                                       14
<PAGE>

subsidiary of Conseco,  Inc., a publicly-owned  financial services company,  the
principal operations of which are in development,  marketing, and administration
of specialized  annuity,  life and health insurance  products.  The Adviser also
manages  the other  series of the Trust,  manages and serves as  sub-adviser  to
other registered investment companies, and manages all of the invested assets of
its parent company,  Conseco, Inc., which owns or manages several life insurance
subsidiaries,  and provides  investment  and servicing  functions to the Conseco
companies  and  affiliates.  The Adviser also manages  foundations,  endowments,
public and corporate pension plans, and private client accounts.  As of December
31, 1997, the Adviser managed in excess of $32 billion worth of assets.

         The Adviser generally manages the affairs of the Trust,  subject to the
supervision of the Board. Under the Investment Advisory  Agreement,  the Adviser
has contracted to receive an investment  advisory fee equal to an annual rate of
 .85% of the  average  daily  net  asset  value  of the  Fund.  The  Adviser  has
voluntarily undertaken to reduce its advisory fee with respect to the Fund until
April  30,  1999.  See  "Fee  Table"  for more  information.  The  Adviser,  the
Administrator,  and the Distributor have voluntarily  agreed to waive their fees
and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the ratio of expenses to net assets
on an annual  basis for the Fund  exceeds  1.05%.  This  voluntary  limit may be
discontinued at any time after April 30, 1999.

         Andrew  S.  Chow,  CFA,  FLMI,   Vice  President,   is  the  investment
professional  primarily  responsible for the management of the Fund. Mr. Chow is
responsible  for  trading   mortgage-backed   securities  (MBS),   exchange  and
over-the-counter  derivatives and convertible  bonds. He also holds fixed income
portfolio  management  responsibilities.  Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Chow
was Manager of Quantitative Analysis at Washington Square Capital,  where he was
responsible  for MBS,  non-dollar  bonds and  derivatives.  Prior to  working at
Washington Square, Mr. Chow traded futures on the floor of the Minneapolis Grain
Exchange.  Mr.  Chow is a Chartered  Financial  Analyst and a Fellow of the Life
Management Institute.

         Like other  financial  and  business  organizations,  the Fund could be
adversely  affected if  computer  systems it relies on do not  properly  process
date-related  information  and data  involving  the years  2000 and  after.  The
Adviser is taking steps that it believes are  reasonable to address this problem
in its own computer  systems and to obtain  assurances that comparable steps are
being  taken by the Fund's  other major  service  providers.  The  Adviser  also
attempts  to evaluate  the  potential  impact of this  problem on the issuers of
investment  securities  that  the  Fund  purchases.  However,  there  can  be no
assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the
Fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

         Pursuant to an administration agreement  ("Administration  Agreement"),
the  Administrator  supervises  the overall  administration  of the Fund.  These
administrative  services  include  supervising the preparation and filing of all
documents  required  for  compliance  by  the  Fund  with  applicable  laws  and
regulations, supervising the maintenance of books and records, and other general
and  administrative   responsibilities.   For  providing  these  services,   the
Administrator  receives  a fee from the  Fund of .20%  per  annum of the  Fund's
average  daily  net  assets.  Pursuant  to  the  Administration  Agreement,  the
Administrator  reserves  the right to employ one or more  sub-administrators  to
perform  administrative  services  for the Fund.  The Bank of New York  performs
certain  administrative  services for the Fund pursuant to an agreement with the
Administrator.

                                       15
<PAGE>

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

HOW TO BUY SHARES

         You may  purchase  Class Y shares  from any  broker,  dealer,  or other
financial intermediary that has a selling agreement with the Distributor.  These
firms may charge for their services in connection  with your purchase  order. In
addition,  as  discussed  below,  an account  may be opened for the  purchase of
shares  of the Fund by  mailing  a  completed  account  application  and a check
payable  to the  Fund  to  the  Conseco  Fund  Group,  P.O.  Box  8017,  Boston,
Massachusetts  02266-8017.  Or you may  telephone  (800)  986-3384 to obtain the
number of an account to which you can wire or electronically  transfer funds and
then send in a completed application.

         In order to buy Class Y shares you must be an institutional investor or
a qualifying individual investor.  Institutional  investors may include, but are
not limited to, the following: (i) tax qualified retirement plans which have (a)
at least $10 million in plan assets,  or (b) 250 or more  employees  eligible to
participate  at the  time  of  purchase,  (ii)  banks  and  insurance  companies
purchasing  shares  for  their  own  account,  (iii)  investment  companies  not
affiliated with the Adviser, (iv) tax-qualified  retirement plans of the Adviser
or brokers,  dealers,  and other  financial  intermediaries  that have a selling
agreement with the Distributor and their affiliates, (v) endowments, foundations
and other charitable  organizations or (vi) accounts  established under wrap fee
or asset  allocation  programs  where  the  accountholder  pays the  sponsor  an
asset-based fee. A qualifying individual investor is an investor who is a client
of the  Adviser  and is making a purchase  of over  $500,000  or whose  purchase
together  with his current  holdings of Class Y shares  exceeds  $500,000 or any
other individual who meets the minimum investment requirement.

         Purchase  orders for the Fund are  accepted  only on a business  day as
defined below.  Orders for shares  received by the Fund's  Transfer Agent on any
business  day  prior  to the  close of  regular  trading  on the New York  Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE")  (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will receive that day's
offering price, which is net asset value.  Orders received by the Transfer Agent
after such time but prior to the close of business on the next business day will
receive the next business day's offering price. If you purchase shares through a
broker,  dealer, or other financial  intermediary,  that firm is responsible for
forwarding  payment  promptly to the Transfer Agent. A "business day" is any day
on which the NYSE is open for business.  It is anticipated that the NYSE will be
closed  Saturdays  and Sundays and on days on which the NYSE observes New Year's
Day,  Martin Luther King Jr. Day,  President's  Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

         Your initial  purchase amount must be at least $500,000.  However,  the
minimum may be waived at the discretion of the Fund's officers. The Fund and the
Distributor  or Transfer  Agent  reserves  the right to reject any order for the
purchase of shares in whole or in part.  The Trust  reserves the right to cancel
any purchase order for which payment has not been received by the third business
day following placement of the order.

         Certain brokers,  dealers,  and other financial  intermediaries  may be
authorized  to accept  purchase  orders on behalf of the Fund.  The Fund will be
deemed to have received a purchase order when an authorized  broker,  dealer, or
other  financial  intermediary  accepts  the  order.  Orders  placed  through an
authorized  broker,  dealer,  or other financial  intermediary  will receive the
offering  price next  calculated  after the order has been  accepted  by such an
authorized  firm. In all other cases,  it is the  responsibility  of the broker,
dealer,  or other  financial  intermediary  to forward  customer orders received

                                       16
<PAGE>

prior to the  close  of the NYSE to the  Transfer  Agent  prior to its  close of
business that same day (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

         Brokers,  dealers and other  financial  intermediaries  are required to
provide  payment within three business days after placing an order.  WHEN MAKING
PAYMENT  FOR  CONFIRMED  PURCHASES  VIA  FEDERAL  FUNDS  WIRE,  SUCH  FIRMS MUST
REFERENCE THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER TO ENSURE TIMELY CREDIT.

         The  Distributor  may provide  promotional  incentives,  including cash
compensation,  to certain brokers,  dealers, or financial  intermediaries  whose
representatives  have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares
of the  Fund.  Other  programs  may  provide,  subject  to  certain  conditions,
additional compensation to brokers,  dealers, or financial  intermediaries based
on a  combination  of  aggregate  shares  sold and  increases  of  assets  under
management.  All of the above  payments will be made by the  Distributor  or its
affiliates out of their own assets.  These programs will not change the price an
investor  will pay for shares or the amount that the Fund will receive from such
sale.

         You  will  receive  a  confirmation  of each  new  transaction  in your
account,  which  will also show you the  number of Fund  shares  you own and the
number  of shares  being  held in  safekeeping  by the  Transfer  Agent for your
account. You may rely on these confirmations in lieu of certificates as evidence
of your  ownership.  Certificates  representing  shares  of the Fund will not be
issued.

PURCHASES BY WIRE

         Purchases by wire transfer should be directed to the Transfer Agent. To
receive an account number call (800) 986-3384 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day (as defined above) on which your bank
is open for business.  The following  information will be requested:  your name,
address, tax identification number, dividend distribution election, amount being
wired and the wiring bank. Instructions should then be given by you to your bank
to transfer funds by wire to: ABA # 011000028,  State Street Bank,  Boston,  MA,
Account #  9905-244-1.  If you  arrange  for  receipt by the  Transfer  Agent of
Federal funds prior to the close of regular trading  (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time) of the NYSE on a business  day as defined  above,  you will  receive  that
day's offering price. Your bank may charge for these services.

PURCHASES BY CHECK

         An  initial  investment  made  by  check  must  be  accompanied  by  an
application,  completed in its entirety.  Additional shares of the Fund may also
be  purchased  by sending a check  payable to the Fund,  along with  information
regarding your account, including the account number, to the Transfer Agent. All
checks should be drawn only on U.S. banks in U.S.  funds, in order to avoid fees
and delays.  A charge may be imposed if any check  submitted for investment does
not clear.  Third party checks will not be accepted.  When purchases are made by
check,  redemptions  will not be allowed until the investment being redeemed has
been in the account for 15 business days.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES OF THE FUND

         Shares of Class Y are redeemed at net asset value next determined after
receipt of a redemption request in good form on any business day.

                                       17
<PAGE>

REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL

         A written request for redemption must be received by the Transfer Agent
to  constitute a valid  tender for  redemption.  It will also be  necessary  for
corporate investors and other associations to have an appropriate  certification
authorizing  redemptions  by a corporation  or an  association  on file before a
redemption  request will be considered in proper form. A suggested  form of such
certification is provided on the application  accompanying  this  Prospectus.  A
signature  guarantee is required for redemptions of $50,000 or more. A signature
guarantee may be obtained from most banks,  brokers and dealers,  credit unions,
savings associations and financial institutions, but not from a notary public.

REDEMPTIONS BY WIRE OR TELEPHONE

         Brokers,  dealers,  or other financial  intermediaries  may communicate
redemption  orders  by wire or  telephone.  These  firms  may  charge  for their
services in connection with your redemption request but neither the Fund nor the
Distributor imposes any such charges.

         The  Fund  and the  Transfer  Agent  will  not be  responsible  for the
authenticity  of  telephone  instructions  or  losses,  if any,  resulting  from
unauthorized  shareholder  transactions  if  the  Fund  or  the  Transfer  Agent
reasonably  believes  that  such  instructions  are  genuine.  The  Fund and the
Transfer Agent have established procedures that the Fund believes are reasonably
appropriate to confirm that instructions  communicated by telephone are genuine.
These procedures include: (i) recording telephone instructions for exchanges and
expedited  redemptions;  (ii)  requiring  the  caller to give  certain  specific
identifying   information;   and  (iii)  providing   written   confirmations  to
shareholders  of record not later than five days  following  any such  telephone
transactions. If the Fund and the Transfer Agent do not employ these procedures,
they may be liable for any losses due to  unauthorized  or fraudulent  telephone
instructions.

REDEMPTIONS THROUGH BROKERS, DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

         Certain brokers,  dealers,  and other financial  intermediaries  may be
authorized to accept  redemption  orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be
deemed to have received a redemption order when an authorized broker, dealer, or
other  financial  intermediary  accepts  the  order.  Orders  placed  through an
authorized broker,  dealer, or other financial intermediary will receive the net
asset  value  next  calculated  after  the order  has been  accepted  by such an
authorized firm, minus any applicable  contingent  deferred sales charge. In all
other cases, it is the responsibility of the broker,  dealer, or other financial
intermediary to forward customer  redemption  orders received prior to the close
of the NYSE to the Transfer  Agent prior to its close of business  that same day
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS

         You may have the payment of redemption requests (of $250 or more) wired
or  mailed  directly  to a  domestic  commercial  bank  account  that  you  have
previously designated. Normally, such payments will be transmitted on the second
business  day  following  receipt of the request  (provided  redemptions  may be
made). You may request a wire redemption by telephone or written request sent to
the Transfer Agent. For telephone redemptions,  call the Transfer Agent at (800)
986-3384.  You  must  complete  the  "Expedited   Redemptions"  section  of  the
application for this privilege to be applicable.


                                       18
<PAGE>

GENERAL

         Payment to shareholders for shares redeemed or repurchased will be made
within seven days after  receipt by the Transfer  Agent.  The Fund may delay the
payment of redemption proceeds until the check used to purchase the shares being
redeemed  has  cleared,  which may take up to 15 days or longer.  To reduce such
delay,  the Fund  recommends  that all  purchases  be made by bank wire  Federal
funds. The Fund may suspend the right of redemption under certain  extraordinary
circumstances in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

         Class Y shares  of the  Fund may be  exchanged  for  Class Y shares  of
another  series of the Trust at the  relative  net asset values per share at the
time of the exchange.  The total value of shares of a fund purchased by exchange
must at least equal the fund's minimum investment requirement. Before exchanging
shares,  you should  consider  the  differences  in  investment  objectives  and
expenses of the fund into which the exchange would be made.  Shares are normally
redeemed  from one fund  and  purchased  from  the  other  fund in the  exchange
transaction  on the same  business day on which the Transfer  Agent  receives an
exchange request that is in proper form by the close of the NYSE that day.

ELECTRONIC TRANSFERS THROUGH AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE

         Electronic transfers through Automated Clearing House ("ACH") allow you
to initiate a purchase or redemption  for as little as $50 or as much as $50,000
between  your bank  account  and Fund  account  using the ACH  network.  Initial
purchase  minimums apply. You must complete the "ACH" section of the application
for this privilege to be applicable.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share is determined for each class of shares of the Fund
as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
on each business day (as previously defined) by dividing the value of the Fund's
net assets  attributable  to a class (the  class' pro rata share of the value of
the Fund's assets minus the class' pro rata share of the Fund's  liabilities) by
the number of shares of that class outstanding.

         Securities held by the Fund will be valued as follows:  Securities that
are traded on stock  exchanges or the Nasdaq Stock Market are valued at the last
sale  price as of the  close of  business  on the day the  securities  are being
valued or,  lacking  any sales,  at the mean  between  the closing bid and asked
prices.  Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean
between the bid and asked  prices or yield  equivalent  as obtained  from one or
more dealers  that make markets in the  securities.  Fund  securities  which are
traded both in the  over-the-counter  market and on a stock  exchange are valued
according  to the broadest and most  representative  market,  and it is expected
that for debt securities this  ordinarily will be the  over-the-counter  market.
Securities and assets for which market  quotations are not readily available are
valued at fair value as  determined  in good faith by or under the  direction of
the Board.  Foreign  securities  are valued on the basis of quotations  from the
primary  market in which  they are  traded,  and are  translated  from the local
currency into U.S.  dollars using current  exchange rates.  Debt securities with
maturities of sixty (60) days or less are valued at amortized cost.

                                       19
<PAGE>

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

         Dividends  from net  investment  income are  declared  and  distributed
monthly by the Fund;  however,  the Trustees may decide to declare  dividends at
other  intervals.  For  dividend  purposes,  net  investment  income of the Fund
consists of all dividends and interest it receives, less its expenses (including
fees payable to the Adviser and its affiliates). Distributions of the Fund's net
capital  gain (the  excess of net  long-term  capital  gain over net  short-term
capital loss), net short-term capital gains, and net realized gains from foreign
currency  transactions are declared and distributed to its shareholders annually
after the close of the Fund's fiscal year.

         Dividends and other  distributions  paid on each class of shares of the
Fund are calculated at the same time and in the same manner.  Dividends on Class
A, Class B, and Class C shares of a Fund are  expected to be lower than those on
its Class Y shares  because  Class A,  Class B, and Class C shares  have  higher
expenses resulting from their  distribution and service fees.  Dividends on each
class  also  might  be  affected   differently   by  the   allocation  of  other
class-specific expenses.

         DISTRIBUTION  OPTIONS.  When you open  your  account,  specify  on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. For retirement accounts,
all  Fund  distributions  are  reinvested.  For  other  accounts,  you  have the
following options:

         REINVEST ALL DISTRIBUTIONS. You can elect to reinvest all dividends and
other distributions from the Fund in additional Class Y shares of the Fund.

         REINVEST  INCOME  DIVIDENDS  ONLY. You can elect to reinvest  dividends
from the Fund in Class Y shares of the Fund while receiving other  distributions
by check or sent to your bank account.

         REINVEST OTHER  DISTRIBUTIONS  ONLY. You can elect to reinvest  capital
gain  distributions  from the Fund in Class Y shares of the Fund while receiving
dividends by check or sent to your bank account.

         RECEIVE ALL DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. You can elect to receive a check for
all  dividends and other  distributions  from the Fund or have them sent to your
bank account.

TAXES

         The Fund is treated as a separate  corporation,  and intends to qualify
as a "regulated  investment  company"  ("RIC"),  under the Code. As such, and by
complying with the applicable Code provisions regarding the amount and timing of
its distributions,  the Fund will be allowed a deduction for amounts distributed
to its shareholders from its investment company taxable income  (generally,  its
net investment  income,  net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain
foreign currency  transactions)  and net capital gain and will not be subject to
federal income tax on those amounts.  To qualify for treatment as a RIC the Fund
must, among other things,  satisfy certain source of income and  diversification
requirements described in the SAI.

         The Fund  intends to  distribute  all its  investment  company  taxable
income and net  capital  gain so as to avoid  federal  income and excise  taxes.

                                       20
<PAGE>

Dividends from the Fund's  investment  company  taxable income  (whether paid in
cash or  reinvested in additional  shares)  generally  will be taxable to you as
ordinary  income.  The  portion  of those  dividends  that does not  exceed  the
aggregate dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations will be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations; however, dividends
received  by a  corporate  shareholder  and  deducted  by  it  pursuant  to  the
dividends-received  deduction are subject indirectly to the federal  alternative
minimum tax.

         Distributions  of the Fund's net capital gain  (whether paid in cash or
reinvested  additional shares),  when designated as such, will be taxable to you
as  long-term  capital  gain,  regardless  of how long you have  held  your Fund
shares. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, different maximum tax rates apply
to a  non-corporate  taxpayer's  net capital gain  depending  on the  taxpayer's
holding  period and marginal rate of federal  income tax --  generally,  28% for
gain  recognized on capital assets held for more than one year but not more than
18 months and 20% (10% for  taxpayers  in the 15% marginal tax bracket) for gain
recognized on capital  assets held for more than 18 months.  The Fund may divide
each net capital gain  distribution  into a 28% rate gain distribution and a 20%
rate gain  distribution  (in accordance  with the Fund's holding periods for the
securities it sold that  generated  the  distributed  gain),  in which event its
shareholders must treat those portions accordingly.

         Shareholders  who are not subject to tax on their income generally will
not be required to pay tax on distributions from the Fund.

         Dividends  and other  distributions  declared  by the Fund in  October,
November, or December, but received by you in January,  generally are taxable to
you in the year in which  declared.  The Fund will  inform  you after the end of
each  calendar  year  as to  the  amount  and  nature  of  dividends  and  other
distributions  paid  (or  deemed  paid) to you for that  year.  The  information
regarding capital gain distributions will designate the portions thereof subject
to the different maximum rates of tax applicable to non-corporate taxpayers' net
capital gain indicated above.

         When you redeem (sell) shares,  it may result in a taxable gain or loss
to you,  depending on whether you receive more or less than your adjusted  basis
for the shares.  An exchange of the Fund's shares,  as described under "Purchase
and Redemption of Shares -- Exchange Privilege," generally will have similar tax
consequences. In addition, if you purchase shares of the Fund within thirty days
before or after  redeeming  other shares of the Fund  (regardless of class) at a
loss,  all or part of that loss will not be  deductible  and will  increase  the
basis of the newly purchased shares.

         The Fund is required to withhold  31% of all  dividends,  capital  gain
distributions,  and redemption  proceeds  payable to any individuals and certain
other  non-corporate  shareholders  who do not  furnish  the Fund with a correct
taxpayer  identification number.  Withholding at that rate also is required from
dividends  and capital  gain  distributions  payable to those  shareholders  who
otherwise are subject to backup withholding.

         The  foregoing  is  only  a  summary  of  certain  federal  income  tax
considerations  affecting  your  investment  in  a  Fund.  More  information  is
contained in the SAI. You should  consult with your tax adviser about the effect
of an investment in a Fund on your particular tax situation.


                                       21
<PAGE>

GENERAL

         The Fund may from time to time advertise certain investment performance
information.  Performance  information  may consist of yield and average  annual
total return quotations  reflecting the deduction of all applicable charges over
a period of time.  The Fund also may use  aggregate  total  return  figures  for
various periods, representing the cumulative change in value of an investment in
the  Fund  for the  specific  period.  Performance  information  may be shown in
schedules,  charts or graphs. These figures are based on historical earnings and
are not intended to indicate future performance.

         The "yield" of the Fund refers to the annualized  net income  generated
by an  investment  in the Fund over a specified  30-day  period,  calculated  by
dividing the net  investment  income per share  earned  during the period by the
maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.

         The "average  annual total return" of the Fund refers to the total rate
of return of an  investment in the Fund.  The figure is computed by  calculating
average  annual  compounded  rates of return over the one-,  five- and  ten-year
periods  that  would  equate  to the  initial  amount  invested  to  the  ending
redeemable value, assuming reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gain
distributions. "Total return" quotations reflect the performance of the Fund and
include the effect of capital changes.

         Further  information  about the performance of the Fund is contained in
the SAI and in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders,  which
you may obtain  without  charge by writing  the  Fund's  address or calling  the
telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.

OTHER INFORMATION

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

         Subject to the Conduct  Rules of the NASD and to obtaining  best prices
and  executions,  the Adviser may select  brokers who provide  research or other
services or who sell shares of the Fund to effect  portfolio  transactions.  The
Adviser may also select an  affiliated  broker to execute  transactions  for the
Fund,  provided that the commissions,  fees or other  remuneration  paid to such
affiliated  broker  are  reasonable  and  fair  as  compared  to  that  paid  to
non-affiliated brokers for comparable transactions.

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

         All shares of  beneficial  interest  of the Trust are  entitled  to one
vote, and votes are generally on an aggregate basis.  However,  on matters where
the  interests of the Fund and other series of the Trust (or classes of the Fund
and  other  series of the  Trust)  differ  (such as  approval  of an  investment
advisory agreement or a change in fundamental  investment policies),  the voting
is on a  series-by-series  (or  class-by-class)  basis.  The Trust does not hold
routine annual shareholders'  meetings.  The shares of the Fund issued are fully
paid and  non-assessable,  have no preference or similar rights,  and are freely
transferable.  In addition,  each issued and outstanding share in a class of the
Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions  declared
by that class.


                                       22
<PAGE>

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

         Investors  in the  Fund  will be  informed  of their  progress  through
periodic  reports.   Financial   statements   certified  by  independent  public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.

RETIREMENT PLANS AND MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

         Class Y shares are available for purchase by qualified retirement plans
of both  corporations  and  self-employed  individuals.  The Trust has available
prototype IRA plans (for both  individuals and employers),  Simplified  Employee
Pension ("SEP") plans, and savings incentive match plans for employees ("SIMPLE"
plans) as well as Section  403(b)(7)  Tax-Sheltered  Retirement  Plans which are
designed  for  employees  of  public   educational   institutions   and  certain
non-profit,  tax-exempt organizations. The Trust also has information concerning
prototype  Medical  Savings  Accounts.  For  information,   call  or  write  the
Distributor.

CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES

         In addition to Class Y Shares,  the Trust also offers  Class A, Class B
and Class C shares. These shares are available to individual investors. Class A,
Class B and Class C shares  generally have higher operating  expenses  resulting
from their  distribution  and  service  fees and are  subject  to certain  sales
charges.   Please  call  the   Distributor  at  (800)  986-3384  for  additional
information on the purchase of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

DISTRIBUTOR

         Conseco  Equity Sales,  Inc.,  11815 N.  Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,
Indiana 46032, serves as distributor of shares of the Trust.

TRANSFER AGENT

         State  Street Bank and Trust  Company,  225  Franklin  Street,  Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, serves as the Trust's transfer agent.

CUSTODIAN

         The Bank of New York, 90 Washington  Street,  22nd Floor, New York, New
York 10826, serves as custodian of the assets of the Fund.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         Coopers  &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,  2900  One  American  Square,  Box  82002,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46282-0002, serves as the Trust's independent accountant.

LEGAL COUNSEL

         Certain  legal  matters for the Fund are passed upon by  Kirkpatrick  &
Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.


                                       23
<PAGE>

         THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES  HEREIN  DESCRIBED
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH  OFFERING  MAY NOT  LAWFULLY  BE MADE.  NO  SALESMAN,
DEALER  OR  OTHER  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE SAI.






                                       24

<PAGE>


If you would like a free copy of the  Statement of  Additional  Information  for
this Prospectus, please complete this form, detach, and mail to:
         Conseco Fund Group
         Attn:  Administrative Offices
         11815 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032

Gentlemen:

         Please send me a free copy of the Statement of  Additional  Information
for the Conseco Fund Group at the following address:

Name:
Mailing Address:

         Sincerely,

         (Signature)





                                       25
<PAGE>

APPENDIX A SECURITIES RATINGS

DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS:

Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")
are judged to be the best  quality and carry the smallest  degree of  investment
risk.  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin,  and  principal  is secure.  While the various  protective  elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group,  they  comprise  what are  generally  known as high
grade  bonds.  They are rated  lower  than the best  bonds  because  margins  of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade  obligations.  Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa - Bonds  which are rated Baa are  considered  as medium  grade  obligations;
i.e., they are neither highly  protected nor poorly secured.  Interest  payments
and principal  security appear  adequate for the present but certain  protective
elements may be lacking or may be  characteristically  unreliable over any great
period of time. Such bonds lack outstanding  investment  characteristics  and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba - Bonds  which are rated Ba are judged to have  speculative  elements;  their
future cannot be considered  as well assured.  Often the  protection of interest
and  principal  payments may be very  moderate and thereby not well  safeguarded
during  both  good  and bad  times  over the  future.  Uncertainty  of  position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B - Bonds  which are  rated B  generally  lack  characteristics  of a  desirable
investment.  Assurance of interest and principal  payments or of  maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa - Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such  issues  may be in
default or there may be present  elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca - Bonds which are rated Ca represent  obligations  which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C - Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds. Such issues can
be  regarded as having  extremely  poor  prospects  of ever  attaining  any real
investment standing.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

STANDARD & POOR'S  CORPORATE BOND RATINGS:

AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") to a debt
obligation  and  indicates an extremely  strong  capacity to pay  principal  and
interest.

AA - Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt  obligations.  Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.

A - Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are  somewhat  more  susceptible  to the  adverse  effects  of  changes  in
circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB - Bonds  rated  BBB are  regarded  as  having an  adequate  capacity  to pay
principal  and  interest.  Whereas they  normally  exhibit  adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to weakened  capacity to pay  principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.

BB/B/CCC/CC  - Bonds  rated BB, B, CCC,  and CC are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and  repay  principal  in  accordance  with  the  terms of the  obligation.+  BB
indicates  the  lowest  degree  of  speculation  and CC the  highest  degree  of
speculation.  While such bonds will  likely  have some  quality  and  protective
characteristics,  these are  outweighed  by large  uncertainties  or major  risk
exposure to adverse conditions.

CI - The rating CI is  reserved  for income  bonds on which no interest is being
paid.

D - Debt rated D is in  default,  and payment of interest  and/or  repayment  of
principal is in arrears.

Plus (+) or Minus (-):  The ratings from AA to B may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus  sign to show  relative  standing  within  the  major  rating
categories.

PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

Both Moody's and S&P use the same  designations  for corporate  bonds as they do
for preferred stock, except that in the case of Moody's preferred stock ratings,
the  initial  letter  rating  is not  capitalized.  While the  descriptions  are
tailored for preferred stocks and relative quality,  distinctions are comparable
to those described above for corporate bonds.





                                      A-2

<PAGE>



                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                               CONSECO FUND GROUP

                      CONSECO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND


                            CLASS A, B AND C SHARES

                                 OCTOBER 1, 1998



This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  ("SAI")  is not a  prospectus.  It
contains  additional  information about the Conseco Fund Group (the "Trust") and
its series the Conseco Convertible  Securities Fund ("Fund").  It should be read
in conjunction with the Fund's Class A, B, and C prospectus (the  "Prospectus"),
dated  October  1,  1998.  You may  obtain  a copy  by  contacting  the  Trust's
Administrative Office, 11815 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032.


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS....................................................2
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES........................4
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE....................................................18
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS...................................................20
MANAGEMENT................................................................22
FUND EXPENSES.............................................................26
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS.................................................26
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES.........................................27
GENERAL...................................................................29
TAXES.....................................................................31
OTHER INFORMATION.........................................................35


<PAGE>

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on September 24, 1996.
The Trust is an  open-end  management  investment  company  registered  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act").  The Trust is a "series" type of mutual fund which issues
separate  series of shares,  each of which  represents  a separate  portfolio of
investments.  The Fund offers four classes of shares. This SAI relates solely to
Class A shares,  Class B shares  and Class C shares of the Fund.  Class Y shares
are  offered  to  certain  institutional  investors  and  qualifying  individual
investors  through a separate  prospectus and SAI. Each class may have different
expenses,  which may affect performance.  Conseco Capital Management,  Inc. (the
"Adviser") serves as the Trust's investment adviser.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Trust has adopted the  following  policies  relating  to the  investment  of
assets of the Fund and its activities.  These are  fundamental  policies and may
not be changed  without  the  approval  of the  holders of a  "majority"  of the
outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Under  the  1940  Act,  the  vote  of such a
"majority"  means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67 percent of the
shares or  interests  represented  at a meeting at which more than 50 percent of
the outstanding shares or interests are represented or (ii) more than 50 percent
of the outstanding  shares or interests.  A change in policy  affecting only the
Fund (and not another  series of the Trust) may be effected with the approval of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares of the Fund. Except for the
limitation on borrowing,  any  investment  policy or limitation  that involves a
maximum percentage of securities or assets will not be considered to be violated
unless the percentage  limitation is exceeded immediately after, and because of,
a transaction by the Fund.

The Fund may not (except as noted):

 1.      Purchase or sell  commodities  or commodity  contracts  except that the
         Fund may purchase or sell options,  futures  contracts,  and options on
         futures  contracts and may engage in interest rate and foreign currency
         transactions;

 2.      Borrow money,  except that the Fund may: (a) borrow from banks, and (b)
         enter into reverse repurchase agreements,  provided that (a) and (b) in
         combination  do not  exceed  33-1/3%  of the value of its total  assets
         (including   the  amount   borrowed)  less   liabilities   (other  than
         borrowings);  and except that the Fund may borrow from any person up to
         5% of  its  total  assets  (not  including  the  amount  borrowed)  for
         temporary   purposes   (but  not  for   leverage  or  the  purchase  of
         investments);

 3.      Underwrite  securities of other  issuers  except to the extent that the
         Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
         "1933  Act") in  connection  with  the  purchase  or sale of  portfolio
         securities;

                                       2
<PAGE>

 4.      With respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, purchase the securities
         of any issuer if (a) more than 5% of the Fund's  total  assets would be
         invested  in the  securities  of that  issuer or (b) the Fund would own
         more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer; this
         restriction does not apply to U.S. Government securities (as defined in
         the Prospectus);

 5.      Purchase any security if thereafter  25% or more of the total assets of
         the Fund  would be  invested  in  securities  of issuers  having  their
         principal  business  activities in the same industry;  this restriction
         does  not  apply  to U.S.  Government  securities  (as  defined  in the
         Prospectus);

 6.      Purchase  or sell  real  estate,  except  that the  Fund  may  purchase
         securities which are issued by companies which invest in real estate or
         which are secured by real estate or interests therein;

 7.      Make  loans of its  assets  if, as a result,  more than  33-1/3% of the
         Fund's total assets would be lent to other parties  except  through (a)
         entering  into   repurchase   agreements   and  (b)   purchasing   debt
         instruments; or

 8. Issue any senior security except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following restrictions are designated as non-fundamental with respect to the
Fund and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

The Fund may not (except as noted):

 1.      Sell securities short in an amount exceeding 15% of its assets,  except
         that the Fund may,  without  limit,  make short sales  against the box.
         Transactions  in  options,   futures,  options  on  futures  and  other
         derivative instruments shall not constitute selling securities short;

 2.      Purchase  securities  on margin,  except  that the Fund may obtain such
         short-term  credits as are  necessary  for the  clearance of securities
         transactions  and  except  that  margin  deposits  in  connection  with
         transactions  in  options,   futures,  options  on  futures  and  other
         derivative instruments shall not constitute a purchase of securities on
         margin; or

 3.      Make  loans  of its  assets,  except  that  the  Fund  may  enter  into
         repurchase agreements and purchase debt instruments as set forth in its
         fundamental  policy on lending and may lend portfolio  securities in an
         amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.

In order to limit the risks  associated with entry into  repurchase  agreements,
the Board has adopted certain  criteria (which are not fundamental  policies) to
be followed by the Fund.  These  criteria  provide for entering into  repurchase


                                       3
<PAGE>

agreement  transactions  (a) only with banks or  broker-dealers  meeting certain
guidelines for creditworthiness,  (b) that are fully  collateralized,  (c) on an
approved  standard form of agreement and (d) that meet limits on  investments in
the repurchase agreements of any one bank, broker or dealer.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

The  following  discussion  describes  in  greater  detail  different  types  of
securities  and  investment  techniques  used by the Fund,  as well as the risks
associated with such securities and techniques.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND SECURITIES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

U.S.  Government  securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government or
its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities.

Securities  issued  by  international  organizations,   such  as  Inter-American
Development Bank, the Asian-American Development Bank and the International Bank
for Reconstruction  and Development (the "World Bank"), are not U.S.  Government
securities.  These  international  organizations,   while  not  U.S.  Government
agencies or instrumentalities, have the ability to borrow from member countries,
including the United States.

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES

Asset-backed  securities  represent  fractional  interests  in pools of  leases,
retail  installment  loans and revolving  credit  receivables,  both secured and
unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust. Payments of principal and
interest or interest only are passed through to  certificate  holders and may be
guaranteed  up to certain  amounts by  letters of credit  issued by a  financial
institution  affiliated  or  unaffiliated  with the trustee or originator of the
trust.

Underlying  automobile sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to
prepayment,  which  may  reduce  the  overall  return  to  certificate  holders.
Nevertheless,  principal  repayment  rates  tend not to vary much with  interest
rates and the short-term nature of the underlying car loans or other receivables
tends to dampen the impact of any change in the  prepayment  level.  Certificate
holders may experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts
due on underlying  sales  contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust
because  of  unanticipated  legal  or  administrative  costs  of  enforcing  the
contracts  or  because  of  depreciation  or damage to the  collateral  (usually
automobiles)  securing certain contracts,  or other factors.  Other asset-backed
securities may be developed in the future.

HIGH YIELD (HIGH RISK) SECURITIES

         IN GENERAL.  Lower-rated  fixed income  securities (also referred to as
"high yield  securities")  are securities rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's
("S&P")  or  Ba  or  lower  by  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's"),
securities comparably rated by another nationally recognized  statistical rating
organization ("NRSRO"), or unrated securities of equivalent quality. Lower-rated


                                       4
<PAGE>

fixed income  securities are deemed by the rating  agencies to be  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal.  Lower-rated fixed income securities, while generally offering higher
yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater
risks,  including the  possibility  of default or  bankruptcy.  The special risk
considerations  in connection with investments in these securities are discussed
below.

Subsequent to purchase by the Fund, an issue of debt  securities may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced,  so that the  securities  would no longer be
eligible  for purchase by the Fund.  In such a case,  the Fund will engage in an
orderly  disposition  of the  downgraded  securities to the extent  necessary to
ensure that its  holdings do not exceed the  permissible  amount as set forth in
the Prospectus.

         EFFECT OF INTEREST  RATES AND ECONOMIC  CHANGES.  All  interest-bearing
securities  typically  experience  appreciation  when interest rates decline and
depreciation  when interest rates rise.  The market values of lower-rated  fixed
income securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater
extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in
the general level of interest rates.  Lower-rated  fixed income  securities also
tend  to  be  more  sensitive  to  economic  conditions  than  are  higher-rated
securities.  As  a  result,  they  generally  involve  more  credit  risks  than
securities  in the  higher-rated  categories.  During an economic  downturn or a
sustained  period  of  rising  interest  rates,   highly  leveraged  issuers  of
lower-rated  fixed income  securities may experience  financial stress which may
adversely affect their ability to service their debt obligations, meet projected
business goals, and obtain additional financing. Periods of economic uncertainty
and changes would also  generally  result in increased  volatility in the market
prices of these securities and thus in the Fund's net asset value.

         PAYMENT  EXPECTATIONS.  Lower-rated fixed income securities may contain
redemption,  call or  prepayment  provisions  which  permit  the  issuer of such
securities  to, at its  discretion,  redeem the  securities.  During  periods of
falling  interest  rates,  issuers of these  securities  are likely to redeem or
prepay the  securities  and  refinance  them with debt  securities  with a lower
interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the  securities,  or
otherwise  redeem them, the Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower
yielding security, which would result in a lower return.

         CREDIT  RATINGS.  Credit ratings issued by  credit-rating  agencies are
designed to evaluate  the safety of  principal  and  interest  payments of rated
securities.   They  do  not,   however,   evaluate  the  market  value  risk  of
lower-quality  securities and, therefore,  may not fully reflect the risks of an
investment.  In  addition,  credit  rating  agencies  may or may not make timely
changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the
issuer  that  affect  the  market  value  of the  security.  With  regard  to an
investment in lower-rated fixed income securities, the achievement of the Fund's
investment  objective may be more dependent on the Adviser's own credit analysis
than is the case for higher rated  securities.  Although  the Adviser  considers
security ratings when making  investment  decisions,  it does not rely solely on
the  ratings  assigned by the rating  services.  Rather,  the  Adviser  performs
research and independently  assesses the value of particular securities relative
to the market. The Adviser's analysis may include  consideration of the issuer's
experience and managerial  strength,  changing  financial  condition,  borrowing


                                       5
<PAGE>

requirements  or debt maturity  schedules,  and the issuer's  responsiveness  to
changes in business  conditions and interest rates.  It also considers  relative
values based on  anticipated  cash flow,  interest or dividend  coverage,  asset
coverage and earnings prospects.

The  Adviser  buys and sells debt  securities  principally  in  response  to its
evaluation  of an  issuer's  continuing  ability  to meet its  obligations,  the
availability of better investment  opportunities,  and its assessment of changes
in business conditions and interest rates.

         LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION.  Lower-rated  fixed income securities may lack
an established  retail secondary  market,  and to the extent a secondary trading
market does exist,  it may be less liquid than the  secondary  market for higher
rated  securities.  The lack of a liquid secondary market may negatively  impact
the Fund's  ability to dispose of  particular  securities.  The lack of a liquid
secondary market for certain  securities may also make it more difficult for the
Fund to obtain  accurate  market  quotations  for purposes of valuing the Fund's
portfolio. In addition,  adverse publicity and investor perceptions,  whether or
not based on  fundamental  analysis,  may decrease  the values and  liquidity of
lower-rated fixed income securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES

New issues of certain debt  securities  are often  offered on a  when-issued  or
delayed  delivery basis;  that is, the payment  obligation and the interest rate
are fixed at the time the buyer  enters into the  commitment,  but  delivery and
payment for the  securities  normally take place after the customary  settlement
time. The settlement  dates of these  transactions  may be a month or more after
entering into the  transaction.  The Fund bears the risk that, on the settlement
date, the market value of the  securities may be lower than the purchase  price.
At the time the Fund makes a commitment to purchase  securities on a when-issued
or delayed  delivery basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the value
of such securities each day in determining the Fund's net asset value.  However,
the Fund will not accrue any income on these securities prior to delivery. There
are no fees or other expenses  associated with these types of transactions other
than normal transaction costs. To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and
delayed  delivery  transactions,  it  will do so for the  purpose  of  acquiring
instruments  consistent  with its investment  objective and policies and not for
the purpose of  investment  leverage or to speculate on interest  rate  changes.
When effecting  when-issued and delayed  delivery  transactions,  cash or liquid
securities  in an amount  sufficient to make payment for the  obligations  to be
purchased  will be  segregated  at the  trade  date  and  maintained  until  the
transaction has been settled.  The Fund may dispose of these  securities  before
the issuance thereof. However, absent extraordinary  circumstances not presently
foreseen,  it is the Fund's  policy not to divest itself of its right to acquire
these securities prior to the settlement date thereof.

VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES

Variable rate securities  provide for automatic  establishment of a new interest
rate at fixed intervals (i.e., daily,  monthly,  semi-annually,  etc.). Floating


                                       6
<PAGE>

rate securities  provide for automatic  adjustment of the interest rate whenever
some  specified  interest rate index  changes.  The interest rate on variable or
floating  rate  securities  is  ordinarily  determined  by reference to, or is a
percentage of, a bank's prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate, the rate
of return on  commercial  paper or bank  certificates  of  deposit,  an index of
short-term interest rates, or some other objective measure.

Variable  or  floating  rate  securities  frequently  include  a demand  feature
entitling the holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par value.  In many
cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time on seven days' notice; in
other cases, the demand feature is exercisable at any time on 30 days' notice or
on similar notice at intervals of not more than one year.

BANKING AND SAVINGS INDUSTRY OBLIGATIONS

Such  obligations  include  certificates  of deposit,  time  deposits,  bankers'
acceptances,  and other short-term debt  obligations  issued by commercial banks
and savings and loan associations ("S&Ls"). Certificates of deposit are receipts
from a bank or an S&L for funds  deposited  for a specified  period of time at a
specified rate of return.  Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are generally  similar
to certificates of deposit,  but are  uncertificated.  Bankers'  acceptances are
time drafts drawn on commercial  banks by borrowers,  usually in connection with
international  commercial  transactions.  The Fund may invest in  obligations of
foreign  branches of domestic  commercial  banks and foreign banks. See "Foreign
Securities" in the Prospectus for information  regarding  risks  associated with
investments in foreign securities.

The Fund will not  invest in  obligations  issued  by a  commercial  bank or S&L
unless:

 1.  The bank or S&L has total assets of at least $1 billion,  or the equivalent
     in other currencies, and the institution has outstanding securities rated A
     or better by  Moody's or S&P,  or, if the  institution  has no  outstanding
     securities  rated by Moody's or S&P,  it has, in the  determination  of the
     Adviser,   similar  creditworthiness  to  institutions  having  outstanding
     securities so rated;

 2. In the case of a U.S. bank or S&L, its deposits are federally insured; and

 3.  In the case of a foreign bank, the security is, in the determination of the
     Adviser,  of an investment  quality  comparable  with other debt securities
     which may be  purchased  by the Fund.  These  limitations  do not  prohibit
     investments  in  securities  issued  by  foreign  branches  of U.S.  banks,
     provided such U.S. banks meet the foregoing requirements.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Repurchase agreements permit the Fund to maintain liquidity and earn income over
periods of time as short as overnight. In these transactions, the Fund purchases
securities (the "underlying  securities") from a broker or bank, which agrees to
repurchase  the  underlying  securities  on a certain date or on demand and at a
fixed price calculated to produce a previously agreed upon return. If the broker

                                       7
<PAGE>

or  bank  were to  default  on its  repurchase  obligation  and  the  underlying
securities  were sold for a lesser  amount,  the Fund  would  realize a loss.  A
repurchase  transaction  will be subject to  guidelines  approved  by the Board.
These guidelines  require monitoring the  creditworthiness  of counterparties to
repurchase  transactions,  obtaining  collateral  at least equal in value to the
repurchase  obligation,  and marking the  collateral to market on a daily basis.
Repurchase  agreements  maturing  in more  than  seven  days  may be  considered
illiquid and may be subject to the Fund's  limitation  on investment in illiquid
securities.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS

A reverse repurchase  agreement involves the temporary sale of a security by the
Fund and its agreement to  repurchase  the  instrument at a specified  time at a
higher price. Such agreements are short-term in nature. During the period before
repurchase, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on the
securities.

In a mortgage  dollar roll, the Fund sells a fixed income  security for delivery
in the current month and simultaneously  contracts to repurchase a substantially
similar  security (same type,  coupon and maturity) on a specified  future date.
During the roll period,  the Fund would forego  principal  and interest  paid on
such  securities.  The Fund would be compensated  by the difference  between the
current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by
any interest earned on the proceeds of the initial sale.

In accordance  with  regulatory  requirements,  the Fund will  segregate cash or
liquid  securities  whenever it enters into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  or
mortgage dollar rolls.  Such transactions may be considered to be borrowings for
purposes of the Fund's fundamental policies concerning borrowings.

WARRANTS

The holder of a warrant has the right to purchase a given  number of shares of a
security of a particular  issuer at a specified  price until  expiration  of the
warrant.  Such  investments  provide greater  potential for profit than a direct
purchase  of the same  amount  of the  securities.  Prices  of  warrants  do not
necessarily  move in tandem with the prices of the  underlying  securities,  and
warrants are  considered  speculative  investments.  They pay no  dividends  and
confer no rights other than a purchase option.  If a warrant is not exercised by
the date of its  expiration,  the Fund would lose its entire  investment in such
warrant.

STEP DOWN PREFERRED SECURITIES

Step down perpetual preferred  securities are issued by a real estate investment
trust ("REIT")  making a mortgage loan to a single  borrower.  The dividend rate
paid by these securities is initially  relatively high, but declines yearly. The
securities are subject to call if the REIT suffers an unfavorable tax event, and
to tender by the issuer's  equity holder in the 10th year;  both events could be
on terms  unfavorable  to the holder of the preferred  securities.  The value of
these  securities  will be  affected  by changes in the value of the  underlying
mortgage  loan.  The REIT is not  diversified,  and the  value of the  mortgaged


                                       8
<PAGE>

property may not cover its obligations. Step down perpetual preferred securities
are considered restricted securities under the 1933 Act.

LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Loan  participations  and assignments are interests in loans originated by banks
and other financial institutions.  Both the lending bank and the borrower may be
deemed to be "issuers" of a loan participation.

Although  some of the  loans  may be  secured,  there is no  assurance  that the
collateral can be liquidated in particular  cases, or that its liquidation value
will be equal to the value of the debt. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay
only a small portion of the amount owed,  if they are able to pay at all.  Where
the Fund purchases a loan through an assignment,  there is a possibility that it
will,  in the event the borrower is unable to pay the loan,  become the owner of
the collateral. This involves certain risks to the Fund as a property owner.

Loans are often administered by a lead bank, which acts as agent for the lenders
in dealing with the borrower. In asserting rights against the borrower, the Fund
may be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights,  or
upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action.  Assets held by the lead
bank for the  benefit of the Fund may be  subject  to claims of the lead  bank's
creditors.

INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may seek to protect the value of its  investments  from  interest  rate
fluctuations  by entering into various  hedging  transactions,  such as interest
rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest  rate caps,  floors and collars.
The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular  investment or portion of its portfolio.  The Fund may
also enter into these  transactions  to protect against an increase in the price
of securities the Fund anticipates  purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends
to use these transactions as a hedge and not as speculative investments.

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating
rate  payments for fixed rate  payments.  The  purchase of an interest  rate cap
entitles  the  purchaser,  to  the  extent  that a  specified  index  exceeds  a
predetermined  interest rate, to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party  selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate
floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined  interest  rate,  to receive  payments  of  interest on a notional
principal  amount from the party selling such  interest rate floor.  An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and collars on either
an asset-based or  liability-based  basis depending on whether it is hedging its
assets or its liabilities,  and will only enter into such  transactions on a net
basis,  i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or


                                       9
<PAGE>

paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.  The amount
of the excess,  if any, of the Fund's  obligations  over its  entitlements  with
respect to each interest rate swap,  cap,  floor, or collar will be accrued on a
daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets having an aggregate  value at
least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated  account by
the custodian.

The Fund will not enter into any interest rate transaction  unless the unsecured
senior debt or the claims-paying  ability of the other party thereto is rated in
at least the third highest  rating  category  (A/A) of at least one NRSRO at the
time of entering into the transaction.  If there is a default by the other party
to such  transaction,  the Fund will have contractual  remedies  pursuant to the
agreements related to the transaction.  The swap market has grown  substantially
in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting
both as  principals  and  agents.  As a result,  the swap market has become well
established  and provides a degree of  liquidity.  Caps,  floors and collars are
more recent innovations which tend to be less liquid than swaps.

FUTURES CONTRACTS

The Fund may  purchase  and sell  futures  contracts  solely for the  purpose of
hedging against the effect that changes in general market  conditions,  interest
rates, and conditions affecting particular  industries may have on the values of
securities  held by the Fund or which the Fund intends to purchase,  and not for
purposes  of  speculation.   For  information  about  foreign  currency  futures
contracts, see "Foreign Currency Transactions" below.

         GENERAL  DESCRIPTION OF FUTURES CONTRACTS.  A futures contract provides
for the future sale by one party and  purchase  by another  party of a specified
amount of a particular  financial  instrument (debt security) or commodity for a
specified  price  at a  designated  date,  time,  and  place.  Although  futures
contracts by their terms require  actual future  delivery of and payment for the
underlying financial  instruments,  such contracts are usually closed out before
the delivery date.  Closing out an open futures contract position is effected by
entering  into  an  offsetting  sale or  purchase,  respectively,  for the  same
aggregate  amount of the same  financial  instrument on the same delivery  date.
Where the Fund has sold a futures contract, if the offsetting price is more than
the original futures contract purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is
less, it realizes a loss.

         INTEREST RATE FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  An interest rate futures contract is
an  obligation  traded  on an  exchange  or  board of trade  that  requires  the
purchaser to accept  delivery,  and the seller to make delivery,  of a specified
quantity of the underlying financial instrument, such as U.S. Treasury bills and
bonds, in a stated delivery month at a price fixed in the contract.

The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures as a hedge against  changes
in interest rates that would adversely  impact the value of debt instruments and
other  interest rate sensitive  securities  being held or to be purchased by the
Fund.  The Fund might  employ a hedging  strategy  whereby it would  purchase an
interest  rate  futures  contract  when it intends to invest in  long-term  debt
securities  but wishes to defer their  purchase  until it can orderly  invest in
such securities or because  short-term  yields are higher than long-term yields.


                                       10
<PAGE>

Such a  purchase  would  enable  the Fund to earn  the  income  on a  short-term
security  while at the same  time  minimizing  the  effect  of all or part of an
increase  in the market  price of the  long-term  debt  security  which the Fund
intends to  purchase in the future.  A rise in the price of the  long-term  debt
security  prior to its  purchase  either  would be offset by an  increase in the
value of the  futures  contract  purchased  by the  Fund or  avoided  by  taking
delivery of the debt securities under the futures contract.

The Fund would sell an interest rate futures contract to continue to receive the
income from a long-term debt security, while endeavoring to avoid part or all of
the decline in market value of that security  which would  accompany an increase
in interest  rates.  If interest  rates rise, a decline in the value of the debt
security  held by the Fund would be  substantially  offset by the ability of the
Fund  to  repurchase  at a  lower  price  the  interest  rate  futures  contract
previously  sold.  While the Fund could sell the  long-term  debt  security  and
invest in a short-term security, this would ordinarily cause the Fund to give up
income on its investment since long-term rates normally exceed short-term rates.

         STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS. A stock index (for example, the Standard
&  Poor's  500  Composite  Stock  Price  Index or the New  York  Stock  Exchange
Composite  Index) assigns  relative  values to the common stocks included in the
index and fluctuates  with changes in the market values of such stocks.  A stock
index  futures  contract is a  bilateral  agreement  to accept or make  payment,
depending on whether a contract is purchased or sold, of an amount of cash equal
to a specified  dollar  amount  multiplied by the  difference  between the stock
index value at the close of the last  trading day of the  contract and the price
at which the futures contract was originally purchased or sold.

To the extent that changes in the value of the Fund  correspond  to changes in a
given stock index,  the sale of futures  contracts on that index ("short hedge")
would  substantially  reduce the risk to the Fund of a market decline and, by so
doing,  provide an alternative to a liquidation of securities  positions,  which
may be  difficult  to  accomplish  in a rapid and orderly  fashion.  Stock index
futures contracts might also be sold:

 1.      When a sale  of  Fund  securities  at  that  time  would  appear  to be
         disadvantageous in the long-term because such liquidation would:

         a.    Forego possible appreciation,

         b.    Create a situation in which the securities  would be difficult to
               repurchase, or

         c.    Create substantial brokerage commissions;

 2.      When a liquidation of part of the investment portfolio has commenced or
         is  contemplated,  but  there  is, in the  Adviser's  determination,  a
         substantial  risk of a major price decline  before  liquidation  can be
         completed; or

 3. To close out stock index futures purchase transactions.


                                       11
<PAGE>

Where the Adviser anticipates a significant market or market sector advance, the
purchase  of a stock  index  futures  contract  ("long  hedge")  affords a hedge
against the possibility of not  participating in such advance at a time when the
Fund is not fully invested. Such purchases would serve as a temporary substitute
for the purchase of individual stocks, which may then be purchased in an orderly
fashion.  As purchases of stock are made, an amount of index  futures  contracts
which is  comparable  to the amount of stock  purchased  would be  terminated by
offsetting  closing  sales  transactions.  Stock  index  futures  might  also be
purchased:

1.       If the Fund is attempting to purchase equity  positions in issues which
         it may have or is having difficulty  purchasing at prices considered by
         the  Adviser to be fair value  based upon the price of the stock at the
         time it qualified for inclusion in the investment portfolio, or

2.       To close out stock index futures sales transactions.

         OPTIONS ON FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  The Fund may purchase and write options
on futures contracts.  When the Fund purchases a futures option, it acquires the
right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (in the case of
a call) or short  position  (in the case of a put) in a  futures  contract  at a
specified  exercise price prior to the  expiration of the option.  When the Fund
writes an  option  on a  futures  contract,  it  becomes  obligated  to assume a
position  in the futures  contract  (a long  position in the case of a put and a
short position in the case of a call) at a specified  exercise price at any time
during the term of the option.

The  Fund may enter into options on futures  contracts  only in connection  with
hedging strategies. Generally, these strategies would be employed under the same
market  conditions  in  which  the  Fund  would  use put  and  call  options  on
securities, as described in "Options on Securities" below.

         RISKS  ASSOCIATED WITH FUTURES AND FUTURES  OPTIONS.  There are several
risks  associated  with the use of  futures  and  futures  options  for  hedging
purposes.  While  hedging  transactions  may  protect the Fund  against  adverse
movements in the general level of interest rates and economic  conditions,  such
transactions  could also preclude the Fund from the  opportunity to benefit from
favorable movements in the underlying securities. There can be no guarantee that
the anticipated  correlation  between price movements in the hedging vehicle and
in the portfolio  securities  being hedged will occur. An incorrect  correlation
could result in a loss on both the hedged  securities and the hedging vehicle so
that the Fund's return might have been better if hedging had not been attempted.
The degree of  imperfection  of  correlation  depends on  circumstances  such as
variations  in  speculative  market  demand for  futures  and  futures  options,
including  technical  influences  in futures and futures  options  trading,  and
differences  between the financial  instruments being hedged and the instruments
underlying  the standard  contracts  available  for trading in such  respects as
interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as
to whether,  when,  and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment
and even a  well-conceived  hedge may be  unsuccessful to some degree because of
unexpected market behavior or interest rate trends.


                                       12
<PAGE>

There can be no  assurance  that a liquid  market  will exist at a time when the
Fund seeks to close out a futures  contract or a futures option  position.  Most
futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation  permitted
in futures  contract  prices  during a single day. Once the daily limit has been
reached  on a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond  that  limit.  The daily  limit  governs  only price  movements  during a
particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the
limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example,
futures  prices  have  occasionally   moved  to  the  daily  limit  for  several
consecutive  trading days with little or no trading,  thereby  preventing prompt
liquidation  of positions and  subjecting  some holders of futures  contracts to
substantial losses. In addition, certain of these instruments are relatively new
and  without a  significant  trading  history.  Lack of a liquid  market for any
reason may prevent the Fund from  liquidating  an  unfavorable  position and the
Fund would remain  obligated to meet margin  requirements  and continue to incur
losses until the position is closed.

To the extent that the Fund enters into  futures  contracts,  options on futures
contracts and options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange,
in each case that is not for BONA  FIDE  hedging  purposes  (as  defined  by the
CFTC),  the aggregate  initial margin and premiums  required to establish  these
positions  (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money" at the time
of purchase) may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio,
after  taking  into  account  unrealized  profits and  unrealized  losses on any
contracts the Fund has entered into.

OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES

The Fund may  purchase  put and call  options  on  securities,  and put and call
options on stock  indices,  at such times as the Adviser deems  appropriate  and
consistent with the Fund's  investment  objective.  The Fund may also write call
and put  options.  The Fund may  enter  into  closing  transactions  in order to
terminate its  obligations  either as a writer or a purchaser of an option prior
to the expiration of the option.

         PURCHASING OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. An option on a security is a contract
that gives the  purchaser  of the option,  in return for the premium  paid,  the
right to buy a specified  security  (in the case of a call  option) or to sell a
specified  security  (in  the  case  of a put  option)  from  or to  the  seller
("writer")  of the option at a  designated  price during the term of the option.
The Fund may  purchase  put  options on  securities  to protect  holdings  in an
underlying or related  security  against a substantial  decline in market value.
Securities are considered related if their price movements  generally  correlate
to one another. For example, the purchase of put options on debt securities held
by the Fund would enable it to protect,  at least partially,  an unrealized gain
in an appreciated  security without actually selling the security.  In addition,
the Fund would continue to receive interest income on such security.

The Fund may purchase call options on securities to protect against  substantial
increases in prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase pending its
ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner. The Fund may sell put


                                       13
<PAGE>

or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or
loss  depending on whether the amount  realized on the sale is more or less than
the premium and transactional costs paid on the option which is sold.

         WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. In order to earn additional income on its
portfolio  securities or to protect  partially  against declines in the value of
such securities,  the Fund may write call options.  The exercise price of a call
option  may be  below,  equal  to,  or above  the  current  market  value of the
underlying security at the time the option is written. During the option period,
a call option writer may be assigned an exercise notice  requiring the writer to
deliver the underlying  security  against  payment of the exercise  price.  This
obligation  is  terminated  upon the  expiration of the option period or at such
earlier time in which the writer effects a closing purchase transaction. Closing
purchase  transactions  will  ordinarily  be  effected to realize a profit on an
outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security from being called, to
permit  the sale of the  underlying  security,  or to  enable  the Fund to write
another call option on the underlying  security with either a different exercise
price or expiration date or both.

In order to earn additional  income or to protect partially against increases in
the value of securities to be purchased,  the Fund may write put options. During
the option period, the writer of a put option may be assigned an exercise notice
requiring the writer to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price.

         OPTIONS ON  SECURITIES  INDICES.  Call and put  options  on  securities
indices  would be purchased or written by the Fund for the same  purposes as the
purchase or sale of options on  securities.  Options on  securities  indices are
similar to options on securities,  except that the exercise of securities  index
options  requires cash payment and does not involve the actual  purchase or sale
of  securities.  In addition,  securities  index options are designed to reflect
price  fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market
rather  than price  fluctuations  in a single  security.  The  purchase  of such
options may not enable the Fund to hedge  effectively  against stock market risk
if they are not highly  correlated with the value of its  securities.  Moreover,
the ability to hedge  effectively  depends upon the ability to predict movements
in the stock market, which cannot be done accurately in all cases.

         RISKS OF OPTIONS  TRANSACTIONS.  The  purchase  and  writing of options
involves certain risks.  During the option period,  the covered call writer has,
in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from
a price increase in the underlying  securities above the exercise price, and, as
long as its obligation as a writer  continues,  has retained the risk of loss if
the price of the underlying  security  declines.  The writer of an option has no
control  over the time when it may be required to fulfill  its  obligation  as a
writer of the option.  Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it
cannot  effect  a  closing  purchase  transaction  in  order  to  terminate  its
obligation  under  the  option  and must  deliver  or  purchase  the  underlying
securities at the exercise price. If a put or call option  purchased by the Fund
is not  sold  when  it has  remaining  value,  and if the  market  price  of the
underlying security,  in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the
exercise  price  or,  in the case of a call,  remains  less than or equal to the
exercise price,  the Fund will lose its entire  investment in the option.  Also,
where a put or call  option  on a  particular  security  is  purchased  to hedge


                                       14
<PAGE>

against  price  movements  in a related  security,  the price of the put or call
option may move more or less than the price of the related security.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out an option position.  If the Fund cannot effect a closing  transaction,
it  will  not be able  to  sell  the  underlying  security  or  securities  in a
segregated account while the previously written option remains outstanding, even
though it might otherwise be  advantageous  to do so.  Possible  reasons for the
absence of a liquid  secondary  market on a national  securities  exchange could
include:  insufficient  trading  interest,   restrictions  imposed  by  national
securities  exchanges,  trading halts or suspensions  with respect to options or
their underlying securities, inadequacy of the facilities of national securities
exchanges or The Options  Clearing  Corporation  due to a high trading volume or
other  events,  and a decision by one or more national  securities  exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options or to impose restrictions on certain types of
orders.

There  also can be no  assurance  that the Fund  would be able to  liquidate  an
over-the-counter ("OTC") option at any time prior to expiration.  In contrast to
exchange-traded  options  where the clearing  organization  affiliated  with the
particular  exchange  on  which  the  option  is  listed  in  effect  guarantees
completion of every  exchange-traded  option,  OTC options are contracts between
the Fund and a counter-party,  with no clearing  organization  guarantee.  Thus,
when the Fund  purchases an OTC option,  it generally  will be able to close out
the option prior to its expiration  only by entering into a closing  transaction
with the dealer from whom the Fund originally purchased the option.

Since option  premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the
market value of underlying investments,  buying and selling put and call options
offer large  amounts of leverage.  Thus,  trading in options could result in the
Fund's  net asset  value  being  more  sensitive  to changes in the value of the
underlying securities.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

A foreign currency  futures  contract is a standardized  contract for the future
delivery  of a  specified  amount of a foreign  currency,  at a future date at a
price  set at the  time of the  contract.  A  forward  currency  contract  is an
obligation to purchase or sell a currency  against another  currency at a future
date at a price agreed upon by the parties.  The Fund may either  accept or make
delivery of the  currency at the maturity of the contract or, prior to maturity,
enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting
contract.  The Fund will purchase and sell such  contracts for hedging  purposes
and not as an  investment.  The Fund will  engage in  foreign  currency  futures
contracts and forward  currency  transactions  in  anticipation of or to protect
itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates.  The Fund will not (1)
commit more than 15 percent of its total assets  computed at market value at the
time of commitment to foreign currency futures or forward currency contracts.

Forward currency  contracts are not traded on regulated  commodities  exchanges.
When the Fund enters  into a forward  currency  contract,  it incurs the risk of
default by the counter-party to the transaction.


                                       15
<PAGE>

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out a foreign currency futures or forward currency  position.  While these
contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the
hedged  currency,  at the same time, they tend to limit any potential gain which
might result should the value of such currency increase.

Although  the Fund values its assets daily in U.S.  dollars,  it does not intend
physically to convert its holdings of foreign  currencies into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. The Fund will do so from time to time,  thereby incurring the costs
of currency  conversion.  Although  foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee
for conversion,  they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread")
between  the prices at which they are buying  and  selling  various  currencies.
Thus,  a dealer  may offer to sell a foreign  currency  to the Fund at one rate,
while  offering a lesser  rate of  exchange  if the Fund  desires to resell that
currency to the dealer.

OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The Fund may  purchase  call and put  options on foreign  currencies  as a hedge
against  changes  in the  value of the U.S.  dollar  (or  another  currency)  in
relation to a foreign currency in which portfolio  securities of the Fund may be
denominated.  A call option on a foreign  currency gives the purchaser the right
to buy, and a put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, a certain amount
of foreign currency at a specified price during a fixed period of time. The Fund
may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options,  exercise
them, or permit them to expire.

The Fund may employ  hedging  strategies  with options on currencies  before the
Fund purchases a foreign security denominated in the hedged currency, during the
period the Fund holds a foreign security,  or between the day a foreign security
is purchased or sold and the date on which payment therefor is made or received.
Hedging  against a change in the value of a foreign  currency  in the  foregoing
manner does not eliminate  fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or
prevent  losses if the  prices of such  securities  decline.  Furthermore,  such
hedging transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of
the  hedged  currency  increases  relative  to the U.S.  dollar.  The Fund  will
purchase  options on foreign  currencies only for hedging  purposes and will not
speculate  in options on foreign  currencies.  The Fund may invest in options on
foreign  currency which are either listed on a domestic  securities  exchange or
traded on a recognized foreign exchange.

An option  position on a foreign  currency may be closed out only on an exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the
Fund will purchase only  exchange-traded  options,  there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular  option, or
at any particular time. In the event no liquid secondary market exists, it might
not be possible to effect closing  transactions  in particular  options.  If the
Fund cannot close out an exchange-traded option which it holds, it would have to
exercise its option in order to realize any profit and would incur transactional
costs on the purchase or sale of the underlying assets.


                                       16
<PAGE>

SEGREGATION AND COVER FOR OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The use of the  financial  instruments  discussed  above,  I.E.,  interest  rate
transactions  (including swaps,  caps, floors and collars),  futures  contracts,
options on future contacts,  options on securities and securities  indices,  and
forward contracts  (collectively,  "Financial  Instruments"),  may be subject to
applicable  regulations  of the SEC, the several  exchanges  upon which they are
traded, and/or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").

The Fund is required to maintain assets as "cover," maintain segregated accounts
or make  margin  payments  when it  takes  positions  in  Financial  Instruments
involving  obligations to third parties (I.E.,  Financial Instruments other than
purchased  options).  The Fund will not enter into such  transactions  unless it
owns either (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities,  currencies or
other options,  futures contracts or forward  contracts,  or (2) cash and liquid
assets with a value,  marked-to-market  daily, sufficient to cover its potential
obligations  to the extent not covered as  provided in (1) above.  The Fund will
comply with SEC guidelines  regarding  cover for these  instruments and will, if
the  guidelines  so  require,  set aside cash or liquid  assets in a  segregated
account with its custodian in the prescribed amount as determined daily.

BORROWING

The Fund may borrow money from a bank, but only if  immediately  after each such
borrowing and  continuing  thereafter  the Fund would have asset coverage of 300
percent.  Leveraging  by means of borrowing  will  exaggerate  the effect of any
increase  or  decrease in the value of  portfolio  securities  on the Fund's net
asset value;  money  borrowed  will be subject to interest and other costs which
may or may not exceed the income  received from the  securities  purchased  with
borrowed  funds.  The use of borrowing  tends to result in a faster than average
movement, up or down, in the net asset value of the Fund's shares. The Fund also
may be required to maintain  minimum  average  balances in connection  with such
borrowing  or to pay a  commitment  or other fee to  maintain  a line of credit;
either of these  requirements  would  increase  the cost of  borrowing  over the
stated interest rate.

INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Securities of other investment  companies have the potential to appreciate as do
any other securities, but tend to present less risk because their value is based
on a diversified portfolio of investments. The 1940 Act expressly permits mutual
funds to invest in other investment companies within prescribed limitations.  An
investment company generally may invest in other investment  companies if at the
time of such  investment  (1) it does not own more than 3 percent  of the voting
securities  of any one  investment  company,  (2) it does not invest more than 5
percent of its assets in any single investment  company,  and (3) its investment
in all investment companies does not exceed 10 percent of assets.

Some of the  countries  in which  the  Fund may  invest  may not  permit  direct
investment  by outside  investors.  Investments  in such  countries  may only be
permitted through foreign government approved or authorized investment vehicles,

                                       17
<PAGE>

which may  include  other  investment  companies.  In  addition,  it may be less
expensive  and more  expedient  for the Fund to invest  in a foreign  investment
company in a country which permits direct foreign investment.

Investment   companies  in  which  the  Fund  may  invest  charge  advisory  and
administrative  fees and may also assess a sales load and/or  distribution fees.
Therefore,  if the Fund invests in other investment companies, an investor would
indirectly  bear costs  associated  with those  investments as well as the costs
associated  with  investing in the Fund. The  percentage  limitations  described
above  significantly  limit the costs the Fund may incur in connection with such
investments.

SHORT SALES

A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security in anticipation
that the market price of the security  will  decline.  The Fund may effect short
sales (i) as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in
securities it owns or anticipates acquiring, or in similar securities,  and (ii)
to maintain  flexibility in its holdings.  In a short sale "against the box," at
the time of sale  the  Fund  owns  the  security  it has  sold  short or has the
immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical
security. Under applicable guidelines of the SEC staff, if the Fund engages in a
short sale (other than a short sale against-the-box), it must put an appropriate
amount  of cash or  liquid  securities  in a  segregated  account  (not with the
broker).

The effect of short  selling  on the Fund is similar to the effect of  leverage.
Short selling may  exaggerate  changes in the Fund's NAV. Short selling may also
produce  higher than normal  portfolio  turnover,  which may result in increased
transaction costs to the Fund.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

STANDARDIZED YIELD QUOTATIONS.  Each class of the Fund may advertise  investment
performance  figures,  including  yield.  Each class' yield will be based upon a
stated 30-day period and will be computed by dividing the net investment  income
per share earned  during the period by the maximum  offering  price per share on
the last day of the period, according to the following formula:

YIELD = 2 [((A-B)/CD)+1)6-1]

Where:
A = the  dividends  and  interest  earned  during the period.  B = the  expenses
    accrued for the period (net of reimbursements, if any).
C = the average daily number of shares  outstanding  during the period that were
    entitled to receive dividends.
D = the maximum offering price (which is the net  asset value plus, for  Class A
    shares only, the maximum initial sales charge) per share on the  last day of
    the period.

                                       18
<PAGE>

STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS.  Each class of the Fund may
advertise its total return and its  cumulative  total  return.  The total return
will be based upon a stated  period and will be  computed by finding the average
annual  compounded  rate of return over the stated  period that would  equate an
initial  amount  invested  to the  ending  redeemable  value  of the  investment
(assuming  reinvestment  of  all  distributions),  according  to  the  following
formula:


P (1+T)n=ERV

Where:
P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of $1,000.  T = the average  annual  total
    return.
n = the number of years.
ERV = the  ending  redeemable  value  at  the  end  of the  stated  period  of a
hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the stated period.

The total  return  for Class B and  Class C shares of the Fund will  assume  the
maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge is deducted at the times, in
the  amounts,  and under the  terms  disclosed  in the  Fund's  Prospectus.  The
cumulative  total return will be based upon a stated period and will be computed
by dividing the ending redeemable value (i.e., after deduction of any applicable
sales  charges)  of a  hypothetical  investment  by the  value  of  the  initial
investment (assuming reinvestment of all distributions).

Each investment  performance  figure will be carried to the nearest hundredth of
one percent.

NON-STANDARDIZED PERFORMANCE. In addition, in order to more completely represent
the Fund's  performance  or more  accurately  compare such  performance to other
measures of  investment  return,  the Fund also may  include in  advertisements,
sales  literature and shareholder  reports other total return  performance  data
("Non-Standardized Return").  Non-Standardized Return may be quoted for the same
or different  periods as those for which  Standardized  Return is required to be
quoted;  it may consist of an aggregate  or average  annual  percentage  rate of
return,  actual year-by-year rates or any combination thereof.  Non-Standardized
Return  for  Class A, B and C  shares  may or may not take  sales  charges  into
account; performance data calculated without taking the effect of sales charges,
if any,  into  account  may be higher  than data  including  the  effect of such
charges.  All  non-standardized  performance  will  be  advertised  only  if the
standard  performance  data for the  same  period,  as well as for the  required
periods, is also presented.

GENERAL  INFORMATION.  From time to time, the Fund may advertise its performance
compared  to  similar  funds or types of  investments  using  certain  unmanaged
indices,  reporting  services  and  publications.  Descriptions  of  some of the
indices which may be used are listed below.

The  Merrill  Lynch  Convertible  Securities  Index is a  market  capitalization
weighted  index  of  over  450  non-mandatory   domestic  corporate  convertible
securities, representing approximately 95% of the total outstanding market value

                                       19
<PAGE>

of U.S. convertible securities. To be included in the index, bonds and preferred
stocks  must be  convertible  only to common  stock  and have a market  value or
original par value of at least $500 million.

The Boston  Convertible  Securities  Index is a market  capitalization  weighted
index of over 250 convertible  bonds and preferred  stocks rated B- or above. To
be included in the index,  convertible  bonds must have an original par value of
at least $50 million and preferred  stocks must have a minimum of 500,000 shares
outstanding. The index also includes U.S. dollar-denominated Eurobonds that have
been  issued by U.S.  domiciled  companies,  are rated B- or above,  and have an
original par value of at least $100 million.

Each  index  includes  income  and  distributions  but  does not  reflect  fees,
brokerage commissions or other expenses of investing.

In  addition,  from  time to time  in  reports  and  promotions  (1) the  Fund's
performance  may be compared  to other  groups of mutual  funds  tracked by: (a)
Lipper  Analytical  Services  and  Morningstar,  Inc.,  widely used  independent
research  firms  which  rank  mutual  funds by overall  performance,  investment
objectives, and assets; or (b) other financial or business publications, such as
Business  Week,  Money  Magazine,  Forbes and  Barron's  which  provide  similar
information; (2) the Consumer Price Index (measure for inflation) may be used to
assess  the real  rate of  return  from an  investment  in the  Fund;  (3) other
statistics  such  as  GNP  and  net  import  and  export  figures  derived  from
governmental  publications,  e.g., The Survey of Current  Business or statistics
derived by other independent  parties,  e.g., the Investment  Company Institute,
may be used to  illustrate  investment  attributes  of the  Fund or the  general
economic,  business,  investment,  or  financial  environment  in which the Fund
operates;  (4) various  financial,  economic and market statistics  developed by
brokers,  dealers  and other  persons may be used to  illustrate  aspects of the
Fund's performance;  and (5) the sectors or industries in which the Fund invests
may be compared to relevant indices or surveys (e.g.,  S&P Industry  Surveys) in
order to evaluate  the Fund's  historical  performance  or current or  potential
value with respect to the particular industry or sector.

SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The Adviser is  responsible  for  decisions to buy and sell  securities  for the
Fund,  broker-dealer  selection,  and negotiation of brokerage commission rates.
The Adviser's primary  consideration in effecting a securities  transaction will
be execution at the most favorable  price. A substantial  majority of the Fund's
portfolio  transactions  in fixed  income  securities  will be  transacted  with
primary  market  makers  acting as principal  on a net basis,  with no brokerage
commissions being paid by the Fund. In certain  instances,  the Adviser may make
purchases of underwritten issues at prices which include underwriting fees.

In selecting a broker-dealer  to execute a particular  transaction,  the Adviser
will take the following into  consideration:  the best net price available;  the
reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of
the order and the difficulty of execution;  and the size of  contribution of the

                                       20

<PAGE>

broker-dealer to the investment  performance of the Fund on a continuing  basis.
Broker-dealers may be selected who provide brokerage and/or research services to
the Fund  and/or  other  accounts  over which the Adviser  exercises  investment
discretion.  Such services may include furnishing advice concerning the value of
securities  (including providing quotations as to securities),  the advisability
of investing  in,  purchasing or selling  securities,  and the  availability  of
securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities;  furnishing  analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio  strategy  and  performance  of  accounts;  and  effecting  securities
transactions and performing  functions  incidental  thereto,  such as clearance,
settlement and custody, or required in connection therewith.

The Adviser  shall not be deemed to have acted  unlawfully,  or to have breached
any duty  created by the Fund's  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  or  otherwise,
solely by reason  of its  having  caused  the Fund to pay a  broker-dealer  that
provides brokerage and research services an amount of commission for effecting a
portfolio  investment  transaction in excess of the amount of commission another
broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction,  if the Adviser
determines  in good  faith  that such  amount of  commission  is  reasonable  in
relation to the value of the  brokerage and research  services  provided by such
broker-dealer,  viewed in terms of either  that  particular  transaction  or the
Adviser's  overall  responsibilities  with  respect  to the  Fund.  The  Adviser
allocates  orders  placed  by it on  behalf  of the  Fund  in such  amounts  and
proportions  as the Adviser shall  determine and the Adviser will report on said
allocations  regularly to the Fund  indicating the  broker-dealers  to whom such
allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

The  receipt of  research  from  broker-dealers  may be useful to the Adviser in
rendering investment  management services to the Fund and/or the Adviser's other
clients;  conversely,  information  provided by broker-dealers who have executed
transaction  orders on behalf of other  clients  may be useful to the Adviser in
carrying out its  obligations to the Fund. The receipt of such research will not
be substituted for the independent  research of the Adviser.  It does enable the
Adviser to reduce  costs to less than those  which  would have been  required to
develop comparable  information through its own staff. The use of broker-dealers
who supply research may result in the payment of higher  commissions  than those
available from other  broker-dealers who provide only the execution of portfolio
transactions.

Orders  on  behalf  of the Fund may be  bunched  with  orders on behalf of other
clients  of the  Adviser.  It is  the  Adviser's  policy  that,  to  the  extent
practicable,  all clients with similar  investment  objectives and guidelines be
treated fairly and equitably in the allocation of securities trades.

The Board periodically reviews the Adviser's performance of its responsibilities
in  connection  with the  placement of portfolio  transactions  on behalf of the
Trust.

                                       21
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT

THE ADVISER

The Adviser provides  investment advice and, in general,  supervises the Trust's
management and investment program,  furnishes office space, prepares reports for
the Fund,  and pays all  compensation  of officers and Trustees of the Trust who
are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred
in its operation,  including fees and expenses of  unaffiliated  Trustees of the
Trust.

The  Adviser is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Conseco,  Inc.  ("Conseco"),  a
publicly-owned financial services company, the principal operations of which are
in development,  marketing and administration of specialized  annuity,  life and
health  insurance   products.   Conseco's   offices  are  located  at  11825  N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032.

The Investment  Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund, dated March
28,  1997 and  approved by the Board with  respect to the Fund on May 14,  1998,
provides  that the  Adviser  shall not be liable  for any error in  judgment  or
mistake  of law or for any  loss  suffered  by the Fund in  connection  with any
investment  policy or the purchase,  sale or redemption of any securities on the
recommendations  of the Adviser.  The Agreements provide that the Adviser is not
protected  against any  liability to the Fund or its security  holders for which
the Adviser  shall  otherwise be subject by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad
faith, gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by
the Agreements or the violation of any applicable law.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has contracted
to receive an  investment  advisory  fee equal to an annual rate of 0.85% of the
average daily net asset value of the Fund.

The Adviser,  together  with Conseco  Services,  LLC (the  "Administrator")  and
Conseco Equity Sales Inc. (the "Distributor"),  have voluntarily agreed to waive
their fees and/or  reimburse the Fund's expenses to the extent that the ratio of
expenses  to net  assets  exceeds  the  amount set forth in the fee table in the
Prospectus.  These voluntary  limits may be discontinued at any time after April
30, 1999.

The Fund may receive  credits from its custodian  based on cash held by the Fund
at the  custodian.  These credits may be used to reduce the custody fees payable
by the Fund. In that case,  the Adviser's  (and,  other  affiliates')  voluntary
agreement  to waive fees or  reimburse  expenses  will be applied only after the
Fund's custody fees have been reduced or eliminated by the use of such credits.

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Conseco  Services,  LLC (the  "Administrator")  is a wholly owned  subsidiary of
Conseco, and receives  compensation from the Trust pursuant to an Administration
Agreement  dated  January 2, 1997 and amended  December 31, 1997 and approved by
the Board with respect to the Fund on May 14, 1998.  Under that  agreement,  the



                                       22
<PAGE>

Administrator   supervises  the  overall   administration  of  the  Fund.  These
administrative  services  include  supervising the preparation and filing of all
documents  required  for  compliance  by  the  Fund  with  applicable  laws  and
regulations, supervising the maintenance of books and records, and other general
and administrative responsibilities.

For providing these services,  the Administrator receives a fee from the Fund of
 .20% per annum of its average daily net assets.  Pursuant to the  Administration
Agreement,   the  Administrator  reserves  the  right  to  employ  one  or  more
sub-administrators to perform administrative  services for the Fund. The Bank of
New York  performs  certain  administrative  services  for the Fund  pursuant to
agreements  with  the  Administrator.  See "The  Adviser"  above  regarding  the
Administrator's  voluntary  agreement  to waive its fees and/or  reimburse  Fund
expenses.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

The Trustees and officers of the Trust,  their  affiliations,  if any,  with the
Adviser and their principal occupations are set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              Name, Address                     Position Held                    Principal Occupation(s)
                 and Age                         With Trust                        During Past 5 Years
             ---------------                     ----------                        -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                     <C>
 William P. Daves, Jr. (72)                 Chairman  of the Board,  Consultant    to    insurance    and    healthcare
 5723 Trail Meadow                          Trustee                  industries.    Director,   President   and   Chief
 Dallas, TX 75230                                                    Executive  Officer,  FFG Insurance Co. Chairman of
                                                                     the Board and  Trustee  of one other  mutual  fund
                                                                     managed by the Adviser.

 Maxwell E. Bublitz* (42)                   President and Trustee    Chartered   Financial   Analyst.   President   and
 11825 N. Pennsylvania St.                                           Director, Adviser. Previously,
 Carmel, IN 46032                                                    Senior  Vice  President,  Adviser.  President  and
                                                                     Trustee of one other mutual fund
                                                                     managed by the Adviser.

 Gregory J. Hahn* (37)                      Vice    President   for  Chartered    Financial   Analyst.    Senior   Vice
 11825 N. Pennsylvania St.                  Investments and Trustee  President,   Adviser.  Portfolio  Manager  of  the
 Carmel, IN 46032                                                    fixed  income  portion  of  Conseco  Balanced  and
                                                                     Fixed Income Funds.



                                       23
<PAGE>

              Name, Address                     Position Held                    Principal Occupation(s)
                 and Age                         With Trust                        During Past 5 Years
             ---------------                     ----------                        -------------------

 Harold W. Hartley (74)                     Trustee                  Retired. Chartered Financial Analyst.  Previously,
 317 Peppard Drive, S.W.                                             Executive  Vice   President,   Tenneco   Financial
 Ft. Myers Beach, Fl 33913                                           Services,  Inc.  Trustee of one other  mutual fund
                                                                     managed by the Adviser.

 Dr. R. Jan LeCroy (67)                     Trustee                  Retired.   President,   Dallas  Citizens  Council.
 Dallas Citizens Council                                             Trustee of one other  mutual  fund  managed by the
 1201 Main Street,                                                   Adviser.  Director,  Southwest  Securities  Group,
 Suite 2444                                                          Inc.
 Dallas, TX 75202

 Dr. Jesse H. Parrish (70)                  Trustee                  Former   President,    Midland   College.   Higher
 2805 Sentinel                                                       Education   Consultant.   Trustee   of  one  other
 Midland, TX 79701                                                   mutual fund managed by the Adviser.

 William P. Latimer (62)                    Vice    President   and  Vice President,  Senior Counsel,  Secretary, Chief
 11825 N. Pennsylvania St.                  Secretary                Compliance  Officer and Director of Adviser.  Vice
 Carmel, IN 46032                                                    President,    Senior   Counsel,    Secretary   and
                                                                     Director,   Conseco   Equity   Sales,   Inc.  Vice
                                                                     President  and  Secretary of one other mutual fund
                                                                     managed  by the  Adviser.  Previously,  Consultant
                                                                     to securities  industry.  Previously,  Senior Vice
                                                                     President--Compliance,  USF&G Investment  Services,
                                                                     Inc. and Vice President,  Axe-Houghton  Management
                                                                     Inc.

 James S. Adams (38)                        Treasurer                Senior Vice  President,  Bankers  National,  Great
 11815 N. Pennsylvania St.                                           American    Reserve.    Senior   Vice   President,
 Carmel, IN 46032                                                    Treasurer,  and  Director,  Conseco  Equity Sales,
                                                                     Inc. Senior Vice President and Treasurer,  Conseco
                                                                     Services,  LLC.  Treasurer  of  one  other  mutual
                                                                     fund managed by the Adviser.

                                       24
<PAGE>

              Name, Address                     Position Held                    Principal Occupation(s)
                 and Age                         With Trust                        During Past 5 Years
             ---------------                     ----------                        -------------------


 William T. Devanney, Jr.  (42)             Vice         President,  Senior Vice President,  Corporate  Taxes,  Bankers
 11815 N. Pennsylvania St.                  Corporate Taxes          National and Great American  Reserve.  Senior Vice
 Carmel, IN 46032                                                    President,  Corporate Taxes, Conseco Equity Sales,
                                                                     Inc. and Conseco  Services LLC. Vice  President of
                                                                     one other mutual fund managed by the Adviser.

</TABLE>

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

* The Trustee so  indicated  is an  "interested  person," as defined in the 1940
Act,  of the Trust  due to the  positions  indicated  with the  Adviser  and its
affiliates.

The following table shows the compensation of each disinterested Trustee for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.


                               COMPENSATION TABLE

                                 Aggregate            Total Compensation from
                               Compensation    Investment Companies in the Trust
Name of Person, Position      from the Trust*        Complex Paid to Trustees*
- ------------------------      --------------         ---------------------------

William P. Daves, Jr.             $15,000                    $24,000
                                                  (1 other investment company)

Harold W. Hartley                 $16,000                    $25,000
                                                  (1 other investment company)

Dr. R. Jan LeCroy                 $16,000                    $25,000
                                                  (1 other investment company)

Dr. Jesse H. Parrish              $16,000                    $25,000
                                                  (1 other investment company)

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

*     Compensation  received  in 1997  includes  a  retainer  fee from the first
meeting  for the Trust held in December 1996.


                                       25
<PAGE>

FUND EXPENSES

The Fund pays its own expenses including, without limitation: (i) organizational
and offering  expenses of the Fund and expenses  incurred in connection with the
issuance of shares of the Fund;  (ii) fees of its custodian and transfer  agent;
(iii)  expenditures in connection  with meetings of  shareholders  and Trustees;
(iv) compensation and expenses of Trustees who are not interested persons of the
Trust; (v) the costs of any liability,  uncollectible items of deposit and other
insurance  or  fidelity  bond;  (vi)  the  cost  of  preparing,   printing,  and
distributing   prospectuses  and  statements  of  additional  information,   any
supplements thereto,  proxy statements,  and reports for existing  shareholders;
(vii) legal,  auditing, and accounting fees; (viii) trade association dues; (ix)
filing fees and expenses of registering and  maintaining  registration of shares
of the Fund under  applicable  federal and state  securities laws; (x) brokerage
commissions;  (xi) taxes and  governmental  fees;  and (xii)  extraordinary  and
non-recurring expenses.

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

Conseco  Equity  Sales,  Inc.  (the  "Distributor")   serves  as  the  principal
underwriter for the Fund pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated January 2,
1997 as amended  December 31, 1997 and approved by the Board with respect to the
Fund on May 14, 1998. The Distributor is a registered  broker-dealer  and member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").  Shares of the
Fund will be continuously offered and will be sold by brokers,  dealers or other
financial   intermediaries   who  have  executed  selling  agreements  with  the
Distributor.  Subject  to the  compensation  arrangement  discussed  below,  the
Distributor  bears  all the  expenses  of  providing  services  pursuant  to the
Underwriting  Agreement,  including the payment of the expenses  relating to the
distribution  of  Prospectuses  for sales purposes and any  advertising or sales
literature.  The Underwriting  Agreement  continues in effect for two years from
initial approval and for successive one-year periods  thereafter,  provided that
each such continuance is specifically  approved (i) by the vote of a majority of
the Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities  of the Fund  and  (ii) by a  majority  of the  Trustees  who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). The
Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Fund.

The Distributor's  principal address is 11815 N.  Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,
Indiana 46032.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a  distribution  and service plan dated December 31, 1997,
and approved by the Board with respect to the Fund on May 14, 1998, with respect
to Class A, Class B and Class C of the Fund (the "Plan"), in accordance with the
requirements  of Rule  12b-1  under  the  1940 Act and the  requirements  of the
applicable rules of the NASD regarding asset-based sales charges.

Pursuant  to  the  Plan,  the  Fund  may  compensate  the  Distributor  for  its
expenditures in financing any activity  primarily intended to result in the sale
of each such  class of Fund  shares and for  maintenance  and  personal  service
provided to existing shareholders of that class. The Plan authorizes payments to

                                       26
<PAGE>

the  Distributor  up to 0.50%  annually of the Fund's  average  daily net assets
attributable  to its  Class  A  shares.  The  Plan  authorizes  payments  to the
Distributor  up to  1.00%  annually  of the  Fund's  average  daily  net  assets
attributable  to its  Class  B  shares.  The  Plan  authorizes  payments  to the
Distributor  up to  1.00%  annually  of the  Fund's  average  daily  net  assets
attributable  to its  Class C  shares.  See  "Management  - The  Adviser"  above
regarding  the  Distributor's  voluntary  agreement  to waive  its  fees  and/or
reimburse Fund expenses.

The Plan further  provides for periodic  payments by the Distributor to brokers,
dealers and other financial  intermediaries for providing  shareholder  services
and for  promotional  and other sales related costs.  The portion of payments by
Class A, Class B or Class C of the Fund for shareholder servicing may not exceed
an annual  rate of .25% of the  average  daily net asset value of Fund shares of
that class owned by clients of such broker, dealer or financial intermediary.

In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Distributor  provides to the Fund,
for review by the Trustees,  a quarterly  written report of the amounts expended
under the Plan and the purpose  for which such  expenditures  were made.  In the
Trustees'  quarterly  review  of  the  Plan,  they  will  review  the  level  of
compensation the Plan provides in considering the continued  appropriateness  of
the Plan.

The Plan was adopted by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust,  including
at least a  majority  of  Trustees  who are not,  and were not at the time  they
voted, interested persons of the Trust and do not and did not have any direct or
indirect  financial  interest in the operation of the Plans, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Trustees  believe that
there is a  reasonable  likelihood  that the Plan will  benefit the Fund and its
current  and future  shareholders.  Among the  anticipated  benefits  are higher
levels of sales and lower levels of  redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund,  economies  of scale,  reduced  expense  ratios and  greater
portfolio diversification.

Under its terms,  the Plan  remains in effect  from year to year  provided  such
continuance is approved annually by vote of the Trustees in the manner described
above. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
under the Plan without  approval of the  shareholders  of the Fund, and material
amendments  to the  Plan  must  also be  approved  by the  Trustees  in a manner
described above. The Plan may be terminated at any time,  without payment of any
penalty,  by vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons
of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations
of the Plan, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding  voting securities of
the Fund. The Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

For  information  regarding the purchase or  redemption of Fund shares,  see the
Prospectus.

RIGHTS OF  ACCUMULATION.  The Fund offers to all qualifying  investors rights of
accumulation  under which  investors are permitted to purchase Class A shares of
the Fund or other  series of the Trust at the price  applicable  to the total of

                                       27
<PAGE>

(a) the dollar amount then being  purchased plus (b) an amount equal to the then
current  net  asset  value of the  purchaser's  holdings  of shares of the Fund,
another  series of the  Trust,  or shares of the  money  market  fund  currently
managed by  Federated  Management  (derived  from the exchange of Fund shares on
which an initial  sales charge was paid).  Acceptance  of the purchase  order is
subject to confirmation  of  qualification.  The rights of  accumulation  may be
amended or terminated at any time as to subsequent purchases.

LETTER OF INTENT.  Any  shareholder  may qualify for a reduced  sales  charge on
purchases of Class A shares made within a 13-month  period  pursuant to a Letter
of  Intent  (LOI).   Class  A  shares  acquired   through  the  reinvestment  of
distributions  do not  constitute  purchases  for purposes of the LOI. A Class A
shareholder  may include,  as an  accumulation  credit towards the completion of
such LOI,  the  value of all  shares  of all  series  of the Trust  owned by the
shareholder.  Such value is determined  based on the net asset value on the date
of the LOI. During the term of an LOI, Boston Financial Data Services  ("BFDS"),
the Trust's transfer agent,  will hold shares in escrow to secure payment of the
higher sales charge  applicable for shares  actually  purchased if the indicated
amount on the LOI is not purchased.  Dividends and capital gains will be paid on
all escrowed shares and these shares will be released when the amount  indicated
on the LOI has been  purchased.  A LOI does not  obligate the investor to buy or
the Fund to sell the  indicated  amount  of the  LOI.  If a Class A  shareholder
exceeds  the  specified  amount of the LOI and  reaches  an amount  which  would
qualify for a further quantity discount,  a retroactive price adjustment will be
made at the time of the  expiration  of the LOI.  The  resulting  difference  in
offering  price will purchase  additional  Class A shares for the  shareholder's
account at the applicable  offering price. If the specified amount of the LOI is
not  purchased,  the  shareholder  shall  remit to BFDS an  amount  equal to the
difference  between the sales  charge paid and the sales  charge that would have
been paid had the aggregate purchases been made at a single time. If the Class A
shareholder  does not  within 20 days  after a written  request by BFDS pay such
difference in sales charge,  BFDS will redeem an appropriate  number of escrowed
shares in order to realize such  difference.  Additional  information  about the
terms of the LOI are  available  from your  broker,  dealer  or other  financial
intermediary or from BFDS at (800) 986-3384.

SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The Systematic  Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") is designed
to provide a convenient  method of receiving fixed payments at regular intervals
from Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund  deposited by the applicant
under this SWP. The applicant must deposit or purchase for deposit shares of the
Fund having a total  value of not less than  $5,000.  Periodic  checks of $50 or
more will be sent to the applicant,  or any person designated by him, monthly or
quarterly.  Redemptions  of Class B or Class C shares  under the SWP will not be
subject to any contingent  deferred  sales charge so long as a shareholder  does
not withdraw annually more than 12% of the SWP account.

Any income dividends or capital gain  distributions on shares under the SWP will
be credited to the SWP account on the payment date in full and fractional shares
at the net asset value per share in effect on the record date.

                                       28

<PAGE>

SWP payments are made from the proceeds of the redemption of shares deposited in
a SWP account.  Redemptions  are taxable  transactions to  shareholders.  To the
extent that such  redemptions  for periodic  withdrawals  exceed dividend income
reinvested in the SWP account,  such  redemptions will reduce and may ultimately
exhaust the number of shares  deposited  in the SWP account.  In  addition,  the
amounts  received by a  shareholder  cannot be  considered as an actual yield or
income on his or her investment because part of such payments may be a return of
his or her capital.

The SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written  notice to the Fund or from
the  Fund to the  shareholder;  (2)  upon  receipt  by the  Fund of  appropriate
evidence of the  shareholder's  death; or (3) when all shares under the SWP have
been redeemed. The fees of the Fund for maintaining SWPs are paid by the Fund.

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND

The Fund is obligated to redeem shares for any  shareholder  for cash during any
90-day  period up to $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund,  whichever is
less. Any  redemptions  beyond this amount also will be in cash unless the Board
determines  that further cash  payments will have a material  adverse  effect on
remaining  shareholders.  In such a case,  the Fund will pay all or a portion of
the remainder of the  redemptions in portfolio  instruments,  valued in the same
way as the Fund determines net asset value.  The portfolio  instruments  will be
selected in a manner that the Board deems fair and  equitable.  A redemption  in
kind is not as liquid as a cash  redemption.  If a redemption is made in kind, a
shareholder  receiving  portfolio  instruments  could incur certain  transaction
costs.

SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS

The Fund may not  suspend  a  shareholder's  right of  redemption,  or  postpone
payment for a redemption for more than seven days, unless the NYSE is closed for
other than  customary  weekends or holidays;  trading on the NYSE is restricted;
for any  period  during  which an  emergency  exists  as a result  of which  (1)
disposition by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable,
or (2) it is not  reasonably  practicable  for the Fund to fairly  determine the
value of its  assets;  or for such  other  periods as the SEC may permit for the
protection of investors.

GENERAL

The Trustees  themselves  have the power to alter the number and terms of office
of the Trustees, and they may at any time lengthen their own terms or make their
terms of unlimited duration (subject to certain removal  procedures) and appoint
their own  successors,  provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees
have been  elected  by the  shareholders  of the  Trust.  The  voting  rights of
shareholders are not cumulative,  so that holders of more than 50 percent of the
shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected,  while the

                                       29
<PAGE>

holders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. The Trust
is  not  required  to  hold  annual  meetings  of  shareholders  for  action  by
shareholders'  vote except as may be required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration
of Trust.  The  Declaration  of Trust  provides  that  shareholders  can  remove
Trustees by a vote of  two-thirds  of the vote of the  outstanding  shares.  The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the  written  request  of the  holders  of 10% of the  Trust's  shares.  In
addition,  10 or more  shareholders  meeting certain  conditions and holding the
lesser of $25,000  worth or 1% of the Trust's  shares may advise the Trustees in
writing that they wish to communicate with other shareholders for the purpose of
requesting  a meeting to remove a Trustee.  The  Trustees  will then either give
those  shareholders  access to the  shareholder  list or, if  requested by those
shareholders,  mail at the shareholders' expense the shareholders' communication
to all other shareholders.

Each  issued  and  outstanding  share of each class of the Fund is  entitled  to
participate equally in dividends and other distributions of the respective class
of the Fund and,  upon  liquidation  or  dissolution,  in the net assets of that
class remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Fund shares have
no preference,  preemptive or similar rights, and are freely  transferable.  The
exchange  privilege for each class and the  conversion  rights of Class B shares
are described in the Prospectus.

Under Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act, as to any investment  company which has two
or more series (such as the Fund)  outstanding  and as to any matter required to
be  submitted  to  shareholder  vote,  such  matter  is not  deemed to have been
effectively  acted upon  unless  approved  by the  holders of a majority  of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of each series  affected  by the  matter.  Such
separate  voting  requirements  do not apply to the  election of  Trustees,  the
ratification of the contract with the principal  underwriter or the ratification
of the selection of accountants.  The rule contains special provisions for cases
in which an advisory contract is approved by one or more, but not all, series. A
change in  investment  policy may go into effect as to one or more series  whose
holders so approve the change even though the  required  vote is not obtained as
to the holders of other  affected  series.  Under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act,
each  class of the Fund  shall  have a  different  arrangement  for  shareholder
services  or the  distribution  of  securities  or both and shall pay all of the
expenses of that arrangement,  shall have exclusive voting rights on any matters
submitted to shareholders that relate solely to a particular class' arrangement,
and shall have separate  voting rights on any matters  submitted to shareholders
in which the  interests  of one class  differ  from the  interests  of any other
class.

Under   Massachusetts  law,   shareholders  of  the  Trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
Trust.  The  Declaration of Trust,  however,  contains an express  disclaimer of
shareholder  liability  for acts or  obligations  of the Trust and requires that
notice of such disclaimer be given in each  agreement,  obligation or instrument
entered into or executed by the Trust or its Trustees.  The Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of Trust property
for any shareholder held personally liable for its obligations.  The Declaration
of Trust also provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the defense of
any claim made against any  shareholder  for any act or  obligation of the Trust
and  satisfy any  judgment  thereon.  Thus,  while  Massachusetts  law permits a
shareholder of the Trust to be held personally liable as a partner under certain

                                       30
<PAGE>

circumstances,  the risk of a shareholder's  incurring financial loss on account
of  shareholder  liability is highly  unlikely and is limited to the  relatively
remote circumstances in which the Trust would be unable to meet its obligations.

The  Declaration of Trust further  provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for  errors  of  judgment  or  mistakes  of  fact  or law,  but  nothing  in the
Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee  against any liability to which he would
otherwise  be  subject  by reason  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross
negligence,  or reckless  disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.

The Trust and the Adviser have Codes of Ethics governing the personal securities
transactions  of officers and employees.  These codes require prior approval for
certain  transactions and prohibit  transactions which may be deemed to conflict
with the securities trading of the Adviser's clients.

TAXES

GENERAL

To qualify or  continue  to qualify  for  treatment  as a  regulated  investment
company  ("RIC") under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended  ("Code"),
the Fund -- which is treated as a separate  corporation  for these  purposes  --
must  distribute to its  shareholders  for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment  company  taxable  income  (consisting  generally  of net  investment
income,  net short-term capital gain and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions)  ("Distribution  Requirement")  and must meet  several  additional
requirements.  For the Fund, these requirements  include the following:  (1) the
Fund  must  derive  at least  90% of its gross  income  each  taxable  year from
dividends,  interest,  payments with respect to securities  loans and gains from
the sale or other  disposition  of  securities or foreign  currencies,  or other
income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies  ("Income
Requirement");  and (2) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year,
(i) at least 50% of the value of its total  assets must be  represented  by cash
and cash items, U.S. Government  securities,  securities of other RICs and other
securities,  with those other securities  limited, in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and
that  does not  represent  more  than  10% of the  issuer's  outstanding  voting
securities,  and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total  assets may be
invested in securities (other than U.S. Government  securities or the securities
of other RICs) of any one issuer.

If Fund shares are sold at a loss after  being held for six months or less,  the
loss will be treated as long-term,  instead of  short-term,  capital loss to the
extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares.

Distributions,  if any, in excess of the Fund's current or accumulated  earnings
and profits,  as computed for federal  income tax  purposes,  will  constitute a
return of  capital,  which first will  reduce a  shareholder's  tax basis in the


                                       31
<PAGE>

Fund's shares and then (after such basis is reduced to zero) generally will give
rise to capital  gains.  Under the  Taxpayer  Relief  Act of 1997  ("Tax  Act"),
different maximum tax rates apply to a non-corporate taxpayer's net capital gain
(the excess of net  long-term  capital gain over net  short-term  capital  loss)
depending on the  taxpayer's  holding period and marginal rate of federal income
tax -- generally,  28% for gain  recognized on capital assets held for more than
one year but not  more  than 18  months  and 20% (10% for  taxpayers  in the 15%
marginal tax bracket) for gain  recognized on capital  assets held for more than
18 months.

Shareholders  electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares
will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received
equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive
the distributions in cash, divided by the number of shares received.

At the time of an  investor's  purchase of shares of the Fund,  a portion of the
purchase price is often  attributable  to unrealized  appreciation in the Fund's
portfolio   or   undistributed   taxable   income.   Consequently,    subsequent
distributions from that appreciation (when realized) or income may be taxable to
the  investor  even if the net asset  value of the  investor's  shares  is, as a
result of the  distributions,  reduced below the investor's  cost for the shares
and the distributions in reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase
price.

The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax ("Excise Tax")
on certain amounts not distributed (and not treated as having been  distributed)
on a timely basis in accordance with annual minimum  distribution  requirements.
The Fund intends under normal  circumstances  to avoid liability for such tax by
satisfying those distribution requirements.

INCOME FROM FOREIGN SECURITIES

Dividends and interest received by the Fund, and gains realized thereby,  may be
subject to income,  withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign  countries and
U.S.  possessions  ("foreign  taxes")  that would  reduce the yield and/or total
return on its  securities.  Tax conventions  between  certain  countries and the
United States may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes,  however,  and many foreign
countries  do not impose  taxes on capital  gains in respect of  investments  by
foreign investors.

The Fund may  invest  in the stock of  "passive  foreign  investment  companies"
("PFICs").  A PFIC is a foreign  corporation -- other than a "controlled foreign
corporation"  (I.E.,  a foreign  corporation  in which,  on any day  during  its
taxable  year,  more  than 50% of the total  voting  power of all  voting  stock
therein or the total value of all stock therein is owned, directly,  indirectly,
or  constructively,  by  "U.S.  shareholders,"  defined  as  U.S.  persons  that
individually own, directly, indirectly, or constructively,  at least 10% of that
voting  power) as to which the Fund is a U.S.  shareholder  -- that, in general,
meets  either of the  following  tests:  (1) at least 75% of its gross income is
passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for
the production of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund will be
subject to federal income tax on a part of any "excess distribution" received by
it on the stock of a PFIC or of any gain on the Fund's  disposition of the stock
(collectively  "PFIC  income"),   plus  interest  thereon,   even  if  the  Fund

                                       32
<PAGE>

distributes  the PFIC  income as a taxable  dividend  to its  shareholders.  The
balance of the PFIC income will be  included  in the Fund's  investment  company
taxable  income and,  accordingly,  will not be taxable to it to the extent that
income is distributed to its shareholders.

If the Fund  invests  in a PFIC and  elects  to treat  the PFIC as a  "qualified
electing  fund"  ("QEF"),  then  in  lieu  of the  foregoing  tax  and  interest
obligation,  the Fund would be  required  to include in income each year its pro
rata share of the QEF's annual  ordinary  earnings and net capital gain -- which
likely would have to be  distributed  by the Fund,  to satisfy the  Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax -- even if those earnings and
gain were not distributed  thereto by the QEF. In most instances it will be very
difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  make  this  election  because  of  certain
requirements thereof.

The  Fund   may   elect  to  "mark   to   market"   its   stock  in  any   PFIC.
"Marking-to-market,"  in this context,  means  including in ordinary income each
taxable  year the excess,  if any, of the fair market  value of the PFIC's stock
over the  adjusted  basis  therein as of the end of that year.  Pursuant  to the
election,  the Fund also will be allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not capital,
loss) the  excess,  if any,  of its  adjusted  basis in PFIC stock over the fair
market value thereof as of the taxable  year-end,  but only to the extent of any
net mark-to-market gains with respect to that stock included in income for prior
taxable  years.  The  adjusted  basis in each PFIC's stock with respect to which
this election is made will be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included
and deductions taken under the election.

Foreign  exchange  gains and  losses  realized  by the Fund in  connection  with
certain  transactions  involving foreign  currency-denominated  debt securities,
certain foreign  currency futures and options,  foreign  currency  positions and
payables or receivables (e.g., dividends or interest receivable)  denominated in
a foreign  currency  are  subject to section  988 of the Code,  which  generally
causes  those gains and losses to be treated as  ordinary  income and losses and
may affect the amount,  timing and character of  distributions  to shareholders.
Any gains  from the  disposition  of  foreign  currencies  could,  under  future
Treasury  regulations,  produce income that is not "qualifying income" under the
Income Requirement.

INVESTMENTS IN DEBT SECURITIES

If the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, payment-in-kind securities and/or
certain deferred interest securities (and, in general, any other securities with
original  issue  discount  or with  market  discount  if an  election is made to
include  market  discount in income  currently),  it must accrue income on those
investments prior to the receipt of cash payments or interest thereon.  However,
the  Fund  must  distribute  to its  shareholders,  at  least  annually,  all or
substantially  all of its  investment  company  taxable  income,  including such
accrued  discount  and  other  non-cash  income,  to  satisfy  the  Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax. Therefore, the Fund may have
to dispose of its portfolio  securities under  disadvantageous  circumstances to
generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to make the
necessary distributions.


                                       33
<PAGE>

Investment  in debt  obligations  that  are at risk  of or in  default  presents
special tax issues for the Fund if it holds such obligations.  Tax rules are not
entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue  interest,
original issue discount or market discount,  when and to what extent  deductions
may be taken for bad debts or worthless  securities,  how  payments  received on
obligations in default  should be allocated  between  principal and income,  and
whether  exchanges of debt  obligations in a workout context are taxable.  These
and other  issues will be  addressed  by the Fund if holds such  obligations  in
order to seek to reduce the risk of distributing  insufficient income to qualify
for  treatment  as a RIC and of  becoming  subject to federal  income tax or the
Excise Tax.

HEDGING STRATEGIES

The use of hedging strategies,  such as writing (selling) and purchasing options
and futures  contracts and entering  into forward  contracts,  involves  complex
rules that will  determine  for income tax  purposes the amount,  character  and
timing of  recognition  of the gains and losses the Fund  realizes in connection
therewith. Gains from options, futures and forward contracts derived by the Fund
with respect to its business of investing in securities or foreign currencies --
and as noted above,  gains from the  disposition of foreign  currencies  (except
certain  gains that may be excluded by future  regulations)  -- will  qualify as
permissible income under the Income Requirement.

Certain futures and foreign currency contracts in which the Fund may invest will
be "section 1256 contracts."  Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end
of each  taxable  year,  other than section  1256  contracts  that are part of a
"mixed straddle" with respect to which the Fund has made an election not to have
the following rules apply,  must be  marked-to-market  (that is, treated as sold
for their fair market value) for federal  income tax  purposes,  with the result
that  unrealized  gains or losses will be treated as though they were  realized.
Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed sales,  and 60%
of any net  realized  gain  or loss  from  any  actual  sales  of  section  1256
contracts,  will be treated as long-term  capital gain or loss,  and the balance
will be treated as short-term  capital gain or loss. As of the date of this SAI,
it is not entirely  clear  whether that 60% portion will qualify for the reduced
maximum tax rates on  non-corporate  taxpayers'  net capital gain enacted by the
Tax Act noted above,  although technical  corrections  legislation passed by the
House of  Representatives  late in 1997 would  clarify  that those rates  apply.
Section 1256 contracts also may be  marked-to-market  for purposes of the Excise
Tax.

Code  section  1092  (dealing  with  straddles)  also may affect the taxation of
options and futures contracts in which the Fund may invest. Section 1092 defines
a "straddle"  as offsetting  positions  with respect to personal  property;  for
these purposes,  options and futures  contracts are personal  property.  Section
1092  generally  provides that any loss from the  disposition of a position in a
straddle may be deducted only to the extent the loss exceeds the unrealized gain
on the  offsetting  position(s)  of the  straddle.  Section  1092 also  provides
certain "wash sale" rules,  which apply to transactions where a position is sold

                                       34
<PAGE>

at a loss and a new offsetting  position is acquired within a prescribed period,
and "short  sale"  rules  applicable  to  straddles.  If the Fund makes  certain
elections,  the amount,  character and timing of recognition of gains and losses
from the affected  straddle  positions would be determined under rules that vary
according  to  the  elections  made.  Because  only  a few  of  the  regulations
implementing the straddle rules have been  promulgated,  the tax consequences to
the Fund of straddle transactions are not entirely clear.

If the Fund has an "appreciated  financial  position" -- generally,  an interest
(including an interest through an option,  futures or forward contract, or short
sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than "straight debt") or
partnership  interest the fair market value of which exceeds its adjusted  basis
- -- and enters into a "constructive  sale" of the same or  substantially  similar
property,  the Fund will be treated as having made an actual sale thereof,  with
the result  that gain will be  recognized  at that  time.  A  constructive  sale
generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or
futures or forward  contract  entered into by the Fund or a related  person with
respect to the same or  substantially  similar  property.  In  addition,  if the
appreciated  financial  position  is  itself  a short  sale or such a  contract,
acquisition of the underlying property or substantially similar property will be
deemed a constructive sale.

The  foregoing  discussion  relates  solely to U.S.  federal  income  tax law as
applicable to U.S. persons (i.e.,  U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic
corporations,  partnerships,  trusts and estates) subject to tax under that law.
The discussion does not address special tax rules  applicable to certain classes
of investors,  such as tax-exempt  entities,  insurance  companies and financial
institutions.  Dividends,  capital gain  distributions and ownership of or gains
realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of the shares of the Fund may
also be subject to state and local taxes.  Shareholders should consult their own
tax advisers as to the federal,  state or local tax consequences of ownership of
shares  of, and  receipt of  distributions  from,  the Fund in their  particular
circumstances.

OTHER INFORMATION

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York,  90  Washington  Street,  22nd Floor,  New York,  New York
10826, serves as custodian of the assets of the Fund.

TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES

State Street Bank and Trust Company is the transfer agent for the Fund.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT

Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  2900 One American  Square,  Box 82002,  Indianapolis,
Indiana 46282-0002, serves as the Trust's independent accountant.








                                       35

<PAGE>




                  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                           CONSECO FUND GROUP

                  CONSECO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

                             CLASS Y SHARES

                           OCTOBER 1, 1998


This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  ("SAI")  is not a  prospectus.  It
contains  additional  information about the Conseco Fund Group (the "Trust") and
its series the Conseco Convertible  Securities Fund ("Fund"):  It should be read
in  conjunction  with the Fund's Class Y prospectus  (the  "Prospectus"),  dated
October 1, 1998. You may obtain a copy by contacting the Trust's  Administrative
Office, 11815 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032.

                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                     PAGE

GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS................................................2
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES....................4
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE................................................18
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS...............................................20
MANAGEMENT............................................................21
FUND EXPENSES.........................................................25
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS.............................................25
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES.....................................26
GENERAL...............................................................26
TAXES.................................................................28
OTHER INFORMATION.....................................................32






<PAGE>



GENERAL INFORMATION


The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on September 24, 1996.
The Trust is an  open-end  management  investment  company  registered  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act").  The Trust is a "series" type of mutual fund which issues
separate  series of shares,  each of which  represents  a separate  portfolio of
investments.  The Fund offers four classes of shares. This SAI relates solely to
Class Y shares of the Funds.  Class A shares,  Class B shares and Class C shares
are offered to individual  investors through a separate prospectus and SAI. Each
class may have different expenses, which may affect performance. Conseco Capital
Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") serves as the Trust's investment adviser.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


The Trust has adopted the  following  policies  relating  to the  investment  of
assets of the Fund and its activities.  These are  fundamental  policies and may
not be changed  without  the  approval  of the  holders of a  "majority"  of the
outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Under  the  1940  Act,  the  vote  of such a
"majority"  means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67 percent of the
shares or  interests  represented  at a meeting at which more than 50 percent of
the outstanding shares or interests are represented or (ii) more than 50 percent
of the outstanding  shares or interests.  A change in policy  affecting only the
Fund (and not another  series of the Trust) may be effected with the approval of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares of the Fund. Except for the
limitation on borrowing,  any  investment  policy or limitation  that involves a
maximum percentage of securities or assets will not be considered to be violated
unless the percentage  limitation is exceeded immediately after, and because of,
a transaction by the Fund.


The Fund may not (except as noted):


 1.   Purchase or sell  commodities or commodity  contracts except that the Fund
      may purchase or sell options,  futures  contracts,  and options on futures
      contracts   and  may  engage  in  interest   rate  and  foreign   currency
      transactions;


 2.   Borrow money,  except that the Fund may: (a) borrow from banks, and (b)
      enter into reverse repurchase  agreements,  provided that (a) and (b) in
      combination  do not  exceed  33-1/3%  of the value of its  total  assets
      (including   the  amount   borrowed)   less   liabilities   (other  than
      borrowings);  and except  that the Fund may borrow from any person up to
      5%  of  its  total  assets  (not  including  the  amount  borrowed)  for
      temporary   purposes   (but  not  for   leverage  or  the   purchase  of
      investments);


 3.   Underwrite  securities of other issuers except to the extent that the Fund
      may be deemed an  underwriter  under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
      Act") in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities;


                                       2
<PAGE>

 4.   With respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, purchase the securities of
      any issuer if (a) more than 5% of Fund's total assets would be invested in
      the  securities  of that issuer or (b) the Fund would own more than 10% of
      the outstanding  voting  securities of that issuer;  this restriction does
      not apply to U.S. Government securities (as defined in the Prospectus);


 5.   Purchase any security if thereafter 25% or more of the total assets of the
      Fund would be invested in  securities  of issuers  having their  principal
      business activities in the same industry;  this restriction does not apply
      to U.S. Government securities (as defined in the Prospectus);


 6.   Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may purchase securities
      which are issued by  companies  which  invest in real  estate or which are
      secured by real estate or interests therein;


 7.   Make loans of its assets if, as a result,  more than 33-1/3% of the Fund's
      total assets would be lent to other  parties  except  through (a) entering
      into repurchase agreements and (b) purchasing debt instruments; or


 8.   Issue any senior security except as permitted under the 1940 Act.


NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


The following restrictions are designated as non-fundamental with respect to the
Fund and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.


The Fund may not (except as noted):


 1.   Sell  securities  short in an amount  exceeding 15% of its assets,  except
      that the Fund may,  without  limit,  make  short  sales  against  the box.
      Transactions in options,  futures, options on futures and other derivative
      instruments shall not constitute selling securities short;


 2.   Purchase  securities  on  margin,  except  that the Fund may  obtain  such
      short-term  credits  as are  necessary  for the  clearance  of  securities
      transactions   and  except  that  margin   deposits  in  connection   with
      transactions in options,  futures, options on futures and other derivative
      instruments shall not constitute a purchase of securities on margin; or


 3.   Make loans of its assets,  except that the Fund may enter into  repurchase
      agreements and purchase debt  instruments as set forth in its  fundamental
      policy on lending and may lend  portfolio  securities  in an amount not to
      exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.


In order to limit the risks  associated with entry into  repurchase  agreements,
the Board has adopted certain  criteria (which are not fundamental  policies) to
be followed by the Fund.  These  criteria  provide for entering into  repurchase
agreement  transactions  (a) only with banks or  broker-dealers  meeting certain


                                       3
<PAGE>

guidelines for creditworthiness,  (b) that are fully  collateralized,  (c) on an
approved  standard form of agreement and (d) that meet limits on  investments in
the repurchase agreements of any one bank, broker or dealer.


DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES


The  following  discussion  describes  in  greater  detail  different  types  of
securities  and  investment  techniques  used by the Fund,  as well as the risks
associated with such securities and techniques.


U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND SECURITIES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS


U.S. Government  securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or
its agencies, authorities or  instrumentalities.


Securities  issued  by  international  organizations,   such  as  Inter-American
Development Bank, the Asian-American Development Bank and the International Bank
for Reconstruction  and Development (the "World Bank"), are not U.S.  Government
securities.  These  international  organizations,   while  not  U.S.  Government
agencies or instrumentalities, have the ability to borrow from member countries,
including the United States.


ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES


Asset-backed  securities  represent  fractional  interests  in pools of  leases,
retail  installment  loans and revolving  credit  receivables,  both secured and
unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust. Payments of principal and
interest or interest only are passed through to  certificate  holders and may be
guaranteed  up to certain  amounts by  letters of credit  issued by a  financial
institution  affiliated  or  unaffiliated  with the trustee or originator of the
trust.


Underlying  automobile sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to
prepayment,  which  may  reduce  the  overall  return  to  certificate  holders.
Nevertheless,  principal  repayment  rates  tend not to vary much with  interest
rates and the short-term nature of the underlying car loans or other receivables
tends to dampen the impact of any change in the  prepayment  level.  Certificate
holders may experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts
due on underlying  sales  contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust
because  of  unanticipated  legal  or  administrative  costs  of  enforcing  the
contracts  or  because  of  depreciation  or damage to the  collateral  (usually
automobiles)  securing certain contracts,  or other factors.  Other asset-backed
securities may be developed in the future.


HIGH YIELD (HIGH RISK) SECURITIES


      IN GENERAL. Lower-rated fixed income securities (also referred to as "high
yield securities") are securities rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's ("S&P")
or Ba or  lower by  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's"),  securities
comparably   rated  by  another   nationally   recognized   statistical   rating
organization ("NRSRO"), or unrated securities of equivalent quality. Lower-rated
fixed income  securities are deemed by the rating  agencies to be  predominantly


                                       4
<PAGE>

speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal.  Lower-rated fixed income securities, while generally offering higher
yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater
risks,  including the  possibility  of default or  bankruptcy.  The special risk
considerations  in connection with investments in these securities are discussed
below.


Subsequent to purchase by the Fund, an issue of debt  securities may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced,  so that the  securities  would no longer be
eligible  for purchase by the Fund.  In such a case,  the Fund will engage in an
orderly  disposition  of the  downgraded  securities to the extent  necessary to
ensure that its  holdings do not exceed the  permissible  amount as set forth in
the Prospectus.


      EFFECT  OF  INTEREST  RATES AND  ECONOMIC  CHANGES.  All  interest-bearing
securities  typically  experience  appreciation  when interest rates decline and
depreciation  when interest rates rise.  The market values of lower-rated  fixed
income securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater
extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in
the general level of interest rates.  Lower-rated  fixed income  securities also
tend  to  be  more  sensitive  to  economic  conditions  than  are  higher-rated
securities.  As  a  result,  they  generally  involve  more  credit  risks  than
securities  in the  higher-rated  categories.  During an economic  downturn or a
sustained  period  of  rising  interest  rates,   highly  leveraged  issuers  of
lower-rated  fixed income  securities may experience  financial stress which may
adversely affect their ability to service their debt obligations, meet projected
business goals, and obtain additional financing. Periods of economic uncertainty
and changes would also  generally  result in increased  volatility in the market
prices of these securities and thus in the Fund's net asset value.


      PAYMENT  EXPECTATIONS.  Lower-rated  fixed income  securities  may contain
redemption,  call or  prepayment  provisions  which  permit  the  issuer of such
securities  to, at its  discretion,  redeem the  securities.  During  periods of
falling  interest  rates,  issuers of these  securities  are likely to redeem or
prepay the  securities  and  refinance  them with debt  securities  with a lower
interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the  securities,  or
otherwise  redeem them, the Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower
yielding security, which would result in a lower return.


      CREDIT  RATINGS.  Credit  ratings  issued by  credit-rating  agencies  are
designed to evaluate  the safety of  principal  and  interest  payments of rated
securities.   They  do  not,   however,   evaluate  the  market  value  risk  of
lower-quality  securities and, therefore,  may not fully reflect the risks of an
investment.  In  addition,  credit  rating  agencies  may or may not make timely
changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the
issuer  that  affect  the  market  value  of the  security.  With  regard  to an
investment in lower-rated fixed income securities, the achievement of the Fund's
investment  objective may be more dependent on the Adviser's own credit analysis
than is the case for higher rated  securities.  Although  the Adviser  considers
security ratings when making  investment  decisions,  it does not rely solely on
the  ratings  assigned by the rating  services.  Rather,  the  Adviser  performs
research and independently  assesses the value of particular securities relative
to the market. The Adviser's analysis may include  consideration of the issuer's


                                       5
<PAGE>

experience and managerial  strength,  changing  financial  condition,  borrowing
requirements  or debt maturity  schedules,  and the issuer's  responsiveness  to
changes in business  conditions and interest rates.  It also considers  relative
values based on  anticipated  cash flow,  interest or dividend  coverage,  asset
coverage and earnings prospects.


The  Adviser  buys and sells debt  securities  principally  in  response  to its
evaluation  of an  issuer's  continuing  ability  to meet its  obligations,  the
availability of better investment  opportunities,  and its assessment of changes
in business conditions and interest rates.


      LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION.  Lower-rated  fixed income securities may lack an
established  retail  secondary  market,  and to the extent a  secondary  trading
market does exist,  it may be less liquid than the  secondary  market for higher
rated  securities.  The lack of a liquid secondary market may negatively  impact
the Fund's  ability to dispose of  particular  securities.  The lack of a liquid
secondary market for certain  securities may also make it more difficult for the
Fund to obtain  accurate  market  quotations  for purposes of valuing the Fund's
portfolio. In addition,  adverse publicity and investor perceptions,  whether or
not based on  fundamental  analysis,  may decrease  the values and  liquidity of
lower-rated fixed income securities, especially in a thinly traded market.


WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES


New issues of certain debt  securities  are often  offered on a  when-issued  or
delayed  delivery basis;  that is, the payment  obligation and the interest rate
are fixed at the time the buyer  enters into the  commitment,  but  delivery and
payment for the  securities  normally take place after the customary  settlement
time. The settlement  dates of these  transactions  may be a month or more after
entering into the  transaction.  The Fund bears the risk that, on the settlement
date, the market value of the  securities may be lower than the purchase  price.
At the time the Fund makes a commitment to purchase  securities on a when-issued
or delayed  delivery basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the value
of such securities each day in determining the Fund's net asset value.  However,
the Fund will not accrue any income on these securities prior to delivery. There
are no fees or other expenses  associated with these types of transactions other
than normal transaction costs. To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and
delayed  delivery  transactions,  it  will do so for the  purpose  of  acquiring
instruments  consistent  with its investment  objective and policies and not for
the purpose of  investment  leverage or to speculate on interest  rate  changes.
When effecting  when-issued and delayed  delivery  transactions,  cash or liquid
securities  in an amount  sufficient to make payment for the  obligations  to be
purchased  will be  segregated  at the  trade  date  and  maintained  until  the
transaction has been settled.  The Fund may dispose of these  securities  before
the issuance thereof. However, absent extraordinary  circumstances not presently
foreseen,  it is the Fund's  policy not to divest itself of its right to acquire
these securities prior to the settlement date thereof.


VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES


Variable rate securities  provide for automatic  establishment of a new interest
rate at fixed intervals (i.e., daily,  monthly,  semi-annually,  etc.). Floating


                                       6
<PAGE>

rate securities  provide for automatic  adjustment of the interest rate whenever
some  specified  interest rate index  changes.  The interest rate on variable or
floating  rate  securities  is  ordinarily  determined  by reference to, or is a
percentage of, a bank's prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate, the rate
of return on  commercial  paper or bank  certificates  of  deposit,  an index of
short-term interest rates, or some other objective measure.


Variable  or  floating  rate  securities  frequently  include  a demand  feature
entitling the holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par value.  In many
cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time on seven days' notice; in
other cases, the demand feature is exercisable at any time on 30 days' notice or
on similar notice at intervals of not more than one year.


BANKING AND SAVINGS INDUSTRY OBLIGATIONS


Such  obligations  include  certificates  of deposit,  time  deposits,  bankers'
acceptances,  and other short-term debt  obligations  issued by commercial banks
and savings and loan associations ("S&Ls"). Certificates of deposit are receipts
from a bank or an S&L for funds  deposited  for a specified  period of time at a
specified rate of return.  Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are generally  similar
to certificates of deposit,  but are  uncertificated.  Bankers'  acceptances are
time drafts drawn on commercial  banks by borrowers,  usually in connection with
international  commercial  transactions.  The Fund may invest in  obligations of
foreign  branches of domestic  commercial  banks and foreign banks. See "Foreign
Securities" in the Prospectus for information  regarding  risks  associated with
investments in foreign securities.


The Fund will not  invest in  obligations  issued  by a  commercial  bank or S&L
unless:


1.  The bank or S&L has total assets of at least $1 billion,  or the  equivalent
    in other currencies,  and the institution has outstanding securities rated A
    or better by  Moody's  or S&P,  or, if the  institution  has no  outstanding
    securities  rated by Moody's or S&P,  it has,  in the  determination  of the
    Adviser,   similar   creditworthiness  to  institutions  having  outstanding
    securities so rated;


2.  In the case of a U.S. bank or S&L, its deposits are federally insured; and


3.  In the case of a foreign bank, the security is, in the  determination of the
    Adviser,  of an investment  quality  comparable  with other debt  securities
    which  may be  purchased  by the Fund.  These  limitations  do not  prohibit
    investments in securities issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks, provided
    such U.S. banks meet the foregoing requirements.


REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS


Repurchase agreements permit the Fund to maintain liquidity and earn income over
periods of time as short as overnight. In these transactions, the Fund purchases
securities (the "underlying  securities") from a broker or bank, which agrees to
repurchase  the  underlying  securities  on a certain date or on demand and at a
fixed price calculated to produce a previously agreed upon return. If the broker
or  bank  were to  default  on its  repurchase  obligation  and  the  underlying


                                       7
<PAGE>

securities  were sold for a lesser  amount,  the Fund  would  realize a loss.  A
repurchase  transaction  will be subject to  guidelines  approved  by the Board.
These guidelines  require monitoring the  creditworthiness  of counterparties to
repurchase  transactions,  obtaining  collateral  at least equal in value to the
repurchase  obligation,  and marking the  collateral to market on a daily basis.
Repurchase  agreements  maturing  in more  than  seven  days  may be  considered
illiquid and may be subject to the Fund's  limitation  on investment in illiquid
securities.


REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS


A reverse repurchase  agreement involves the temporary sale of a security by the
Fund and its agreement to  repurchase  the  instrument at a specified  time at a
higher price. Such agreements are short-term in nature. During the period before
repurchase, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on the
securities.


In a mortgage  dollar roll, the Fund sells a fixed income  security for delivery
in the current month and simultaneously  contracts to repurchase a substantially
similar  security (same type,  coupon and maturity) on a specified  future date.
During the roll period,  the Fund would forego  principal  and interest  paid on
such  securities.  The Fund would be compensated  by the difference  between the
current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by
any interest earned on the proceeds of the initial sale.


In accordance  with  regulatory  requirements,  the Fund will  segregate cash or
liquid  securities  whenever it enters into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  or
mortgage dollar rolls.  Such transactions may be considered to be borrowings for
purposes of the Fund's fundamental policies concerning borrowings.


WARRANTS


The holder of a warrant has the right to purchase a given  number of shares of a
security of a particular  issuer at a specified  price until  expiration  of the
warrant.  Such  investments  provide greater  potential for profit than a direct
purchase  of the same  amount  of the  securities.  Prices  of  warrants  do not
necessarily  move in tandem with the prices of the  underlying  securities,  and
warrants are  considered  speculative  investments.  They pay no  dividends  and
confer no rights other than a purchase option.  If a warrant is not exercised by
the date of its  expiration,  the Fund would lose its entire  investment in such
warrant.


STEP DOWN PREFERRED SECURITIES


Step down perpetual preferred  securities are issued by a real estate investment
trust ("REIT")  making a mortgage loan to a single  borrower.  The dividend rate
paid by these securities is initially  relatively high, but declines yearly. The
securities are subject to call if the REIT suffers an unfavorable tax event, and
to tender by the issuer's  equity holder in the 10th year;  both events could be
on terms  unfavorable  to the holder of the preferred  securities.  The value of
these  securities  will be  affected  by changes in the value of the  underlying
mortgage  loan.  The REIT is not  diversified,  and the  value of the  mortgaged


                                       8
<PAGE>

property may not cover its obligations. Step down perpetual preferred securities
are considered restricted securities under the 1933 Act.


LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS


Loan  participations  and assignments are interests in loans originated by banks
and other financial institutions.  Both the lending bank and the borrower may be
deemed to be "issuers" of a loan participation.


Although  some of the  loans  may be  secured,  there is no  assurance  that the
collateral can be liquidated in particular  cases, or that its liquidation value
will be equal to the value of the debt. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay
only a small portion of the amount owed,  if they are able to pay at all.  Where
the Fund purchases a loan through an assignment,  there is a possibility that it
will,  in the event the borrower is unable to pay the loan,  become the owner of
the collateral. This involves certain risks to the Fund as a property owner.


Loans are often administered by a lead bank, which acts as agent for the lenders
in dealing with the borrower. In asserting rights against the borrower, the Fund
may be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights,  or
upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action.  Assets held by the lead
bank for the  benefit of the Fund may be  subject  to claims of the lead  bank's
creditors.


INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS


The Fund may seek to protect the value of its  investments  from  interest  rate
fluctuations  by entering into various  hedging  transactions,  such as interest
rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest  rate caps,  floors and collars.
The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular  investment or portion of its portfolio.  The Fund may
also enter into these  transactions  to protect against an increase in the price
of securities the Fund anticipates  purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends
to use these transactions as a hedge and not as speculative investments.


Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating
rate  payments for fixed rate  payments.  The  purchase of an interest  rate cap
entitles  the  purchaser,  to  the  extent  that a  specified  index  exceeds  a
predetermined  interest rate, to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party  selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate
floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined  interest  rate,  to receive  payments  of  interest on a notional
principal  amount from the party selling such  interest rate floor.  An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.


The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and collars on either
an asset-based or  liability-based  basis depending on whether it is hedging its
assets or its liabilities,  and will only enter into such  transactions on a net
basis,  i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or
paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.  The amount


                                       9
<PAGE>

of the excess,  if any, of the Fund's  obligations  over its  entitlements  with
respect to each interest rate swap,  cap,  floor, or collar will be accrued on a
daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets having an aggregate  value at
least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated  account by
the custodian.


The Fund will not enter into any interest rate transaction  unless the unsecured
senior debt or the claims-paying  ability of the other party thereto is rated in
at least the third highest  rating  category  (A/A) of at least one NRSRO at the
time of entering into the transaction.  If there is a default by the other party
to such  transaction,  the Fund will have contractual  remedies  pursuant to the
agreements related to the transaction.  The swap market has grown  substantially
in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting
both as  principals  and  agents.  As a result,  the swap market has become well
established  and provides a degree of  liquidity.  Caps,  floors and collars are
more recent innovations which tend to be less liquid than swaps.


FUTURES CONTRACTS


The Fund may  purchase  and sell  futures  contracts  solely for the  purpose of
hedging against the effect that changes in general market  conditions,  interest
rates, and conditions affecting particular  industries may have on the values of
securities  held by the Fund or which the Fund intends to purchase,  and not for
purposes  of  speculation.   For  information  about  foreign  currency  futures
contracts, see "Foreign Currency Transactions" below.


      GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FUTURES CONTRACTS.  A futures contract provides for
the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount
of a  particular  financial  instrument  (debt  security)  or  commodity  for  a
specified  price  at a  designated  date,  time,  and  place.  Although  futures
contracts by their terms require  actual future  delivery of and payment for the
underlying financial  instruments,  such contracts are usually closed out before
the delivery date.  Closing out an open futures contract position is effected by
entering  into  an  offsetting  sale or  purchase,  respectively,  for the  same
aggregate  amount of the same  financial  instrument on the same delivery  date.
Where the Fund has sold a futures contract, if the offsetting price is more than
the original futures contract purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is
less, it realizes a loss.


      INTEREST RATE FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  An interest rate futures contract is an
obligation  traded on an exchange or board of trade that  requires the purchaser
to accept delivery,  and the seller to make delivery, of a specified quantity of
the underlying financial instrument, such as U.S. Treasury bills and bonds, in a
stated delivery month at a price fixed in the contract.


The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures as a hedge against  changes
in interest rates that would adversely  impact the value of debt instruments and
other  interest rate sensitive  securities  being held or to be purchased by the
Fund.  The Fund might  employ a hedging  strategy  whereby it would  purchase an
interest  rate  futures  contract  when it intends to invest in  long-term  debt
securities  but wishes to defer their  purchase  until it can orderly  invest in
such securities or because  short-term  yields are higher than long-term yields.
Such a  purchase  would  enable  the Fund to earn  the  income  on a  short-term
security  while at the same  time  minimizing  the  effect  of all or part of an


                                       10
<PAGE>

increase  in the market  price of the  long-term  debt  security  which the Fund
intends to  purchase in the future.  A rise in the price of the  long-term  debt
security  prior to its  purchase  either  would be offset by an  increase in the
value of the  futures  contract  purchased  by the  Fund or  avoided  by  taking
delivery of the debt securities under the futures contract.


The Fund would sell an interest rate futures contract to continue to receive the
income from a long-term debt security, while endeavoring to avoid part or all of
the decline in market value of that security  which would  accompany an increase
in interest  rates.  If interest  rates rise, a decline in the value of the debt
security  held by the Fund would be  substantially  offset by the ability of the
Fund  to  repurchase  at a  lower  price  the  interest  rate  futures  contract
previously  sold.  While the Fund could sell the  long-term  debt  security  and
invest in a short-term security, this would ordinarily cause the Fund to give up
income on its investment since long-term rates normally exceed short-term rates.


      STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS.  A stock index (for example, the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index or the New York Stock Exchange  Composite
Index) assigns  relative  values to the common stocks  included in the index and
fluctuates  with  changes in the market  values of such  stocks.  A stock  index
futures contract is a bilateral  agreement to accept or make payment,  depending
on  whether a contract  is  purchased  or sold,  of an amount of cash equal to a
specified  dollar amount  multiplied by the  difference  between the stock index
value at the  close of the last  trading  day of the  contract  and the price at
which the futures contract was originally purchased or sold.


To the extent that changes in the value of the Fund  correspond  to changes in a
given stock index,  the sale of futures  contracts on that index ("short hedge")
would  substantially  reduce the risk to the Fund of a market decline and, by so
doing,  provide an alternative to a liquidation of securities  positions,  which
may be  difficult  to  accomplish  in a rapid and orderly  fashion.  Stock index
futures contracts might also be sold:


1.  When  a  sale  of  Fund   securities   at  that  time  would  appear  to  be
    disadvantageous in the long-term because such liquidation would:


       a.   Forego possible appreciation,


       b.   Create a situation  in which the  securities  would be  difficult to
            repurchase, or


       c.   Create substantial brokerage commissions;


2.  When a liquidation of part of the  investment  portfolio has commenced or is
    contemplated,  but there is, in the Adviser's  determination,  a substantial
    risk of a major price decline before liquidation can be completed; or


3.  To close out stock index futures purchase transactions.


                                       11
<PAGE>

Where the Adviser anticipates a significant market or market sector advance, the
purchase  of a stock  index  futures  contract  ("long  hedge")  affords a hedge
against the possibility of not  participating in such advance at a time when the
Fund is not fully invested. Such purchases would serve as a temporary substitute
for the purchase of individual stocks, which may then be purchased in an orderly
fashion.  As purchases of stock are made, an amount of index  futures  contracts
which is  comparable  to the amount of stock  purchased  would be  terminated by
offsetting  closing  sales  transactions.  Stock  index  futures  might  also be
purchased:


1.  If the Fund is  attempting to purchase  equity  positions in issues which it
    may have or is having  difficulty  purchasing  at prices  considered  by the
    Adviser  to be fair  value  based upon the price of the stock at the time it
    qualified for inclusion in the investment portfolio, or


2.  To close out stock index futures sales transactions.


      OPTIONS ON FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  The Fund may purchase and write options on
futures  contracts.  When the Fund purchases a futures  option,  it acquires the
right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (in the case of
a call) or short  position  (in the case of a put) in a  futures  contract  at a
specified  exercise price prior to the  expiration of the option.  When the Fund
writes an  option  on a  futures  contract,  it  becomes  obligated  to assume a
position  in the futures  contract  (a long  position in the case of a put and a
short position in the case of a call) at a specified  exercise price at any time
during the term of the option.


The Fund may enter into options on futures  contracts  only in connection  with
hedging strategies. Generally, these strategies would be employed under the same
market  conditions  in  which  the  Fund  would  use put  and  call  options  on
securities, as described in "Options on Securities" below.


      RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FUTURES AND FUTURES OPTIONS. There are several risks
associated  with the use of futures  and futures  options for hedging  purposes.
While hedging transactions may protect the Fund against adverse movements in the
general level of interest rates and economic conditions, such transactions could
also preclude the Fund from the opportunity to benefit from favorable  movements
in the underlying  securities.  There can be no guarantee  that the  anticipated
correlation  between price movements in the hedging vehicle and in the portfolio
securities being hedged will occur. An incorrect  correlation  could result in a
loss on both the hedged  securities  and the hedging  vehicle so that the Fund's
return might have been better if hedging had not been  attempted.  The degree of
imperfection  of  correlation  depends on  circumstances  such as  variations in
speculative market demand for futures and futures options,  including  technical
influences in futures and futures options trading,  and differences  between the
financial  instruments being hedged and the instruments  underlying the standard
contracts  available  for  trading in such  respects as  interest  rate  levels,
maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when, and
how  to  hedge   involves  the  exercise  of  skill  and  judgment  and  even  a
well-conceived  hedge may be  unsuccessful  to some degree because of unexpected
market behavior or interest rate trends.


                                       12
<PAGE>

There can be no  assurance  that a liquid  market  will exist at a time when the
Fund seeks to close out a futures  contract or a futures option  position.  Most
futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation  permitted
in futures  contract  prices  during a single day. Once the daily limit has been
reached  on a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond  that  limit.  The daily  limit  governs  only price  movements  during a
particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the
limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example,
futures  prices  have  occasionally   moved  to  the  daily  limit  for  several
consecutive  trading days with little or no trading,  thereby  preventing prompt
liquidation  of positions and  subjecting  some holders of futures  contracts to
substantial losses. In addition, certain of these instruments are relatively new
and  without a  significant  trading  history.  Lack of a liquid  market for any
reason may prevent the Fund from  liquidating  an  unfavorable  position and the
Fund would remain  obligated to meet margin  requirements  and continue to incur
losses until the position is closed.


To the extent that the Fund enters into  futures  contracts,  options on futures
contracts and options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange,
in each case that is not for BONA  FIDE  hedging  purposes  (as  defined  by the
CFTC),  the aggregate  initial margin and premiums  required to establish  these
positions  (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money" at the time
of purchase) may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio,
after  taking  into  account  unrealized  profits and  unrealized  losses on any
contracts the Fund has entered into.


OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES


The Fund may  purchase  put and call  options  on  securities,  and put and call
options on stock  indices,  at such times as the Adviser deems  appropriate  and
consistent with the Fund's  investment  objective.  The Fund may also write call
and put  options.  The Fund may  enter  into  closing  transactions  in order to
terminate its  obligations  either as a writer or a purchaser of an option prior
to the expiration of the option.


      PURCHASING  OPTIONS ON  SECURITIES.  An option on a security is a contract
that gives the  purchaser  of the option,  in return for the premium  paid,  the
right to buy a specified  security  (in the case of a call  option) or to sell a
specified  security  (in  the  case  of a put  option)  from  or to  the  seller
("writer")  of the option at a  designated  price during the term of the option.
The Fund may  purchase  put  options on  securities  to protect  holdings  in an
underlying or related  security  against a substantial  decline in market value.
Securities are considered related if their price movements  generally  correlate
to one another. For example, the purchase of put options on debt securities held
by the Fund would enable it to protect,  at least partially,  an unrealized gain
in an appreciated  security without actually selling the security.  In addition,
the Fund would continue to receive interest income on such security.


The Fund may purchase call options on securities to protect against  substantial
increases in prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase pending its
ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner. The Fund may sell put
or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or


                                       13
<PAGE>

loss  depending on whether the amount  realized on the sale is more or less than
the premium and transactional costs paid on the option which is sold.


      WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS.  In order to earn  additional  income on its
portfolio  securities or to protect  partially  against declines in the value of
such securities,  the Fund may write call options.  The exercise price of a call
option  may be  below,  equal  to,  or above  the  current  market  value of the
underlying security at the time the option is written. During the option period,
a call option writer may be assigned an exercise notice  requiring the writer to
deliver the underlying  security  against  payment of the exercise  price.  This
obligation  is  terminated  upon the  expiration of the option period or at such
earlier time in which the writer effects a closing purchase transaction. Closing
purchase  transactions  will  ordinarily  be  effected to realize a profit on an
outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security from being called, to
permit  the sale of the  underlying  security,  or to  enable  the Fund to write
another call option on the underlying  security with either a different exercise
price or expiration date or both.


In order to earn additional  income or to protect partially against increases in
the value of securities to be purchased,  the Fund may write put options. During
the option period, the writer of a put option may be assigned an exercise notice
requiring the writer to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price.


      OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES.  Call and put options on securities indices
would be purchased or written by the Fund for the same  purposes as the purchase
or sale of options on securities.  Options on securities  indices are similar to
options on  securities,  except that the exercise of  securities  index  options
requires  cash  payment  and does not  involve  the actual  purchase  or sale of
securities. In addition,  securities index options are designed to reflect price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather
than price  fluctuations in a single security.  The purchase of such options may
not enable the Fund to hedge  effectively  against stock market risk if they are
not highly correlated with the value of its securities. Moreover, the ability to
hedge  effectively  depends  upon the ability to predict  movements in the stock
market, which cannot be done accurately in all cases.


      RISKS OF  OPTIONS  TRANSACTIONS.  The  purchase  and  writing  of  options
involves certain risks.  During the option period,  the covered call writer has,
in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from
a price increase in the underlying  securities above the exercise price, and, as
long as its obligation as a writer  continues,  has retained the risk of loss if
the price of the underlying  security  declines.  The writer of an option has no
control  over the time when it may be required to fulfill  its  obligation  as a
writer of the option.  Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it
cannot  effect  a  closing  purchase  transaction  in  order  to  terminate  its
obligation  under  the  option  and must  deliver  or  purchase  the  underlying
securities at the exercise price. If a put or call option  purchased by the Fund
is not  sold  when  it has  remaining  value,  and if the  market  price  of the
underlying security,  in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the
exercise  price  or,  in the case of a call,  remains  less than or equal to the
exercise price,  the Fund will lose its entire  investment in the option.  Also,


                                       14
<PAGE>

where a put or call  option  on a  particular  security  is  purchased  to hedge
against  price  movements  in a related  security,  the price of the put or call
option may move more or less than the price of the related security.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out an option position.  If the Fund cannot effect a closing  transaction,
it  will  not be able  to  sell  the  underlying  security  or  securities  in a
segregated account while the previously written option remains outstanding, even
though it might otherwise be  advantageous  to do so.  Possible  reasons for the
absence of a liquid  secondary  market on a national  securities  exchange could
include:  insufficient  trading  interest,   restrictions  imposed  by  national
securities  exchanges,  trading halts or suspensions  with respect to options or
their underlying securities, inadequacy of the facilities of national securities
exchanges or The Options  Clearing  Corporation  due to a high trading volume or
other  events,  and a decision by one or more national  securities  exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options or to impose restrictions on certain types of
orders.


There  also can be no  assurance  that the Fund  would be able to  liquidate  an
over-the-counter ("OTC") option at any time prior to expiration.  In contrast to
exchange-traded  options  where the clearing  organization  affiliated  with the
particular  exchange  on  which  the  option  is  listed  in  effect  guarantees
completion of every  exchange-traded  option,  OTC options are contracts between
the Fund and a counter-party,  with no clearing  organization  guarantee.  Thus,
when the Fund  purchases an OTC option,  it generally  will be able to close out
the option prior to its expiration  only by entering into a closing  transaction
with the dealer from whom the Fund originally purchased the option.


Since option  premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the
market value of underlying investments,  buying and selling put and call options
offer large  amounts of leverage.  Thus,  trading in options could result in the
Fund's  net asset  value  being  more  sensitive  to changes in the value of the
underlying securities.


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS


A foreign currency  futures  contract is a standardized  contract for the future
delivery  of a  specified  amount of a foreign  currency,  at a future date at a
price  set at the  time of the  contract.  A  forward  currency  contract  is an
obligation to purchase or sell a currency  against another  currency at a future
date at a price agreed upon by the parties.  The Fund may either  accept or make
delivery of the  currency at the maturity of the contract or, prior to maturity,
enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting
contract.  The Fund will purchase and sell such  contracts for hedging  purposes
and not as an  investment.  The Fund will  engage in  foreign  currency  futures
contracts and forward  currency  transactions  in  anticipation of or to protect
itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates.  The Fund will not (1)
commit more than 15 percent of its total assets  computed at market value at the
time of commitment to foreign currency futures or forward currency contracts.


Forward currency  contracts are not traded on regulated  commodities  exchanges.
When the Fund enters  into a forward  currency  contract,  it incurs the risk of
default by the counter-party to the transaction.


                                       15
<PAGE>

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out a foreign currency futures or forward currency  position.  While these
contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the
hedged  currency,  at the same time, they tend to limit any potential gain which
might result should the value of such currency increase.


Although  the Fund values its assets daily in U.S.  dollars,  it does not intend
physically to convert its holdings of foreign  currencies into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. The Fund will do so from time to time,  thereby incurring the costs
of currency  conversion.  Although  foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee
for conversion,  they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread")
between  the prices at which they are buying  and  selling  various  currencies.
Thus,  a dealer  may offer to sell a foreign  currency  to the Fund at one rate,
while  offering a lesser  rate of  exchange  if the Fund  desires to resell that
currency to the dealer.


OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES


The Fund may  purchase  call and put  options on foreign  currencies  as a hedge
against  changes  in the  value of the U.S.  dollar  (or  another  currency)  in
relation to a foreign currency in which portfolio  securities of the Fund may be
denominated.  A call option on a foreign  currency gives the purchaser the right
to buy, and a put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, a certain amount
of foreign currency at a specified price during a fixed period of time. The Fund
may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options,  exercise
them, or permit them to expire.


The Fund may employ  hedging  strategies  with options on currencies  before the
Fund purchases a foreign security denominated in the hedged currency, during the
period the Fund holds a foreign security,  or between the day a foreign security
is purchased or sold and the date on which payment therefor is made or received.
Hedging  against a change in the value of a foreign  currency  in the  foregoing
manner does not eliminate  fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or
prevent  losses if the  prices of such  securities  decline.  Furthermore,  such
hedging transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of
the  hedged  currency  increases  relative  to the U.S.  dollar.  The Fund  will
purchase  options on foreign  currencies only for hedging  purposes and will not
speculate  in options on foreign  currencies.  The Fund may invest in options on
foreign  currency which are either listed on a domestic  securities  exchange or
traded on a recognized foreign exchange.


An option  position on a foreign  currency may be closed out only on an exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the
Fund will purchase only  exchange-traded  options,  there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular  option, or
at any particular time. In the event no liquid secondary market exists, it might
not be possible to effect closing  transactions  in particular  options.  If the
Fund cannot close out an exchange-traded option which it holds, it would have to
exercise its option in order to realize any profit and would incur transactional
costs on the purchase or sale of the underlying assets.


                                       16
<PAGE>

SEGREGATION AND COVER FOR OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


The use of the  financial  instruments  discussed  above,  I.E.,  interest  rate
transactions  (including swaps,  caps, floors and collars),  futures  contracts,
options on future contacts,  options on securities and securities  indices,  and
forward contracts  (collectively,  "Financial  Instruments"),  may be subject to
applicable  regulations  of the SEC, the several  exchanges  upon which they are
traded, and/or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").


The Fund is required to maintain assets as "cover," maintain segregated accounts
or make  margin  payments  when it  takes  positions  in  Financial  Instruments
involving  obligations to third parties (I.E.,  Financial Instruments other than
purchased  options).  The Fund will not enter into such  transactions  unless it
owns either (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities,  currencies or
other options,  futures contracts or forward  contracts,  or (2) cash and liquid
assets with a value,  marked-to-market  daily, sufficient to cover its potential
obligations  to the extent not covered as  provided in (1) above.  The Fund will
comply with SEC guidelines  regarding  cover for these  instruments and will, if
the  guidelines  so  require,  set aside cash or liquid  assets in a  segregated
account with its custodian in the prescribed amount as determined daily.


BORROWING


The Fund may borrow money from a bank, but only if  immediately  after each such
borrowing and  continuing  thereafter  the Fund would have asset coverage of 300
percent.  Leveraging  by means of borrowing  will  exaggerate  the effect of any
increase  or  decrease in the value of  portfolio  securities  on the Fund's net
asset value;  money  borrowed  will be subject to interest and other costs which
may or may not exceed the income  received from the  securities  purchased  with
borrowed  funds.  The use of borrowing  tends to result in a faster than average
movement, up or down, in the net asset value of the Fund's shares. The Fund also
may be required to maintain  minimum  average  balances in connection  with such
borrowing  or to pay a  commitment  or other fee to  maintain  a line of credit;
either of these  requirements  would  increase  the cost of  borrowing  over the
stated interest rate.


INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES


Securities of other investment  companies have the potential to appreciate as do
any other securities, but tend to present less risk because their value is based
on a diversified portfolio of investments. The 1940 Act expressly permits mutual
funds to invest in other investment companies within prescribed limitations.  An
investment company generally may invest in other investment  companies if at the
time of such  investment  (1) it does not own more than 3 percent  of the voting
securities  of any one  investment  company,  (2) it does not invest more than 5
percent of its assets in any single investment  company,  and (3) its investment
in all investment companies does not exceed 10 percent of assets.


Some of the  countries  in which  the  Fund may  invest  may not  permit  direct
investment  by outside  investors.  Investments  in such  countries  may only be
permitted through foreign government approved or authorized investment vehicles,
which may  include  other  investment  companies.  In  addition,  it may be less


                                       17
<PAGE>

expensive  and more  expedient  for the Fund to invest  in a foreign  investment
company in a country which permits direct foreign investment.


Investment   companies  in  which  the  Fund  may  invest  charge  advisory  and
administrative  fees and may also assess a sales load and/or  distribution fees.
Therefore,  if the Fund invests in other investment companies, an investor would
indirectly  bear costs  associated  with those  investments as well as the costs
associated  with  investing in the Fund. The  percentage  limitations  described
above  significantly  limit the costs the Fund may incur in connection with such
investments.


SHORT SALES


A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security in anticipation
that the market price of the security  will  decline.  The Fund may effect short
sales (i) as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in
securities it owns or anticipates acquiring, or in similar securities,  and (ii)
to maintain  flexibility in its holdings.  In a short sale "against the box," at
the time of sale  the  Fund  owns  the  security  it has  sold  short or has the
immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical
security. Under applicable guidelines of the SEC staff, if the Fund engages in a
short sale (other than a short sale against-the-box), it must put an appropriate
amount  of cash or  liquid  securities  in a  segregated  account  (not with the
broker).


The effect of short  selling  on the Fund is similar to the effect of  leverage.
Short selling may  exaggerate  changes in the Fund's NAV. Short selling may also
produce  higher than normal  portfolio  turnover,  which may result in increased
transaction costs to the Fund.


INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE


STANDARDIZED  YIELD  QUOTATIONS.  Class  Y  shares  of the  Fund  may  advertise
investment performance figures,  including yield. The yield will be based upon a
stated 30-day period and will be computed by dividing the net investment  income
per share earned  during the period by the maximum  offering  price per share on
the last day of the period, according to the following formula:

YIELD = 2 [((A-B)/CD)+1)6-1]

Where:
A = the  dividends  and  interest  earned  during the period.
B = the  expenses accrued for the period (net of  reimbursements,  if any). 
C = the average  daily number of shares  outstanding  during the period  that 
    were  entitled to receive dividends.  
D = the maximum  offering price (which is net asset value) per share on the last
    day of the period.


STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS.  Class Y shares of the Fund
may advertise its total return and its cumulative total return. The total return
will be based upon a stated  period and will be  computed by finding the average


                                       18
<PAGE>

annual  compounded  rate of return over the stated  period that would  equate an
initial  amount  invested  to the  ending  redeemable  value  of the  investment
(assuming  reinvestment  of  all  distributions),  according  to  the  following
formula:


P (1+T)n=ERV

Where:
P   = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of $1,000.  
T   = the average  annual  total return.
n   = the number of years.
ERV = the  ending  redeemable  value  at  the  end  of the  stated  period  of a
      hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the stated period.


The  cumulative  total  return  will be based  upon a stated  period and will be
computed by dividing the ending  redeemable value (i.e.,  after deduction of any
applicable  sales  charges)  of a  hypothetical  investment  by the value of the
initial investment (assuming reinvestment of all distributions).


Each investment  performance  figure will be carried to the nearest hundredth of
one percent.


NON-STANDARDIZED PERFORMANCE. In addition, in order to more completely represent
the Fund's  performance  or more  accurately  compare such  performance to other
measures of  investment  return,  the Fund also may  include in  advertisements,
sales  literature and shareholder  reports other total return  performance  data
("Non-Standardized Return").  Non-Standardized Return may be quoted for the same
or different  periods as those for which  Standardized  Return is required to be
quoted;  it may consist of an aggregate  or average  annual  percentage  rate of
return,   actual   year-by-year   rates   or  any   combination   thereof.   All
non-standardized performance will be advertised only if the standard performance
data  for  the  same  period,  as  well as for  the  required  periods,  is also
presented.


GENERAL INFORMATION. From time to time, the Fund may advertise their performance
compared  to  similar  funds or types of  investments  using  certain  unmanaged
indices,  reporting  services  and  publications.  Descriptions  of  some of the
indices which may be used are listed below.


The  Merrill  Lynch  Convertible  Securities  Index is a  market  capitalization
weighted  index  of  over  450  non-mandatory   domestic  corporate  convertible
securities, representing approximately 95% of the total outstanding market value
of U.S. convertible securities. To be included in the index, bonds and preferred
stocks  must be  convertible  only to common  stock  and have a market  value or
original par value of at least $500 million.


The Boston  Convertible  Securities  Index is a market  capitalization  weighted
index of over 250 convertible  bonds and preferred  stocks rated B- or above. To
be included in the index,  convertible  bonds must have an original par value of
at least $50 million and preferred  stocks must have a minimum of 500,000 shares
outstanding. The index also includes U.S. dollar-denominated Eurobonds that have


                                       19
<PAGE>

been  issued by U.S.  domiciled  companies,  are rated B- or above,  and have an
original par value of at least $100 million.


Each  index  includes  income  and  distributions  but  does not  reflect  fees,
brokerage commissions or other expenses of investing.


In  addition,  from  time to time  in  reports  and  promotions  (1) the  Fund's
performance  may be compared  to other  groups of mutual  funds  tracked by: (a)
Lipper  Analytical  Services  and  Morningstar,  Inc.,  widely used  independent
research  firms  which  rank  mutual  funds by overall  performance,  investment
objectives, and assets; or (b) other financial or business publications, such as
Business  Week,  Money  Magazine,  Forbes and  Barron's  which  provide  similar
information; (2) the Consumer Price Index (measure for inflation) may be used to
assess  the real  rate of  return  from an  investment  in the  Fund;  (3) other
statistics  such  as  GNP  and  net  import  and  export  figures  derived  from
governmental  publications,  e.g., The Survey of Current  Business or statistics
derived by other independent  parties,  e.g., the Investment  Company Institute,
may be used to  illustrate  investment  attributes  of the  Fund or the  general
economic,  business,  investment,  or  financial  environment  in which the Fund
operates;  (4) various  financial,  economic and market statistics  developed by
brokers,  dealers  and other  persons may be used to  illustrate  aspects of the
Fund's performance;  and (5) the sectors or industries in which the Fund invests
may be compared to relevant indices or surveys (e.g.,  S&P Industry  Surveys) in
order to evaluate  the Fund's  historical  performance  or current or  potential
value with respect to the particular industry or sector.


SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS


The Adviser is  responsible  for  decisions to buy and sell  securities  for the
Fund,  broker-dealer  selection,  and negotiation of brokerage commission rates.
The Adviser's primary  consideration in effecting a securities  transaction will
be execution at the most favorable  price. A substantial  majority of the Fund's
portfolio  transactions  in fixed  income  securities  will be  transacted  with
primary  market  makers  acting as principal  on a net basis,  with no brokerage
commissions being paid by the Fund. In certain  instances,  the Adviser may make
purchases of underwritten issues at prices which include underwriting fees.


In selecting a broker-dealer  to execute a particular  transaction,  the Adviser
will take the following into  consideration:  the best net price available;  the
reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of
the order and the difficulty of execution;  and the size of  contribution of the
broker-dealer to the investment  performance of the Fund on a continuing  basis.
Broker-dealers may be selected who provide brokerage and/or research services to
the Fund  and/or  other  accounts  over which the Adviser  exercises  investment
discretion.  Such services may include furnishing advice concerning the value of
securities  (including providing quotations as to securities),  the advisability
of investing  in,  purchasing or selling  securities,  and the  availability  of
securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities;  furnishing  analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio  strategy  and  performance  of  accounts;  and  effecting  securities


                                       20
<PAGE>

transactions and performing  functions  incidental  thereto,  such as clearance,
settlement and custody, or required in connection therewith.


The Adviser  shall not be deemed to have acted  unlawfully,  or to have breached
any duty  created by the Fund's  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  or  otherwise,
solely by reason  of its  having  caused  the Fund to pay a  broker-dealer  that
provides brokerage and research services an amount of commission for effecting a
portfolio  investment  transaction in excess of the amount of commission another
broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction,  if the Adviser
determines  in good  faith  that such  amount of  commission  is  reasonable  in
relation to the value of the  brokerage and research  services  provided by such
broker-dealer,  viewed in terms of either  that  particular  transaction  or the
Adviser's  overall  responsibilities  with  respect  to the  Fund.  The  Adviser
allocates  orders  placed  by it on  behalf  of the  Fund  in such  amounts  and
proportions as the Adviser shall determine,  and the Adviser will report on said
allocations  regularly to the Fund  indicating the  broker-dealers  to whom such
allocations have been made and the basis therefor.


The  receipt of  research  from  broker-dealers  may be useful to the Adviser in
rendering investment  management services to the Fund and/or the Adviser's other
clients;  conversely,  information  provided by broker-dealers who have executed
transaction  orders on behalf of other  clients  may be useful to the Adviser in
carrying out its  obligations to the Fund. The receipt of such research will not
be substituted for the independent  research of the Adviser.  It does enable the
Adviser to reduce  costs to less than those  which  would have been  required to
develop comparable  information through its own staff. The use of broker-dealers
who supply research may result in the payment of higher  commissions  than those
available from other  broker-dealers who provide only the execution of portfolio
transactions.


Orders  on  behalf  of the Fund may be  bunched  with  orders on behalf of other
clients  of the  Adviser.  It is  the  Adviser's  policy  that,  to  the  extent
practicable,  all clients with similar  investment  objectives and guidelines be
treated fairly and equitably in the allocation of securities trades.


The Board periodically reviews the Adviser's performance of its responsibilities
in  connection  with the  placement of portfolio  transactions  on behalf of the
Trust.


MANAGEMENT


THE ADVISER


The Adviser provides  investment advice and, in general,  supervises the Trust's
management and investment program,  furnishes office space, prepares reports for
the Fund,  and pays all  compensation  of officers and Trustees of the Trust who
are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred
in its operation,  including fees and expenses of  unaffiliated  Trustees of the
Trust.


                                       21
<PAGE>

The  Adviser is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Conseco,  Inc.  ("Conseco"),  a
publicly-owned financial services company, the principal operations of which are
in development,  marketing and administration of specialized  annuity,  life and
health  insurance   products.   Conseco's   offices  are  located  at  11825  N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032.


The Investment  Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund, dated March
28,  1997 and  approved by the Board with  respect to the Fund on May 14,  1998,
provides  that the  Adviser  shall not be liable  for any error in  judgment  or
mistake  of law or for any  loss  suffered  by the Fund in  connection  with any
investment  policy or the purchase,  sale or redemption of any securities on the
recommendations  of the Adviser.  The Agreements provide that the Adviser is not
protected  against any  liability to the Fund or its security  holders for which
the Adviser  shall  otherwise be subject by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad
faith, gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by
the Agreements or the violation of any applicable law.


Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has contracted
to receive an  investment  advisory  fee equal to an annual rate of 0.85% of the
average daily net asset value of the Fund.


The Adviser,  together  with Conseco  Services,  LLC (the  "Administrator")  and
Conseco Equity Sales, Inc. (the "Distributor"), have voluntarily agreed to waive
their fees and/or  reimburse the Fund's expenses to the extent that the ratio of
expenses  to net  assets  exceeds  the  amount set forth in the fee table in the
Prospectus.  These voluntary  limits may be discontinued at any time after April
30, 1999.


The Fund may receive  credits from its custodian  based on cash held by the Fund
at the  custodian.  These credits may be used to reduce the custody fees payable
by the Fund. In that case,  the Adviser's  (and,  other  affiliates')  voluntary
agreement  to waive fees or  reimburse  expenses  will be applied only after the
Fund's custody fees have been reduced or eliminated by the use of such credits.


THE ADMINISTRATOR


Conseco  Services,  LLC (the  "Administrator")  is a wholly owned  subsidiary of
Conseco, and receives  compensation from the Trust pursuant to an Administration
Agreement  dated  January 2, 1997 and amended  December 31, 1997 and approved by
the Board with respect to the Fund on May 14, 1998.  Under that  agreement,  the
Administrator   supervises  the  overall   administration  of  the  Fund.  These
administrative  services  include  supervising the preparation and filing of all
documents  required  for  compliance  by  the  Fund  with  applicable  laws  and
regulations, supervising the maintenance of books and records, and other general
and administrative responsibilities.


For providing these services,  the Administrator receives a fee from the Fund of
 .20% per annum of its average daily net assets.  Pursuant to the  Administration
Agreement,   the  Administrator  reserves  the  right  to  employ  one  or  more
sub-administrators to perform administrative  services for the Fund. The Bank of
New York  performs  certain  administrative  services  for the Fund  pursuant to


                                       22
<PAGE>

agreements  with  the  Administrator.  See "The  Adviser"  above  regarding  the
Administrator's  voluntary  agreement  to waive its fees and/or  reimburse  Fund
expenses.


TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST


The Trustees and officers of the Trust,  their  affiliations,  if any,  with the
Adviser and their principal occupations are set forth below.


          Name, Address      Position Held         Principal Occupation(s)
             and Age           with Trust           During Past 5 Years
         ---------------       ----------           -------------------

William P. Daves, Jr. (72)    Chairman of the  Consultant   to   insurance   and
5723 Trail Meadow             Board, Trustee   healthcare industries.  Director,
Dallas, TX 75230                               President  and  Chief   Executive
                                               Officer,    FFG   Insurance   Co.
                                               Chairman of the Board and Trustee
                                               of one other  mutual fund managed
                                               by the Adviser.                  
                                                                                
Maxwell E. Bublitz* (42)      President and    Chartered    Financial   Analyst.
11825 N. Pennsylvania St.     Trustee          President and Director,  Adviser.
Carmel, IN 46032                               Previously,      Senior      Vice
                                               President, Adviser. President and
                                               Trustee of one other  mutual fund
                                               managed by the Adviser.          
                                                                                
                                               Chartered    Financial   Analyst.
Gregory J. Hahn* (37)         Vice President   Senior Vice  President,  Adviser.
11825 N. Pennsylvania St.     for Investments  Portfolio  Manager  of the  fixed
Carmel, IN 46032              and Trustee      income  portion of  Balanced  and
                                               Fixed Income Funds.              
                                                                                
                                               Retired.    Chartered   Financial
Harold W. Hartley (74)        Trustee          Analyst.  Previously,   Executive
317 Peppard Drive, S.W.                        Vice President, Tenneco Financial
Ft. Myers Beach, Fl 33913                      Services,  Inc.  Trustee  of  one
                                               other  mutual fund managed by the
                                               Adviser.                         
                                                                                
                                               Retired.     President,    Dallas
Dr. R. Jan LeCroy (67)        Trustee          Citizens Council.  Trustee of one
Dallas Citizens Council                        other  mutual fund managed by the
1201 Main Street,                              Adviser.   Director,    Southwest
Suite 2444                                     Securities Group, Inc.           
Dallas, TX 75202                                                                


                                       23
<PAGE>

       Name, Address       Position Held         Principal Occupation(s)
         and Age             with Trust            During Past 5 Years
      ---------------        ----------            -------------------
                                               Former     President,     Midland
Dr. Jesse H. Parrish (70)     Trustee          College.     Higher     Education
2805 Sentinel                                  Consultant.  Trustee of one other
Midland, TX 79701                              mutual   fund   managed   by  the
                                               Adviser.                         
                                                                                
                                               Vice  President,  Senior Counsel,
William P. Latimer (62)       Vice President   Secretary,    Chief    Compliance
11825 N. Pennsylvania St.     and Secretary    Officer and  Director of Adviser.
Carmel, IN 46032                               Vice  President,  Senior Counsel,
                                               Secretary and  Director,  Conseco
                                               Equity Sales, Inc. Vice President
                                               and Secretary of one other mutual
                                               fund   managed  by  the  Adviser.
                                               Previously,     Consultant     to
                                               securities industry.  Previously,
                                               Senior Vice President-Compliance,
                                               USF&G Investment  Services,  Inc.
                                               and Vice President,  Axe-Houghton
                                               Management Inc.                  
                                                                                
                                               Senior  Vice  President,  Bankers
James S. Adams (38)           Treasurer        National, Great American Reserve.
11815 N. Pennsylvania St.                      Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
Carmel, IN 46032                               and  Director,   Conseco   Equity
                                               Sales, Inc. Senior Vice President
                                               and Treasurer,  Conseco Services,
                                               LLC.   Treasurer   of  one  other
                                               mutual   fund   managed   by  the
                                               Adviser.                         
                                                                                
                                               Senior Vice President,  Corporate
William T. Devanney, Jr. (42) Vice President,  Taxes, Bankers National and Great
11815 N. Pennsylvania St.     Corporate Taxes  American  Reserve.   Senior  Vice
Carmel, IN 46032                               President,    Corporate    Taxes,
                                               Conseco  Equity  Sales,  Inc. and
                                               Conseco    Services   LLC.   Vice
                                               President  of  one  other  mutual
                                               fund managed by the Adviser.     
                                                                                
                                               
- ------------------


*    The Trustee so  indicated  is an  "interested  person," as defined in the
1940 Act,  of the Trust  due to the  positions  indicated  with the  Adviser and
its affiliates.


The following table shows the compensation of each disinterested Trustee for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.

                                       24
<PAGE>


                              COMPENSATION TABLE

                                    Aggregate          Total Compensation from
                                  Compensation       Investment Companies in the
Name of Person, Position         from the Trust*        Trust Complex Paid to
                                                             Trustees*
- ------------------------         --------------      ---------------------------


William P. Daves, Jr.             $15,000                     $24,000
                                                    (1 other investment company)

Harold W. Hartley                 $16,000                     $25,000
                                                    (1 other investment company)
 
Dr. R. Jan LeCroy                 $16,000                     $25,000
                                                    (1 other investment company)

Dr. Jesse H. Parrish              $16,000                     $25,000
                                                    (1 other investment company)

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


*  Compensation  received in 1997 includes a retainer fee from the first meeting
for the Trust held in December 1996.


FUND EXPENSES


The Fund pays its own expenses including, without limitation: (i) organizational
and offering  expenses of the Fund and expenses  incurred in connection with the
issuance of shares of the Fund;  (ii) fees of its custodian and transfer  agent;
(iii)  expenditures in connection  with meetings of  shareholders  and Trustees;
(iv) compensation and expenses of Trustees who are not interested persons of the
Trust; (v) the costs of any liability,  uncollectible items of deposit and other
insurance  or  fidelity  bond;  (vi)  the  cost  of  preparing,   printing,  and
distributing   prospectuses  and  statements  of  additional  information,   any
supplements thereto,  proxy statements,  and reports for existing  shareholders;
(vii) legal,  auditing, and accounting fees; (viii) trade association dues; (ix)
filing fees and expenses of registering and  maintaining  registration of shares
of the Fund under  applicable  federal and state  securities laws; (x) brokerage
commissions;  (xi) taxes and  governmental  fees;  and (xii)  extraordinary  and
non-recurring expenses.


DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS


Conseco  Equity  Sales,  Inc.  (the  "Distributor")   serves  as  the  principal
underwriter for the Fund pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated January 2,
1997 as amended  December 31, 1997 and approved by the Board with respect to the
Fund on May 14, 1998. The Distributor is a registered  broker-dealer  and member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").  Shares of the
Fund will be continuously offered and will be sold by brokers,  dealers or other
financial   intermediaries   who  have  executed  selling  agreements  with  the
Distributor. Subject to the compensation arrangement discussed below,


                                       25
<PAGE>

the  Distributor  bears all the expenses of providing  services  pursuant to the
Underwriting  Agreement,  including the payment of the expenses  relating to the
distribution  of  Prospectuses  for sales purposes and any  advertising or sales
literature.  The Underwriting  Agreement  continues in effect for two years from
initial approval and for successive one-year periods  thereafter,  provided that
each such continuance is specifically  approved (i) by the vote of a majority of
the Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities  of the Fund  and  (ii) by a  majority  of the  Trustees  who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). The
Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Fund.


The Distributor's  principal address is 11815 N. Pennsylvania Street,  Carmel,
Indiana 46032.


PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES


For  information  regarding the purchase or  redemption of Fund shares,  see the
Prospectus.


REDEMPTIONS IN KIND


The Fund is obligated to redeem shares for any  shareholder  for cash during any
90-day  period up to $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund,  whichever is
less. Any  redemptions  beyond this amount also will be in cash unless the Board
determines  that further cash  payments will have a material  adverse  effect on
remaining  shareholders.  In such a case,  the Fund will pay all or a portion of
the remainder of the  redemptions in portfolio  instruments,  valued in the same
way as the Fund determines net asset value.  The portfolio  instruments  will be
selected in a manner that the Board deems fair and  equitable.  A redemption  in
kind is not as liquid as a cash  redemption.  If a redemption is made in kind, a
shareholder  receiving  portfolio  instruments  could incur certain  transaction
costs.


SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS


The Fund may not  suspend  a  shareholder's  right of  redemption,  or  postpone
payment for a redemption for more than seven days, unless the NYSE is closed for
other than  customary  weekends or holidays;  trading on the NYSE is restricted;
for any  period  during  which an  emergency  exists  as a result  of which  (1)
disposition by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable,
or (2) it is not  reasonably  practicable  for the Fund to fairly  determine the
value of its  assets;  or for such  other  periods as the SEC may permit for the
protection of investors.


GENERAL


The Trustees  themselves  have the power to alter the number and terms of office
of the Trustees, and they may at any time lengthen their own terms or make their
terms of unlimited duration (subject to certain removal  procedures) and appoint
their own  successors,  provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees
have been  elected  by the  shareholders  of the  Trust.  The  voting  rights of
shareholders are not cumulative,  so that holders of more than 50 percent of the


                                       26
<PAGE>

shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected,  while the
holders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. The Trust
is  not  required  to  hold  annual  meetings  of  shareholders  for  action  by
shareholders'  vote except as may be required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration
of Trust.  The  Declaration  of Trust  provides  that  shareholders  can  remove
Trustees by a vote of  two-thirds  of the vote of the  outstanding  shares.  The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the  written  request  of the  holders  of 10% of the  Trust's  shares.  In
addition,  10 or more  shareholders  meeting certain  conditions and holding the
lesser of $25,000  worth or 1% of the Trust's  shares may advise the Trustees in
writing that they wish to communicate with other shareholders for the purpose of
requesting  a meeting to remove a Trustee.  The  Trustees  will then either give
those  shareholders  access to the  shareholder  list or, if  requested by those
shareholders,  mail at the shareholders' expense the shareholders' communication
to all other shareholders.


Each issued and outstanding Class Y share of the Fund is entitled to participate
equally in dividends and other distributions of the respective class of the Fund
and, upon liquidation or dissolution,  in the net assets of that class remaining
after satisfaction of outstanding  liabilities.  Fund shares have no preference,
preemptive  or  similar  rights,  and  are  freely  transferable.  The  exchange
privilege is described in the Prospectus.


Under Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act, as to any investment  company which has two
or more series (such as the Fund)  outstanding  and as to any matter required to
be  submitted  to  shareholder  vote,  such  matter  is not  deemed to have been
effectively  acted upon  unless  approved  by the  holders of a majority  of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of each series  affected  by the  matter.  Such
separate  voting  requirements  do not apply to the  election of  Trustees,  the
ratification of the contract with the principal  underwriter or the ratification
of the selection of accountants.  The rule contains special provisions for cases
in which an advisory contract is approved by one or more, but not all, series. A
change in  investment  policy may go into effect as to one or more series  whose
holders so approve the change even though the  required  vote is not obtained as
to the holders of other  affected  series.  Under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act,
each  class of the Fund  shall  have a  different  arrangement  for  shareholder
services  or the  distribution  of  securities  or both and shall pay all of the
expenses of that arrangement,  shall have exclusive voting rights on any matters
submitted to shareholders that relate solely to a particular class' arrangement,
and shall have separate  voting rights on any matters  submitted to shareholders
in which the  interests  of one class  differ  from the  interests  of any other
class.


Under   Massachusetts  law,   shareholders  of  the  Trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
Trust.  The  Declaration of Trust,  however,  contains an express  disclaimer of
shareholder  liability  for acts or  obligations  of the Trust and requires that
notice of such disclaimer be given in each  agreement,  obligation or instrument
entered into or executed by the Trust or its Trustees.  The Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of Trust property
for any shareholder held personally liable for its obligations.  The Declaration
of Trust also provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the defense of
any claim made against any  shareholder  for any act or  obligation of the Trust
and  satisfy any  judgment  thereon.  Thus,  while  Massachusetts  law permits a


                                       27
<PAGE>

shareholder of the Trust to be held personally liable as a partner under certain
circumstances,  the risk of a shareholder's  incurring financial loss on account
of  shareholder  liability is highly  unlikely and is limited to the  relatively
remote circumstances in which the Trust would be unable to meet its obligations.


The  Declaration of Trust further  provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for  errors  of  judgment  or  mistakes  of  fact  or law,  but  nothing  in the
Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee  against any liability to which he would
otherwise  be  subject  by reason  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross
negligence,  or reckless  disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.


The Trust and the Adviser have Codes of Ethics governing the personal securities
transactions  of officers and employees.  These codes require prior approval for
certain  transactions and prohibit  transactions which may be deemed to conflict
with the securities trading of the Adviser's clients.


TAXES


GENERAL


To qualify or  continue  to qualify  for  treatment  as a  regulated  investment
company  ("RIC") under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended  ("Code"),
the Fund -- which is treated as a separate  corporation  for these  purposes  --
must  distribute to its  shareholders  for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment  company  taxable  income  (consisting  generally  of net  investment
income,  net short-term capital gain and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions)  ("Distribution  Requirement")  and must meet  several  additional
requirements.  For the Fund, these requirements  include the following:  (1) the
Fund  must  derive  at least  90% of its gross  income  each  taxable  year from
dividends,  interest,  payments with respect to securities  loans and gains from
the sale or other  disposition  of  securities or foreign  currencies,  or other
income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies  ("Income
Requirement");  and (2) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year,
(i) at least 50% of the value of its total  assets must be  represented  by cash
and cash items, U.S. Government  securities,  securities of other RICs and other
securities,  with those other securities  limited, in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and
that  does not  represent  more  than  10% of the  issuer's  outstanding  voting
securities,  and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total  assets may be
invested in securities (other than U.S. Government  securities or the securities
of other RICs) of any one issuer.


If Fund shares are sold at a loss after  being held for six months or less,  the
loss will be treated as long-term,  instead of  short-term,  capital loss to the
extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares.


Distributions,  if any, in excess of the Fund's current or accumulated  earnings
and profits,  as computed for federal  income tax  purposes,  will  constitute a


                                       28
<PAGE>

return of  capital,  which first will  reduce a  shareholder's  tax basis in the
Fund's shares and then (after such basis is reduced to zero) generally will give
rise to capital  gains.  Under the  Taxpayer  Relief  Act of 1997  ("Tax  Act"),
different maximum tax rates apply to a non-corporate taxpayer's net capital gain
(the excess of net  long-term  capital gain over net  short-term  capital  loss)
depending on the  taxpayer's  holding period and marginal rate of federal income
tax -- generally,  28% for gain  recognized on capital assets held for more than
one year but not  more  than 18  months  and 20% (10% for  taxpayers  in the 15%
marginal tax bracket) for gain  recognized on capital  assets held for more than
18 months.


Shareholders  electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares
will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received
equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive
the distributions in cash, divided by the number of shares received.


At the time of an  investor's  purchase of shares of the Fund,  a portion of the
purchase price is often  attributable  to unrealized  appreciation in the Fund's
portfolio   or   undistributed   taxable   income.   Consequently,    subsequent
distributions from that appreciation (when realized) or income may be taxable to
the  investor  even if the net asset  value of the  investor's  shares  is, as a
result of the  distributions,  reduced below the investor's  cost for the shares
and the distributions in reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase
price.


The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax ("Excise Tax")
on certain amounts not distributed (and not treated as having been  distributed)
on a timely basis in accordance with annual minimum  distribution  requirements.
The Fund intends under normal  circumstances  to avoid liability for such tax by
satisfying those distribution requirements.


INCOME FROM FOREIGN SECURITIES


Dividends and interest received by the Fund, and gains realized thereby,  may be
subject to income,  withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign  countries and
U.S.  possessions  ("foreign  taxes")  that would  reduce the yield and/or total
return on its  securities.  Tax conventions  between  certain  countries and the
United States may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes,  however,  and many foreign
countries  do not impose  taxes on capital  gains in respect of  investments  by
foreign investors.


The Fund may  invest  in the stock of  "passive  foreign  investment  companies"
("PFICs").  A PFIC is a foreign  corporation -- other than a "controlled foreign
corporation"  (I.E.,  a foreign  corporation  in which,  on any day  during  its
taxable  year,  more  than 50% of the total  voting  power of all  voting  stock
therein or the total value of all stock therein is owned, directly,  indirectly,
or  constructively,  by  "U.S.  shareholders,"  defined  as  U.S.  persons  that
individually own, directly, indirectly, or constructively,  at least 10% of that
voting  power) as to which the Fund is a U.S.  shareholder  -- that, in general,
meets  either of the  following  tests:  (1) at least 75% of its gross income is
passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for
the production of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund will be
subject to federal income tax on a part of any "excess distribution" received by
it on the stock of a PFIC or of any gain on the Fund's  disposition of the stock


                                       29
<PAGE>

(collectively  "PFIC  income"),   plus  interest  thereon,   even  if  the  Fund
distributes  the PFIC  income as a taxable  dividend  to its  shareholders.  The
balance of the PFIC income will be  included  in the Fund's  investment  company
taxable  income and,  accordingly,  will not be taxable to it to the extent that
income is distributed to its shareholders.


If the Fund  invests  in a PFIC and  elects  to treat  the PFIC as a  "qualified
electing  fund"  ("QEF"),  then  in  lieu  of the  foregoing  tax  and  interest
obligation,  the Fund would be  required  to include in income each year its pro
rata share of the QEF's annual  ordinary  earnings and net capital gain -- which
likely would have to be  distributed  by the Fund,  to satisfy the  Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax -- even if those earnings and
gain were not distributed  thereto by the QEF. In most instances it will be very
difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  make  this  election  because  of  certain
requirements thereof.


The  Fund   may   elect  to  "mark   to   market"   its   stock  in  any   PFIC.
"Marking-to-market,"  in this context,  means  including in ordinary income each
taxable  year the excess,  if any, of the fair market  value of the PFIC's stock
over the  adjusted  basis  therein as of the end of that year.  Pursuant  to the
election,  the Fund also will be allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not capital,
loss) the  excess,  if any,  of its  adjusted  basis in PFIC stock over the fair
market value thereof as of the taxable  year-end,  but only to the extent of any
net mark-to-market gains with respect to that stock included in income for prior
taxable  years.  The  adjusted  basis in each PFIC's stock with respect to which
this election is made will be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included
and deductions taken under the election.


Foreign  exchange  gains and  losses  realized  by the Fund in  connection  with
certain  transactions  involving foreign  currency-denominated  debt securities,
certain foreign  currency futures and options,  foreign  currency  positions and
payables or receivables (e.g., dividends or interest receivable)  denominated in
a foreign  currency  are  subject to section  988 of the Code,  which  generally
causes  those gains and losses to be treated as  ordinary  income and losses and
may affect the amount,  timing and character of  distributions  to shareholders.
Any gains  from the  disposition  of  foreign  currencies  could,  under  future
Treasury  regulations,  produce income that is not "qualifying income" under the
Income Requirement.


INVESTMENTS IN DEBT SECURITIES


If the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, payment-in-kind securities and/or
certain deferred interest securities (and, in general, any other securities with
original  issue  discount  or with  market  discount  if an  election is made to
include  market  discount in income  currently),  it must accrue income on those
investments prior to the receipt of cash payments or interest thereon.  However,
the  Fund  must  distribute  to its  shareholders,  at  least  annually,  all or
substantially  all of its  investment  company  taxable  income,  including such
accrued  discount  and  other  non-cash  income,  to  satisfy  the  Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax. Therefore, the Fund may have
to dispose of its portfolio  securities under  disadvantageous  circumstances to


                                       30
<PAGE>

generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to make the
necessary distributions.


Investment  in debt  obligations  that  are at risk  of or in  default  presents
special tax issues for the Fund if it holds such obligations.  Tax rules are not
entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue  interest,
original issue discount or market discount,  when and to what extent  deductions
may be taken for bad debts or worthless  securities,  how  payments  received on
obligations in default  should be allocated  between  principal and income,  and
whether  exchanges of debt  obligations in a workout context are taxable.  These
and other issues will be addressed  by the Fund that holds such  obligations  in
order to seek to reduce the risk of distributing  insufficient income to qualify
for  treatment  as a RIC and of  becoming  subject to federal  income tax or the
Excise Tax.


HEDGING STRATEGIES


The use of hedging strategies,  such as writing (selling) and purchasing options
and futures  contracts and entering  into forward  contracts,  involves  complex
rules that will  determine  for income tax  purposes the amount,  character  and
timing of  recognition  of the gains and losses the Fund  realizes in connection
therewith. Gains from options, futures and forward contracts derived by the Fund
with respect to its business of investing in securities or foreign currencies --
and as noted above,  gains from the  disposition of foreign  currencies  (except
certain  gains that may be excluded by future  regulations)  -- will  qualify as
permissible income under the Income Requirement.


Certain futures and foreign currency contracts in which the Fund may invest will
be "section 1256 contracts."  Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end
of each  taxable  year,  other than section  1256  contracts  that are part of a
"mixed straddle" with respect to which the Fund has made an election not to have
the following rules apply,  must be  marked-to-market  (that is, treated as sold
for their fair market value) for federal  income tax  purposes,  with the result
that  unrealized  gains or losses will be treated as though they were  realized.
Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed sales,  and 60%
of any net  realized  gain  or loss  from  any  actual  sales  of  section  1256
contracts,  will be treated as long-term  capital gain or loss,  and the balance
will be treated as short-term  capital gain or loss. As of the date of this SAI,
it is not entirely  clear  whether that 60% portion will qualify for the reduced
maximum tax rates on  non-corporate  taxpayers'  net capital gain enacted by the
Tax Act noted above,  although technical  corrections  legislation passed by the
House of  Representatives  late in 1997 would  clarify  that those rates  apply.
Section 1256 contracts also may be  marked-to-market  for purposes of the Excise
Tax.


Code  section  1092  (dealing  with  straddles)  also may affect the taxation of
options and futures contracts in which the Fund may invest. Section 1092 defines
a "straddle"  as offsetting  positions  with respect to personal  property;  for
these purposes,  options and futures  contracts are personal  property.  Section
1092  generally  provides that any loss from the  disposition of a position in a
straddle may be deducted only to the extent the loss exceeds the unrealized gain
on the  offsetting  position(s)  of the  straddle.  Section  1092 also  provides


                                       31
<PAGE>

certain "wash sale" rules,  which apply to transactions where a position is sold
at a loss and a new offsetting  position is acquired within a prescribed period,
and "short  sale"  rules  applicable  to  straddles.  If the Fund makes  certain
elections,  the amount,  character and timing of recognition of gains and losses
from the affected  straddle  positions would be determined under rules that vary
according  to  the  elections  made.  Because  only  a few  of  the  regulations
implementing the straddle rules have been  promulgated,  the tax consequences to
the Fund of straddle transactions are not entirely clear.


If the Fund has an "appreciated  financial  position" -- generally,  an interest
(including an interest through an option,  futures or forward contract, or short
sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than "straight debt") or
partnership  interest the fair market value of which exceeds its adjusted  basis
- -- and enters into a "constructive  sale" of the same or  substantially  similar
property,  the Fund will be treated as having made an actual sale thereof,  with
the result  that gain will be  recognized  at that  time.  A  constructive  sale
generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or
futures or forward  contract  entered into by the Fund or a related  person with
respect to the same or  substantially  similar  property.  In  addition,  if the
appreciated  financial  position  is  itself  a short  sale or such a  contract,
acquisition of the underlying property or substantially similar property will be
deemed a constructive sale.


The  foregoing  discussion  relates  solely to U.S.  federal  income  tax law as
applicable to U.S. persons (i.e.,  U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic
corporations,  partnerships,  trusts and estates) subject to tax under that law.
The discussion does not address special tax rules  applicable to certain classes
of investors,  such as tax-exempt  entities,  insurance  companies and financial
institutions.  Dividends,  capital gain  distributions and ownership of or gains
realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of the shares of the Fund may
also be subject to state and local taxes.  Shareholders should consult their own
tax advisers as to the federal,  state or local tax consequences of ownership of
shares  of, and  receipt of  distributions  from,  the Fund in their  particular
circumstances.


OTHER INFORMATION


CUSTODIAN


The Bank of New York,  90  Washington  Street,  22nd Floor,  New York,  New York
10826, serves as custodian of the assets of the Fund.


TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES


State Street Bank and Trust Company is the transfer agent for the Fund.


INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT


Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  2900 One American  Square,  Box 82002,  Indianapolis,
Indiana 46282-0002, serves as the Trust's independent accountant.






                                       32




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission