NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 9
485BPOS, 1997-10-27
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                As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                      '33 Act File No. 333-28995
                                                      '40 Act File No. 811-08241
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D. C. 20549

                                       FORM N-4

                     REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                     ACT OF 1933

   
                            POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1                [X]
    
                                         and
                           REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                            INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
                                   AMENDMENT NO. 2                        [X]
    
                            NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
                              (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT)

                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 (NAME OF DEPOSITOR)

                      ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
           (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

          Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 249-7111

      GORDON E. MCCUTCHAN, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                       (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

   
    This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in respect
of the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and the Financial
Statements.

[   ]   immediately upon filing to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ x ]   on October 27, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[   ]   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[   ]   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
        previously filed post-effective amendment.
    



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


<PAGE>
   
                            NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
                       REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

Caption in Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and Other
Information


N-4 ITEM                                                                  PAGE

Part A  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
   Item  1.   Cover page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
   Item  2.   Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
   Item  3.   Synopsis or Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
   Item  4.   Condensed Financial Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N/A
   Item  5.   General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and
              Portfolio Companies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
   Item  6.   Deductions and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
   Item  7.   General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts. . . . . . 19
   Item  8.   Annuity Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
   Item  9.   Death Benefit and Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
   Item 10.   Purchases and Contract Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
   Item 11.   Redemptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
   Item 12.   Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
   Item 13.   Legal Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
   Item 14.   Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information 40

Part B  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   Item 15.   Cover Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
   Item 16.   Table of Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
   Item 17.   General Information and History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
   Item 18.   Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
   Item 19.   Purchase of Securities Being Offered . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
   Item 20.   Underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
   Item 21.   Calculation of Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . 53
   Item 22.   Annuity Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
   Item 23.   Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Part C  OTHER INFORMATION
   Item 24.   Financial Statements and Exhibits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
   Item 25.   Directors and Officers of the Depositor. . . . . . . . . . . 86
   Item 26.   Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
              Depositor or Registrant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
   Item 27.   Number of Contract Owners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
   Item 28.   Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
   Item 29.   Principal Underwriter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
   Item 30.   Location of Accounts and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
   Item 31.   Management Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
   Item 32.   Undertakings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
    



<PAGE>


                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                     HOME OFFICE
                                    P.O. BOX 16609
                      COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609, 1-800-848-6331
                                  TDD 1-800-238-3035

             MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                     ISSUED BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                      THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9

     The Contracts described in this prospectus are modified single purchase
payment contracts and such Contracts may be issued as either individual or group
Contracts.  In those states where Contracts are issued as group contracts,
references throughout this prospectus to "Contract(s)" shall also mean
"Certificate(s)."

     The Contracts are sold either as Non-Qualified Contracts; as Investment
Only Contracts issued to Qualified Pension, Profit-sharing or Stock Bonus Plans
as defined by Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
("Code"); as Individual Retirement Annuities with contributions rolled-over or
transferred from certain tax-qualified plans such as Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans
or Individual Retirement Annuities; or as Tax Sheltered Annuities with
contributions rolled over or transferred from other Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans.
Annuity payments under the Contracts are deferred until a selected later date.

     Purchase Payments are allocated to the Nationwide Variable Account-9
("Variable Account"), a separate account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(the "Company").  The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of
which invests in shares of one of the underlying Mutual Fund options described
below:

   
                     AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.,
                   AN AFFILIATE OF AMERICAN CENTURY COMPANIES, INC.
      American Century VP Income & Growth     American Century VP International
                              American Century VP Value
                                       DREYFUS
                  The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
                            Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
               Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Capital Appreciation
                      FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
                       Equity-Income Portfolio:  Service Class
                          Growth Portfolio: Service Class
     High Income Portfolio:  Service Class    Overseas Portfolio:  Service Class
                     FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
                         Contrafund Portfolio:  Service Class
                    FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
                    Growth Opportunities Portfolio:  Service Class
                                    MORGAN STANLEY
        Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
                 Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust -
                   Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio
    
                          NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
                  Capital Appreciation Fund    Government Bond Fund
                        Money Market Fund   Total Return Fund
   
                               Nationwide Balanced Fund
                            Nationwide Equity Income Fund
                            Nationwide Global Equity Fund
                           Nationwide High Income Bond Fund
                          Nationwide Multi Sector Bond Fund
                       Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund
                           Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund
                            Nationwide Small Company Fund
    

                                          1

<PAGE>

   
                           Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund
                           Nationwide Strategic Value Fund
                     NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
                AMT Guardian Portfolio   AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
                                AMT Partners Portfolio
                          OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
           Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund    Oppenheimer Growth Fund
                           Oppenheimer Growth & Income Fund
                          VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST
            Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund    Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
                                 WARBURG PINCUS TRUST
              Growth & Income Portfolio   International Equity Portfolio
                            Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
    

     This prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know
about the Modified Single Premium Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts issued by
the Variable Account before investing.  You should read it and keep it for
future reference.  A Statement of Additional Information dated October 27, 1997
containing further information about the Contracts and the Variable Account has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You can obtain a copy
without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by calling 1-800-848-6331,
or writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.

Purchase Payments not allocated to the Variable Account may be allocated to
either the Fixed Account or to Guaranteed Term Options.  Guaranteed Term Options
are available under the Contracts described in this prospectus and provide for
the crediting of a guaranteed interest rate over a selected period (three, five,
seven or ten years), so long as no Distributions occur prior to the end of the
period.  Prospectuses for the Guaranteed Term Options, as well as each of the
underlying Mutual Fund options identified above, can be obtained without charge
by calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035, or by writing to P.O. Box 16609,
Columbus, Ohio, 43216-6609.  PLEASE NOTE THAT GUARANTEED TERM OPTIONS MAY NOT BE
AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE JURISDICTION.

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE ADVISER OF ANY OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OR ANY BANK OR BANK AFFILIATE.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

   
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 THE PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED OCTOBER 27, 1997, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE.  THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 38 OF THE PROSPECTUS.
    
                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER 27, 1997.


                                          2

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                              GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Variable
Account Contract Value prior to the Annuitization Date.

ANNUITANT- The person designated to receive annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payments involving life contingencies depends.
This person must be age 85 or younger at the time of Contract issuance unless
the Company has approved a request for an Annuitant of greater age.  The
Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with the consent of the
Company.

ANNUITIZATION- The period during which annuity payments are actually received.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments actually commence at
Annuitization.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence.  The Annuity Commencement Date is shown on the Data Page of the
Contract, and is subject to change by the Contract Owner.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION- The chosen form of annuity payments.  Several options
are available under the Contract.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of
Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY- The person designated to receive certain benefits under the
Contract upon the death of the Annuitant prior to the Annuitization Date.  The
Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as set forth in the Contract.

CODE- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

COMPANY- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

CONTINGENT ANNUITANT- The person who may be the recipient of certain rights or
benefits under this Contract when the Annuitant dies before the Annuitization
Date.  If a Contingent Annuitant is designated and the Annuitant dies before the
Annuitization Date, the Contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant.  A
Contingent Annuitant may not be named for Contracts issued as Individual
Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered Annuities.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY- The person designated to be the Beneficiary if the named
Beneficiary is not living at the time of the death of the Annuitant.

CONTINGENT OWNER- The person or entity which succeeds to the rights of the
Contract Owner upon the Contract Owner's death before Annuitization. For
Contracts issued in the State of New York, references throughout this prospectus
to "Contingent Owner" shall mean "Owner's Beneficiary."  A Contingent Owner may
not be named for Contracts issued as Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax
Sheltered Annuities.

CONTRACT- The Modified Single Premium Deferred Variable Annuity Contract
described in this prospectus.

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

CONTRACT OWNER (OWNER)- The person or entity who possesses all rights under the
Contract, including the right to designate and change any designations of the
Owner, Contingent Owner, Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, Beneficiary,
Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment Option, and the Annuity Commencement
Date.  The Contract Owner is the person or entity named as Owner on the Data
Page, unless changed.

CONTRACT VALUE- The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units attributable to
the Contract, plus any amount held under the Contract in the Fixed Account, plus
any amount held under Guaranteed Term Options, which may be subject to a Market
Value Adjustment.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year the Contract remains in force commencing with the Date
of Issue.

DATE OF ISSUE- The date shown as the Date of Issue on the Data Page of the
Contract.

DEATH BENEFIT- The benefit which is payable upon the death of the Annuitant (or
the Contingent Annuitant, if applicable).  This benefit does not apply upon the
death of the Contract Owner when the Owner and Annuitant are not the same
person.  If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that
may be payable shall be as specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.


                                          3

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DISTRIBUTION- Any payment of part or all of the Contract Value.

ERISA- The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

FIXED ACCOUNT- An account made up of all assets of the Company other than those
in the Variable Account or any other segregated asset account of the Company.

FIXED ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

GUARANTEED TERM OPTION (GTOS)- Investment options offered under the Contract
which provide a guaranteed interest rate paid over certain maturity durations
(three, five, seven and ten years) so long as certain conditions are met.
Amounts allocated to a GTO may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment if
distributed for any reason prior to the end of the selected term, resulting in
an upward or downward adjustment in the Distribution proceeds.  GTOs are not
part of the Variable Account (or the Fixed Account) and are not subject to
Variable Account charges but may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges
if otherwise applicable.  GTOs are not available during the Annuitization phase
of the Contracts and may not be available in every state jurisdiction. The
minimum amount which may be allocated to a GTO is $1,000.

HOME OFFICE- The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY - An annuity contract which qualifies for
favorable tax treatment under Section 408 of the Code.

INTEREST RATE GUARANTEE PERIOD- The interval of time during which an interest
rate credited to the Fixed Account is guaranteed to remain the same.  For new
Purchase Payments allocated to the Fixed Account or transfers from the Variable
Account or a Guaranteed Term Option, this period begins upon the date of deposit
or transfer and ends at the end of the calendar quarter at least one year (but
not more than 15 months) from deposit or transfer.  At the end of an Interest
Rate Guarantee Period, a new interest rate is declared with an Interest Rate
Guarantee Period starting at the end of the prior period and ending at the end
of the calendar quarter one year later.  The Interest Rate Guarantee Period does
not in any way refer to interest rate crediting practices employed by the
Company with respect to Guaranteed Term Options.

JOINT OWNER- The Joint Owner, if any, possesses an undivided interest in the
entire Contract in conjunction with the Owner.  If a Joint Owner is named,
references to "Contract Owner" or "Owner" in this prospectus will apply to both
the Owner and Joint Owner or either of them.  Joint Owners must be spouses at
the time joint ownership is requested, unless otherwise required by state law.
Joint ownership may be selected only for Non-Qualified Contracts.

LONG TERM CARE FACILITY- A state licensed skilled nursing facility or
intermediate care facility.

MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (MVA)- The upward or downward adjustment in value of
amounts allocated to a GTO, which prior to maturity are:  1) distributed
pursuant to a surrender; 2) reallocated to another investment option available
under the Contract; 3) distributed pursuant to the death of the Owner or
Annuitant; or 4) distributed for any other reason.

MUTUAL FUND (FUND)- A registered management investment company in which the
assets of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A Contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment under the provisions of Sections 401 or 403(a) (Qualified Plans), 408
(Individual Retirement Annuities) or 403(b) (Tax-Sheltered Annuities) of the
Code.

PURCHASE PAYMENT- A deposit of new value into the Contract.  The term "Purchase
Payment" does not include transfers among the Sub-Accounts of the Variable
Account, the Fixed Account, or Guaranteed Term Options.

QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
Sections 401 or 403(a) of the Code.

SUB-ACCOUNTS- Separate and distinct divisions of the Variable Account, to which
specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and for which Accumulation
Units and Annuity Units are separately maintained.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY- An annuity which qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Code.


                                          4

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VALUATION DATE- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's Home
Office are open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient
degree of trading of the Variable Account's underlying Mutual Fund shares that
the current net asset value of its Accumulation Units might be materially
affected.

VALUATION PERIOD- The period of time commencing at the close of a Valuation Date
and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding Valuation Date.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- The Nationwide Variable Account-9, a separate investment
account of the Company into which Variable Account Purchase Payments are
allocated.  The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which
invests in the shares of a separate underlying Mutual Fund.

VARIABLE ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount and which vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.


                                          5
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                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SYNOPSIS  . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
      Underlying Mutual Fund Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
      Voting Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
      Substitution of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
GUARANTEED TERM OPTION ALLOCATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
      Expenses of Variable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
      Mortality Risk Charge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
      Expense Risk Charge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
      Long Term Care Facility and Death Benefit Rider Charge . . . . . . . .16
      Contingent Deferred Sales Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
      Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
      Premium Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
      Investments of the Variable Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
      Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value . . . . . . . . . .17
      Value of an Accumulation Unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
      Net Investment Factor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
      Valuation of Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
      Determining the Contract Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
      Right to Revoke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
      Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
      Contract Ownership Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
      Joint Ownership Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
      Contingent Ownership Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
      Beneficiary Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
      Surrender (Redemption) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
      Surrenders Under a Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract. . . . . . . . . . .22
      Loan Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
      Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
      Contract Owner Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
            Asset Rebalancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
            Dollar Cost Averaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
            Systematic Withdrawals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . .26
      Annuity Commencement Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Change in Annuity Commencement Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Value of an Annuity Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Assumed Investment Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Change in Form of Annuity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
      Annuity Payment Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
      Death of Contract Owner Provisions-Non-Qualified Contracts . . . . . .27
      Death of Annuitant Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts . . . . . . . .27
      Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions . . . . . . . . . . .28
      Death Benefit Payment Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
            Five-Year Reset Death Benefit (Standard Contractual
            Death Benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
            One-Year Step Up Death Benefit (Rider Option 1). . . . . . . . .28
            5% Enhanced Death Benefit (Rider Option 2) . . . . . . . . . . .28
      Long Term Care Facility Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
    


                                          6
<PAGE>
   
      Required Distribution Provisions for Non-Qualified Contracts . . . . .29
      Required Distributions For Tax Sheltered Annuities . . . . . . . . . .30
      Required Distributions For Individual Retirement Annuities . . . . . .31
      Generation-Skipping Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
      Federal Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
      Puerto Rico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
      Non-Qualified Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners. . . . . . . . . . .32
      Non-Qualified Contracts-Non-Natural Persons as Owners. . . . . . . . .33
      Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax Sheltered Annuities. . . . . .34
      Withholding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
      Non-Resident Aliens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
      Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes . . . . .35
      Charge for Tax Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
      Diversification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
      Tax Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
GENERAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
      Contract Owner Inquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
      Statements and Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
      Advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . .38
APPENDIX A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
APPENDIX B.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
    


                                          7
<PAGE>

                             SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 %
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 RANGE OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OVER TIME

          Number of Completed Years from     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
             Date of Purchase Payment                  Percentage
                         0                                  7%
                         1                                  7%
                         2                                  6%
                         3                                  5%
                         4                                  4%
                         5                                  3%
                         6                                  2%
                         7                                  0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES2

          Mortality and Expense Risk Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.95%
          Administration Charge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.00%
     Total Variable Account Annual Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.95%(3)

          OPTIONAL LONG TERM CARE FACILITY AND DEATH BENEFIT RIDERS

          Optional Long Term Care Facility and One-Year Stepped Up Death
          Benefit (Rider Option 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.05%(4)
     Total Variable Account Annual Expenses (Including Rider Option 1) .1.00%

          Optional Long Term Care Facility and 5% Enhanced Death Benefit
          (Rider Option 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.10%(4)
     Total Variable Account Annual Expenses (Including Rider Option 2) .1.05%

1    In any year the Contract Owner may withdraw without a Contingent Deferred
     Sales Charge ("CDSC"), the greater of: (a) an amount equal to 10% of the
     total of all Purchase Payments made to this Contract; or (b) any amount
     withdrawn in order for this Contract to meet minimum distribution
     requirements under the Code.  Withdrawals may be restricted for Contracts
     issued pursuant to the terms of a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan. This
     CDSC-free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative; that is, free amounts not
     taken during any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a
     subsequent Contract Year (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
     additional waiver provisions).

2    The Variable Account charges set forth apply exclusively to allocations
     made to the Sub-Account(s) of the Variable Account.  Such charges do not
     apply to, and will not be assessed against, allocations made to the Fixed
     Account or Guaranteed Term Option(s).

3    The Total Variable Account Annual Expenses shown include the Five-Year
     Reset Death Benefit ("Standard Contractual Death Benefit")(see "Death
     Benefit Payment Provisions").
4    At the time of application, the applicant may choose one of two Long Term
     Care Facility and Death Benefit Riders in lieu of receiving the Standard
     Contractual Death Benefit option which does not include any Long Term Care
     Facility benefits (see "Long Term Care Facility and Death Benefit Charges"
     for additional information).  Should the applicant choose a Rider Option,
     the Company will deduct an additional charge equal to an annual rate of
     0.05% for Rider Option 1, or 0.10% for Rider Option 2, of the daily asset
     value of the Variable Account (see "Death Benefit Payment Provisions"). 


                                      8
<PAGE>

                       UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES1
                (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND NET ASSETS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Management                             Total Mutual
                                                          Fees           Other Expenses       Fund Expenses
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>                  <C>
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. -               0.70%               0.00%               0.70%
American Century VP Income & Growth
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. -               1.50%               0.00%               1.50%
American Century VP International
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. -               1.00%               0.00%               1.00%
American Century VP Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.*        0.75%               0.07%               0.82%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.                             0.25%               0.02%               0.27%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund -                         0.75%               0.03%               0.78%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income Portfolio:               0.51%               0.02%               0.53%
Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth Portfolio:                      0.61%               0.08%               0.69%
Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income Portfolio:                 0.59%               0.12%               0.71%
Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas Portfolio:                    0.76%               0.17%               0.93%
Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Contrafund Portfolio:               0.61%               0.13%               0.74%
Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund III - Growth Opportunities               0.61%               0.16%               0.77%
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. -                     0.80%               0.50%               1.30%
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund                             0.65%               0.03%               0.68%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund                                  0.55%               0.02%               0.57%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund                                     0.45%               0.02%               0.47%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund                                     0.65%               0.02%               0.67%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Balanced Fund**                            0.75%               0.15%               0.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Equity Income Fund**                       0.80%               0.15%               0.95%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Global Equity Fund**                       1.00%               0.20%               1.20%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide High Income Bond Fund**                    0.80%               0.15%               0.95%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund**                   0.75%               0.15%               0.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund**             1.05%               0.15%               1.20%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund**                     0.97%               0.08%               1.05%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Small Company Fund                         1.00%               0.10%               1.10%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund**                    0.90%               0.10%               1.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Strategic Value Fund                       0.90%               0.10%               1.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Guardian Portfolio                  0.55%               0.30%               0.85%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio            0.55%               0.30%               0.85%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Partners Portfolio                  0.84%               0.11%               0.95%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -                       0.72%               0.03%               0.75%
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -                       0.75%               0.04%               0.79%
Oppenheimer Growth Fund*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -                       0.75%               0.25%               1.00%
Oppenheimer Growth & Income Fund
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust -                        1.00%               0.00%               1.00%
Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        9
<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust -                        1.00%               0.24%               1.25%
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust -        0.83%               0.27%               1.10%
Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust -                                     0.75%               0.45%               1.20%
Growth & Income Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio*     0.96%               0.40%               1.36%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital                0.62%               0.78%               1.40%
Portfolio*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>
    

 
1    The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying Mutual
     Fund level and are not direct charges against separate account assets or
     reductions from Contract Values.  These underlying Mutual Fund expenses are
     taken into consideration in computing each underlying Mutual Fund's net
     asset value, which is the share price used to calculate the unit values of
     the Variable Account.  The management fees and other expenses are more
     fully described in the prospectuses for each individual underlying Mutual
     Fund.  The information relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was
     provided by the underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified
     by the Company.  The management fees and other expenses are not currently
     subject to fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

   
*    The investment advisers for the indicated underlying Mutual Funds have
     voluntarily agreed to reimburse a portion of the management fees and/or
     operating expenses resulting in a reduction of the total expenses.  Absent
     any such partial reimbursements, "Management Fees" and "Other Expenses"
     would have been 0.75% and 0.25% for the Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth
     Fund, Inc.; 1.00% and 1.06% for the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance
     Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund; and 1.00% and 0.27% for the Van
     Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust-Morgan Stanley Real Estate
     Securities Portfolio.  Absent any such partial reimbursement, "Total Mutual
     Fund Expenses" would have been 0.81% for the Oppenheimer Variable Account
     Funds-Growth Fund, 1.40% for the Warburg Pincus Trust-International Equity
     Portfolio, and 5.56% for the Warburg Pincus Trust Post-Venture Capital
     Portfolio.

**   The Advisers have agreed with the Trust to waive management fees or to
     reimburse expenses incurred by each Fund to the extent necessary to limit
     the total expense ratio for each Fund to the following maximum of the
     average net assets of each Fund:  NSAT Nationwide Balanced Fund - 0.90%;
     NSAT Nationwide Equity Income Fund - 0.95%; NSAT Nationwide High Income
     Bond Fund - 0.95%; NSAT Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund - 1.20%; NSAT
     Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund - 1.20%; NSAT Nationwide Small Cap
     Value Fund - 1.20%; and NSAT Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund - 1.00%.
    


                                          10
<PAGE>

                                       EXAMPLE

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be incurred
under this Contract assuming a $1000 investment and 5% annual return.  These
dollar figures are illustrative only and should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses.  Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown below.2

 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     If you surrender your Contract   If you do not surrender your    If you annuitize your Contract
                                      at the end of the applicable     Contract at the end of the      at the end of the applicable
                                              time period                applicable time period                time period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 Yr. 3 Yrs.   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs. 1 Yr.   3 Yrs   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs. 1 Yr.   3 Yrs. 5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>   <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>
American Century Variable               81      111    134      212     18     57       98      212     *       57     98      212
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP Income & Growth
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               90      136    176      298     27     82      140      298     *       82      140    298
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP International
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               85      120    150      245     22     66      114      245     *       66      114    245
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially                    83      115    140      225     20     61      104      225     *       61      104    225
Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.          77       97      110    163     14     43       74      163     *       43       74    163
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment             82      113    138      221     19     59      102      221     *       59      102    221
Fund - Capital Appreciation
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income       80      105    125      193     17     51       89      193     *       51       89    193
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth              81      111      133    211     18     57       97      211     *       57       97    211
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income         81      111    134      213     18     57       98      213     *       57       98    213
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas            84      118    146      237     21     64      110      237     *       64      110    237
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Contrafund       82      112    136      217     19     58      100      217     *       58      100    217
Portfolio:  Service Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund III - Growth          82      113    138      220     19     59      102      220     *       59      102    220
Opportunities Portfolio:  Service
Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds,         88      130    166      277     25     76      130      277     *       76      130    277
Inc. - Emerging Markets Debt
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund          81      110    133      210     18     56       97      210     *       56       97    210
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund               80      107    127      198     17     53       91      198     *       53       91    198
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                  79      104    121      186     16     50       85      186     *       50       85    186
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                  81      110    132      209     18     56       96      209     *       56       96    209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund           83      117    145      234     20     63      109      234     *       63      109    234
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Equity Income Fund      84      119    147      240     21     65      111      240     *       65      111    240
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Global Equity Fund      87      127    161      266     24     73      125      266     *       73      125    266
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide High Income             84      119    147      240     21     65      111      240     *       65      111    240
Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Multi-Sector            83      117    145      234     20     63      109      234     *       63      109    234
Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Select Advisers         87      127    161      266     24     73      125      266     *       73      125    266
Mid-Cap Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Small Cap               85      122    153      250     22     68      117      250     *       68      117    250
Value Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Small                   86      124    155      256     23     70      119      256     *       70      119    256
Company Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       11
<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Strategic               85      120    150      245     22     66      114      245     *       66      114    245
Growth Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Strategic               85      120    150      245     22     66      114      245     *       66      114    245
Value Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-                 83      116    142      225     20     62      106      229     *       62      106    229
Guardian Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-                 83      116    142      229     20     62      106      229     *       62      106    229
Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-                 84      119    147      240     21     65      111      240     *       65      111    240
Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            82      112    137      218     19     58      101      218     *       58      101    218
Funds - Oppenheimer Capital
Appreciation Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            82      114    139      222     19     60      103      222     *       60      103    222
Funds - Oppenheimer Growth
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            85      120    150      245     22     66      114      245     *       66      114    245
Funds - Oppenheimer Growth &
Income Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance             85      120    150      245     22     66      114      245     *       66      114    245
Trust - Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance             87      128    163      271     24     74      127      271     *       74      127    271
Trust - Worldwide Hard Assets
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital             86      124    155      256     23     70      119      256     *       70      119    256
Life Investment Trust - Morgan
Stanley Real Estate Securities
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth           87      127    161      266     24     73      125      266     *       73      125    266
& Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust -                  88      132    169      283     25     78      133      283     *       78      133    283
International Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-            89      133    171      287     26     79      135      287     *       79      135    287
Venture Capital Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>
    
 
   
*    The Contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations
     during the first two Contract Years.
    

2    The Example takes into consideration the maximum amount which could be
     assessed to a Contract (1.05%), for the election of the Long Term Care
     Facility and 5% Enhanced Death Benefit Rider (Rider Option 2) (see "Long
     Term Care Facility and Death Benefit Rider Charge" and "Death Benefit
     Payment Provisions" for additional details on the rider charges assessed).
     For those Contracts which have not elected the Long Term Care Facility and
     5% Enhanced Death Benefit (Rider Option 2), the expenses in the Example
     will be reduced accordingly.

     The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to assist
the Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that will be
borne directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract.  The expenses of
the Variable Account as well as those of the underlying Mutual Funds are
reflected in the Example.  For more complete descriptions of the expenses of the
Variable Account, see "Variable Account Charges and Other Deductions."  For more
complete information regarding expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying
Mutual Funds, see the underlying Mutual Fund prospectuses.  Deductions for
premium taxes may also apply but are not reflected in the Example shown above
(see "Premium Taxes").


                                          12
<PAGE>

                                       SYNOPSIS

     The Modified Single Premium Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described
in this prospectus are designed for use in connection with the following types
of Contracts: (1) Non-Qualified, (2) Investment Only Contracts issued to
Qualified Pension, Profit-sharing or Stock Bonus Plans as defined by Section
401(a) of the Code, (3) Individual Retirement Annuities, with contributions
rolled-over or transferred from certain tax-qualified plans such as Tax
Sheltered Annuity Plans, Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities, and
(4) Tax Sheltered Annuities, with contributions rolled-over or transferred from
other Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans.

     The initial first year Purchase Payment for Contracts issued as
Non-Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax-Sheltered
Annuities must be at least $15,000 and subsequent Purchase Payments, if any,
must be at least $1,000.  In addition, any amounts allocated to the Guaranteed
Term Option(s) must be at least $1,000.  Please refer to the prospectus for the
Guaranteed Term Option(s) for additional details regarding Purchase Payments
made to the Guaranteed Term Option(s).  For Investment Only Contracts issued to
Qualified Pension, Profit-Sharing, or Stock Bonus Plans as defined by Section
401(a) of the Code, the initial Purchase Payment must be at least $100,000, and
subsequent issued Purchase Payments, if any, at least $15,000.  Subsequent
Purchase Payments are not permitted for Contracts issued in the state of Oregon
and may not be permitted in other states under certain circumstances.  The
cumulative total of all Purchase Payments under Contracts issued on the life of
any one Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without the prior consent of the
Company (see "Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value").

     The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made for
these Contracts.  However, if any part of the Contract Value of such Contracts
is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct from the
Contract Owner's Contract Value a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge not to exceed
7% of the lesser of the total of all Purchase Payments made within 84 months
prior to the date of the request to surrender, or the amount surrendered.  This
charge, when applicable, is imposed to permit the Company to recover sales
expenses which have been advanced by the Company (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge").

     The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account for mortality risks
assumed by the Company (see "Mortality Risk Charge").  The Company deducts an
Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of 0.15% of the daily net asset
value of the Variable Account as compensation for the Company's risk in
undertaking not to increase administrative charges on the Contracts regardless
of the actual administrative costs (see "Expense Risk Charge").  In addition, if
the Contract Owner has elected a Rider Option at the time of application, the
Company deducts: (1) a Long Term Care Facility and One-Year Step Up Death
Benefit (Rider Option 1) charge equal to an annual rate of 0.05% of the daily
net asset value of the Variable Account; or (2) a Long Term Care Facility and 5%
Enhanced Death Benefit (Rider Option 2) charge equal to an annual rate of 0.10%
of the daily net asset value, depending on which Rider Option was chosen (see
"Long Term Care Facility and Death Benefit Charge", "Long Term Care Facility
Provisions" and "Death Benefit Payment Provision" for additional information.)

     Upon Annuitization, the selected Annuity Payment Option will begin (see
"Annuity Payment Option").  However, if the net amount to be applied to any
Annuity Payment Option at the Annuitization Date is less than $5,000, the
Contract Value may be distributed in one lump sum in lieu of annuity payments.
If any annuity payment would be less than $50, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments
of at least $50. In no event, however, will annuity payments be made less
frequently than annually (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

     The Company will charge against the Purchase Payments or the Contract
Value, the amount of any premium taxes levied by a state or any other
governmental entity (see "Premium Taxes").

     To be sure that the Contract Owner is satisfied with the Contract, the
Contract Owner has a ten day free look.  Within ten days of the date the
Contract is received, it may be returned to the Home Office of the Company, at
the address shown on page 1 of this prospectus.  If a Contract is returned to
the Company in a timely manner, the Company will void the Contract and refund
the Contract Value in full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal
law.  State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges.  All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see
"Right to Revoke").


                                          13
<PAGE>

                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

    The Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of
the State of Ohio in March 1929.  The Company is a member of the Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise, with its Home Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43215.  The Company is a leading provider of long-term saving and
retirement products to retail and institutional customers.  It is admitted to do
business in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and in all states.

                                 THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

    The Variable Account was established by the Company on May 22, 1997,
pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law.  The Company has caused the Variable
Account to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit
investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940.  Such registration does not involve supervision of the management of the
Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company and,
as such, is not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
the Company may conduct.  The Company does not guarantee the investment
performance of the Variable Account.  Obligations under the Contracts, however,
are obligations of the Company.  Income, gains and losses, whether or not
realized, from the assets of the Variable Account are, in accordance with the
Contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains, or losses of the Company.

    Purchase Payments are allocated within the Variable Account among one or
more Sub-Accounts made up of shares in the underlying Mutual Fund option(s)
designated by the Contract Owner.  There are two Sub-Accounts within the
Variable Account for each of the underlying Mutual Fund options which may be
designated by the Contract Owner.  One such Sub-Account contains the underlying
Mutual Funds shares attributable to Accumulation Units under Individual
Retirement Annuities, and Tax Sheltered Annuities and one such Sub-Account
contains the underlying Mutual Funds shares attributable to Accumulation Units
under Non-Qualified Contracts.

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS

    Contract Owners may choose from among a number of different Sub-Account
options. More detailed information may be found in the current prospectus for
each underlying Mutual Fund offered.  Such a prospectus for the underlying
Mutual Fund option(s) should be read in conjunction with this prospectus.  A
copy of each prospectus may be obtained without charge from Nationwide Life
Insurance Company by calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035 or writing P.O.
Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.  

    The underlying Mutual Fund options may also be available to registered
separate accounts offering variable annuity and variable life products of other
participating insurance companies, as well as to the Variable Account and other
separate accounts of the Company.  Although the Company does not anticipate any
disadvantages to this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise
between the interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other
separate accounts participating in the underlying Mutual Funds.  A conflict may
occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable life and
variable annuity separate accounts, differences in the voting instructions of
the Contract Owners and those of other companies, or some other reason.  In the
event of conflict, the Company will take any steps necessary to protect Contract
Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of the Variable Account
from participation in the underlying Mutual Fund or Mutual Funds which are
involved in the conflict.

VOTING RIGHTS

    Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to Purchase
Payments or accumulated amounts allocated to the Variable Account.

    In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will
vote the shares of the underlying Mutual Funds held in the Variable Account at
regular and special meetings of the shareholders of the underlying Mutual Funds.
These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions received from
Contract Owners who have an interest in the Variable Account.  If the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or any regulation thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result the Company
determines that it is permitted to vote the shares of the underlying Mutual
Funds in its own right, it may elect to do so.


                                          14
<PAGE>

    The Contract Owner shall be the person who has the voting interest under
the Contract.  The number of underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract Owner's interest in each
respective Sub-Account of the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
underlying Mutual Fund corresponding to the Sub-Account.  The number of shares
which a person has the right to vote will be determined as of the date to be
chosen by the Company not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of the
underlying Mutual Fund. Each person having a voting interest will receive
periodic reports relating to the underlying Mutual Fund, proxy material and a
form with which to give such voting instructions.

    Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication at least 21
days prior to such meeting. Underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the Variable
Account as to which no timely instructions are received will be voted by the
Company in the same proportion as the voting instructions which are received
with respect to all Contracts participating in the Variable Account.

SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

    If the shares of the underlying Mutual Fund options described in this
prospectus should no longer be available for investment by the Variable Account
or if, in the judgment of the Company's management, further investment in such
underlying Mutual Fund shares should become inappropriate, the Company may
eliminate Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts, or substitute shares
of another underlying Mutual Fund for underlying Mutual Fund shares already
purchased or to be purchased in the future with Purchase Payments under the
Contract.  No substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place
without prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, under such
requirements as it may impose.

                          GUARANTEED TERM OPTION ALLOCATIONS

    Guaranteed Term Options (GTOs) are separate investment options available
under the Contract.  A prospectus describing the GTOs must be read with this
prospectus in the same manner that prospectuses for underlying Mutual Fund
options must be read with this prospectus.  A prospectus for the GTOs may be
obtained without charge by calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035, or
writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.  GTOs MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN
EVERY STATE JURISDICTION.

    GTOs provide a guaranteed rate of interest over four different maturity
durations:  three (3), five (5), seven (7) or ten (10) years.  A guaranteed
interest rate, determined and declared by the Company for any maturity duration
selected, will be credited unless a Distribution from the GTO occurs for any
reason.  If such a Distribution occurs, the proceeds will be subject to a Market
Value Adjustment, resulting in either an upward or downward adjustment in the
value of the distributed proceeds, depending on interest rate fluctuations.  No
Market Value Adjustment shall be applied if GTO allocations are held to
maturity.  Because every guaranteed term will end on the final day of a calendar
quarter, the guaranteed term may last for up to 3 months beyond the 3, 5, 7 or
10 year anniversary of the allocation to the GTO.

    The minimum amount of any allocation made to a GTO must be at least $1,000.

    Generally, the Market Value Adjustment will reduce the value of distributed
proceeds when prevailing interest rates are higher than the GTO rate in effect
for the maturity duration elected.  Conversely, when prevailing rates are lower
than the GTO rate in effect, Distribution proceeds will increase in value.  The
effect of a Market Value Adjustment should be carefully considered prior to an
elected surrender of allocations to a GTO.

    GTOs are available only during the accumulation phase of a Contract and are
not available as investment options during the Annuitization phase of a
Contract.  In addition, GTOs are not available for use in conjunction with
Contract Owner services such as Dollar Cost Averaging and Asset Rebalancing.

                    VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

EXPENSES OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT

    The Variable Account is responsible for a mortality risk charge associated
with guaranteeing the annuity purchase rates at issue for the life of the
Contracts, and an expense risk charge associated with guaranteeing that the
Mortality Risk and Expense Risk Charges described in this prospectus will not
change regardless of actual expenses.  In addition, a charge will be deducted
for those Contracts which have elected a Long Term Care Facility and Death
Benefit Rider.  If these charges are insufficient to cover these expenses, the
loss will be borne by the Company.  Deductions from and expenses paid out of the
assets of the underlying Mutual Funds are described in each underlying Mutual
Fund prospectus.


                                          15
<PAGE>

    All of the charges described in this section apply to Variable Account
allocations.  Allocations to the Fixed Account or to the GTOs are subject to
Contingent Deferred Sales Changes and Premium Tax deductions, if applicable, but
are not subject to charges exclusive to the Variable Account; i.e., the
Mortality Risk Charge and Expense Risk Charge and if applicable, the Death
Benefit Option Rider Charge.

MORTALITY RISK CHARGE

    The Company assumes a "mortality risk" by virtue of annuity rates
incorporated into the Contract which cannot be changed regardless of the death
rates of persons receiving annuity payments or of the general population.

    For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts a Mortality Risk
Charge from the Variable Account.  This amount is computed on a daily basis and
is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable
Account.  The Company expects to generate a profit through assessing this
charge.

EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

    The Company will not increase charges for administration of the Contracts
regardless of its actual expenses. For assuming this expense risk, the Company
deducts an Expense Risk Charge from the Variable Account.  This amount is
computed on a daily basis and is equal to an annual rate of 0.15% of the daily
net asset value of the Variable Account. The Company expects to generate a
profit through assessing this charge.  

LONG TERM CARE FACILITY AND DEATH BENEFIT RIDER CHARGE

    For those Contracts which have an elected Long Term Care Facility and Death
Benefit Rider, the Company will deduct a charge equal to an annual rate of
either 0.05% or 0.10% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account
depending upon which Long Term Care Facility and Death Benefit Rider was chosen
(see "Death Benefit Payment Provisions").  The Long Term Care Facility and Death
Benefit Rider charge is designed to reimburse the Company for increases in the
mortality and expense risks.  The Company may generate a profit through
assessing this charge.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

    No deduction for a sales charge is made from the Purchase Payments for
these Contracts.  However, if any part of the Contract Value of such Contracts
is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions, (see "Waiver of
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" section) deduct a CDSC not to exceed 7% of the
lesser of the total of all Purchase Payments made within 84 months prior to the
date of the request to surrender, or the amount surrendered.  The CDSC, when it
is applicable, will be used to cover expenses relating to the sale of the
Contracts, including commissions paid to sales personnel, the costs of
preparation of sales literature and other promotional activity. The Company
attempts to recover its distribution costs relating to the sale of the Contracts
from the CDSC.  Any shortfall will be made up from the general account of the
Company, which may indirectly include portions of the Mortality and Expense Risk
Charges, since the Company expects to generate a profit from these charges.  The
maximum amount that may be paid to a selling agent on the sale of these
Contracts is 6% of Purchase Payments.

    The CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentages noted
below by the Purchase Payments that are surrendered.  For purposes of
calculating the CDSC, surrenders are considered to come first from the oldest
Purchase Payment made to the Contract, then the next oldest Purchase Payment and
so forth.  For tax purposes, a surrender is usually treated as a withdrawal of
earnings first.

    The CDSC applies to Purchase Payments as follows:

     NUMBER OF COMPLETED        CDSC        NUMBER OF COMPLETED         CDSC
     YEARS FROM DATE OF      PERCENTAGE     YEARS FROM DATE OF       PERCENTAGE
       PURCHASE PAYMENT                      PURCHASE PAYMENT
              0                   7%                4                     4%
              1                   7%                5                     3%
              2                   6%                6                     2%
              3                   5%                7                     0%


                                          16
<PAGE>

WAIVER OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

    In any year, the Contract Owner may withdraw, without a CDSC, the greater
of: (a) an amount equal to 10% of the total of all Purchase Payments or (b) any
amount withdrawn from this Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements
under the Code. This CDSC-free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative; that is,
free amounts not taken during any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free
amounts in a subsequent Contract Year.

    In addition, no CDSC will be deducted: (1) upon the Annuitization of
Contracts which have been in force for at least two years, (2) upon payment of a
death benefit pursuant to the death of the Annuitant, or (3) from any values
which have been held under a Contract for at least 84 months.  No CDSC applies
upon the transfer of values among the Sub-Accounts or between or among the
Guaranteed Term Options, the Fixed Account and the Variable Account.  When a
Contract described in this prospectus is exchanged for another Contract issued
by the Company or any of its affiliated insurance companies, of the type and
class which the Company determined is eligible for such exchange, the Company
may waive the CDSC on the first Contract.  A CDSC may apply to the contract
received in the exchange.

    When a Contract is held by a Charitable Remainder Trust, the amount which
may be withdrawn from this Contract without application of a CDSC, shall be the
larger of (a) or (b), where (a) is the amount which would otherwise be available
for withdrawal without application of a CDSC; and where (b) is the difference
between the total Purchase Payments made to the Contract as of the date of the
withdrawal (reduced by previous withdrawals of such Purchase Payments), and the
Contract Value at the close of the day prior to the date of the withdrawal.

    The Contract Owner may be subject to income tax on all or a portion of any
such withdrawals and to a tax penalty if the Contract Owner takes withdrawals
prior to age 591/2 (See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS- Non-Qualified
Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners").

    In no event will elimination of CDSC be permitted where such elimination
will be unfairly discriminatory to any person, or where it is prohibited by
state law.

PREMIUM TAXES

    The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon Purchase
Payments received by the Company.  Premium taxes currently imposed by certain
jurisdictions range from 0% to 3.5%.  This range is subject to change.  The
method used to recoup premium tax expense will be determined by the Company at
its sole discretion and in compliance with applicable state law.  The Company
currently deducts such charges from a Contract Owner's Contract Value either: 
(1) at the time the Contract is surrendered, (2) at Annuitization, or (3) at
such earlier date as the Company may become subject to such taxes.

                              OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT

INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

    The Contract Owner elects to have Purchase Payments attributable to his or
her participation in the Variable Account allocated among one or more of the
Sub-Accounts which consist of shares in the underlying Mutual Funds.  Shares of
the respective underlying Mutual Funds specified by the Contract Owner are
purchased at net asset value for the respective Sub-Account(s) and converted
into Accumulation Units.  The Contract Owner may change the election as to
allocation of Purchase Payments or may elect to exchange amounts among the
Sub-Account options pursuant to such terms and conditions applicable to such
transactions as may be imposed by each of the underlying Mutual Funds, in
addition to those set forth in the Contracts.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUE

    Purchase Payments are allocated to the Fixed Account, Guaranteed Term
Options, or to one or more Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account in
accordance with the designation of the underlying Mutual Funds by the Contract
Owner and converted into Accumulation Units.

    The initial Purchase Payment must be at least $15,000 and subsequent
Purchase Payments, if any, must be at least $1,000.  In addition, any amounts
allocated to the Guaranteed Term Option(s) must be at least $1,000 (please refer
to the prospectus for the Guaranteed Term Option(s) for additional details
regarding Purchase Payments made to the Guaranteed Term Option(s)).  For
Investment Only Contracts issued to 


                                          17
<PAGE>

Qualified Pension, Profit-Sharing, or Stock Bonus Plans as defined by Section
401(a) of the Code, the initial Purchase Payment must be at least $100,000, and
subsequent Purchase Payments, if any, at least $15,000.  Subsequent Purchase
Payments are not permitted in the state of Oregon and may not be permitted in
other states under certain circumstances.  The cumulative total of all Purchase
Payments under Contracts issued on the life of any one Annuitant may not exceed
$1,000,000 without prior consent of the Company.

    The initial Purchase Payment allocated to designated Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account will be priced no later than 2 business days after receipt of
an order to purchase if all information necessary for processing the purchase
order is complete.  The Company may, however, retain the Purchase Payment for up
to 5 business days while attempting to complete an order to purchase.  If it is
not complete within 5 days, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the
reasons for the delay and the Purchase Payment will be returned immediately
unless the prospective purchaser specifically consents to the Company retaining
the Purchase Payment until the order to purchase is complete.  Thereafter,
subsequent Purchase Payments will be priced on the basis of the Accumulation
Value next computed for the appropriate Sub-Account after the additional
Purchase Payment is received.

    Purchase Payments will not be priced on the following nationally recognized
holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

VALUE OF AN ACCUMULATION UNIT

    The value of an Accumulation Unit for each Sub-Account was arbitrarily set
initially at $10 when underlying Mutual Fund shares in that Sub-Account were
available for purchase.  The value for any subsequent Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value for each Sub-Account for
the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the
Sub-Account during the subsequent Valuation Period.  The value of an
Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation
Period.  The number of Accumulation Units will not change as a result of
investment experience.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

    The Net Investment Factor for any Valuation Period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result where:

    (a)  is the net of:

         (1)  the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the current Valuation
              Period, plus

         (2)  the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain
              Distributions made by the underlying Mutual Fund held in the
              Sub-Account if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current
              Valuation Period.

    (b)  is the net of:

         (1)  the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the immediately
              preceding Valuation Period, plus or minus

         (2)  the per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved
              for in the immediately preceding Valuation Period (see "Charge
              For Tax Provisions").

    (c)  is a factor representing the daily Mortality Risk Charge and Expense
         Risk Charge deducted from the Variable Account.  Such factor is equal
         to an annual rate of 0.95% of the daily net asset value of the
         Variable Account (1.00% or 1.05% if one of the optional Long Term Care
         Facility & Death Benefit Riders is chosen.).

    For underlying Mutual Fund options that credit dividends on a daily basis
and pay such dividends once a month (the Nationwide Separate Account Trust -
Money Market Fund), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly
reinvestment of these daily dividends.

    The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the
value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease.  It should be noted that
changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes
in the net asset value of underlying Mutual Fund shares, because of the
deduction for 


                                          18
<PAGE>

Mortality Risk Charge and Expense Risk Charge, the Long Term Care Facility and
Death Benefit Rider Charge, if applicable and any charge or credit for tax
reserves.

VALUATION OF ASSETS

    Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at
their net asset value.

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

    The Contract Value is the sum of: 1) all Accumulation Units, 2) amounts
allocated and credited to the Fixed Account, and 3) amounts allocated and
credited to a Guaranteed Term Option which may be subject to a Market Value
Adjustment.  If part or all of the Contract Value is surrendered or charges or
deductions are made against the Contract Value, an appropriate number of
Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an appropriate amount from the
Fixed Account and Guaranteed Term Options will be deducted in the same
proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in each of  the Variable Account,
Fixed Account and Guaranteed Term Option(s) bears to the total Contract Value. 
Guaranteed Term Options are not subject to Variable Account charges (Mortality
Charge, Expense Risk Charge and Death Benefit Rider Charge, if applicable), but
may be subject to CDSC and a Market Value Adjustment.

RIGHT TO REVOKE

    Unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law, the Contract Owner
may revoke the Contract 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a
refund of the Contract Value.  All Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be
a return of Purchase Payments.  In order to revoke the Contract, it must be
mailed or delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address
shown on page 1 of this prospectus.  Mailing or delivery must occur on or before
10 days after receipt of the Contract for revocation to be effective.  In order
to revoke the Contract, if it has not been received, written notice must be
mailed or delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address
shown on page 1 of this prospectus.

    The liability of the Variable Account under this provision is limited to
the Contract Value in each Sub-Account on the date of revocation.  Any
additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by the Company.

TRANSFERS

    Transfers between and among the Fixed Account, Variable Account, and the
Guaranteed Term Options must be made prior to the Annuitization Date.  The
Contract Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of the combined value of any
GTO allocation and the Variable Account value to the Fixed Account, without
penalty or adjustment: (Transfers from a Guaranteed Term Option prior to
maturity are, however, subject to a Market Value Adjustment).  However, the
Company reserves the right to restrict transfers from the Variable Account to
the Fixed Account to 10% of the combined value of any Guaranteed Term Option
allocation and the Variable Account Contract Value for any 12 month period.  All
amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain on deposit in the Fixed
Account until the expiration of the current Interest Rate Guarantee Period.  In
addition, transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made prior to the end of
the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period.  The Interest Rate Guarantee
Period for any amount allocated to the Fixed Account expires on the final day of
a calendar quarter during which the one year anniversary of the allocation to
the Fixed Account occurs.  Transfers must also be made prior to the
Annuitization Date.  For all transfers involving the Variable Account, the
Contract Owner's value in each Sub-Account will be determined as of the date the
transfer request is received in the Home Office in good order.  The Company
reserves the right to refuse transfers or Purchase Payments into the Fixed
Account if the Fixed Account is greater than or equal to 30% of the total
Contract Value.

    The Contract Owner may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee
Period, transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable
Account or to a Guaranteed Term Option.  The amount that may be transferred from
the Fixed Account to the Variable Account or to a Guaranteed Term Option will be
determined by the Company, at its sole discretion, but will not be less than 10%
of the total value of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing.  The
amount that may be transferred from the Fixed Account will be declared upon the
expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period.  Transfers
from the Fixed Account must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of
the guarantee period.  Contract Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost
Averaging agreement with the Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer
from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account (but not to Guaranteed Term
Options) under the terms of that agreement.


                                          19
<PAGE>

    Transfers may be made either in writing or, in states allowing such
transfers, by telephone.  This telephone exchange privilege is made available to
Contract Owners automatically without the Contract Owner's election.  The
Company will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine.  Such procedures may include any or all
of the following: requesting identifying information, such as name, contract
number, Social Security Number, and/or personal identification number; tape
recording all telephone transactions, and providing written confirmation thereof
to both the Contract Owner and any agent of record, at the last address of
record; or such other procedures as the Company may deem reasonable.  Although
the Company's failure to follow reasonable procedures may result in the
Company's liability for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
transfers, the Company will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone which it reasonably believes to be genuine.  Any
losses incurred pursuant to actions taken by the Company in reliance on
telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine shall be borne by the
Contract Owner.

    Contracts described in this prospectus may in some cases be sold to
individuals who independently utilize the services of a firm or individual
engaged in market timing.  Generally, such firms or individuals obtain
authorization from multiple Contract Owners to make transfers and exchanges
among the Sub-Accounts (the underlying Mutual Funds) on the basis of perceived
market trends.  Because of the unusually large transfers of funds associated
with some of these transactions, the ability of the Company or underlying Mutual
Funds to process such transactions may be compromised, and the execution of such
transactions may possibly disadvantage or work to the detriment of other
Contract Owners not utilizing market timing services.


    Accordingly, the right to exchange Contract Values among the Sub-Accounts
may be subject to modification if such rights are exercised by a market timing
firm or any other third party authorized to initiate transfer or exchange
transactions on behalf of multiple Contract Owners.  THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL
CONTRACT OWNERS TO EXCHANGE CONTRACT VALUES, WHEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBMITTED
DIRECTLY BY THE CONTRACT OWNER, OR BY THE CONTRACT OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE OF
RECORD AS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTION OF A VALID NATIONWIDE LIMITED POWER OF
ATTORNEY FORM, WILL NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY.  In modifying such rights, the
Company may, among other things, not accept (1) the transfer or exchange
instructions of any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of more
than one Contract Owner, or (2) the transfer or exchange instructions of
individual Contract Owners who have executed preauthorized transfer or exchange
forms which are submitted by market timing firms or other third parties on
behalf of more than one Contract Owner at the same time.  The Company will not
impose any such restrictions or otherwise modify exchange rights unless such
action is reasonably intended to prevent the use of such rights in a manner that
will disadvantage or potentially impair the contract rights of other Contract
Owners.

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

    Unless otherwise provided, the Contract Owner has all rights under the
Contract.  IF THE PURCHASER NAMES SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS
OWNER, THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT.  Prior to the
Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may name a new Contract Owner in
Non-Qualified Contracts.  Such change may be subject to state and federal gift
taxes and may also result in federal income taxation.  Any change of Contract
Owner designation will automatically revoke any prior Contract Owner
designation.  Once proper notice of the change is received and recorded by the
Company, the change will become effective as of the date the written request is
recorded.  A change of Owner will not apply and will not be effective with
respect to any payment made or action taken by the Company prior to the time
that the change was received and recorded by the Company.

    Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may request a change in
the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, Contingent Owner, Beneficiary, or
Contingent Beneficiary.  Such a request must be made in writing on a form
acceptable to the Company and must be signed by both the Contract Owner and the
person to be named as Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, or Contingent Owner, as
applicable.  Such request must be received by the Company at its Home Office
prior to the Annuitization Date.  Any such change is subject to underwriting and
approval by the Company.  If the Contract Owner is not a natural person and
there is a change of the Annuitant, such change shall be treated as the death of
a Contract Owner and Distributions shall be made as if the Contract Owner died
at the time of such change.  On the Annuitization Date, the Annuitant shall
become the Contract Owner.

JOINT OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

    Joint Owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is requested
unless otherwise required by state law. If a Joint Owner is named, the Joint
Owner will possess an undivided interest in the Contract.  Unless otherwise 


                                          20
<PAGE>

provided, the exercise of any ownership right in the Contract (including the
right to surrender or partially surrender the Contract, to change the Contract
Owner, the Contingent Owner, the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Annuity Payment Option or the
Annuitization Date) shall require a written request signed by both Joint Owners.
The Company will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost, or expense for
acting in accordance with the instructions of either the Owner or Joint Owner.

CONTINGENT OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

    The Contingent Owner is the person who may receive certain benefits under
the Contract if the Contract Owner, who is not the Annuitant, dies prior to the
Annuitization Date and there is no surviving Joint Owner.  If more than one
Contingent Owner survives the Contract Owner, each will share equally unless
otherwise specified in the Contingent Owner designation.  If no Contingent Owner
survives a Contract Owner and there is no surviving Joint Owner, all rights and
interest of the Contingent Owner will vest in the Contract Owner's estate.  If a
Contract Owner, who is also the Annuitant, dies before the Annuitization Date
and there is no surviving Joint Owner, then the Contingent Owner does not have
any rights in the Contract; however, if the Contingent Owner is also the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Owner will have all the rights of a beneficiary.

    Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Contingent Owner prior to the Annuitization Date by written notice to
the Company.  The change will take effect upon receipt and recording by the
Company at its Home Office, whether or not the Contract Owner is living at the
time of recording, but without further liability as to any payment or settlement
made by the Company before receipt of such change.

BENEFICIARY PROVISIONS

    The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive certain benefits
under the Contract in the event the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization
Date.  If more than one Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, each will share
equally unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary designation.  If no
Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Beneficiary
shall vest in the Contingent Beneficiary, and if more than one Contingent
Beneficiary survives, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the
Contingent Beneficiary designation.  If no Contingent Beneficiaries survive the
Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Contingent Beneficiary will vest with
the Contract Owner or the estate of the last surviving Contract Owner.

    Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary during the lifetime of the
Annuitant, by written notice to the Company.  The change will take effect upon
receipt and recording by the Company at its Home Office, whether or not the
Annuitant is living at the time of recording, but without further liability as
to any payment or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

    While the Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Annuitant, the Company will, upon proper
written application by the Contract Owner deemed by the Company to be in good
order, allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the Contract
Value.  "Proper written application" means that the Contract Owner must request
the surrender in writing and include the Contract. In some cases (for example,
requests by a corporation, partnership, agent, fiduciary, or surviving spouse),
the Company will require additional documentation of a customary nature.  The
Company may require that the signature(s) be guaranteed by a member firm of a
major stock exchange or other depository institution qualified to give such a
guaranty.

    The Company will, upon receipt of any such written request, surrender a
number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an amount from the
Fixed Account and Guaranteed Term Options to equal the gross dollar amount
requested, less any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (see "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge").  In the event of a partial surrender, the Company will,
unless instructed to the contrary, surrender Accumulation Units from all
Sub-Accounts in which the Contract Owner has an interest, and from the Fixed
Account and Guaranteed Term Options.  The number of Accumulation Units
surrendered from each Sub-Account and the amount surrendered from the Fixed
Account and Guaranteed Term Options will be in the same proportion that the
Contract Owner's interest in the Sub-Accounts, Fixed Account and Guaranteed Term
Options bears to the total Contract Value.

    The Company will pay any funds applied for from the Variable Account within
7 days of receipt of such application in the Company's Home Office.  However,
the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any payment of
any benefit or values for any Valuation Period (1) when the New York Stock 


                                          21
<PAGE>

Exchange ("Exchange") is closed, (2) when trading on the Exchange is restricted,
(3) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of securities held in
the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable to determine the value of the Variable Account's net assets, or (4)
during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order,
so permits for the protection of security holders, provided that applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as
to whether the conditions prescribed in (2) and (3) exist.  The Contract Value
on surrender may be more or less than the total of Purchase Payments made by a
Contract Owner, depending on the market value of the underlying Mutual Fund
shares.

SURRENDERS UNDER A TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY CONTRACT

    Except as provided below, the Owner may surrender part or all of the
Contract Value at any time this Contract is in force prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Annuitant:

A.  The surrender of Contract Value attributable to contributions made pursuant
    to a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of Code Section
    402(g)(3)(A) or (C)), or transfers from a Custodial Account described in
    Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, may be executed only:

    1.   when the Contract Owner attains age 59 1/2, separates from service,
         dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Code Section
         72(m)(7)); or

    2.   in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Code Section
         401(k)), provided that any surrender of Contract Value in the case of
         hardship may not include any income attributable to salary reduction
         contributions.

B.  The surrender limitations described in A. above also apply to:

    1.   salary reduction contributions to Tax Sheltered Annuities made for
         plan years beginning after December 31, 1988;

    2.   earnings credited to such contracts after the last plan year beginning
         before January 1, 1989, on amounts attributable to salary reduction
         contributions; and

    3.   all amounts transferred from 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts (except that
         earnings, and employer contributions as of December 31, 1988 in such
         Custodial Accounts may be withdrawn in the case of hardship).

C.  Any Distribution other than the above, including exercise of a contractual
    ten-day free look provision (when available) may result in the immediate
    application of taxes and penalties and/or retroactive disqualification of a
    Tax Sheltered Annuity.

    A premature Distribution may not be eligible for rollover treatment.  To
assist in preventing disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity in the event of
a ten-day free look, the Company will agree to transfer the proceeds to another
contract which meets the requirements of Section 403(b) of the Code, upon proper
direction by the Contract Owner.  The foregoing is the Company's understanding
of the withdrawal restrictions which are currently applicable under Code Section
401(k)(2)(B), Code Section 403(b)(11) and Revenue Ruling 90-24.  Such
restrictions are subject to legislative change and/or reinterpretation from time
to time.  Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not
be considered to be a violation of the restrictions stated in this provision.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

    Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Owner of a Tax Sheltered Annuity
Contract may receive a loan from the Contract Value subject to the terms of the
Contract, the Plan, and the Code, which may impose restrictions on loans.

    Loans from Tax Sheltered Annuities are available beginning 30 days after
the Date of Issue.  The Contract Owner may borrow a minimum of $1,000.  In
non-ERISA plans, for Contract Values up to $20,000, the maximum loan balance
which may be outstanding at any time is 80% of the Contract Value, but not more
than $10,000.  If the Contract Value is $20,000 or more, the maximum loan
balance which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value, but
not more than $50,000.  For ERISA plans, the maximum loan balance which may be
outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value, but not more than $50,000.
The $50,000 limit will be reduced by the highest loan balances owed during the
prior one-year period.  Additional 


                                          22
<PAGE>

loans are subject to the contract minimum amount.  The aggregate of all loans
may not exceed the Contract Value limitations stated above.

    For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may only be secured by
the Contract Value.  For loans from Qualified Contracts and other Tax Sheltered
Annuities, the Company reserves the right to limit a loan to 50% of the Contract
Value subject to the acceptance by the Contract Owner of the Company's loan
agreement.  Where permitted, the Company may require other named collateral
where the loan from a Contract exceeds 50% of the Contract Value.

    All loans are made from the collateral fixed account.  An amount equal to
the principal amount of the loan will be transferred to the collateral fixed
account.  Unless instructed to the contrary by the Contract Owner, the Company
will transfer to the collateral fixed account the Variable Account units from
the Contract Owner's investment options in proportion to the assetS in each
option until the required balance is reached or all such variable units are
exhausted.  The required collateral will next be transferred from the Fixed
Account.  Any remaining required collateral will be transferred from the
Guaranteed Term Option and may be subject to Market Value Adjustment.  No
withdrawal charges are deducted at the time of the loan, or on any transfers to
the collateral fixed account.

    Until the loan has been repaid in full, that portion of the collateral
fixed account equal to the outstanding loan balance shall be credited with
interest at a rate 2.25% less than the loan interest rate fixed by the Company
for the term of the loan.  However, the interest rate credited to the collateral
fixed account will never be less than 3.0%.  Specific loan terms are disclosed
at the time of loan application or loan issuance.

    Loans must be repaid in substantially level payments, not less frequently
than quarterly, within five years.  Loans used to purchase the principal
residence of the Contract Owner must be repaid within 15 years.  During the loan
term, the outstanding balance of the loan will continue to earn interest at an
annual rate as specified in the loan agreement.  Loan repayments will consist of
principal and interest in amounts set forth in the loan agreement.  Loan
repayments will be processed in the same manner as a Purchase Payment, except
that no loan repayments less than $1,000 are permitted into the Guaranteed Term
Options.  Loan repayments will be allocated among the Fixed and Variable
Accounts in accordance with the Contract, unless the Contract Owner and the
Company agree to amend the Contract at a later date on a case by case basis. If
the proportional share of the loan repayment to the Guaranteed Term Option is
less than $1,000, that portion of the loan repayment will be allocated to the
Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund, unless the Contract Owner
directs such loan repayments to be directed to the Fixed Account or another
investment option available in the Variable Account.

    If the Contract is surrendered while the loan is outstanding, the surrender
value will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus accrued
interest.  If the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies while the loan is outstanding,
the Death Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus
accrued interest. If a Contract Owner who is not the Annuitant dies prior to
Annuitization and while the loan is outstanding, the Distribution will be
reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus accrued interest.  If annuity
payments start while the loan is outstanding, the Contract Value will be reduced
by the amount of the outstanding loan plus accrued interest.  Until the loan is
repaid, the Company reserves the right to restrict any transfer of the Contract
which would otherwise qualify as a transfer as permitted in the Code.

    If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue. 
A grace period may be available under the terms of the loan agreement.  If a
loan payment is not made when due, or by the end of the applicable grace period,
the entire loan will be treated as a deemed Distribution, may be taxable to the
borrower, and may be subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty.  Interest
which subsequently accrues on defaulted amounts may also be treated as
additional deemed Distributions each year.  Any defaulted amounts, plus accrued
interest, will be deducted from the Contract when the participant becomes
eligible for a Distribution of at least that amount, and this amount may again
be treated as a Distribution where required by law.  Additional loans may not be
available while a previous loan remains in default.

    Loans may also be subject to additional limitations or restrictions under
the terms of the employer's plan.  Loans permitted under this Contract may still
be taxable in whole or part if the participant has additional loans from other
plans or contracts.  The Company will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan
based on the information provided by the participant or the employer.

    Loan repayments must be identified as such or else they will be treated as
Purchase Payments and will not be used to reduce the outstanding loan principal
or interest due.  The Company reserves the right to modify 


                                          23
<PAGE>

the term or procedures if there is a change in applicable law.  The Company also
reserves the right to assess a loan processing fee.

    Individual Retirement Annuities and Non-Qualified Contracts are not
eligible for loans.

ASSIGNMENT

    Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign some or all of the rights
under the Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Annuitant prior to the
Annuitization Date.  Such assignment will take effect upon receipt and recording
by the Company at its Home Office of a written notice executed by the Contract
Owner.  The Company assumes no responsibility for the validity or tax
consequences of any assignment. The Company shall not be liable as to any
payment or other settlement made by the Company before recording of the
assignment.  Where necessary for the proper administration of the terms of the
Contract, an assignment will not be recorded until the Company has received
sufficient direction from the Contract Owner and assignee as to the proper
allocation of Contract rights under the assignment.

    If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, any portion of Contract Value
which is pledged or assigned shall be treated as a Distribution and shall be
included in gross income to the extent that the cash value exceeds the
investment in the Contract for the taxable year in which it was pledged or
assigned.  In addition, any Contract Values assigned may, under certain
conditions, be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the amount which is
included in gross income.  All rights in this Contract are personal to the
Contract Owner and may not be assigned without written consent of the Company. 
Assignment of the entire Contract Value may cause the portion of the Contract
Value which exceeds the total investment in the Contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year
that the assignment is in effect.  Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax
Sheltered Annuities may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except
under such conditions as may be allowed by law.

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

    ASSET REBALANCING- The Contract Owner may direct the automatic reallocation
of Contract Values to the underlying Mutual Fund options on a predetermined
percentage basis every three months or based on another frequency authorized by
the Company.  If the last day of the period falls on a Saturday, Sunday,
recognized holiday or any other day when the New York Stock Exchange is closed,
the Asset Rebalancing exchange will occur on the first business day after that
day.  An Asset Rebalancing request must be in writing on a form provided by the
Company.  The Contract Owner may want to contact a financial adviser in order to
discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing in his or her Contract.

    Contracts issued to a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan as defined by the Code may
have superseding plan restrictions with regard to the frequency of fund
exchanges and underlying Mutual Fund options.

    Asset Rebalancing is not available for assets held in the Guaranteed Term
Option(s).  Amounts transferred from the Guaranteed Term Option prior to the
expiration of the specified term are subject to the Market Value Adjustment.

    The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset Rebalancing
upon 30 days written notice; such discontinuation will not affect Asset
Rebalancing programs which have already commenced.  The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service.

    DOLLAR COST AVERAGING-  The Contract Owner may direct the Company to
automatically transfer a specified amount from the Nationwide Separate Account
Trust Money Market Fund, Nationwide Separate Account Trust Government Bond Fund
or the Fixed Account to any other Sub-Account within the Variable Account on a
monthly basis or as frequently as otherwise authorized by the Company.  This
service is intended to allow the Contract Owner to utilize Dollar Cost
Averaging, a long-term investment program which provides for regular, level
investments over time.  The Company makes no guarantees that Dollar Cost
Averaging will result in a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
The minimum monthly Dollar Cost Averaging transfer is $100.  In addition, Dollar
Cost Averaging monthly transfers from the Fixed Account must be equal to or less
than 1/30th of the Fixed Account value when the Dollar Cost Averaging program is
requested.  Transfers out of the Fixed Account, other than for Dollar Cost
Averaging, may be subject to certain additional restrictions (see "Transfers"). 
A written election of this service, on a form provided by the Company, must be
completed by the Contract Owner in order to begin transfers.  Once elected,
transfers from the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund,
Nationwide Separate Account Trust Government Bond Fund or the Fixed Account will
be processed monthly or on another approved frequency until either the value in
the 


                                          24
<PAGE>

Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund, Nationwide Separate Account
Trust Government Bond Fund or the Fixed Account is completely depleted or the
Contract Owner instructs the Company in writing to cancel the transfers.

    Dollar Cost Averaging transfers may not be directed to Guaranteed Term
Options.

    The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
Dollar Cost Averaging programs which have already commenced.  The Company also
reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this service.

    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS- A Contract Owner may elect in writing on a form
provided by the Company to take Systematic Withdrawals of a specified dollar
amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
The Company will process the withdrawals as directed by surrendering on a
pro-rata basis Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in which the Contract
Owner has an interest, and the Fixed Account (but is not available for
withdrawals from the GTOs).  A CDSC may also apply to Systematic Withdrawals in
accordance with the considerations set forth in the "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge" section.  Each Systematic Withdrawal is subject to federal income taxes
on the taxable portion.  Unless directed by the Contract Owner, the Company will
withhold federal income taxes from each Systematic Withdrawal.  In addition, the
Internal Revenue Service may assess a 10% federal penalty tax on Systematic
Withdrawals if the Contract Owner is under age 591/2.  Unless the Contract Owner
has made an irrevocable election of distributions of substantially equal
payments, the Systematic Withdrawals may be discontinued at any time by
notifying the Company in writing.

    If the Contract Owner withdraws amounts pursuant to a Systematic Withdrawal
program, then the Contract Owner may withdraw each Contract Year without a CDSC
an amount up to the greater of (1) 10% of the total sum of all Purchase Payments
made to the Contract at the time of withdrawal; (2)  an amount withdrawn from
any Individual Retirement Annuity Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity, in order
for that Contract to meet minimum Distribution requirements; or (3) the
specified percentage of the Contract Value based on the Contract Owner's age, as
shown in the following table:

                   Contract Owner's              Percentage of
                          Age                    Contract Value
                   ----------------              --------------
                     Under 59 1/2                      5%
                     59 1/2 to 62                      7%
                       62 to 65                        8%
                       65 to 75                       10%
                     75 and Over                      13%

    If the total amounts withdrawn in any Contract Year exceed the CDSC-free
amount as calculated under the Systematic Withdrawal method described above,
then such total withdrawn amounts will be eligible only for the 10% of Purchase
Payment CDSC-free withdrawal privilege described in the "Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" section, and the total amount of CDSC charged during the Contract
Year will be determined in accordance with that provision.

    The Contract Value and the Contract Owner's age for purposes of applying
the CDSC-free withdrawal percentage described in this provision are determined
as of the date the request for a Systematic Withdrawal program is received and
recorded by the Company at its Home Office.  (In the case of Joint Owners, the
older Owner's age will be used.)  The Contract Owner may elect to take such
CDSC-free amounts only once each Contract Year.  Furthermore, this CDSC-free
withdrawal privilege for Systematic Withdrawals is non-cumulative; free amounts
not taken during any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a
subsequent Contract Year.

    The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
any Systematic Withdrawal programs already commenced.  The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service.  Systematic withdrawals
are not available prior to the expiration of the ten day free look provision of
the Contract or of applicable state/federal law.


                                          25
<PAGE>

            ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

    An Annuity Commencement Date will be selected.  Such date must be the first
day of a calendar month or any other agreed upon date and must be at least 2
years after the Date of Issue. In the event the Contract is issued subject to
the terms of Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan, Annuitization may occur during the
first 2 years subject to approval by the Company.

CHANGE IN ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

    If the Contract Owner requests in writing and the Company approves the
request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be changed.  The new date must comply
with the Annuity Commencement Date provisions above.

ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-VARIABLE ACCOUNT

    At the Annuitization Date, the Variable Account value is applied to the
Annuity Payment Option elected and the amount of the first such payment shall be
determined in accordance with the Annuity Table in the Contract. 

    Subsequent Variable Annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with the
investment performance of the Variable Account.  The dollar amount of the first
annuity payment determined as above is divided by the value of an Annuity Unit
as of the Annuitization Date to establish the number of Annuity Units
representing each monthly annuity payment.  This number of Annuity Units remains
fixed during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments is not predetermined and may change from month to month. The
dollar amount of each subsequent payment is determined by multiplying the fixed
number of Annuity Units by the Annuity Unit Value for the Valuation Period in
which the payment is due. The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each
payment after the first will not be affected by variations in mortality
experience from mortality assumptions used to determine the first payment.

VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

    The value of an Annuity Unit was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when the
first underlying Mutual Fund shares were purchased.  The value of an Annuity
Unit for a Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation Period is determined by
multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding Valuation
Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which the
Annuity Unit Value is being calculated, and multiplying the result by an
interest factor to neutralize the assumed investment rate of 3.5% per annum (see
"Net Investment Factor").

ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

    A 3.5% assumed investment rate is built into the Annuity Tables contained
in the Contracts.  A higher assumption would mean a higher initial payment but
more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments.  A lower
assumption would have the opposite effect.  If the actual investment rate is at
the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be level.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

    Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments.  However, if the net
amount available to apply under any Annuity Payment Option is less than $5,000,
the Company shall have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in lieu of
the payments otherwise provided for.  In addition, if the payments provided for
would be or become less than $50, the Company shall have the right to change the
frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments of at least
$50.  In no event will the Company make payments under an annuity option less
frequently than annually.

CHANGE IN FORM OF ANNUITY

    The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, at any
time prior to the Annuitization Date, elect one of the Annuity Payment Options.


                                          26
<PAGE>

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

    Any of the following Annuity Payment Options may be elected:

    OPTION 1-LIFE ANNUITY-An annuity payable periodically, but at least
    annually, during the lifetime of the Annuitant, ceasing with the last
    payment due prior to the death of the Annuitant.  IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
    UNDER THIS OPTION FOR THE ANNUITANT TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT IF
    HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE SECOND ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, TWO ANNUITY PAYMENTS
    IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, AND SO ON.

    OPTION 2-JOINT AND LAST SURVIVOR ANNUITY-An annuity payable periodically,
    but at least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and
    designated second person and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of
    the survivor.  AS IS THE CASE UNDER OPTION 1 ABOVE, THERE IS NO MINIMUM
    NUMBER OF PAYMENTS GUARANTEED UNDER THIS OPTION.  PAYMENTS CEASE UPON THE
    DEATH OF THE LAST SURVIVING ANNUITANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PAYMENTS
    RECEIVED.

    OPTION 3-LIFE ANNUITY WITH 120 OR 240 MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED-An
    annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant with the
    guarantee that if at the death of the Annuitant payments have been made for
    fewer than 120 or 240 months, as selected, payments will be made as
    follows:

    (1)  Any guaranteed annuity payments will be continued during the remainder
         of the selected period to such recipient as chosen by the Annuitant at
         the time the Annuity Payment Option was selected.  In the alternative,
         the recipient may, at any time, elect to have the present value of the
         guaranteed number of annuity payments remaining paid in a lump sum as
         specified in section (2) below.

    (2)  If someone other than the Annuitant is the payee, the present value,
         computed as of the date on which notice of death is received by the
         Company at its Home Office, of the guaranteed number of annuity
         payments remaining after receipt of such notice and to which the
         deceased would have been entitled had he or she not died, computed at
         the Assumed Investment Rate effective in determining the Annuity
         Tables, shall be paid in a lump sum.

    Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states.  The
Contract Owner may request an alternative non-guaranteed option by giving notice
in writing prior to Annuitization.  If such a request is approved by the
Company, it will be permitted under the Contract.

    If the Contract Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an Annuity
Payment Option, no Distribution will be made until an effective Annuity Payment
Option has been elected.  Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered
Annuities are subject to the minimum Distribution requirements set forth in the
Plan, Contract or Code.

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER PROVISIONS - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

    For Non-Qualified Contracts, if the Contract Owner and the Annuitant are
not the same person and such Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization
Date, then the Joint Owner, if any, becomes the new Contract Owner.  If there is
no surviving Joint Owner, the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner. 
If there is no surviving Contingent Owner, the last surviving Contract Owner's
estate becomes the Contract Owner.  The entire interest in the Contract Value,
less any applicable deductions (which may include a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge),  must be distributed in accordance with the "Required Distribution
Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts" provisions.

DEATH OF THE ANNUITANT PROVISIONS - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

    If the Contract Owner and Annuitant are not the same person, and the
Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable
to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary Provisions",
unless there is a surviving Contingent Annuitant.  In such case, the Contingent
Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and no Death Benefit is payable.

    The Beneficiary may elect to receive such Death Benefits in the form of:
(1) a lump sum distribution; (2) election of an annuity payout; or (3) any
distribution that is permitted under state and federal regulations and is
acceptable by the Company.  Such election must be received by the Company within
60 days of the Annuitant's death.

    If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be
payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.


                                          27
<PAGE>

DEATH OF THE CONTRACT OWNER/ANNUITANT PROVISIONS

    If any Contract Owner and Annuitant are the same person, and such person
dies before the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable to the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the Beneficiary Provisions
and in accordance with the appropriate "Required Distributions Provisions."

    If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be
payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT PROVISIONS

    The value of the Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Date
coincident with or next following the date the Company receives in writing at
the Home Office the following three items:  (1)  proper proof of the Annuitant's
death; (2) an election specifying the Distribution method; and (3) any
applicable state required form(s).

    At the time of application, Contract Owners may select one of three death
benefits available under the Contract as listed below (not all death benefit
options riders may be available in all states at the time of application).  If
no selection is made at the time of application, the Death Benefit will be the
Five-Year Reset Death Benefit (Standard Contractual Death Benefit).

    FIVE-YEAR RESET DEATH BENEFIT (STANDARD CONTRACTUAL DEATH BENEFIT)

    If the Annuitant dies at any time prior to the Annuitization Date, the
dollar amount of the death benefit will be the greatest of: 

    (1)  the Contract Value; 

    (2)  the total of all Purchase Payments made to the Contract, less an
         adjustment for amounts surrendered; or 

    (3)  the Contract Value as of the most recent five year Contract
         Anniversary before the Annuitant's 86th birthday, less adjustments for
         amounts surrendered, plus Purchase Payments received after that
         Contract Anniversary.

    The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce items (2) and (3) above
in the same proportion that the Contract Value was reduced on the date of the
partial surrender.

    No additional charge will be assessed to the Contract Owner for election of
the Five-Year Reset (Standard Contractual Death Benefit).

    ONE-YEAR STEP UP DEATH BENEFIT (RIDER OPTION 1)

    If the Annuitant dies at any time prior to the Annuitization Date, the
dollar amount of the death benefit will be the greatest of: 

    (1)  the Contract Value; 

    (2)  the total of all Purchase Payments, less an adjustment for amounts
         surrendered; or 

    (3)  the highest Contract Value on any Anniversary Date before the
         Annuitant's 86th birthday, less an adjustment for amounts surrendered,
         plus Purchase Payments received after that Contract Anniversary.

    The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce items (2) and (3) above
in the same proportion that the Contract Value was reduced on the date of the
partial surrender.

    For this Death Benefit Option, the Company deducts a charge at an annual
rate of 0.05% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.  This charge
is designed only to reimburse the Company for increases in the mortality and
expense risks, and consequently the Company may lower this charge at any time
without prior notice to the Contract Owner.  However, the Company may generate a
profit through assessing this charge.

    5% ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT (RIDER OPTION 2)

    If the Annuitant dies at any time prior to Annuitization Date, the dollar
amount of the death benefit will be the greater of: 

    (1)  the Contract Value; or 


                                          28
<PAGE>

    (2)  the total of all Purchase Payments, less any amounts surrendered,
         accumulated at 5% simple interest from the date of each Purchase
         Payment or surrender to the most recent Contract Anniversary Date
         prior to the Annuitant's 86 birthday, less an adjustment for amounts
         surrendered, plus Purchase Payments received since that anniversary.  

    Such total accumulated amount shall not exceed 200% of the net of Purchase
Payments and amounts surrendered.  The adjustment for amounts subsequently
surrendered after the most recent Contract Anniversary Date will reduce the 5%
interest anniversary value in the same proportion that the Contract Value was
reduced on the date of the partial surrender.

    For this Death Benefit Rider Option, the Company deducts a charge at an
annual rate of 0.10% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.  This
charge is designed only to reimburse the Company for increases in the mortality
and expense risks, and consequently, the Company may lower this charge at any
time without prior notice to the Contract Owner.  However, the Company may
generate a profit through assessing this charge.

    FOR ANY DEATH BENEFIT OPTION SELECTED, IF THE ANNUITANT DIES AFTER THE
ANNUITIZATION DATE, ANY PAYMENT THAT MAY BE PAYABLE WILL BE DETERMINED ACCORDING
TO THE SELECTED ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION.

LONG TERM CARE FACILITY PROVISIONS

    For those Contracts which have elected a Long Term Care Facility and Death
Benefit Rider at the time of application, the following Long Term Care Facility
provisions also apply.  Beginning at the third Contract Anniversary Date,
surrender charges on withdrawals will not apply if a Contract Owner is confined
to a Long Term Care Facility or hospital, as defined by the applicable
endorsement to the Contract, and has been confined in such facility for a
continuous 90 day period.  In addition, upon receipt of a physician's letter at
the Company's Home Office, no surrender charges will be deducted upon
withdrawals if the Contract Owner has been diagnosed by that physician to have a
terminal illness, as defined by the applicable endorsement to the Contract.

    The Contract Owner may be subject to income tax on all or a portion of any
such withdrawals and to a tax penalty if the Contract Owner takes withdrawals
prior to age 59 1/2 (see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS - Non-Qualified Contracts -
Natural Persons as Owners").

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION PROVISIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

    Upon the death of any Contract Owner or Joint Owner (including an Annuitant
who becomes the Owner of the Contract on the Annuitization Date) (each of the
foregoing "a deceased Owner"), certain distributions for Non-Qualified
Contracts, are required by Section 72(s) of the Code.  Notwithstanding any
provision of the Contract to the contrary, the following distributions shall be
made in accordance with such requirements:

    1.   If any deceased Owner died on or after the Annuitization Date and
         before the entire interest under the Contract has been distributed,
         then the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed at
         least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect as of
         the date of such deceased Owner's death.

    2.   If any deceased Owner died prior to the Annuitization Date, then the
         entire interest in the Contract (consisting of either the Death
         Benefit or the Contract Value reduced by certain charges as set forth
         elsewhere in the Contract) shall be distributed within 5 years of the
         death of the deceased Owner, provided however:

         (a)  If any portion of such interest is payable to or for the benefit
              of a natural person who is a surviving Contract Owner, Contingent
              Owner, Joint Owner, Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, Beneficiary,
              or Contingent Beneficiary as the case may be (each a "designated
              beneficiary"), such portion may, at the election of the
              designated beneficiary, be distributed over the life of such
              designated beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the
              life expectancy of such designated beneficiary, provided that
              payments begin within one year of the date of the deceased
              Owner's death (or such longer period as may be permitted by
              federal income tax regulations), and

         (b)  If the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the
              deceased Owner, such spouse may elect to become the Owner of this
              Contract, in lieu of a Death Benefit, and the distributions
              required under these distribution rules will be made upon the
              death of such spouse.  

    In the event that this Contract is owned by a person that is not a natural
person (e.g., a trust or corporation), then, for purposes of these distribution
provisions, (i) the death of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any 


                                          29
<PAGE>

Owner, (ii) any change of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any
Owner, and (iii) in either case the appropriate distribution required under
these distribution rules shall be made upon such death or change, as the case
may be.  The Annuitant is the primary annuitant as defined in Section
72(s)(6)(B) of the Code.

    These distribution provisions shall not be applicable to any Contract that
is not required to be subject to the provisions of 72(s) of the Code by reason
of Section 72(s)(5) or any other law or rule (including Tax Sheltered Annuities,
Individual Retirement Annuities, and Qualified Plans. 

    Upon the death of a "deceased Owner", the designated beneficiary must elect
a method of distribution which complies with these above distribution provisions
and which is acceptable to the Company.  Such election must be received by the
Company within 60 days of the deceased Owner's death.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

    The entire interest of an Annuitant under a Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract
will be distributed in a manner consistent with the Minimum Distribution and
Incidental Benefit (MDIB) provisions of Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and
applicable regulations and will be paid, notwithstanding anything else contained
herein, to the Annuitant under the Annuity Payments Option selected, over a
period not exceeding:

    A.   the life of the Annuitant or the lives of the Annuitant and the
         Annuitant's designated beneficiary under the selected Annuity Payment
         Option; or

    B.   a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Annuitant or
         the life expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated
         beneficiary under the selected annuity Payment Option.

    No Distributions will be required from this Contract if Distributions
otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from another Tax
Sheltered Annuity Contract of the Annuitant.

    If the Annuitant's entire interest in a Tax Sheltered Annuity is to be 
distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a period described 
in (A) or (B), above, such payments will commence no later than (i) the first 
day of April following the calendar year in which the Annuitant attains age 
70 1/2 or (ii) when the Annuitant retires, whichever is later (the "required 
beginning date"). However, provision (ii) does not apply to any employee who 
is a 5% Owner (as defined in Section 416 of the Code) with respect to the 
plan year ending in the calendar year in which the employee attains the age 
of 70 1/2.

     If the Annuitant dies prior to the commencement of his or her
Distribution, the interest in the Tax Sheltered Annuity must be distributed by
December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of his or her
death occurs unless:

    (a)  the Annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and
         such spouse elects to receive Distribution of the account in
         substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
         exceeding his or her life expectancy) and commencing not later than
         December 31 of the year in which the Annuitant would have attained age
         70 1/2; or

    (b)  the Annuitant names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving
         spouse and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the
         account in substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a
         period not exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later
         than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Annuitant
         dies.

    If the Annuitant dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death.

    Payments commencing on the required beginning date will not be less than
the lesser of the quotient obtained by dividing the entire interest of the
Annuitant by the life expectancy of the Annuitant, or the joint and last
survivor expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated beneficiary
(if the Annuitant dies prior to the required beginning date) or the beneficiary
under the selected Annuity Payment Option (if the Annuitant dies after the
required beginning date) whichever is applicable under the applicable minimum
distribution or MDIB provisions.  Life expectancy and joint and last survivor
expectancy are computed by the use of return multiples contained in Section
1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

    If the amounts distributed to the Annuitant are less than those mentioned
above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that should have
been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was distributed for
that year.


                                          30
<PAGE>

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

    Distribution from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin not later
than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner
attains age 70 1/2.  Distribution may be accepted in a lump sum or in
substantially equal payments over: (a) the Owner's life or the lives of the
Owner and his or her spouse or designated beneficiary, or (b) a period not
extending beyond the life expectancy of the Owner or the joint life expectancy
of the Owner and the Owner's designated beneficiary.

    If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her Distribution, the
interest in the Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by December 31
of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of his or her death occurs,
unless:

    (a)  The Owner names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and
         such spouse elects to:

         (i)  treat the annuity as an Individual Retirement Annuity established
              for his or her benefit; or

         (ii) receive Distribution of the account in nearly equal payments over
              his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her life
              expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of the year
              in which the Owner would have attained age 70 1/2; or

    (b)  The Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse
         and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the account
         in nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
         exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than
         December 31 of the year following the year in which the Owner dies.

    No Distribution will be required from this Contract if Distributions
otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from another
Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual Annuity Account of the Contract
Owner.

    If the Owner dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death, except that a surviving spouse who is the beneficiary under the
Annuity Payment Option, may treat the Contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in section (a)(i) of this provision.

    If the amounts distributed to the Contract Owner are less than those
mentioned above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that
should have been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was
distributed for that year.

    A pro-rata portion of all Distributions will be included in the gross
income of the person receiving the Distribution and taxed at ordinary income tax
rates.  The portion of the Distribution which is taxable is based on the ratio
between the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments exceed prior
non-taxable Distributions and total account balances at the time of the
Distribution.  The Owner of an Individual Retirement Annuity must annually
report the amount of non-deductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any
Distribution, the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments for all years
exceed non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance of all
Individual Retirement Annuities.

    Individual Retirement Annuity Distributions will not receive the benefit of
the tax treatment of a lump sum Distribution from a Qualified Plan.  If the
Owner dies prior to the time Distribution of his or her interest in the annuity
is completed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.

GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFERS

    The Company may determine whether the Death Benefit or any other payment
constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the Code, and the amount
of the tax on the generation-skipping transfer resulting from such direct skip. 
If applicable, such payment will be reduced by any tax the Company is required
to pay by Section 2603 of the Code. 

    A direct skip may occur when property is transferred to or a Death Benefit
is paid to an individual two or more generations younger than the Contract
Owner.


                                          31
<PAGE>

                              FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

    The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status for any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts. Contract Owners should
consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax advisor to discuss in
detail the taxation and the use of the Contracts.

    Section 72 of the Code governs federal income taxation of annuities in
general.  That section sets forth different rules for: (1) Individual Retirement
Annuities (2) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (3) Non-Qualified Contracts.  Each
type of annuity is discussed below.

    Distributions to participants from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered
Annuities are generally taxed when received.  A portion of each Distribution is
excludable from income based on the ratio between the after tax investment of
the Owner/Annuitant in the Contract and the value of the Contract at the time of
the withdrawal or Annuitization.

    Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are generally taxed when received.  The portion
of each such payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between the
amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments to all such Contracts exceeds
prior non-taxable Distributions from such Contracts, and the total account
balances in such Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The Owner of such
Individual Retirement Annuities or the Annuitant under Contracts held by
Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue
Service the amount of nondeductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any
Distribution, the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments for all years
exceed non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance in all
Individual Retirement Annuities and Accounts. 

    A change of the Annuitant or Contingent Annuitant may be treated by the
Internal Revenue Service as a taxable transaction.

PUERTO RICO

    Under the Puerto Rico tax code, Distributions prior to Annuitization are
treated as nontaxable return of principal until the principal is fully
recovered; thereafter, all Distributions are fully taxable.  Distributions after
Annuitization are treated as part taxable income and part nontaxable return of
principal.  The amount excluded from gross income after Annuitization is equal
to the amount of the Distribution in excess of 3% of the total Purchase Payments
paid, until an amount equal to the total Purchase Payments paid has been
excluded; thereafter, the entire Distribution is included in gross income. 
Puerto Rico does not impose an early withdrawal penalty tax.  Generally, Puerto
Rico does not require income tax to be withheld from Distributions of income.  A
personal tax advisor should be consulted.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS - NATURAL PERSONS AS OWNERS

    The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of
each annuity payment received is excludable from taxable income based on the
ratio between the Contract Owner's investment in the Contract and the expected
return on the Contract until the investment has been recovered; thereafter the
entire amount is includable in income.  The maximum amount excludable from
income is the investment in the Contract.  If the Annuitant dies prior to
excluding from income the entire investment in the Contract, the Annuitant's
final tax return may reflect a deduction for the balance of the investment in
the Contract.

    Distributions made from the Contract prior to the Annuitization Date are
taxable to the Contract Owner to the extent that the cash value of the Contract
exceeds the Contract Owner's investment at the time of the Distribution. 
Distributions, for this purpose, include partial surrenders, dividends, loans,
or any portion of the Contract which is assigned or pledged; or for Contracts
issued after April 22, 1987, any portion of the Contract transferred by gift. 
For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur upon Annuitization if the
Contract Owner and the Annuitant are not the same individual.  In determining
the taxable amount of a Distribution, all annuity contracts issued after October
21, 1988, by the same company to the same contract owner during any 12 month
period, will be treated as one annuity contract.  Additional limitations on the
use of multiple contracts may be imposed by Treasury Regulations.  Distributions
prior to the Annuitization Date with respect to that portion of the Contract
invested prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of the
investment in the 


                                          32
<PAGE>

Contract as of that date.  A Distribution in excess of the amount of the
investment in the Contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated as taxable
income.

    The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
Non-Qualified Contracts held by entities other than individuals.  Such entities
are taxed currently on the earnings on the Contract which are attributable to
contributions made to the Contract after February 28, 1986.  There are
exceptions for immediate annuities and certain Contracts owned for the benefit
of an individual.  An immediate annuity, for purposes of this discussion, is a
single premium Contract on which payments begin within one year of purchase.  If
this Contract is issued as the result of an exchange described in Section 1035
of the Code, for purposes of determining whether the Contract is an immediate
annuity, it will generally be considered to have been purchased on the purchase
date of the contract given up in the exchange.

    Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty tax, equal to 10% of the 
portion of any Distribution that is includable in gross income, if such 
Distribution is made prior to attaining age 59 1/2.  The penalty tax does not 
apply if the Distribution is attributable to the Contract Owner's death, 
disability or is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments 
made over the life or life expectancy of the Contract Owner (or the joint 
lives or joint life expectancies of the Contract Owner and the beneficiary 
selected by the Contract Owner to receive payment under the Annuity Payment 
Option selected by the Contract Owner) or for the purchase of an immediate 
annuity, or is allocable to an investment in the Contract before August 14, 
1982.  A Contract Owner wishing to begin taking Distributions to which the 
10% tax penalty does not apply should forward a written request to the 
Company.  Upon receipt of a written request from the Contract Owner, the 
Company will inform the Contract Owner of the procedures pursuant to Company 
policy and subject to limitations of the Contract including but not limited 
to first year withdrawals.  Such election shall be irrevocable and may not be 
amended or changed.

    In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Code,
the contract must provide for Distribution of the entire contract to be made
upon the death of a Contract Owner.  If a Contract Owner dies prior to the
Annuitization Date, then the Joint Contract Owner, the Contingent Owner or other
named recipient must receive the Distribution within 5 years of the Contract
Owner's death.  However, the recipient may elect for payments to be made over
his/her life or life expectancy provided that such payments begin within one
year from the death of the Contract Owner.  If the Joint Contract Owner,
Contingent Owner or other named recipient is the surviving spouse, such spouse
may be treated as the Contract Owner and the Contract may be continued
throughout the life of the surviving spouse.  In the event the Contract Owner
dies on or after the Annuitization Date and before the entire interest has been
distributed, the remaining portion must be distributed at least as rapidly as
under the method of Distribution being used as of the date of the Contract
Owner's death (see "Required Distribution For Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered
Annuities").  If the Contract Owner is not an individual, the death of the
Annuitant (or a change in the Annuitant) will result in a Distribution pursuant
to these rules, regardless of whether a Contingent Annuitant is named.

    The Code requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a
lump sum payment must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable
(generally, the election must be made within 60 days after the death of an Owner
or the Annuitant).  If the election is made more than 60 days after the lump sum
first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax purposes, and the
entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate tax.  If the
election is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would be taxable
when it is paid.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS - NON-NATURAL PERSONS AS OWNERS

    The foregoing discussion of the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts applies
to Contracts owned (or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Code, deemed to be
owned) by individuals; it does not apply to Contracts where one or more
non-individuals is an Owner.

    As a general rule, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts,
and similar entities ("Non-Natural Persons"), rather than by one or more
individuals, are not treated as annuity contracts for most purposes under the
Code; in particular, they are not treated as annuity contracts for purposes of
Section 72.  Therefore, the taxation rules for Distributions, as described
above, do not apply to Non-Qualified Contracts owned by Non-Natural Persons. 
Rather, the following rules will apply:

     The income earned under a Non-Qualified Contract that is owned by a
Non-Natural Person is taxed as ordinary income during the taxable year that it
is earned, and is not deferred, even if the income is not distributed out of the
Contract to the Owner.


                                          33
<PAGE>

     The foregoing Non-Natural Person rule does not apply to all entity-owned
contracts.  First, for this purpose, a Contract that is owned by a Non-Natural
Person as an agent for an individual is treated as owned by the individual. 
This exception does not apply, however, to a Non-Natural Person who is an
employer that holds the Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation
arrangement for one or more employees.

     The Non-Natural Person rules also do not apply to a Contract that is (a)
acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent; (b)
issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and individual
retirement plans; (c) used in connection with certain structured settlements;
(d) purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified
retirement plans; or (e) an immediate annuity.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

     The Contract may be purchased as an Individual Retirement Annuity, or a Tax
Sheltered Annuity.  The Contract Owner should seek competent advice as to the
tax consequences associated with the use of a Contract as an Individual
Retirement Annuity.

     For information regarding eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts
of Purchase Payments, and the tax consequences of distributions from Tax
Sheltered Annuities, Individual Retirement Annuities and other plans that
receive favorable tax treatment, the purchasers of such contracts should seek
competent advice.  The terms of such plans may limit the rights available under
the Contracts.

     Pursuant to Section 403(b)(1)(E) Code, a Contract that is issued as a
Tax-Sheltered Annuity is required to limit the amount of the Purchase Payment
for any year to an amount that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section
402(g) of the Code ($7,000), as it is from time to time increased to reflect
increases in the cost of living.  This limit may be reduced by any deposits,
contributions or payments made to any other Tax-Sheltered Annuity or other plan,
contract or arrangement by or on behalf of the Owner.

     The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Qualified Plans to
other Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities.  Most Distributions
from Tax-Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax-Sheltered Annuity,
Individual Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement Account. 
Distributions that may not be rolled over are those which are:

    1.   one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent)
         payments made:  (a) over the life (or life expectancy) of the Contract
         Owner, (b) over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
         Contract Owner and the Contract Owner's designated Beneficiary, or (c)
         for a specified period of ten years or more, or

    2.   a required minimum distribution.

    Any Distribution eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding at a rate of twenty percent (20%) unless the Distribution is
transferred directly to an appropriate plan as described above.

    Individual Retirement Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities may not
provide life insurance benefits.  If the Death Benefit exceeds the greater of
the cash value of the Contract or the sum of all Purchase Payments (less any
surrenders), it is possible the Internal Revenue Service could determine that
the Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity did not
qualify for the desired tax treatment.

WITHHOLDING

     The Company is required to withhold tax from certain Distributions to the
extent that such Distribution would constitute income to the Contract Owner or
other payee.  The Contract Owner or other payee is entitled to elect not to have
federal income tax withheld from any such Distribution, but may be subject to
penalties in the event insufficient federal income tax is withheld during a
calendar year.  However, if the Internal Revenue Service notifies the Company
that the Contract Owner or other payee has furnished an incorrect taxpayer
identification number, or if the Contract Owner or other payee fails to provide
a taxpayer identification number, the Distributions may be subject to back-up
withholding at the statutory rate, which is presently 31%, and which cannot be
waived by the Contract Owner or other payee.

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS

     Distributions to nonresident aliens (NRAs) are generally subject to federal
income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of thirty percent (30%) of
the amount of income that is distributed.  The Company may be required to
withhold such amount from the Distribution and remit it to the Internal Revenue
Service.  Distributions to certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in certain
instances, zero tax and 


                                          34
<PAGE>

withholding  rates, if the United States has entered into an applicable treaty. 
However, in order to obtain the benefits of such treaty provisions, the NRA must
give to the Company sufficient proof of his or her residency and citizenship in
the form and manner prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.  In addition,
for any Distribution made after December 31, 1997, the NRA must obtain an
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, and
furnish that number to the Company prior to the Distribution.  If the Company
does not have the proper proof of citizenship or residency and (for
Distributions after December 31, 1997) a proper Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number prior to any Distribution, the Company will be required to
withhold 30% of the income, regardless of any treaty provision.

    A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes to the Company that such payment is effectively
connected to the recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States
and that such payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United
States federal income tax purposes.  Any such Distributions will be subject to
the rules set forth in the section entitled "Withholding."

FEDERAL ESTATE, GIFT, AND GENERATION SKIPPING TRANSFER TAXES

     A transfer of the Contract from one Contract Owner to another, or the
payment of a Distribution under the Contract to someone other than a Contract
Owner, may constitute a gift for federal gift tax purposes.  Upon the death of
the Contract Owner, the value of the Contract may be included in his or her
gross estate, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

     The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment or Distribution constitutes a "direct skip" as defined in Section
2612 of the Code, and the amount of the generation skipping transfer tax, if
any, resulting from such direct skip.  A direct skip may occur when property is
transferred to, or a Death Benefit or other Distribution is made to (a) an
individual who is two or more generations younger than the Owner; or (b) certain
trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Code (generally, trusts that have no
beneficiaries who are not 2 or more generations younger than the Owner).  If the
Owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only, "Owner" refers to any
person who would be required to include the Contract, Death Benefit,
Distribution, or other payment in his federal gross estate at his death, or who
is required to report the transfer of the Contract, Death Benefit, Distribution,
or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

     If the Company determines that a generation skipping transfer tax is
required to be paid by reason of such direct skip, the Company is required to
reduce the amount of such Death Benefit, Distribution, or other payment by such
tax liability, and pay the tax liability directly to the Internal Revenue
Service.  

     Federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax consequences, and
state and local estate, inheritance, succession, generation skipping transfer,
and other tax consequences, of owning or transferring a Contract, and of
receiving a Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment, depend on the
circumstances of the person owning or transferring the Contract, or receiving a
Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment.

CHARGE FOR TAX PROVISIONS

    The Company is no longer required to maintain a capital gain reserve
liability on Non-Qualified Contracts since capital gains attributable to assets
held in the Company's Variable Account for such Contracts are not taxable to the
Company.  However, the Company reserves the right to implement and adjust the
tax charge in the future, if the tax laws change.

DIVERSIFICATION

    The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code relating to diversification standards for the investments
underlying a variable annuity contract.  The regulations provide that a variable
annuity contract which does not satisfy the diversification standards will not
be treated as an annuity contract, unless the failure to satisfy the regulations
was inadvertent, the failure is corrected, and the Owner or the Company pays an
amount to the Internal Revenue Service.  The amount will be based on the tax
that would have been paid by the Owner if the income, for the period the
contract was not diversified, had been received by the Owner.  If the failure to
diversify is not corrected in this manner, the Owner of an annuity contract will
be deemed the Owner of the underlying securities and will be taxed on the
earnings of his or her account.  The Company believes, under its interpretation
of the Code and regulations thereunder, that the investments underlying this
Contract meet these diversification standards.


                                          35
<PAGE>

    Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time
to time, that the number of underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in
determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax treatment.  No
formal guidance has been issued in this area.  Should the Secretary of the
Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of underlying
Mutual Funds, transfers between underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of underlying
Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of underlying Mutual Funds such
that the Contract would no longer qualify as an annuity under Section 72 of the
Code, the Company will take whatever steps are available to remain in
compliance.

TAX CHANGES

    In the recent past, the Code has been subjected to numerous amendments and
changes, and it is reasonable to believe that it will continue to be revised. 
The United States Congress has, in the past, considered numerous legislative
proposals that, if enacted, could change the tax treatment of the Contracts.  It
is reasonable to believe that such proposals, and other proposals will be
considered in the future, and some of them may be enacted into law.  In
addition, the Treasury Department may amend existing regulations, issue new
regulations, or adopt new interpretations of existing law that may be in
variance with its current positions on these matters.  In addition, current
state law (which is not discussed herein), and future amendments to state law, 
may affect the tax consequences of the Contract.

    The foregoing discussion, which is based on the Company's understanding of
federal tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue
Service, is general and is not intended as tax advice. Statutes, regulations,
and rulings are subject to interpretation by the courts.  The courts may
determine that a different interpretation than the currently favored
interpretation is appropriate, thereby changing the operation of the rules that
are applicable to annuity contracts.

    Any of the foregoing may change from time to time without any notice, and
the tax consequences arising out of a Contract may be changed retroactively. 
There is no way of predicting whether, when, and to what extent any such change
may take place.  No representation is made as to the likelihood of the
continuation of these current laws, interpretations, and policies.

THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL EXPLANATION AS TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS PERTAINING TO
ANNUITY CONTRACTS.  IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE, AND SHOULD NOT
TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

                                 GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

    Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling
1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

    The Company will mail to Contract Owners, at their last known address of
record, any statements and reports required by applicable laws or regulations. 
Contract Owners should therefore give the Company prompt notice of any address
change. The Company will send a confirmation statement to Contract Owners each
time a transaction is made affecting the Owner's Variable Account Contract Value
or allocations made to the Guaranteed Term Options, such as making additional
Purchase Payments, transfers, exchanges or withdrawals.  Quarterly statements
are also mailed detailing the Contract activity during the calendar quarter. 
Instead of receiving an immediate confirmation of transactions made pursuant to
some types of periodic payment plan (such as a dollar cost averaging program) or
salary reduction arrangement, the Contract Owner may receive confirmation of
such transactions in their quarterly statements.  The Contract Owner should
review the information in these statements carefully.  All errors or corrections
must be reported to the Company immediately to assure proper crediting to the
Owner's Contract. The Company will assume all transactions are accurately
reported on quarterly statements or confirmation statements unless the Contract
Owner notifies the Company otherwise within 30 days after receipt of the
statement. The Company will also send to Contract Owners each year an annual
report and a semi-annual report containing financial statements for the Variable
Account, as of December 31 and June 30, respectively.


                                          36
<PAGE>

ADVERTISING

    A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account.  "Yield" is a measure of
the net dividend and interest income earned over a specific seven-day period
(which period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed as a percentage of
the offering price of the Sub-Account's units.  Yield is an annualized figure,
which means that it is assumed that the Sub-Account generates the same level of
net income over a 52-week period.  The "effective yield" is calculated similarly
but includes the effect of assumed compounding, calculated under rules
prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The effective yield will
be slightly higher than yield due to this compounding effect.

    The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of the
Sub-Account of the Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or underlying mutual funds with similar or
different objectives, or the investment industry as a whole.  Other investments
to which the Sub-Accounts may be compared include, but are not limited to: 
precious metals; real estate; stocks and bonds; closed-end funds; CDs; bank
money market deposit accounts and passbook savings; and the Consumer Price
Index.

    The Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account may also be compared to certain
market indexes, which may include, but are not limited to:  S&P 500;
Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index; Shearson/Lehman
Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index; Donoghue Money Fund Average; U.S.
Treasury Note Index; Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2 Year CD Rates; and
Dow Jones Industrial Average.

    Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent tracking
services and publications of general interest including, but not limited to: 
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA/ Wiesenberger, Morningstar, Donoghue's;
magazines such as Money, Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine,
Financial World, Consumer Reports, Business Week, Time, Newsweek, National
Underwriter, U.S. News and World Report; rating services such as LIMRA, Value,
Best's Agent Guide, Western Annuity Guide, Comparative Annuity Reports; and
other publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's Daily,
and Standard & Poor's Outlook.  In addition, Variable Annuity Research & Data
Service (The VARDS Report) is an independent rating service that ranks over 500
variable annuity funds based upon total return performance.  These rating
services and publications rank the performance of the underlying Mutual Funds
against all underlying mutual funds over specified periods and against funds in
specified categories.  The rankings may or may not include the effects of sales
or other charges.

    The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating
services, among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company.  The
purpose of these ratings is to reflect the financial strength or claims-paying
ability of the Company.  The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment
experience or financial strength of the Variable Account.  The Company may
advertise these ratings from time to time.  In addition, the Company may include
in certain advertisements, endorsements in the form of a list of organizations,
individuals or other parties which recommend the Company or the Contracts. 
Furthermore, the Company may occasionally include in advertisements comparisons
of currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

    The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account.  The Company may
advertise for the Sub-Accounts standardized "average annual total return",
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
nonstandardized "total return."  "Average annual total return" will show the
percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for at
least the most recent one, five and ten year period, or for a period covering
the time the underlying Mutual Fund option held in the Sub-Account has been in
existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund option has not been in existence for
one of the prescribed periods.  This calculation reflects the deduction of all
applicable charges made to the Contracts except for premium taxes, which may be
imposed by certain states.

    Nonstandardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner and
for the same time periods as the average annual total return except total return
will assume an initial investment of $10,000 and will not reflect the deduction
of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, which, if reflected, would
decrease the level of performance shown.  The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
is not reflected because the Contracts are 


                                          37
<PAGE>

designed for long term investment.  An assumed initial investment of $10,000
will be used because that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical
Contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized
average annual total return quotations.  The amount of the hypothetical initial
investment assumed affects performance because the Contract Maintenance Charge
is a fixed per Contract charge.

    For those underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for one of the standardized periods,
the nonstandardized total return quotations, which accompany the standardized
total return quotations, will show the investment performance such underlying
Mutual Fund options would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had
they been held as Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for the period
quoted.

    ALL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND COMPARATIVE MATERIAL ADVERTISED BY THE
COMPANY IS HISTORICAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT OR GUARANTEE
FUTURE RESULTS.  A CONTRACT OWNER'S CONTRACT VALUE AT REDEMPTION MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN ORIGINAL COST.
                                  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business to which the Company and the Variable
Account are parties or to which any of their property is the subject.

    The General Distributor, Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., is not engaged
in any litigation of any material nature.

    The Company is a party to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the
ordinary course of its business, none of which is expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Company.

    In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance pricing
and sales practices.  A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial
jury awards or settlements. In February 1997, Nationwide Life was named as a
defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court also related to the sale
of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium" basis (John H. Snyder v.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. and
Nationwide Life Insurance Co.).  The plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to
represent a national class of Nationwide Life policyholders and claims
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.  This lawsuit is in an early
stage and has not been certified as a class action. There can be no assurance
that any litigation relating to pricing and sales practices will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company in the future.

               TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
                                                                            PAGE
General Information and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Underwriters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Calculations of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Annuity Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
    


                                          38
<PAGE>

                                      APPENDIX A

                                    FIXED ACCOUNT

    Purchase Payments under the Fixed Account portion of the Contract and
transfers to the Fixed Account portion become part of the general account of the
Company, which support insurance and annuity obligations. Because of exemptive
and exclusionary provisions, interests in the general account have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act"), nor is the general
account registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940 ("1940 Act"). Accordingly, neither the general account nor any interest
therein are generally subject to the provisions of the 1933 or 1940 Acts, and we
have been advised that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has
not reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus which related to the guaranteed
interest portion. Disclosures regarding the Fixed Account portion of the
Contract and the general account, however, may be subject to certain generally
applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the accuracy
and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.

                              FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

    The Fixed Account is made up of all the general assets of the Company,
other than those in the Variable Account and any other segregated asset account.
Fixed Account Purchase Payments will be allocated to the Fixed Account by
election of the Contract Owner at the time of purchase.

    The Company will invest the assets of the Fixed Account in those assets
chosen by the Company and allowed by applicable law. Investment income from such
Fixed Account assets will be allocated by the Company between itself and the
Contracts participating in the Fixed Account.

    The level of annuity payments made to Annuitants under the Contracts will
not be affected by the mortality experience (death rate) of persons receiving
such payments or of the general population. The Company assumes this "mortality
risk" by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the Contract which cannot be
changed. In addition, the Company guarantees that it will not increase charges
for maintenance of the Contracts regardless of its actual expenses.

    Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to the Company includes
compensation for mortality and expense risks borne by the Company in connection
with Fixed Account Contracts. The amount of such investment income allocated to
the Contracts will vary from year to year in the sole discretion of the Company
at such rate or rates as the Company prospectively declares from time to time.
Any such rate or rates so determined will remain effective for a period of not
less than twelve months, and remain at such rate unless changed. However, the
Company guarantees that it will credit interest at not less than 3.0% per year
(or as otherwise required under state law, or at such minimum rate as stated in
the contract when sold).  ANY INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE
FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3.0% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE SOLE
DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT OWNER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT INTEREST
CREDITED TO FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM GUARANTEE OF
3.0% FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR.  New Purchase Payments deposited to the Contract which
are allocated to the Fixed Account may receive a different rate of interest than
money transferred from the Variable Account Sub-Accounts or Guaranteed Term
Options to the Fixed Account and amounts maturing in the Fixed Account at the
expiration of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period.

    The Company guarantees that, at any time, the Fixed Account Contract Value
will not be less than the amount of the Purchase Payments allocated to the Fixed
Account, plus interest credited as described above, less the sum of all
administrative charges, any applicable premium taxes, and less any amounts
surrendered. If the Contract Owner effects a surrender, the amount available
from the Fixed Account will be reduced by any applicable Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

TRANSFERS

    Contract Owners may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period,
transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable Account or
Guaranteed Term Options. The maximum percentage that may be transferred will be
determined by the Company at its sole discretion, but will not be less than 10%
of the total value of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing and will
be declared upon the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period.  The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a
calendar quarter.  Transfers must be made within 45 days after the expiration
date of the guarantee period.  


                                          39
<PAGE>


Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the Company
(see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.

                         ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-FIXED ACCOUNT

FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

    A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The first Fixed
Annuity payment will be determined by applying the Fixed Account Contract Value
to the applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option
elected. This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday
basis. Fixed Annuity payments after the first will not be less than the first
Fixed Annuity payment.

    The Company does not credit discretionary interest to Fixed Annuity
payments during the annuity payment period for annuity options based on life
contingencies. The Annuitant must rely on the Annuity Tables applicable to the
Contracts to determine the amount of such Fixed Annuity payments.


                                          40
<PAGE>

                                      APPENDIX B

                                           
                        PARTICIPATING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

BELOW ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF EACH UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES OF EACH FUND WILL BE ACHIEVED.

   
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC., A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN 
CENTURY-SM- FAMILY OF INVESTMENTS

American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. was organized as a Maryland
corporation in 1987.  It is a diversified, open-end management investment
company, which offers its shares only as investment vehicles for variable
annuity and variable life insurance products of insurance companies.  American
Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. is managed by American Century Investment
Management, Inc.

    -AMERICAN CENTURY VP INTERNATIONAL

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital growth.  The Fund will seek to achieve its
    investment objective by investing primarily in securities of foreign
    companies that meet certain fundamental and technical standards of
    selection and, in the opinion of the investment manager, have potential for
    appreciation.  Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65%
    of its assets in common stocks or other equity securities of issuers from
    at least three countries outside the United States.  While securities of
    United States issuers may be included in the portfolio from time to time,
    it is the primary intent of the manager to diversify investments across a
    broad range of foreign issuers.  Although the primary investment of the
    Fund will be common stocks (defined to include depository receipts for
    common stocks and other equity equivalents), the Fund may also invest in
    other types of securities consistent with the Fund's objective.  When the
    Fund manager believes that the total capital growth potential of other
    securities equals or exceeds the potential return of common stocks, the
    Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in such other securities.

    -AMERICAN CENTURY VP VALUE

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital growth; income is a secondary
    objective.  Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest at
    least 80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities, including
    common and preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible
    debt obligations.  The equity securities in which the Fund will invest will
    be primarily securities of well-established companies with intermediate to
    large market capitalizations that are believed by the Fund manager to be
    undervalued at the time of purchase.

    -AMERICAN CENTURY VP INCOME & GROWTH

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Dividend growth, current income and capital
    appreciation.  The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
    investing primarily in common stocks.  The investment manager constructs
    the portfolio to match the risk characteristics of the S&P 500 Stock Index
    and then optimizes each portfolio to achieve the desired balance of risk
    and return potential.  This includes targeting a dividend yield that
    exceeds that of the S&P 500.  Such a management technique, known as
    portfolio optimization, may cause the Fund to be more heavily invested in
    some industries than in others.  However, the Fund may not invest more than
    25% of its total assets in companies whose principal business activities
    are in the same industry.

DREYFUS STOCK INDEX FUND, INC.

The Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc., is an open-end, non-diversified, management
investment company.  It was incorporated under Maryland law on January 24, 1989,
and commenced operations on September 29, 1989.  The Dreyfus Corporation
("Dreyfus") serves as the Fund's manager, while Mellon Equity Associates, an
affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the Fund's index manager.  Dreyfus is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Mellon Bank Corporation.

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  To provide investment results that correspond to the
    price and yield performance of publicly traded common stocks, in the
    aggregate, as represented by the Standard & 
    

                                          41
<PAGE>

   
    Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.  The Fund is neither sponsored by
    nor affiliated with Standard & Poor's Corporation.


THE DREYFUS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GROWTH FUND, INC.

The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company.  It was incorporated under Maryland law on July
20, 1992, and commenced operations on October 7, 1993. Dreyfus serves as the
Fund's investment advisor.  NCM Capital Management Group, Inc. serves as the
Fund's sub-investment adviser and provides day-to-day management of the Fund's
portfolio.

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:    Capital growth through equity investment in
    companies that, in the opinion of the Fund's management, not only meet
    traditional investment standards but which also show evidence that they
    conduct their business in a manner that contributes to the enhancement of
    the quality of life in America.  Current income is secondary to the primary
    goal.

DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND

Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund is an open-end, management investment company. 
It was organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 29, 1986 and commenced operations on
August 31, 1990. Dreyfus serves as the investment manager.

    -CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:    Long-term capital growth consistent with the
    preservation of capital; current income is a secondary investment
    objective.  This Portfolio invests primarily in the common stocks of
    domestic and foreign issuers.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund ("Fidelity VIP") is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on November 13, 1981.  Shares of Fidelity VIP are purchased by insurance
companies to fund benefits under variable insurance and annuity policies. 
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the manager for Fidelity VIP
and its portfolios.

    -EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:    Reasonable income by investing primarily in
    income-producing equity securities.  In choosing these securities FMR will
    also consider the potential for capital appreciation.  The Portfolio's goal
    is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the securities
    comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.

    -GROWTH PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation.  This Portfolio will invest in
    the securities of both well-known and established companies, and smaller,
    less-known companies which may have a narrow product line or whose
    securities are thinly traded.  These latter securities will often involve
    greater risk than may be found in the ordinary investment security.  FMR's
    analysis and expertise plays an integral role in the selection of
    securities and, therefore, the performance of the Portfolio.  Many
    securities which FMR  believes would have the greatest potential may be
    regarded as speculative, and investment in the Portfolio may involve
    greater risk than is inherent in other underlying mutual funds.  It is also
    important to point out that the Portfolio makes sense for you if can afford
    to ride out changes in the stock market because the Portfolio invests
    primarily in common stocks.  FMR can also make temporary investments in
    securities such as investment-grade bonds, high-quality preferred stocks
    and short-term notes, for defensive purposes when it believes market
    conditions warrant.

    -HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  High level of current income by investing primarily
    in high-risk, lower-rated, high-yielding, fixed-income securities, while
    also considering growth of capital.  FMR will seek high current income
    normally by investing the Portfolio's assets as follows:

    -    at least 65% in income-producing debt securities and preferred stocks,
         including convertible securities
    


                                          42
<PAGE>

   
    -    up to 20% in common stocks and other equity securities when consistent
         with the Portfolio's primary objective or acquired as part of a unit
         combining fixed-income and equity securities.

    Higher yields are usually available on securities that are lower-rated or
    that are unrated.  Lower-rated securities are usually defined as Ba or
    lower by Moody's; BB or lower by Standard & Poor's and may be deemed to be
    speculative in nature.  The Portfolio may also purchase lower-quality bonds
    such as those rated Ca3 by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or
    C- by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") which provide poor protection
    for payment of principal and interest (commonly referred to as "junk
    bonds").  For a further discussion of lower-rated securities, please see
    the "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" section of the Portfolio's
    prospectus.

    -OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital growth primarily through
    investments in foreign securities.  This Portfolio provides a means for
    investors to diversify their own portfolios by participating in companies
    and economies outside the United States.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS II

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II ("Fidelity VIP II") is an
open-end, diversified, management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on March 21, 1988.  Fidelity VIP II's shares are
purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable insurance and
annuity policies.  FMR is the manager of Fidelity VIP II and its portfolios.

    -CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation by investing primarily in
    companies that FMR believes to be undervalued due to an overly pessimistic
    appraisal by the public.  This strategy can lead to investments in domestic
    or foreign companies, small and large, many of which may not be well known. 
    The Portfolio primarily invests in common stock and securities convertible
    into common stock, but it has the flexibility to invest in any type of
    security that may produce capital appreciation.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III ("Fidelity VIP III") is an
open-end, diversified, management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on July 14, 1994.  Fidelity VIP III's shares are
purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable life insurance
and annuity contracts.  FMR is the manager for Fidelity VIP III and its
portfolios.

    -GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO:  SERVICE CLASS

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital growth by investing primarily in common
    stocks and securities convertible into common stocks.  The Portfolio, under
    normal conditions, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
    securities of companies that FMR believes have long-term growth potential. 
    Although the Portfolio invests primarily in common stock and securities
    convertible into common stock, it has the ability to purchase other
    securities, such as preferred stock and bonds, that may produce capital
    growth.  The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities without limitation.

MORGAN STANLEY UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc.  is a mutual fund designed to provide
investment vehicles for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies and for certain tax-qualified investors.  Its Emerging Markets Debt
Portfolio is managed by Morgan Stanley Asset Management, Inc.

    -EMERGING MARKETS DEBT PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  High total return by investing primarily in
    dollar-and non-dollar denominated fixed income securities of government and
    government-related issuers located in emerging market countries, which
    securities provide a high level of current income, while at the same time
    holding the potential for capital appreciation if the perceived
    creditworthiness of the issuer improves due to improving economic,
    financial, political, social or other conditions in the country in which
    the issuer is located.
    


                                          43
<PAGE>

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

Nationwide Separate Account Trust ("NSAT") is a diversified, open-end management
investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts.  NSAT offers shares
in the mutual funds listed below, each with its own investment objectives. 
Shares of NSAT will be sold primarily to life insurance company separate
accounts to fund the benefits under variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts.  The assets of the Trust are managed by Nationwide
Advisory Services, Inc., ("NAS") a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company.

    -CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term growth by primarily investing in a
    diversified portfolio of the common stock of companies which NAS determines
    have better-than-average potential for sustained capital growth over the
    long term.

    -GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  As high level of income as is consistent with the
    preservation of capital by investing in a diversified portfolio of
    securities issued or backed by the United States government, its agencies
    or instrumentalities.

    -MONEY MARKET FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  As high a level of current income as is considered
    consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by investing
    primarily in money market instruments.

    -TOTAL RETURN FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital growth by investing in common stocks of
    companies that NAS believes will have above-average earnings or otherwise
    provide investors with above-average potential for capital appreciation. 
    To maximize this potential,  NAS may also utilize, from time to time,
    securities convertible into common stocks, warrants and options to purchase
    such stocks.

   
                             SUBADVISED NATIONWIDE FUNDS

    -NATIONWIDE BALANCED FUND

    SUBADVISER:  SALOMON BROTHERS ASSET MANAGMENT, INC.

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Primarily seeks above average income compared to a
    portfolio entirely invested in equity securities.  The Fund's secondary
    objective is to take advantage of opportunities for growth of capital and
    income.  The Fund seeks its objective primarily through investments in a
    broad variety of securities, including equity securities, fixed-income
    securites and short term obligations.  Under normal market conditions, it
    is anticipated that the Fund will invest at least 40% of the Fund's total
    assets in equity securities and at least 25% in fixed-income senior
    securities.  The Fund's subadviser, Salomon Brothers Asset Management,
    Inc., will have discretion to invest in the full range of maturities of
    fixed-income securities.  Generally, most of the Fund's long-term debt
    investments will consist of "investment grade" securities; but the Fund may
    invest up to 20% of its net assets in non-convertible fixed-income
    securities rated below investment grade or determined by the subadviser to
    be of comparable quality.  These securities are commonly known as junk
    bonds.  In addition, the Fund may invest an unlimited amount in convertible
    securities rated below investment grade.

    -NATIONWIDE EQUITY INCOME FUND

    SUBADVISER:  FEDERATED INVESTMENT COUNSELING

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Seeks above average income and capital appreciation
    by investing at least 65% of its assets in income-producing equity
    securities.  Such equity securities include common stocks, preferred
    stocks, and securities (including debt securities) that are convertible
    into common stocks.  The portion of the Fund's total assets invested in
    each type of equity security will vary according to the Fund's subadviser's
    assessment of market, economic conditions and outlook.
    


                                          44
<PAGE>
   
    -NATIONWIDE GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

    SUBADVISER:  J. P. MORGAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. 

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  To  provide high total return from a globally
    diversified portfolio of equity securities. Total return will consist of
    income plus realized and unrealized capital gains and losses.  The Fund
    seeks its investment objective through country allocation, stock selection
    and management of currency exposure. Under normal market conditions, J.P.
    Morgan Investment Management Inc., intends to keep the Fund essentially
    fully invested with at least 65% of the value of its total assets in equity
    securities consisting of common stocks and other securities with equity
    characteristics such as preferred stocks, warrants, rights, convertible
    securities, trust certificates, limited partnership interests and equity
    participations.  The Fund's primary equity instruments are the common stock
    of companies based in the developed countries around the world.  The assets
    of the Fund will ordinarily be invested in the securities of at least five
    different countries. 

    -NATIONWIDE HIGH INCOME BOND FUND

    SUBADVISER:  FEDERATED INVESTMENT COUNSELING

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Seeks to provide high current income by investing
    primarily in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed
    income securities.  To meet its objective, the Fund intends to invest at
    least 65% of its assets in lower-rated fixed income securities such as
    preferred stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, equipment lease certificates
    and equipment trust certificates which are rated BBB or lower by S & P or
    Fitch Investors Service or Baa or lower by Moody's (or if not rated, are
    determined by the Fund's subadviser to be of a comparable quality).  Such
    investments are commonly referred to as "junk bonds."  For a further
    discussion of lower-rated securities,  please see the "High Yield
    Securities" section of the Fund's prospectus.

    -NATIONWIDE MULTI SECTOR BOND FUND


    SUBADVISER:  SALOMON BROTHERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. WITH SALOMON BROTHERS
    ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Primarily seeks a high level of current income. 
    Capital appreciation is a secondary objective.  The Fund seeks to achieve
    its objectives by investing in a globally diverse portfolio of fixed-income
    investments and by giving the subadviser, Salomon Brothers Asset
    Management, Inc., broad discretion to deploy the Fund's assets among
    certain segments of the fixed-income market that the subadviser believes
    will best contribute to achievement of the Fund's investment objectives. 
    The Fund reserves the right to invest predominantly in securities rated in
    medium or lower categories, or as determined by the subadviser to be of
    comparable quality, commonly referred to as "junk bonds."  Although the
    subadviser has the ability to invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in
    lower-rated securities, the subadviser does not anticipate investing in
    excess of 75% of the Fund's assets in such securities.  The Subadviser has
    entered into a subadvisory agreement with its London based affiliate,
    Salomon Brothers Asset management Limited, pursuant to which the Subadviser
    has delegated to Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited responsibility
    for management of the Fund's investments in non-dollar denominated debt
    securities and currency transactions.

    -NATIONWIDE SELECT ADVISERS MID CAP FUND

    SUBADVISERS: FIRST PACIFIC ADVISORS, INC., PILGRIM BAXTER & ASSOCIATES,
    LTD., AND RICE, HALL, JAMES & ASSOCIATES

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation by investing primarily in
    equity securities of medium-sized companies (market capitalization between
    $500 million and $7 billion); under normal market conditions, the Fund will
    invest in equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock and
    securities convertible into common stocks, including convertible preferred
    stock and convertible bonds.  NAS has chosen the Fund's subadvisers because
    they utilize a number of different investment styles.  In utilizing these
    different styles, NAS hopes to increase prospects for investment return and
    to reduce market risk and volatility.
    


                                          45
<PAGE>
   
    -NATIONWIDE SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

    SUBADVISER:  THE DREYFUS CORPORATION

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation through investment in a
    diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies with a median
    market capitalization of approximately $1 billion.  Under normal market
    conditions, at least 75% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
    equity securities of companies with market capitalizations at the time of
    purchase of between $200 million and $2.5 billion.  The Fund will invest in
    equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers characterized as "value"
    companies according to criteria established by Dreyfus, the Fund's
    subadviser.

    -NATIONWIDE SMALL COMPANY FUND 

    SUBADVISERS:  DREYFUS CORPORATION, NEUBERGER & BERMAN, L.P., PICTET
    INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED WITH VAN ECK ASSOCIATES CORPORATION,
    STRONG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND WARBURG PINCUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. 

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term growth of capital by investing primarily
    in equity securities of domestic and foreign companies with market
    capitalizations of less than $1 billion at the time of purchase. The
    subadvisers were chosen because they utilize a number of different
    investment styles when investing in small company stocks.  By utilizing
    different investment styles, NAS hopes to increase prospects for investment
    return and to reduce market risk and volatility.

    -NATIONWIDE STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

    SUBADVISER:  STRONG CAPITAL MANAGMENT INC.

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital growth by investing primarily in equity
    securities that the Fund's subadviser believes have above-average growth
    prospects.  The Fund will generally invest in companies whose earnings are
    believed to be in a relatively strong growth trend, and to a lesser extent,
    in companies in which significant further growth is not anticipated but
    whose market value is thought to be undervalued   Under normal market
    conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in equity
    securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities
    convertible into common or preferred stocks, such as warrants and
    convertible bonds.  The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
    debt obligations, including intermediate- to long-term corporate or U.S.
    Government debt securities.

    -NATIONWIDE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND

    SUBADVISER:  STRONG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC./SCHAFER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC.

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Primarily long-term capital appreciation; current
    income is a secondary objective.  The Fund seeks to meet its objectives by
    investing in securities which are believed to offer the possibility of
    increase in value, primarily common stocks of established companies having
    a strong financial position and a low stock market valuation at the time of
    purchase in relation to investment value.  Other than considered
    appropriate for cash reserves, the Fund will generally maintain a fully
    invested position in common stocks of publicly held companies, primarily in
    stocks of companies listed on a national securities exchange or other
    equity securities (common stock or securities convertible into common
    stock).  Investments may also be made in debt securities which are
    convertible into common stocks and in warrants or other rights to purchase
    common stock, which in such case are considered equity securities by the
    Fund.  Strong Capital Management, Inc. has subcontracted with Schafer
    Capital Management, Inc. to subadvise the Fund.

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust ("N & B AMT") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company consisting of several series.  Shares
of the series of N & B AMT are offered in connection with certain variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued through life
insurance company separate accounts and are also offered directly to qualified
pension and retirement plans outside of the separate account context.

The Guardian, Partners and Mid-Cap Portfolios of N & B AMT invest all of their
investable assets in a corresponding series of Advisers Managers Trust managed
by Neuberger & Berman Management Incorporated 
    

                                          46
<PAGE>

   
("N & B Management"). Each series then invests in securities in accordance with
an investment objective, policies and limitations identical to those of the
Portfolio.  This "master/feeder fund" structure is different from that of many
other investment companies which directly acquire and manage their own
portfolios of securities. (For more information regarding "master/feeder fund"
structure, see "Special Information Regarding Organization, Capitalization, and
Other Matters" in the underlying mutual fund prospectus.)The investment advisor
is N & B Management.

    -AMT GUARDIAN PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: Capital appreciation and secondarily, current income. 
    The Portfolio and its corresponding series seek to achieve these objectives
    by investing in common stocks of long-established, high-quality companies.
    N & B Management uses a value-oriented investment approach in selecting
    securities, looking for low price-to-earnings ratios, strong balance
    sheets, solid management, and consistent earnings.

    -AMT MID-CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation by investing in equity
    securities of medium-sized companies that N & B Management believes have
    the potential for long-term, above-average capital appreciation. 
    Medium-sized companies have market capitalizations form $300 million to $10
    billion at the time of investment.  The Portfolio and its corresponding
    series may invest up to 10% of its net assets, measured at the time of
    investment, in corporate debt securities that are below investment grade
    or, if unrated, deemed by N & B Management to be of comparable quality. 
    Securities that are below investment grade, as well as unrated securities,
    are often considered to be speculative and usually entail greater risk.  As
    part of the Portfolio's investment strategy, the Portfolio may invest up to
    20% of its net assets in securities of issuers organized and doing business
    principally outside the United States.  This limitation does not apply with
    respect to foreign securities that are denominated in U.S. dollars.

    -AMT PARTNERS PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital growth by investing in the common stock of
    established companies.  Its investment program seeks securities believed to
    be undervalued based on fundamentals such as low price-to-earnings ratios,
    consistent cash flows, and the company's track record through all parts of
    the market cycle.

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS

The Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds is an open-end, diversified management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1984.  Shares
of the Funds are sold only to provide benefits under variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts.  OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is the
investment adviser.

    -OPPENHEIMER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation by investing in "growth-type"
    companies.  Such companies are believed to have relatively favorable
    long-term prospects for increasing demand for their goods or services, or
    to be developing new products, services or markets, and normally retain a
    relatively larger portion of their earnings for research, development and
    investment in capital assets.  The Fund may also invest in cyclical
    industries in "special situations" that OppenheimerFunds, Inc. believes
    present opportunities for capital growth.

    -OPPENHEIMER GROWTH & INCOME FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  High total return, which includes growth in the
    value of its shares as well as current income from equity and debt
    securities.  In seeking its investment objectives, the Fund may invest in
    equity and debt securities.  Equity investments will include common stocks,
    preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants.  Debt investments
    will include bonds, participation interests, asset backed securities,
    private-label mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, zero coupon securities
    and U.S. debt obligations, and cash and cash equivalents.  From time to
    time, the Fund may focus on small to medium capitalization issuers, the
    securities of which may be subject to greater price volatility than those
    of larger capitalized issuers.
    


                                          47
<PAGE>
   
    -OPPENHEIMER GROWTH FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Capital appreciation by investing in securities of
    well-known established companies.  Such securities generally have a history
    of earnings and dividends and are issued by seasoned companies (companies
    which have an operating history of at least five years including
    predecessors).  Current income is a secondary consideration in the
    selection of the Fund's portfolio securities.

VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust ("Van Eck Trust") is an open-end management
investment company organized as a business trust under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 7, 1987.  Shares of Van Eck Trust are
offered only to separate accounts of various insurance companies to fund the
benefits of variable insurance and annuity policies.  The investment advisor and
manager is Van Eck Associates Corporation.

    -WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital appreciation by investing in
    equity securities in emerging markets around the world.  The Fund
    emphasizes primarily investment in countries that, compared to the world's
    major economies, exhibit relatively low gross national product per capita,
    as well as the potential for rapid economic growth.  Peregrine Asset
    Management (Hong Kong) Limited serves as sub-investment advisor to this
    Fund.

    -WORLDWIDE HARD ASSETS FUND

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital appreciation by investing
    primarily in "Hard Asset Securities."  For the Fund's purpose, "Hard
    Assets" are real estate, energy, timber and industrial and precious metals. 
    Income is a secondary consideration.

VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST

The Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust is an open-end,
diversified management investment company organized as a Delaware business
trust.  Shares are offered in separate portfolios which are sold only to
insurance companies to provide funding for variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts.  Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc.
serves as the investment adviser.

    -MORGAN STANLEY REAL ESTATE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital growth by investing principally in
    a diversified portfolio of securities of companies operating in the real
    estate industry ("Real Estate Securities").  Current income is a secondary
    consideration.  Real Estate Securities include equity securities, including
    common stocks and convertible securities, as well as non-convertible
    preferred stocks and debt securities of real estate industry companies.  A
    "real estate industry company" is a company that derives at least 50% of
    its assets (marked to market), gross income or net profits, from the
    ownership, construction, management or sale of residential, commercial or
    industrial real estate.  Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of
    the Portfolio's total assets will be invested in Real Estate Securities,
    primarily equity securities of real estate investment trusts.  The
    Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities issued by
    foreign issuers, some or all of which may also be Real Estate Securities.

WARBURG PINCUS TRUST

The Warburg Pincus Trust is an open-end, management investment company organized
in March 1995 as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.  It offers shares to insurance companies for allocation to
separate accounts for the purpose of funding variable annuity and variable life
contracts.  Portfolios are managed by Warburg, Pincus Asset Management, Inc.
("Warburg")

    -GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:    Long-term growth of capital and income by
    investing primarily in dividend-paying equity securities.  Under normal
    market conditions, the Portfolio will invest substantially all of its
    assets in equity securities that Warburg considers to be relatively
    undervalued based upon research and analysis, taking into account factors
    such as price/earnings ratio, price/book ratio, price/cash flow 
    

                                          48
<PAGE>

   
    ratio, earnings growth, debt/capital ratio and multiples of earnings of
    comparable securities.  Although the Portfolio may hold securities of any
    size, it currently expects to focus on companies with market
    capitalizations of $1 billion or greater at the time of initial purchase.

    -INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term capital appreciation by investing
    primarily in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of
    companies, wherever organized, that in the judgment of Counsellors have
    their principal business activities and interest outside the United States. 
    The Portfolio will ordinarily invest substantially all of its assets, but
    no less than 65% of its total assets, in common stocks, warrants and
    securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks.  The
    Portfolio intends to invest principally in the securities of financially
    strong companies with opportunities for growth within growing international
    economies and markets through increased earning power and improved
    utilization or recognition of assets.

    -POST-VENTURE CAPITAL PORTFOLIO

    INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:  Long-term growth of capital by investing primarily
    in equity securities of issuers in their post-venture capital stage of
    development and pursues an aggressive investment strategy.  Under normal
    market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at least 65% of its total
    assets in equity securities of "post-venture capital companies."  A
    post-venture capital company is one that has received venture capital
    financing either:  (a) during the early stages of the company's existence
    or the early stages of the development of a new product or service; or (b)
    as part of a restructuring or recapitalization of the company.  The
    Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its assets in venture capital and other
    investment funds.
    


                                          49



<PAGE>

                         STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                   OCTOBER 27, 1997

        MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED BY
                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 
                      THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9

    This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated October 27, 1997. 
The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing
P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD
1-800-238-3035.

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE
General Information and History................................................1
Services.......................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered...........................................1
Underwriters...................................................................2
Calculations of Performance....................................................2
Annuity Payments...............................................................3
Financial Statements...........................................................4

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

    The Nationwide Variable Account-9 is a separate investment account of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Company").  The Company is a member of the
Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the Company's common stock is owned
by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding company.  NFS has two
classes of common stock outstanding with different voting rights enabling
Nationwide Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding Class B Common
Stock) to control NFS.  Nationwide Corporation is a holding company, as well. 
All of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.3%)
and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%), the ultimate controlling
persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise.  The Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
is one of America's largest insurance and financial services family of
companies, with combined assets of over $67.5 billion as of December 31, 1996.

SERVICES

    The Company, which has responsibility for administration of the Contracts
and the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer
identification number, and other pertinent information for each Contract Owner
and the number and type of Contract issued to each such Contract Owner and
records with respect to the Contract Value of each Contract.

    The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The
Company will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying Mutual Funds.  The Company, or affiliates of the Company may have
entered into agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for
several of the underlying Mutual Funds.  The agreements relate to administrative
services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and provide for
an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the Variable Account
(and other separate accounts of the Company or life insurance company
subsidiaries of the Company) invested in particular underlying Mutual Funds. 
These fees in no way affect the net asset value of the underlying Mutual Funds
or fees paid by the Contract Owner.

    The audited financial statement has been included herein in reliance upon
the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants,
Two Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.

PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

    The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where
the Contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered
representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD").

                                          13
<PAGE>

    The Contract Owner may transfer up to 100% of the Contract Value from the
Variable Account to the Fixed Account. However, the Company, at its sole
discretion, reserves the right to limit such transfers to 25% of the Contract
Value for any 12 month period. Contract Owners may at the maturity of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period transfer a portion of the Contract Value of the
Fixed Account to the Variable Account. Such portion will be determined by the
Company at its sole discretion (but will not be less than 10% of the total value
of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing), and will be declared upon
the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period.  The
Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a calendar quarter. 
The Company reserves the right to refuse transfers or Purchase Payments into the
Fixed Account if the Fixed Account is greater than or equal to 30% of the total
Contract Value.  Transfers under this provision must be made within 45 days
after the termination date of the guarantee period.  Owners who have entered
into a Dollar Cost Averaging agreement with the Company may transfer from the
Fixed Account under the terms of that agreement.

    Transfers from the Fixed and Variable Accounts may not be made prior to the
first Contract Anniversary.  Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made
within 12 months of any prior Transfer.  Transfers must also be made prior to
the Annuitization Date.

UNDERWRITERS

    The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio
43216, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, no underwriting commissions were paid by the
Company to NAS.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

    Any current yield quotations of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money
Market Fund Sub-Account, subject to Rule 482 of the Securities Act of 1933,
shall consist of a seven calendar day historical yield, carried at least to the
nearest hundredth of a percent.  The yield shall be calculated by determining
the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of hypothetical
pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation unit at the beginning
of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from
Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change in account value by the
value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain a base period
return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7) or (366/7) in a leap
year. The effective yield is computed similarly but includes the effect of
assumed compounding on an annualized basis of the current unit value yield
quotations of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund.

    The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account's yield
and effective yield will fluctuate daily.  Actual yields will depend on factors
such as the type of instruments in the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money
Market Fund's portfolio, portfolio quality and average maturity, changes in
interest rates, and the Fund's expenses.  Although the Sub-Account determines
its yield on the basis of a seven calendar day period, it may use a different
time period on occasion.  The yield quotes may reflect the expense limitation
described "Investment Manager and Other Services" in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.  There is no assurance that the yields quoted on any
given occasion will remain in effect for any period of time and there is no
guarantee that the net asset values will remain constant.  It should be noted
that a Contract Owner's investment in the Nationwide Separate Account Trust
Money Market Fund Sub-Account is not guaranteed or insured.  Yield of other
money market funds may not be comparable if a different base period or another
method of calculation is used.

    All performance advertising shall also include quotations of standardized
average annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to facilitate
comparison with standardized Average annual total return advertised for a
specific period is found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
each of the Sub-Accounts' units on the first day of the period at the offering
price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value per unit ("initial investment") and
computing the ending redeemable value ("redeemable value") of that investment at
the end of the period.  The redeemable value is then divided by the initial
investment and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N represents the number
of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the result which is then
expressed as a percentage, carried to at least the nearest hundredth of a
percent.  Standardized average annual total return reflects the deduction of a
0.95% Mortality Charge and Expense Risk Charge and 0.10% deduction for Rider
Option 2.  The redeemable value also reflects the effect of any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge 

                                          14
<PAGE>

that may be imposed at the end of the period (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge" located in the prospectus).  No deduction is made for premium taxes
which may be assessed by certain states.  Nonstandardized total return may also
be advertised, and is calculated in a manner similar to standardized average
annual total return except the nonstandardized total return is based on a
hypothetical initial investment of $25,000 and does not reflect the deduction of
any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.  Reflecting the Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge would decrease the level of the performance advertised. 
The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is not reflected because the Contract is
designed for long term investment.  An assumed initial investment of $25,000
will be used because that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical
Contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized
average annual total return quotations.

    The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total
return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar quarter
preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for publication.  Both
the standardized average annual return and the nonstandardized total return will
be based on rolling calendar quarters and will cover periods of one, five, and
ten years, or a period covering the time the underlying Mutual Fund option held
in the Sub-Account has been in existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund option
has not been in existence for one of the prescribed periods.  For those
underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the standardized average
annual total return and nonstandardized total return quotations will show the
investment performance such underlying Mutual Fund options would have achieved
(reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for the period quoted.

    Quotations of standardized average annual total return and non-standardized
total return are based upon historical earnings and will fluctuate.  Any
quotation of performance, therefore, would not be considered a guarantee of
future performance.  Factors affecting a Sub-Account's performance include
general market conditions, operating expenses and investment management.  A
Contract Owner's account when redeemed may be more or less than original cost.

    ANNUITY PAYMENTS

         See "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments" located in the
    prospectus .

                                          15
<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors 
Nationwide Life Insurance Company 


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide 
Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company) as of 
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of 
income, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 31, 1996.  These consolidated financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial 
statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above 
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Nationwide Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 
and 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each 
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity 
with generally accepted accounting principles.

In 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, 
ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES.

                                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997



<PAGE>


             NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      
                        Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                      
                         December 31, 1996 and 1995
                              ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Assets                                                  1996                1995
                                         ------                                               -----------        -----------
<S>                                                                                           <C>                <C>
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9):                                                                                    
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:                                                                   
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $11,970,878 in 1996; $11,862,556 in 1995)               $12,304,639         12,485,564
      Equity securities (cost $43,890 in 1996; $23,617 in 1995)                                    59,131             29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                           5,272,119          4,602,764
   Real estate, net                                                                               265,759            229,442
   Policy loans                                                                                   371,816            336,356
   Other long-term investments                                                                     28,668             61,989
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                                 4,789             32,792
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                               18,306,921         17,778,860
                                                                                              -----------        -----------

Cash                                                                                               43,784              9,455
Accrued investment income                                                                         210,182            212,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                               1,366,509          1,020,356
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (notes 1 and 2)                  485,707            506,677
Other assets (note 6)                                                                             426,441            388,214
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                      26,926,702         18,591,108
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                              $47,766,246         38,507,633
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                          Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity                                                     
                          ------------------------------------
Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                             $17,179,060         16,358,614
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                             361,401            348,027
Other policyholder funds                                                                           60,073             65,297
Accrued federal income tax (note 7):                                                                               
   Current                                                                                         30,170             35,301
   Deferred                                                                                       162,212            246,627
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                                  192,382            281,928
                                                                                              -----------        -----------

Dividend payable to shareholder (notes 1 and 2)                                                   485,707                -  
Other liabilities                                                                                 423,047            234,147
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                              26,926,702         18,591,108
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                               45,628,372         35,879,121
                                                                                              -----------        -----------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 15)
 
Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13):                                                                   
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and                                          
      outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                                  3,815              3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                     527,874            657,118
   Retained earnings                                                                            1,432,593          1,583,275
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                         173,592            384,304
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                                2,137,874          2,628,512
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                              $47,766,246         38,507,633
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                              -----------        -----------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>

             NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                
                    Consolidated Statements of Income
                                                                
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                           ($000's omitted)
                                                                

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1996            1995             1994
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenues (note 16):                                                                                                     
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges        $  400,902          286,534         217,245
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                              198,642          199,106         176,658
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 1,357,759        1,294,033       1,210,811
   Realized losses on investments (note 5)                                             (326)          (1,724)        (16,527)
   Other income                                                                      35,861           20,702          11,312
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                  1,992,838        1,798,651       1,599,499
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------

Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            1,160,580        1,115,493         992,667
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)        40,973           39,937          38,754
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                133,394           82,695          85,568
   Other operating expenses (note 13)                                               342,394          272,954         240,652
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                  1,677,341        1,511,079       1,357,641
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
      Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense           315,497          287,572         241,858
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                                                        
Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):                                                                          
   Current                                                                          116,512           88,700          73,559
   Deferred                                                                          (5,623)          11,108           5,030
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                    110,889           99,808          78,589
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
      Income from continuing operations                                             204,608          187,764         163,269
                                                                                                                        
Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense of                                                 
   $4,453, $7,446 and $10,915 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively) (note 2)         11,324           24,714          20,459
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                                                        
      Net income                                                                 $  215,932          212,478         183,728
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
                                                                                 ----------       ----------       ---------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>
                                                                                
                     NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                
                       Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity
                                                                
                        Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                      ($000's omitted)
                                                                

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Unrealized
                                                                                               gains (losses)
                                                                Additional                      on securities        Total
                                                    Capital       paid-in       Retained       available-for-    shareholder's
                                                    shares        capital       earnings          sale, net         equity
                                                    -------     ----------      ---------      --------------    -------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>              <C>
1994:                                                                                                              
   Balance, beginning of year                       $3,815        406,089       1,194,519            6,745         1,611,168
   Capital contribution                                -          200,000             -                -             200,000
   Net income                                          -              -           183,728              -             183,728
   Adjustment for change in accounting for                                                                         
      certain investments in debt and equity                                                                       
      securities, net (note 4)                         -              -               -            212,553           212,553
   Unrealized losses on securities available-                                                                      
      for-sale, net                                    -              -               -           (338,971)         (338,971)
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815        606,089       1,378,247         (119,673)        1,868,478
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------

1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815        606,089       1,378,247         (119,673)        1,868,478
   Capital contribution (note 13)                      -           51,029             -             (4,111)           46,918
   Dividends to shareholder                            -              -            (7,450)             -              (7,450)
   Net income                                          -              -           212,478              -             212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-                                                                       
      for-sale, net                                    -              -               -            508,088           508,088
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815        657,118       1,583,275          384,304         2,628,512
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------

1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815        657,118       1,583,275          384,304         2,628,512
   Capital contribution (note 13)                      -               25               5              -                  30
   Dividends to shareholder                            -         (129,269)       (366,619)         (39,819)         (535,707)
   Net income                                          -              -           215,932              -             215,932
   Unrealized losses on securities available-                                                                      
      for-sale, net                                    -              -               -           (170,893)         (170,893)
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815        527,874       1,432,593          173,592         2,137,874
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
                                                    ------        -------       ---------         ---------        ----------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>

                NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                                 
                   Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
                                                                 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1996           1995            1994
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                 $  215,932        212,478         183,728
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating                                           
      activities:
         Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                    (422,572)      (321,327)       (242,431)
         Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                       133,394         82,695          85,568
         Amortization and depreciation                                             6,962         10,234           3,603
         Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                            (284)         3,250          16,094
         Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)                             7,603        (30,673)          9,946
         Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                          2,781        (16,999)        (12,808)
         (Increase) decrease in other assets                                     (38,876)        39,880        (102,676)
         Increase in policy liabilities                                          305,755        135,937         118,361
         Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                        13,374         12,639          15,298
         (Decrease) increase in accrued federal income tax payable                (5,131)        30,836          (5,714)
         Increase in other liabilities                                           188,900         26,851             506
         Other, net                                                              (61,679)         1,832         (29,595)
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
            Net cash provided by operating activities                            346,159        187,633          39,880
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                              
   Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                     1,162,766        634,553         544,843
   Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                           299,558        107,345         228,308
   Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity              -          564,450         491,862
   Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                     309,050        207,832         190,574
   Proceeds from sale of real estate                                              18,519         48,331          46,713
   Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets     22,795         53,587         120,506
   Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                             (1,573,640)    (1,942,413)     (1,816,370)
   Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                       -         (593,636)       (410,379)
   Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                               (972,776)      (796,026)       (471,570)
   Cost of real estate acquired                                                   (7,862)       (10,928)         (6,385)
   Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                        (57,740)       (75,910)        (65,302)
   Short-term investments, net                                                    28,003         77,837         (89,376)
   Purchase of affiliate (note 13)                                                   -              -          (155,000)
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
            Net cash used in investing activities                               (771,327)    (1,724,978)     (1,391,576)
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                              
   Proceeds from capital contributions                                                30            -           200,000
   Dividends paid to shareholder                                                 (50,000)        (7,450)            -     
   Increase in investment product and universal life insurance                                                     
      product account balances                                                 2,293,933      2,809,385       3,547,976
   Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance                                                     
      product account balances                                                (1,784,466)    (1,258,758)     (2,412,595)
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
            Net cash provided by financing activities                            459,497      1,543,177       1,335,381
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                   34,329          5,832         (16,315)

Cash, beginning of year                                                            9,455          3,623          19,938
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
Cash, end of year                                                             $   43,784          9,455           3,623
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
                                                                              ----------      ---------       ---------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>

           NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    
               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                    
                    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                            ($000's omitted)

(1)  ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

     Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned
     subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.).  Wholly
     owned subsidiaries of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity
     Insurance Company (NLAIC), Employers Life Insurance Company of
     Wausau and subsidiaries (ELICW), National Casualty Company (NCC),
     West Coast Life Insurance Company (WCLIC), Nationwide Advisory
     Services, Inc. (formerly Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.),
     Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (formerly PEBSCO
     Securities Corporation) (NISC) and NWE, Inc.  NLIC and its
     subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."
     
     Nationwide Corp. formed Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS)
     in November 1996 as a holding company for NLIC and the other
     companies of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer or
     distribute long-term savings and retirement products.  On January
     27, 1997, Nationwide Corp. contributed to NFS the common stock of
     NLIC and three marketing and distribution companies.  NFS is
     planning an initial public offering of its Class A common stock
     during the first quarter of 1997.
     
     In anticipation of the restructuring described above, on September
     24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend payable
     January 1, 1997 to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding
     shares of common stock of certain subsidiaries (ELICW, NCC and
     WCLIC) that do not offer or distribute long-term savings and
     retirement products.  In addition, during 1996, NLIC entered into
     two reinsurance agreements whereby all of NLIC's accident and
     health and group life insurance business was ceded to ELICW and
     another affiliate effective January 1, 1996.  These subsidiaries
     and all accident and health and group life insurance business have
     been accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods
     presented.  See notes 2 and 13.
     
     In addition, as part of the restructuring described above, NLIC
     intends to make an $850,000 distribution to NFS which will then
     make an equivalent distribution to Nationwide Corp.
     
     The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and
     retirement products to retail and institutional customers and is
     subject to competition from other financial services providers
     throughout the United States.  The Company is subject to regulation
     by the Insurance Departments of states in which it is licensed, and
     undergoes periodic examinations by those departments.
     
     The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
     life insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

          LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal or
          regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create
          additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
          products.  That is, regulatory initiatives, new legal theories or
          insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments
          may create costs for the insurer beyond those currently recorded in
          the consolidated financial statements.  The Company mitigates this
          risk by offering a wide range of products and by operating
          throughout the United States, thus reducing its exposure to any
          single product or jurisdiction, and also by employing underwriting
          practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact of this
          risk.
     
          CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
          Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the
          Company will default or that other parties, including reinsurers,
          which owe the Company money, will not pay.  The Company minimizes
          this risk by adhering to a conservative investment strategy, by
          maintaining reinsurance and credit and collection policies and by
          providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.




<PAGE>

          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


          INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change and
          cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments.  This
          change in rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to
          become uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation.  The Company
          mitigates this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with
          certain policy provisions, by offering products that transfer this
          risk to the purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity
          schedule of its assets with the expected payouts of its
          liabilities.  To the extent that liabilities come due more quickly
          than assets mature, an insurer would have to borrow funds or sell
          assets prior to maturity and potentially recognize a gain or loss.
     
(2)  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
     
     As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and
     certain other companies that offer or distribute long-term savings
     and retirement products.  Prior to the contribution by Nationwide
     Corp. to NFS of the outstanding common stock of NLIC and other
     companies, NLIC effected certain transactions with respect to
     certain subsidiaries and lines of business that were unrelated to
     long-term savings and retirement products.
     
     On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a
     dividend to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares
     of common stock of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC and WCLIC.  ELICW
     writes group accident and health and group life insurance business
     and maintains it offices in Wausau, Wisconsin.  NCC is a property
     and casualty company that serves as a fronting company for a
     property and casualty subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance
     Company (NMIC), an affiliate.  NCC maintains its offices in
     Scottsdale, Arizona.  WCLIC writes high dollar term life insurance
     policies and is located in San Francisco, California.  ELICW, NCC
     and WCLIC have been accounted for as discontinued operations for
     all periods presented. NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on
     the disposal of these subsidiaries.
     
     A summary of the combined results of operations, including the
     results of the accident and health and group life insurance
     business ELICW assumed from NLIC in 1996, and assets and
     liabilities of ELICW, NCC and WCLIC as of and for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1996         1995        1994
                                                                ----------   ---------    ---------
<S>                                                             <S>          <C>          <C>
Revenues                                                        $  668,870     422,149       84,226
Net income                                                          11,324      26,456       11,753
Assets, consisting primarily of investments                      3,029,293   2,967,326    2,537,692
Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims  2,543,586   2,460,649    2,179,263
</TABLE>

     During 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby
     all of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business
     was ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996.  See note
     13 for a complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. NLIC
     has discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance
     business and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance
     agreements to cede all existing and any future writings to other
     affiliated companies and will cease writing any new business prior
     to December 31, 1997.  NLIC's accident and health and group life
     insurance business is accounted for as discontinued operations for
     all periods presented. NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on
     the disposal of the accident and health and group life insurance
     business.  The assets, liabilities, results of operations and
     activities of discontinued operations are distinguished physically,
     operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the
     remaining assets, liabilities, results of operations and activities
     of NLIC.


<PAGE>

     A summary of the results of operations, net of amounts ceded to
     ELICW and NMIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of NLIC's
     accident and health and group life insurance business as of and for
     the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996       1995        1994
                                                                  --------     -------     -------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>         <C>
Revenues                                                          $    -       354,788     362,476
Net income (loss)                                                      -        (1,742)      8,706
Assets, consisting primarily of investments                        259,185     239,426     234,082
Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims    259,185     239,426     234,082
</TABLE>

(3)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
     materially affect financial reporting are summarized below.  The
     accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
     in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
     which differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or
     permitted by regulatory authorities.  Annual Statements for NLIC
     and its insurance subsidiaries, filed with the department of
     insurance of each insurance company's state of domicile, are
     prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or
     permitted by each department.  Prescribed statutory accounting
     practices include a variety of publications of the National
     Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as state
     laws, regulations and general administrative rules.  Permitted
     statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices
     not so prescribed. The Company has no material permitted statutory
     accounting practices.
     
     In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
     required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
     amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent
     assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial
     statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for
     the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly
     from those estimates.
     
     The most significant estimates include those used in determining
     deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation allowances for
     mortgage loans on real estate and real estate investments and the
     liability for future policy benefits and claims. Although some
     variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the
     amounts provided are adequate.
     
     (a)  CONSOLIDATION POLICY
     
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
     and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are classified
     and reported as discontinued operations are not consolidated but
     rather are reported as "Investment in Subsidiaries Classified as
     Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying consolidated balance
     sheets and "Income for Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying
     consolidated statements of income. All significant intercompany
     balances and transactions have been eliminated.
     
     (b)  VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED GAINS AND LOSSES
     
     The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
     and equity securities as either held-to-maturity, available-for-
     sale or trading.  Fixed maturity securities are classified as held-
     to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to
     hold the securities to maturity and are stated at amortized cost. 
     Fixed maturity securities not classified as held-to-maturity and
     all equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are
     stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of
     adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred
     federal income tax, reported as a separate component of
     shareholder's equity.  The adjustment to deferred policy
     acquisition costs represents the change in amortization of deferred
     policy acquisition costs that would have been required as a charge
     or credit to operations had such unrealized amounts been realized. 
     The Company has no fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-
     maturity or trading as of December 31, 1996 or 1995.



<PAGE>

     Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid principal
     balance less valuation allowances.  The Company provides valuation
     allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based
     on a review by portfolio managers.  The measurement of impaired
     loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows
     discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical
     expedient, at the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is
     collateral dependent.  Loans in foreclosure and loans considered to
     be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.  Interest received on
     non-accrual status mortgage loans on real estate are included in
     interest income in the period received.
     
     Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
     valuation allowances.  Other long-term investments are carried on
     the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances.  Impairment
     losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
     indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
     flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
     assets' carrying amount.
     
     Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined
     on the basis of specific security identification. Estimates for
     valuation allowances and other than temporary declines are included
     in realized gains and losses on investments.
     
     (c)  REVENUES AND BENEFITS

     INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: 
     Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
     variable and fixed annuities, annuities without life contingencies
     and guaranteed investment contracts. Universal life insurance
     products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
     insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies. 
     Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
     products consist of net investment income, asset fees, cost of
     insurance, policy administration and surrender charges that have
     been earned and assessed against policy account balances during the
     period.  Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
     include interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
     and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
     account balances.

     TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:  Traditional life insurance
     products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
     and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
     limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
     annuities with life contingencies.  Premiums for traditional life
     insurance products are recognized as revenue when due.  Benefits
     and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as to result in
     recognition of profits over the life of the contract.  This
     association is accomplished by the provision for future policy
     benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition
     costs.
     
     ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS:  Accident and health
     insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the
     policies.  Policy claims are charged to expense in the period that
     the claims are incurred.  All accident and health insurance
     business is accounted for as discontinued operations.  See note 2.
     
     (d)  DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

     The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
     certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
     and certain variable agency expenses have been deferred.  For
     investment products and universal life insurance products, deferred
     policy acquisition costs are being amortized with interest over the
     lives of the policies in relation to the present value of estimated
     future gross profits from projected interest margins, asset fees,
     cost of insurance, policy administration and surrender charges. 
     For years in which gross profits are negative, deferred policy
     acquisition costs are amortized based on the present value of gross
     revenues.  For traditional life products, these deferred policy
     acquisition costs are predominantly being amortized with interest
     over the premium paying period of the related policies in
     proportion to the ratio of actual annual premium revenue to the
     anticipated total premium revenue.  Such anticipated premium
     revenue was estimated using the same assumptions as were used for
     computing liabilities for future policy benefits. Deferred policy
     acquisition costs are adjusted to reflect the impact of unrealized
     gains and losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as
     described in note 3(b).



<PAGE>

     (e)  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

     Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
     funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
     investment objectives.  The investment income and gains or losses
     of these accounts accrue directly to the contractholders.  The
     activity of the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the
     consolidated statements of income and cash flows except for the
     fees the Company receives.

     (f)  FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS

     Future policy benefits for investment products in the accumulation
     phase, universal life insurance and variable universal life
     insurance policies have been calculated based on participants'
     contributions plus interest credited less applicable contract
     charges.
     
     Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies have
     been calculated using a net level premium method based on estimates
     of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and withdrawals which
     were used or which were being experienced at the time the policies
     were issued, rather than the assumptions prescribed by state
     regulatory authorities. See note 6.
     
     Future policy benefits and claims for collectively renewable long-
     term disability policies and group long-term disability policies
     are the present value of amounts not yet due on reported claims and
     an estimate of amounts to be paid on incurred but unreported
     claims.  The impact of reserve discounting is not material.  Future
     policy benefits and claims on other group health insurance policies
     are not discounted.  All health insurance business is accounted for
     as discontinued operations. See note 2.
     
     (g)  PARTICIPATING BUSINESS

     Participating business represents approximately 52% in 1996 (54% in
     1995 and 55% in 1994) of the Company's life insurance in force, 78%
     in 1996 (79% in 1995 and 79% in 1994) of the number of life
     insurance policies in force, and 40% in 1996 (47% in 1995 and 51%
     in 1994) of life insurance premiums.  The provision for
     policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales.  Future
     dividends are provided for ratably in future policy benefits based
     on dividend scales in effect at the time the policies were issued.
     
     (h)  FEDERAL INCOME TAX

     The Company, with the exception of ELICW, files a consolidated
     federal income tax return with NMIC, the majority shareholder of
     Nationwide Corp.  The members of the consolidated tax return group
     have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in effect, for each
     member to bear essentially the same federal income tax liability as
     if separate tax returns were filed.  Through 1994, ELICW filed a
     consolidated federal income tax return with Employers Insurance of
     Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate.  Beginning in 1995, ELICW
     files a separate federal income tax return.
     
     The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
     for income tax.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and
     liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
     attributable to differences between the financial statement
     carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
     respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
     carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
     using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
     years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
     recovered or settled.  Under this method, the effect on deferred
     tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
     in income in the period that includes the enactment date. 
     Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the
     deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.



<PAGE>

     (i)  REINSURANCE CEDED

     Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
     and claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and
     expense accounts.  Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance
     ceded are reported on a gross basis.  All of the Company's accident
     and health and group life insurance business is ceded to affiliates
     and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See notes 2 and
     13.
     
     (j)  RECLASSIFICATION

     Certain items in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial
     statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
     presentation.


(4)  CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

     Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of
     accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities in
     connection with the issuance of STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
     STANDARDS (SFAS) NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN
     DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES.  As of January 1, 1994, the Company
     classified fixed maturity securities with amortized cost and fair
     value of $6,299,665 and $6,721,714, respectively, as available-for-
     sale and recorded the securities at fair value.  Previously, these
     securities were recorded at amortized cost.  The effect as of
     January 1, 1994 has been recorded as a direct credit to
     shareholder's equity as follows:

Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
   securities available-for-sale                                   $ 422,049
Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                      (95,044)
Deferred federal income tax                                         (114,452)
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   $ 212,553
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------

(5)  INVESTMENTS

     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
     available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Gross          Gross
                                                            Amortized    unrealized     unrealized      Estimated
                                                              cost         gains          losses        fair value
                                                         ------------    ----------     ----------     -----------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
1996:
  Fixed maturity securities:
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
      government corporations and agencies                  $275,696        4,795          (1,340)        279,151
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions           6,242          450              (2)          6,690
    Debt securities issued by foreign governments            100,656        2,141            (857)        101,940
    Corporate securities                                   7,999,310      285,946         (33,686)      8,251,570
    Mortgage-backed securities                             3,588,974       91,438         (15,124)      3,665,288
                                                         ------------    ----------     ----------     -----------
        Total fixed maturity securities                   11,970,878      384,770         (51,009)     12,304,639
  Equity securities                                           43,890       15,571            (330)         59,131
                                                         ------------    ----------     ----------     -----------
                                                         $12,014,768      400,341         (51,339)     12,363,770
                                                         ------------    ----------     ----------     -----------
                                                         ------------    ----------     ----------     -----------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

    The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities 
available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Gross           Gross
                                                              Amortized        unrealized      unrealized       Estimated
                                                                 cost            gains           losses         fair value
<S>                                                        <C>                 <C>             <C>             <C>
1995:
  Fixed maturity securities:
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
      government corporations and agencies                    $310,186          12,764               (1)          322,949
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions             8,655           1,205               (1)            9,859
    Debt securities issued by foreign governments              101,414           4,387              (66)          105,735
    Corporate securities                                     7,888,440         473,681          (25,742)        8,336,379
    Mortgage-backed securities                               3,553,861         165,169           (8,388)        3,710,642
                                                           -----------        --------          -------        ----------
        Total fixed maturity securities                     11,862,556         657,206          (34,198)       12,485,564
  Equity securities                                             23,617           6,382              (46)           29,953
                                                           -----------        --------          -------        ----------
                                                           $11,886,173         663,588          (34,244)       12,515,517
                                                           -----------        --------          -------        ----------
                                                           -----------        --------          -------        ----------
</TABLE>

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities 
available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are 
shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities 
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or 
without call or prepayment penalties.

                                                  Amortized      Estimated 
                                                    cost         fair value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:    -----------     ----------
   Due in one year or less                       $   440,235        444,214
   Due after one year through five years           3,937,010      4,053,152
   Due after five years through ten years          2,809,813      2,871,806
   Due after ten years                             1,194,846      1,270,179
                                                 -----------     ----------
                                                   8,381,904      8,639,351
Mortgage-backed securities                         3,588,974      3,665,288
                                                 -----------     ----------
                                                 $11,970,878     12,304,639
                                                 -----------     ----------
                                                 -----------     ----------

The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, 
were as follows as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1996          1995
                                                                 --------      --------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>
Gross unrealized gains                                           $349,002       629,344
Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                   (81,939)     (138,914)
Deferred federal income tax                                       (93,471)     (171,649)
                                                                 --------      --------
                                                                  173,592       318,781
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, of      
   subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (note 2)          -        65,523
                                                                 --------      --------
                                                                 $173,592       384,304
                                                                 --------      --------
                                                                 --------      --------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on securities 
available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity follows for 
the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996        1995           1994
                                              ---------    ---------    ----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Securities available-for-sale:
   Fixed maturity securities                  $(289,247)     876,332      (675,373)
   Equity securities                              8,905          (26)       (1,927)
Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity            -       75,626      (398,183)
                                              ---------    ---------    ----------
                                              $(280,342)     951,932    (1,075,483)
                                              ---------    ---------    ----------
                                              ---------    ---------    ----------
</TABLE>

     Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during
     1996, 1995 and 1994 were $299,558, $107,345 and $228,308,
     respectively.  During 1996, gross gains of $6,606 ($4,838 and
     $3,045 in 1995 and 1994, respectively) and gross losses of $6,925
     ($2,147 and $21,280 in 1995 and 1994, respectively) were realized
     on those sales.
     
     During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
     classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25,429 to
     available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
     deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness.  The transfer of
     those fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss
     of $3,535.
     
     As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
     Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING
     FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in
     November 1995 the Company transferred all of its fixed maturity
     securities previously classified as held-to-maturity to available-
     for-sale.  As of December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed
     maturity securities had amortized cost of $3,320,093, resulting in
     a gross unrealized gain of $155,940.
     
     Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month
     period preceding December 31, 1996 amounted to $26,805 ($27,712 in
     1995) and consisted of $248 ($6,982 in 1995) in fixed maturity
     securities, $20,633 ($14,740 in 1995) in real estate and $5,924
     ($5,990 in 1995) in other long-term investments.
     
     Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of
     $30,338 as of December 31, 1996 ($30,482 as of December 31, 1995)
     and valuation allowances of $15,219 as of December 31, 1996
     ($25,819 as of December 31, 1995).
     
     The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered
     to be impaired (under SFAS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
     IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended by SFAS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY
     CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN - INCOME RECOGNITION AND
     DISCLOSURE) as of December 31, 1996 was $51,765 ($44,409 as of
     December 31, 1995), which includes $41,663 ($23,975 as of December
     31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which the
     related valuation allowance was $8,485 ($5,276 as of December 31,
     1995) and $10,102 ($20,434 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired
     mortgage loans on real estate for which there was no valuation
     allowance.  During 1996, the average recorded investment in
     impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $39,674
     ($22,181 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those loans was
     $2,103 ($387 in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
     using a cash-basis method of income recognition.
     
     Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on
     real estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:

                                                         1996         1995
                                                        -------      ------
Allowance, beginning of year                            $49,128      46,381
     Additions charged to operations                      4,497       7,433
     Direct write-downs charged against the allowance    (2,587)     (4,686)
                                                        -------      ------
Allowance, end of year                                  $51,038      49,128
                                                        -------      ------
                                                        -------      ------



<PAGE>

An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the years 
ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996          1995           1994
                                                    ----------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>            <C>
Gross investment income:
    Securities available-for-sale:
      Fixed maturity securities                       $917,135        685,787        647,927
      Equity securities                                  1,291          1,330            509
    Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity               -        201,808        185,938
    Mortgage loans on real estate                      432,815        395,478        372,734
    Real estate                                         44,332         38,344         40,170
    Short-term investments                               4,155         10,576          6,141
    Other                                                3,998          7,239          2,121
                                                    ----------      ---------      ---------
          Total investment income                    1,403,726      1,340,562      1,255,540
Less investment expenses                                45,967         46,529         44,729
                                                    ----------      ---------      ---------
          Net investment income                     $1,357,759      1,294,033      1,210,811
                                                    ----------      ---------      ---------
                                                    ----------      ---------      ---------
</TABLE>

An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments, net of valuation 
allowances, by investment type follows for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1996         1995        1994
                                           -------       ------     -------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>        <C>
Securities available-for-sale:
   Fixed maturity securities               $(3,462)       4,213      (7,296)
   Equity securities                         3,143        3,386       1,422
Mortgage loans on real estate               (4,115)      (7,091)    (20,446)
Real estate and other                        4,108       (2,232)      9,793
                                           -------       ------     -------
                                           $  (326)      (1,724)    (16,527)
                                           -------       ------     -------
                                           -------       ------     -------
</TABLE>

     Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6,161 and $5,592 as of
     December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with various
     regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)  FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND CLAIMS

     The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts 
     represents approximately 87% and 87% of the total liability for 
     future policy benefits as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, 
     respectively.  The average interest rate credited on investment 
     product policies was approximately 6.3%, 6.6% and 6.5% for the 
     years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
     policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:
     
     INTEREST RATES:  Interest rates vary as follows:

     Year of issue                 Interest rates
     -------------       --------------------------------------------------
       1996              6.6%, not graded
       1984-1995         6.0% to 10.5%, not graded
       1966-1983         6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%
       1965 and prior    generally lower than post 1965 issues



<PAGE>


     WITHDRAWALS:  Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage and
     policy duration, are based on Company experience.
     
     MORTALITY:  Mortality and morbidity rates are based on published
     tables, modified for the Company's actual experience.
     
     The Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a
     portion of its general account individual annuity business to The
     Franklin Life Insurance Company (Franklin).  Total recoveries due
     from Franklin were $240,451 and $245,255 as of December 31, 1996
     and 1995, respectively.  The contract is immaterial to the
     Company's results of operations.  The ceding of risk does not
     discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
     policyholder.  Under the terms of the contract, Franklin has
     established a trust as collateral for the recoveries.  The trust
     assets are invested in investment grade securities, the market
     value of which must at all times be greater than or equal to 102%
     of the reinsured reserves.

     The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
     described in note 13.  All other reinsurance agreements are not
     material to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.

(7)  FEDERAL INCOME TAX

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to
     significant components of the net deferred tax liability as of
     December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1996           1995
                                                          --------       --------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>
Deferred tax assets:
   Future policy benefits                                 $175,571        149,192
   Liabilities in Separate Accounts                        188,426        129,120
   Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate            23,366         25,165
   Other policyholder funds                                  7,407          7,424
   Other assets and other liabilities                       53,757         41,847
                                                          --------       --------
     Total gross deferred tax assets                       448,527        352,748
     Less valuation allowances                              (7,000)        (7,000)
                                                          --------       --------
     Net deferred tax assets                               441,527        345,748
                                                          --------       --------
                                                          --------       --------

Deferred tax liabilities:
   Deferred policy acquisition costs                       399,345        299,579
   Fixed maturity securities                               133,210        227,345
   Deferred tax on realized investment gains                37,597         40,634
   Equity securities and other long-term investments         8,210          3,780
   Other                                                    25,377         21,037
                                                          --------       --------
     Total gross deferred tax liabilities                  603,739        592,375
                                                          --------       --------
                                                          $162,212        246,627
                                                          --------       --------
                                                          --------       --------
</TABLE>

     In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
     considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of
     the total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Nearly
     all future deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable
     amounts or recovery of federal income tax paid within the statutory
     carryback period.  There has been no change in the valuation
     allowance for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.



<PAGE>

     Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31,
     1996, 1995 and 1994 differs from the amount computed by applying
     the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      1996               1995               1994
                                                 --------------     --------------     ---------------
                                                  Amount    %        Amount    %         Amount   %
                                                 --------------     --------------     ---------------
<S>                                              <C>                <C>                <C>

Computed (expected) tax expense                  $110,424  35.0     $100,650  35.0     $84,650    35.0
Tax exempt interest and dividends                                                                
   received deduction                                (212) (0.1)         (18) (0.0)       (130)   (0.1)
Other, net                                            677   0.3         (824) (0.3)     (5,931)   (2.5)
                                                 --------------     --------------     ---------------
      Total (effective rate of each year)        $110,889  35.2     $ 99,808  34.7     $78,589    32.5
                                                 --------------     --------------     ---------------
                                                 --------------     --------------     ---------------

</TABLE>

Total federal income tax paid was $115,839, $51,840 and $83,239 during the 
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.


(8)  DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
     
     SFAS NO. 107 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL
     INSTRUMENTS (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of fair value
     information about existing on and off-balance sheet financial
     instruments.  SFAS 107 defines the fair value of a financial
     instrument as the amount at which the financial instrument could be
     exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.  In
     cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is
     based on estimates using present value or other valuation
     techniques.
     
     These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions
     used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash
     flows.  Although fair value estimates are calculated using
     assumptions that management believes are appropriate, changes in
     assumptions could cause these estimates to vary materially.  In
     that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be
     substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many
     cases, could not be realized in the immediate settlement of the
     instruments.  SFAS 107 excludes certain assets and liabilities from
     its disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value
     amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the
     Company.
     
     Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
     that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically
     exempted from SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy
     reserves on life insurance contracts is provided to make the fair
     value disclosures more meaningful.
     
     The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses
     can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not
     been considered in the estimates.
     
     The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
     estimating its fair value disclosures:

          CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS:  The carrying amount
          reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
          approximates their fair value.
     
          FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES:  Fair value for fixed
          maturity securities is based on quoted market prices, where
          available.  For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
          value is estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
          services or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
          discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
          applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
          investments.  The fair value for equity securities is based on
          quoted market prices.
     
          SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:  The fair value of assets
          held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices.  The
          fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
          amount payable on demand, which includes certain surrender charges.



<PAGE>

          MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE:  The fair value for mortgage loans
          on real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses,
          using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to
          borrowers with similar credit ratings.  Loans with similar
          characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. 
          Fair value for mortgages in default is the estimated fair value of
          the underlying collateral.

          INVESTMENT CONTRACTS:  Fair value for the Company's liabilities
          under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods. 
          For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is
          the amount payable on demand.  For investment contracts with known
          or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted
          cash flow analyses.  Interest rates used are similar to currently
          offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
          for the contracts being valued.

          POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
          disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life insurance
          and supplementary contracts with life contingencies for which the
          estimated fair value is the amount payable on demand.  Also
          included are disclosures for the Company's limited payment
          policies, which the Company has used discounted cash flow analyses
          similar to those used for investment contracts with known
          maturities to estimate fair value.
     
          POLICYHOLDERS' DIVIDEND ACCUMULATIONS AND OTHER POLICYHOLDER FUNDS: 
          The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for
          these instruments approximates their fair value.
          
          COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT:  Commitments to extend credit have
          nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
          commitments. See note 9.
     
     Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
     subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
     were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  1996                                   1995
                                                      --------------------------------     --------------------------------
                                                        Carrying          Estimated           Carrying          Estimated
                                                         amount          fair value            amount          fair value
                                                      -------------  -----------------     ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>                   <C>              <C>
ASSETS
Investments:                                                          
   Securities available-for-sale:                                                                             
      Fixed maturity securities                        $12,304,639         12,304,639          12,485,564     12,485,564
      Equity securities                                     59,131             59,131              29,953         29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                    5,272,119          5,397,865           4,602,764      4,961,655
   Policy loans                                            371,816            371,816             336,356        336,356
   Short-term investments                                    4,789              4,789              32,792         32,792
Cash                                                        43,784             43,784               9,455          9,455
Assets held in Separate Accounts                        26,926,702         26,926,702          18,591,108     18,591,108
                                                                                                              
LIABILITIES                         
Investment contracts                                    13,914,441         13,484,526          13,229,360     12,876,798
Policy reserves on life insurance contracts              2,971,337          2,775,991           2,836,323      2,733,486
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                      361,401            361,401             348,027        348,027
Other policyholder funds                                    60,073             60,073              65,297         65,297
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts                26,926,702         26,164,213          18,591,108     18,052,362

</TABLE>

(9)  ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURES
     
     FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK:  The Company is
     a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
     normal course of business through management of its investment
     portfolio.  These financial instruments include commitments to
     extend credit in the form of loans.  These instruments involve, to
     varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts
     recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.



<PAGE>

     Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
     agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
     established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed
     expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require
     payment of a deposit.  Commitments extended by the Company are
     based on management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the
     borrower and the borrower's loan collateral.  The underlying
     mortgage property represents the collateral if the commitment is
     funded.  The Company's policy for new mortgage loans on real estate
     is to lend no more than 75% of collateral value.  Should the
     commitment be funded, the Company's exposure to credit loss in the
     event of nonperformance by the borrower is represented by the
     contractual amounts of these commitments less the net realizable
     value of the collateral.  The contractual amounts also represent
     the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments.  Commitments on
     mortgage loans on real estate of $327,456 extending into 1997 were
     outstanding as of December 31, 1996.
     
     SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK:  The Company grants
     mainly commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers
     throughout the United States.  The Company has a diversified
     portfolio with no more than 21% (20% in 1995) in any geographic
     area and no more than 2% (2% in 1995) with any one borrower as of
     December 31, 1996.
     
     The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from
     one reinsurer as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.  See note 6.
     
     The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as
     of December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Apartment
                                         Office         Warehouse           Retail            & other             Total
                                        --------       -----------         --------         ------------       ----------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>                 <C>              <C>                <C>
1996:                                                                                                         
  East North Central                    $139,518        119,069              549,064           215,038         1,022,689
  East South Central                      33,267         22,252              172,968            90,623           319,110
  Mountain                                17,972         43,027              113,292            73,390           247,681
  Middle Atlantic                        129,077         54,046              160,833            18,498           362,454
  New England                             33,348         43,581              161,960               -             238,889
  Pacific                                202,562        325,046              424,295           110,108         1,062,011
  South Atlantic                         103,889        134,492              482,934           385,185         1,106,500
  West North Central                     126,467          2,441               75,180            40,529           244,617
  West South Central                     104,877        120,314              197,090           304,256           726,537
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     ------------
                                        $890,977        864,268            2,337,616         1,237,627         5,330,488
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     
     Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                           58,369
                                                                                                             ------------
          Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                            $5,272,119
                                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                                             ------------
     
1995:                                                                                                         
  East North Central                    $138,965        101,925              514,995           175,213           931,098
  East South Central                      21,329         13,053              180,858            82,383           297,623
  Mountain                                  -            17,219              138,220            45,274           200,713
  Middle Atlantic                        116,187         64,813              158,252            10,793           350,045
  New England                              9,559         39,525              148,449                 1           197,534
  Pacific                                183,206        233,186              374,915           105,419           896,726
  South Atlantic                         106,246         73,541              446,800           278,265           904,852
  West North Central                     133,899         14,205               78,065            36,651           262,820
  West South Central                      69,140         92,594              190,299           267,268           619,301
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     ------------
                                        $778,531        650,061            2,230,853         1,001,267         4,660,712
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     
                                        --------       -----------         ---------        ------------     
     Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                           57,948
                                                                                                             ------------
          Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                            $4,602,764
                                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                                             ------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

(10) PENSION PLAN
     
     The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated
     companies, in a pension plan covering all employees who have
     completed at least one thousand hours of service within a twelve-
     month period and who have met certain age requirements.  Benefits
     are based upon the highest average annual salary of a specified
     number of consecutive years of the last ten years of service.  The
     Company funds pension costs accrued for direct employees plus an
     allocation of pension costs accrued for employees of affiliates
     whose work efforts benefit the Company.
     
     Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
     benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements
     and elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995.  The
     entire cost of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain
     of its property and casualty insurance company affiliates.
     
     Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
     Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
     Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau
     Insurance Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance
     Enterprise Retirement Plan.  Immediately prior to the merger, the
     plans were amended to provide consistent benefits for service after
     January 1, 1996.  These amendments had no significant impact on the
     accumulated benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as
     of December 31, 1995.
     
     Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
     ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $7,381, $10,478 and
     $10,063, respectively.
     
     The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1996
     and 1995 was $1,075 and $1,392, respectively.
     
     The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance
     Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December
     31, 1996 and for the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates
     Retirement Plan as a whole for the years ended December 31, 1995
     and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            1996                1995                1994
                                                                          --------            --------            --------
<S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>

     Service cost (benefits earned during the period)                     $ 75,466              64,524             64,740
     Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                         105,511              95,283             73,951
     Actual return on plan assets                                         (210,583)           (249,294)           (21,495)
     Net amortization and deferral                                         101,795             143,353            (62,150)
                                                                          --------            --------            --------
                                                                          $ 72,189              53,866             55,046
                                                                          --------            --------            --------
                                                                          --------            --------            --------
     
  Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:
     
                                                                            1996                1995                1994
                                                                          --------            --------            --------

     Weighted average discount rate                                        6.00%                7.50%                5.75%
     Rate of increase in future compensation levels                        4.25%                6.25%                4.50%
     Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                      6.75%                8.75%                7.00%

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

     Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance 
     Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 
     follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 1996                    1995
                                                                             ------------             -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>                      <C>
          Accumulated benefit obligation:                                                                               
            Vested                                                            $1,338,554               1,236,730
            Nonvested                                                             11,149                  26,503
                                                                             ------------             -----------
                                                                              $1,349,703               1,263,233
                                                                             ------------             -----------
                                                                             ------------             -----------
                                                                                                              
          Net accrued pension expense:                                                                                  
            Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date        $1,847,828               1,780,616
            Plan assets at fair value                                          1,947,933               1,738,004
                                                                             ------------             -----------
              Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit                                             
                obligation                                                       100,105                 (42,612)
            Unrecognized prior service cost                                       37,870                  42,845
            Unrecognized net gains                                              (201,952)                (63,130)
            Unrecognized net asset at transition                                  37,158                  41,305
                                                                             ------------             -----------
                                                                              $  (26,819)                (21,592)
                                                                             ------------             -----------
                                                                             ------------             -----------

     Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

                                                                                 1996                    1995
                                                                             ------------             -----------

          Weighted average discount rate                                         6.50%                   6.00%
          Rate of increase in future compensation levels                         4.75%                   4.25%

</TABLE>

     Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
     invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW.
          
(11) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS
     
     In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company,
     together with other affiliated companies, participates in life and
     health care defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. 
     Postretirement life and health care benefits are contributory and
     generally available to full time employees who have attained age 55
     and have accumulated 15 years of service with the Company after
     reaching age 40.  Postretirement health care benefit contributions
     are adjusted annually and contain cost-sharing features such as
     deductibles and coinsurance.  In addition, there are caps on the
     Company's portion of the per-participant cost of the postretirement
     health care benefits.  These caps can increase annually, but not
     more than three percent.  The Company's policy is to fund the cost
     of health care benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of
     management.  Plan assets are invested primarily in group annuity
     contracts of NLIC.
     
     The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated
     accumulated postretirement benefit obligation; however, certain
     affiliated companies elected to amortize their initial transition
     obligation over periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.
     
     The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December
     31, 1996 and 1995 was $34,884 and $33,537, respectively, and the
     net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and
     1994 was $3,286, $3,132 and $4,284, respectively.
     


<PAGE>

     The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     1996            1995            1994
                                                                                   --------        --------        --------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>             <C>

Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)              $ 6,541          6,235          8,586
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                       13,679         14,151         14,011
Actual return on plan assets                                                         (4,348)        (2,657)        (1,622)
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                        173          2,966            568
Net amortization and deferral                                                         1,830         (1,619)         1,622
                                                                                   --------        --------        --------
                                                                                    $17,875         19,076         23,165
                                                                                   --------        --------        --------
                                                                                   --------        --------        --------
</TABLE>
     
     Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of 
     December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                              1996                1995
                                                                                            --------            --------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                  <C>
     Accrued postretirement benefit expense:                                                                       
       Retirees                                                                            $  92,954              88,680     
       Fully eligible, active plan participants                                               23,749              28,793
       Other active plan participants                                                         83,986              90,375
                                                                                            --------            --------
         Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                                200,689             207,848
       Plan assets at fair value                                                              63,044              54,325
                                                                                            --------            --------
         Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                (137,645)           (153,523)
       Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                                        1,654               1,827
       Unrecognized net gains                                                                (23,225)             (1,038)
                                                                                            --------            --------
                                                                                           $(159,216)           (152,734)
                                                                                            --------            --------
                                                                                            --------            --------

</TABLE>
     
     Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO as of 
     December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 
     as follows:
     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   1996            1996            1995            1995             1994
                                                   APBO            NPPBC           APBO            NPPBC           NPPBC
                                                 --------        ---------       --------        ---------       ---------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>      

     Discount rate                                 7.25%           6.65%           6.75%           8.00%           7.00%
     Long-term rate of return on plan                                                                                   
       assets, net of tax                            -             4.80%             -             8.00%             N/A
     Assumed health care cost trend rate:
       Initial rate                               11.00%          11.00%          11.00%          10.00%          12.00%
       Ultimate rate                               6.00%           6.00%           6.00%           6.00%           6.00%
       Uniform declining period                  12 Years        12 Years        12 Years        12 Years       12 Years

</TABLE>

     The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts 
     reported.  For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in 
     the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of 
     December 31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended 
     December 31, 1996 by $83.
                                                                           
(12) SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY, REGULATORY RISK-BASED CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS 
     AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
                                                                           
     Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based 
     capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for 
     determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting 
     factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of 
     activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is 
     determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted capital, 
     as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level risk-based 
     capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific trigger points 
     or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of which requires 
     specified corrective action.  NLIC and each of its insurance company 
     subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital requirements.



<PAGE>

     The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as of December 31,
     1996, 1995 and 1994 was $1,000,647, $1,363,031 and $1,262,861,
     respectively.  The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $73,218, $86,529 and $76,532,
     respectively.
                                                                           
     NLIC is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
     without prior approval by the Department of Insurance of the State
     of Ohio (the Department).  NLIC's dividend of the outstanding
     shares of common stock of certain companies which was declared on
     September 24, 1996 and the anticipated $850,000 dividend (as
     discussed in note 1) are deemed extraordinary under Ohio insurance
     laws.  As a result of such dividends, any dividend paid by NLIC
     during the 12-month period immediately following the $850,000
     dividend would also be an extraordinary dividend under Ohio
     insurance laws.  Accordingly, no such dividend could be paid
     without prior regulatory approval.
     
     In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject
     to restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that
     limit the amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating
     policies (measured before dividends to policyholders) that can
     inure to the benefit of the Company and its stockholder.
     
     The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements
     to impair its ability to pay operating expenses and stockholder
     dividends in the future.
     
     (13) TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
     
     The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
     subsidiaries.  For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
     1994, the Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries
     of $9,065, $8,986 and $8,133, respectively.
     
     Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
     direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC
     provides certain operational and administrative services, such as
     sales support, advertising, personnel and general management
     services, to those subsidiaries.  Expenses covered by this
     agreement are subject to allocation among NMIC, the Company and
     other affiliates.  Amounts allocated to the Company were $101,584,
     $107,112, and $100,601 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.  The
     allocations are based on techniques and procedures in accordance
     with insurance regulatory guidelines.  Measures used to allocate
     expenses among companies include individual employee estimates of
     time spent, special cost studies, salary expense, commissions
     expense and other methods agreed to by the participating companies
     that are within industry guidelines and practices.  The Company
     believes these allocation methods are reasonable.  In addition, the
     Company does not believe that expenses recognized under the inter-
     company agreements are materially different than expenses that
     would have been recognized had the Company operated on a stand
     alone basis.  Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the
     cost sharing agreement were $15,111 and $1,186 as of December 31,
     1996 and 1995, respectively.
     
     The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements
     with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
     buyer at a stated value.  Upon demand or a stated period, the
     securities will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales
     price plus a price differential.  Transactions under the agreements
     during 1996 and 1995 were not material.  The Company believes that
     the terms of the repurchase agreements are materially consistent
     with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated
     parties.
     


<PAGE>

     Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and,
     respectively NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and
     health and group life insurance business is ceded on a modified
     coinsurance basis.  NLIC entered into the reinsurance agreements
     during 1996 because the accident and health and group life
     insurance business was unrelated to NLIC's long-term savings and
     retirement products.  Accordingly, the accident and health and
     group life insurance business has been accounted for as
     discontinued operations for all periods presented.  Under modified
     coinsurance agreements, invested assets are retained by the ceding
     company and investment earnings are paid to the reinsurer.  Under
     the terms of NLIC's agreements, the investment risk associated with
     changes in interest rates is borne by NMIC or ELICW, as the case
     may be.  Risk of asset default is retained by NLIC, although a fee
     is paid by NMIC or ELICW, as the case may be, to NLIC for the
     NLIC's retention of such risk.  The agreements will remain in force
     until all policy obligations are settled.  However, with respect to
     the agreement between NLIC and NMIC, either party may terminate the
     contract on January 1 of any year with prior notice.  The ceding of
     risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
     obligation to the policyholder. NLIC believes that the terms of the
     modified coinsurance agreements are consistent in all material
     respects with what NLIC could have obtained with unaffiliated
     parties.
     
     Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 are included in ELICW's results of
     operations for 1996 which, combined with the results of WCLIC and
     NCC, are summarized in note 2.  Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996
     include premiums of $224,224, net investment income and other
     revenue of $14,833, and benefits, claims and other expenses of
     $246,641. Amounts ceded to NMIC in 1996 include premiums of
     $97,331, net investment income of $10,890, and benefits, claims and
     other expenses of $100,476.
     
     The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
     Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
     Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and
     CCMC act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of
     short-term securities for the respective accounts of the
     participants.  Amounts on deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $4,789
     and $9,654 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and are
     included in short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated
     balance sheets.
     
     On April, 5 1996, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the
     outstanding shares, with shareholder equity value of $30, of NISC
     to NLIC.  NLIC contributed an additional $500 to NISC on August 30,
     1996.
     
     On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the
     outstanding shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance
     Company (Farmland) to NLIC.  Farmland merged into WCLIC effective
     June 30, 1995.  The contribution resulted in a direct increase to
     consolidated shareholder's equity of $46,918.  As discussed in note
     2, WCLIC is accounted for as discontinued operations.
     
     Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding
     shares of common stock of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation
     (WSC) for $155,000.  NLIC transferred fixed maturity securities and
     cash with a fair value of $155,000 to WSC on December 28, 1994,
     which resulted in a realized loss of $19,239 on the disposition of
     the securities.  The purchase price approximated both the
     historical cost basis and fair value of net assets of ELICW.  ELICW
     has and will continue to share home office, other facilities,
     equipment and common management and administrative services with
     WSC.  As discussed in note 2, ELICW is accounted for as
     discontinued operations.

     Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated
     companies which are also subsidiaries of Nationwide Corp. Total
     commissions and fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $76,922, $57,280 and $50,168,
     respectively.
     
     
(14) BANK LINES OF CREDIT
     
     In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, established a $600,000
     revolving credit facility which provides for a $600,000 loan over a
     five year term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national
     financial institutions.  The credit facility provides for several
     and not joint liability with respect to any amount drawn by either
     NLIC or NMIC.  NLIC and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the
     financial institutions to maintain the revolving credit facility. 
     All previously existing line of credit agreements were canceled.



<PAGE>

(15) CONTINGENCIES
     
     The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits.  In the opinion of
     management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected
     to be material to the Company's financial position or results of
     operations.
     
(16) SEGMENT INFORMATION
     
     The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
     Annuities and Life Insurance.  The Variable Annuities segment
     consists of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the
     opportunity to invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and
     independent investment managers, with the investment returns
     accumulating on a tax-deferred basis.  The Fixed Annuities segment
     consists of annuity contracts that generate a return for the
     customer at a specified interest rate, fixed for a prescribed
     period, with returns accumulating on a tax-deferred basis.  The
     Life Insurance segment consists of insurance products that provide
     a death benefit and may also allow the customer to build cash value
     on a tax-deferred basis.  In addition, the Company reports
     corporate expenses and investments, and the related investment
     income supporting capital not specifically allocated to its product
     segments in a Corporate and Other segment.  In addition, all
     realized gains and losses, investment management fees and other
     revenue earned from mutual funds, other than the portion allocated
     to the variable annuities and life insurance segments, are reported
     in the Corporate and Other segment.
     
     During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
     reflect the way the businesses are managed.  Prior periods have
     been restated to reflect these changes.
     
     The following table summarizes the revenues and income from
     continuing operations before federal income tax expense for the
     years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and assets as of
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, by business segment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         1996                 1995                1994
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>                  <C>                <C>

     Revenues:
       Variable Annuities                                            $   284,638             189,071            132,687
       Fixed Annuities                                                 1,092,566           1,051,970            939,868
       Life Insurance                                                    435,657             409,135            383,150
       Corporate and Other                                               179,977             148,475            143,794
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                     $ 1,992,838           1,798,651          1,599,499
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                                                              
     Income from continuing operations before                                                                      
       federal income tax expense:
       Variable Annuities                                                 90,244              50,837             24,574
       Fixed Annuities                                                   135,405             137,000            138,950
       Life Insurance                                                     67,242              67,590             53,046
       Corporate and Other                                                22,606              32,145             25,288
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                     $   315,497             287,572            241,858
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                                                              
     Assets:                                                                                                       
       Variable Annuities                                             25,069,725          17,333,039         11,146,465
       Fixed Annuities                                                13,994,715          13,250,359         11,668,973
       Life Insurance                                                  3,353,286           3,027,420          2,752,283
       Corporate and Other                                             5,348,520           4,896,815          3,678,303
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                     $ 47,766,246         38,507,633         29,246,024
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------
                                                                      ----------           ----------         -----------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)
                             Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              (in thousands of dollars)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                     June 30,        December 31,
                                        Assets                                         1997             1996
                                        ------                                     ------------      ------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
Investments:                                                                                        
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:                                                    
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $12,049,864 in 1997; $11,970,878 in 1996)    $ 12,319,848        12,304,639
      Equity securities (cost $55,813 in 1997; $43,890 in 1996)                          66,497            59,131
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                 5,141,839         5,272,119
   Real estate, net                                                                     292,935           265,759
   Policy loans                                                                         391,432           371,816
   Other long-term investments                                                           23,336            28,668
   Short-term investments                                                               286,354             4,789
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                     18,522,241        18,306,921
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                                    
Cash                                                                                     86,387            43,784
Accrued investment income                                                               209,037           210,182
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                     1,537,814         1,366,509
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations                         -                485,707
Other assets                                                                            404,319           426,441
Assets held in Separate Accounts                                                     32,866,145        26,926,702
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                   $ 53,625,943        47,766,246
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                                    
                          Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity                                      
                          ------------------------------------                                      
Future policy benefits and claims                                                  $ 17,536,264        17,179,060
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                   366,681           361,401
Other policyholder funds                                                                 59,153            60,073
Accrued federal income tax:                                                                         
   Current                                                                               44,323            30,170
   Deferred                                                                             158,769           162,212
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                        203,092           192,382
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                                    
Dividend payable                                                                         -               485,707
Other liabilities                                                                       375,206           423,047
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts                                             32,866,145        26,926,702
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                     51,406,541        45,628,372
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                                    
Shareholder's equity:                                                                               
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and                           
     outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                         3,815             3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                           914,654           527,874
   Retained earnings                                                                  1,159,696         1,432,593
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                               141,237           173,592
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                      2,219,402         2,137,874
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                   $ 53,625,943        47,766,246
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)
                          Consolidated Statements of Income
                                     (Unaudited)
                              (in thousands of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          Three months ended           Six months ended
                                                                               June 30,                     June 30,
                                                                       ------------------------    ------------------------
                                                                          1997          1996          1997          1996
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                                                    <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues:
   Investment product and universal life insurance product
      policy charges                                                   $  129,658        97,955       250,107       186,558
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                     50,295        49,224       105,741       103,012
   Net investment income                                                  351,346       340,266       692,296       669,797
   Realized gains (losses) on investments                                 (11,929)        5,806         9,113         9,374
   Other income                                                            15,908         6,010        25,742        12,219
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                          535,278       499,261     1,082,999       980,960
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                    297,049       285,276       593,419       575,272
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies        11,542        11,907        22,188        22,687
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                       39,594        34,865        82,988        70,994
   Other operating expenses                                                94,231        76,108       188,092       141,788
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                          442,416       408,156       886,687       810,741
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
          Income from continuing operations before federal income
             tax expense                                                   92,862        91,105       196,312       170,219
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Federal income tax expense:
   Current                                                                 32,477        32,592        55,231        58,617
   Deferred                                                                    10            15        13,978           640
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                           32,487        32,746        69,209        59,257
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

          Income from continuing operations                              60,375         58,359        127,103       110,962

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax
   expense of $1,470 and $3,986 in 1996)                                   -              3,100        -              7,295
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

          Net income                                                   $  60,375         61,459       127,103       118,257
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)
                   Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity
                                     (Unaudited)
                       Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996
                              (in thousands of dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                Unrealized
                                                                                              gains (losses)
                                                            Additional                        on securities         Total
                                            Capital           paid-in          Retained       available-for-     shareholder's
                                            shares            capital          earnings          sale, net          equity
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
1996:
   Balance, January 1, 1996            $          3,815           657,118         1,583,275           384,304         2,628,512
   Capital of contributed subsidiary            -                      30           -                 -                      30
   Net income                                   -                 -                 118,257           -                 118,257
   Unrealized losses on securities
     available-for-sale, net                    -                 -                 -                (275,185)         (275,185)
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
   Balance, June 30, 1996              $          3,815           657,148         1,701,532           109,119         2,471,614
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------



1997:
   Balance, January 1, 1997                       3,815           527,874         1,432,593           173,592         2,137,874
   Capital contributions                        -                 836,780           -                 -                 836,780
   Dividends to shareholder                     -                (450,000)         (400,000)          -                (850,000)
   Net income                                   -                 -                 127,103           -                 127,103
   Unrealized losses on securities
     available-for-sale, net                    -                 -                 -                 (32,355)          (32,355)
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
   Balance, June 30, 1997              $          3,815           914,654         1,159,696           141,237         2,219,402
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
                                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)
                        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                     (Unaudited)
                       Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996
                              (in thousands of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1997              1996
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
 Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                      $    127,103           118,257
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)
        operating activities:
       Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                             (235,735)         (214,486)
       Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                 82,988            70,994
       Amortization and depreciation                                                      1,964             8,613
       Realized gains on investments, net                                                (9,113)           (9,374)
       Deferred federal income tax                                                       13,978            23,864
       Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                                   1,145              (814)
       Decrease (increase) in other assets                                               21,708           (81,888)
       Increase (decrease) in policyholder account balances                              55,237           (63,997)
       Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                                  5,280             7,113
       Increase in accrued federal income tax payable                                    14,153             8,579
       (Decrease) increase in other liabilities                                         (47,841)           63,206
       Other, net                                                                        (2,317)           (2,344)
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
         Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                             28,550           (72,277)
                                                                                   ------------      ------------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                              437,694           685,247
   Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                  225,855           194,207
   Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                            164,699           123,064
   Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                     23,214             8,163
   Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets            21,908            27,108
   Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                    (1,236,560)         (769,786)
   Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                      (418,593)         (486,706)
   Cost of real estate acquired                                                         (21,506)           (2,893)
   Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                               (37,785)          (42,936)
   Short-term investments, net                                                         (282,700)           26,109
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
       Net cash used in investing activities                                         (1,123,774)         (238,423)
                                                                                   ------------      ------------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from capital contributions                                                  836,780             -
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance product
    account balances                                                                  1,511,167         1,284,221
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance product
    account balances                                                                 (1,210,120)         (918,291)
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
       Net cash provided by financing activities                                      1,137,827           365,930
                                                                                   ------------      ------------

 Net increase in cash                                                                    42,603            55,230

 Cash, beginning of period                                                               43,784             9,455
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
 Cash, end of period                                                               $     86,387            64,685
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
                                                                                   ------------      ------------
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)
                 Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                            Six Months Ended June 30, 1997


(1) ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    Prior to January 27, 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) was a
    wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.).  On
    January 27, 1997, Nationwide Corp. contributed the common stock of NLIC to
    Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS).  NFS was formed by Nationwide
    Corp. in November 1996 as a holding company for members of the Nationwide
    Insurance Enterprise that offer or distribute long-term savings and
    retirement products.  NLIC and its subsidiaries are collectively referred
    to as "the Company."

    The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
    have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles, which differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or
    permitted by regulatory authorities, for interim financial information and
    with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
    Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by
    generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
    The financial information included herein reflects all adjustments (all of
    which are normal and recurring in nature) which are, in the opinion of
    management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and
    results of operations.  Operating results for all periods presented are not
    necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full
    year.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
    eliminated.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements
    should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
    statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 1996 included
    in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.


(2) DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

    On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend to
    Nationwide Corp. consisting of the common stock of certain subsidiaries
    classified as discontinued operations.  As of and during the year ended
    December 31, 1996, these previously wholly owned subsidiaries of NLIC were
    classified as discontinued operations since they do not offer or distribute
    long-term savings and retirement products.  The dividend was paid by NLIC
    on January 1, 1997.

    On February 24, 1997, NLIC paid a dividend to NFS, which made an equivalent
    dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities having an aggregate
    market value of $850.0 million.  NLIC recognized a gain of $14.4 million on
    the transfer of securities.

    On March 10, 1997 and March 11, 1997, NFS made cash capital contributions
    to NLIC totaling $836.8 million.
<PAGE>

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
   
    (a)  Financial Statements:                                            PAGE
         (1)  Financial statements and schedule included                   N/A
              in Prospectus.
              (Part A):
              Condensed Financial Information.
         (2)  Financial statements and schedule included                    55
              in Part B:
              Those financial statements and schedule
              required by Item 23 to be included in Part B
              have been incorporated therein by reference
              to the Prospectus (Part A).

          Nationwide Variable Account-9:                                   N/A

          Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

              Independent Auditors' Report.                                 55
              Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December                    56
              31, 1996 and 1995.

              Consolidated Statements of Income for the                     57
              years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
              1994.

              Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's                      58
              Equity for the years ended December 31,
              1996, 1995 and 1994.
              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for                     59
              the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
              and 1994.

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                   60
              Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) for six months
              ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                                  79

              Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for three
              and six months ended June 30, 1997                            80

              Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity
              (unaudited) for six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996       81

              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
              for six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                   82

              Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
              for six months ended June 30, 1997                            83

              Schedule I - Consolidated Summary of Investments - 
              Other Than Investments in Related Parties                    101

              Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information           102

              Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                    103

              Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts               104
    

                                      84
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>           <C>
Item 24. (b) Exhibits
              (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of
                   Directors authorizing the establishment of
                   the Registrant - Filed previously with initial registration
                   statement (333-23995) and is hereby incorporated by
                   reference.
              (2)  Not Applicable
              (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts
                   between the Registrant and Principal
                   Underwriter - Filed previously with initial registration
                   statement (333-23995) and is hereby incorporated by
                   reference.
   
              (4)  The form of the variable annuity contract - Filed previously
                   with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration
                   statement (333-23995) and is hereby incorporated by
                   reference.
              (5)  Variable Annuity Application - Attached hereto.
    
              (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor - Filed previously with initial
                   registration statement (333-23995) and is hereby incorporated by reference.
              (7)  Not Applicable
              (8)  Not Applicable
              (9)  Opinion of Counsel - Filed previously with initial
                   registration statement (333-23995) and is hereby incorporated by reference.
              (10) Not Applicable
              (11) Not Applicable
              (12) Not Applicable
              (13) Performance Advertising Calculation
                   Schedule - Filed previously with initial registration statement (333-23995)
                   and is hereby incorporated by reference.
</TABLE>

                                      85
<PAGE>

Item 25. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                     POSITIONS AND OFFICES
            BUSINESS ADDRESS                        WITH DEPOSITOR

            Lewis J. Alphin                              Director
            519 Bethel Church Road
            Mount Olive, NC  28365

            Keith W. Eckel                               Director
            1647 Falls Road
            Clarks Summit, PA 18411                          

            Willard J. Engel                             Director
            1100 East Main Street
            Marshall, MN 56258
            
            Fred C. Finney                               Director
            1558 West Moreland Road
            Wooster, OH 44691

            Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                    Director
            600 South Washington Street
            Butler, PA  16001

            Joseph J. Gasper               President and Chief Operating Officer
            One Nationwide Plaza                       and Director
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Henry S. Holloway                        Chairman of the
            1247 Stafford Road                     Board and Director
            Darlington, MD  21034

            Dimon Richard McFerson         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
            One Nationwide Plaza              Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
            Columbus, OH  43215                        and Director

            David O. Miller                              Director
            115 Sprague Drive
            Hebron, OH  43025

            C. Ray Noecker                               Director
            2770 Winchester Southern S.
            Ashville, OH 43103

            James F. Patterson                           Director
            8765 Mulberry Road
            Chesterland, OH  44026

                                      86
<PAGE>

            NAME AND PRINCIPAL                     POSITIONS AND OFFICES
            BUSINESS ADDRESS                          WITH DEPOSITOR

            Arden L. Shisler                             Director
            1356 North Wenger Road
            Dalton, OH  44618

            Robert L. Stewart                            Director
            88740 Fairview Road
            Jewett, OH  43986

            Nancy C. Thomas                              Director
            10835 Georgetown Street NE
            Louisville, OH  44641

            Harold W. Weihl                              Director
            14282 King Road
            Bowling Green, OH  43402

            Gordon E. McCutchan                 Executive Vice President,
            One Nationwide Plaza               Law and Corporate Services
            Columbus, OH  43215                       and Secretary

            Robert A. Oakley                     Executive Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                  Chief Financial Officer
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Robert J. Woodward, Jr.             Executive Vice President -
            One Nationwide Plaza                Chief Investment Officer
            Columbus, OH  43215

            James E. Brock                        Senior Vice President -
            One Nationwide Plaza                  Life Company Operations
            Columbus, OH  43215

            W. Sidney Druen                 Senior Vice President and General
            One Nationwide Plaza              Counsel and Assistant Secretary
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.        Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
            One Nationwide Plaza               Life, Health and Annuities
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Richard A. Karas                  Senior Vice President - Sales -
            One Nationwide Plaza                   Financial Services
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Michael D. Bleiweiss                      Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza              Individual Annuity Operation
            Columbus, OH  43215

                                      87
<PAGE>

            NAME AND PRINCIPAL                     POSITIONS AND OFFICES
            BUSINESS ADDRESS                         WITH DEPOSITOR


            Matthew S. Easley                  Vice President - Marketing,
            One Nationwide Plaza                 Innovation and Compliance
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Ronald L. Eppley                          Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                  Applications Service
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Timothy E. Murphy                        Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                    Strategic Marketing
            Columbus, OH 43215

            R. Dennis Noice                          Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                     Retail Operations
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Joseph P. Rath                            Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza               Product and Market Compliance
            Columbus, OH  43215

Item 26.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR OR
            REGISTRANT.
              *       Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are
                      filed
              **      Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated
                      financial statements
              ***     Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial
                      statements filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries
              ****    other subsidiaries

                                       88
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE          PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                   <C>

    Affiliate Agency, Inc.                     Delaware                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Affiliate Agency of Ohio,  Inc.              Ohio                                    Life Insurance Agency
    Allnations, Inc.                             Ohio                                    Promotes cooperative insurance
                                                                                         corporations worldwide
    American Marine Underwriters,              Florida                                   Underwriting Manager
    Inc.                                                                            
    Auto Direkt Insurance Company              Germany                                   Insurance Company
    The Beak and Wire Corporation                Ohio                                    Radio Tower Joint Venture
    California Cash Management                California                                 Investment Securities Agent
    Company                                                                         
    Colonial County Mutual insurance            Texas                                    Insurance Company
    Company                                                                         
    Colonial Insurance Company of             California                                 Insurance Company
    California                                                                      
    Columbus Insurance Brokerage               Germany                                   Insurance Broker
    and Service GMBH                                                                
    Companies Agency, Inc.                     Wisconsin                                 Insurance Broker
    Companies Agency Insurance                                                      
    Services of California                    California                                 Insurance  Broker
    Companies Agency of Alabama,               Alabama                                   Insurance Broker
    Inc.                                                                            
    Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.             Idaho                                    Insurance Broker
    Companies Agency of Illinois,              Illinois                                  Acts as Collection Agent for Policies
    Inc.                                                                                 placed through Brokers
    Companies Agency of Kentucky,              Kentucky                                  Insurance Broker
    Inc.                                                                            
    Companies Agency of                                                             
    Massachusetts, Inc.                      Massachusetts                               Insurance Broker
    Companies Agency of New York,              New York                                  Insurance Broker
    Inc.                                                                            
    Companies Agency of                                                             
    Pennsylvania, Inc.                       Pennsylvania                                Insurance Broker
    Companies Agency of Phoenix,                Arizona                                  Insurance Broker
    Inc.                                                                            
    Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.             Texas                                    Insurance Broker
    Companies Annuity Agency of                 Texas                                    Insurance Broker
    Texas, Inc.                                                                     
    Countrywide Services                                                            
    Corporation                                Delaware                                  Products Liability, Investigative and
                                                                                         Claims Management Services
    Employers Insurance of Wausau                                                   
    A Mutual Company                          Wisconsin                                  Insurance Company
**  Employers Life Insurance                  Wisconsin                                  Life Insurance Company
    Company of Wausau                                                               
    F & B, Inc.                                  Iowa                                    Insurance Agency

                                       89
<PAGE>

<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE          PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>

    PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
    Farmland Mutual Insurance                   Iowa                                    Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       
    Financial Horizons Distributors            Alabama                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Alabama, Inc.                                                       
    Financial Horizons Distributors             Ohio                                    Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Ohio, Inc.                                                          
    Financial Horizons Distributors           Oklahoma                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.                                                      
    Financial Horizons Distributors            Texas                                    Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Texas, Inc.                                                         
*   Financial Horizons Investment           Massachusetts                               Investment Company
    Trust                                                                         
    Financial Horizons Securities             Oklahoma                                  Broker Dealer
    Corporation                                                                   
    Gates, McDonald & Company                   Ohio                                    Cost Control Business
    Gates, McDonald & Company of               Nevada                                   Self-Insurance Administration Claims
    Nevada                                                                              Examinations and Data Processing 
                                                                                        Services
    Gates, McDonald & Company of              New York                                  Workers Compensation Claims 
    New York, Inc.                                                                      Administration
    Gates, McDonald Health Ohio                 Ohio                                    Managed Care Organization
    Plus, Inc.                                                                    
    Greater La Crosse Health Plans,           Wisconsin                                 Writes Commercial Health and Medicare
    Inc.                                                                                Supplement Insurance
                                                                                  
    Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.              Ohio                                    Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency
    Key Health Plan, Inc.                    California                                 Pre-paid health plans
    Landmark Financial Services of            New York                                  Life Insurance Agency
    New York, Inc.                                                                
    Leben Direkt Insurance Company             Germany                                  Life Insurance Company
    Lone Star General Agency, Inc.              Texas                                   Insurance Agency
**  MRM Investments, Inc.                       Ohio                                    Owns and operates a Recreational Ski
                                                                                        Facility
**  National Casualty Company                 Michigan                                  Insurance Company
    National Casualty Company of           Great Britain                                Insurance Company
    America, Ltd.                                                                 
**  National Premium and Benefit              Delaware                                  Insurance Administrative Services
    Administration Company                                                        
**  Nationwide Advisory Services,               Ohio                                    Registered Broker-Dealer, Investment
    Inc.                                                                                Manager and Administrator
    Nationwide Agency, Inc.                     Ohio                                    Insurance Agency
    Nationwide Agribusiness                     Iowa                                    Insurance Company
    Insurance Company                                                             
                                                                                  
                                       90
<PAGE>

                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>

*   Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust      Massachusetts                                Investment Company
    Nationwide Cash Management                  Ohio                                    Investment Securities Agent
    Company                                                                       
    Nationwide Communications, Inc.             Ohio                                    Radio Broadcasting Business
    Nationwide Community Urban                  Ohio                                    Redevelopment of blighted areas within the
    Redevelopment Corporation                                                           City of Columbus, Ohio
    Nationwide Corporation                      Ohio                                    Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                        holding, encumbering, transferring, or
                                                                                        otherwise disposing of shares, bonds, and
                                                                                        other evidences of indebtedness,
                                                                                        securities, and contracts of other
                                                                                        persons, associations, corporations,
                                                                                        domestic or foreign and to form or acquire
                                                                                        the control of other corporations
*   Nationwide Development                      Ohio                                    Owns, leases and manages commercial real
    Company                                                                             estate
    Nationwide Financial Institution          Delaware                                  Insurance Agency
    Distributors Agency, Inc.                                                     
    Nationwide Financial Services,            Delaware                                  Holding Company
    Inc.                                                                          
    Nationwide General Insurance                Ohio                                    Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       
    Nationwide HMO, Inc.                        Ohio                                    Health Maintenance Organization
*   Nationwide Indemnity Company                Ohio                                    Reinsurance Company
    Nationwide Insurance Enterprise             Ohio                                    Membership Non-Profit Corporation
    Foundation                                                                    
    Nationwide Insurance Golf                   Ohio                                    Membership Non-Profit Corporation
    Charities, Inc.                                                               
    Nationwide Investing Foundation           Michigan                                  Investment Company
*   Nationwide Investing                                                          
    Foundation II                           Massachusetts                               Investment Company
    Nationwide Investment Services            Oklahoma                                  Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
    Corporation                                                                         Compensation Market
    Nationwide Investors Services,              Ohio                                    Stock Transfer Agent
    Inc.                                                                          
**  Nationwide Life and Annuity                 Ohio                                    Life Insurance Company
    Insurance Company                                                             
**  Nationwide Life Insurance                   Ohio                                    Life Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       
    Nationwide Lloyds                          Texas                                    Texas Lloyds Company
    Nationwide Management                       Ohio                                    Develops and operates Managed Care
    Systems, Inc.                                                                       Delivery System
    Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance            Ohio                                    Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       

                                       91
<PAGE>

                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>

    Nationwide Mutual Insurance                 Ohio                                    Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       
    Nationwide Property, Ltd.                   Ohio                                    Develops, owns, and operates real estate
                                                                                        and real estate investments
    Nationwide Property and                     Ohio                                    Insurance Company
    Casualty Insurance Company                                                    
    Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd.           Ohio                                    Develops, owns, and operates real estate
                                                                                        and real estate investments
*   Nationwide Separate Account             Massachusetts                               Investment Company
    Trust                                                                         
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                 Delaware                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services, Inc.                                                                
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                  Alabama                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Alabama, Inc.                                                     
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                  Arizona                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Arizona, Inc.                                                     
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                  Montana                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Montana, Inc.                                                     
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                  Nevada                                   Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Nevada, Inc.                                                      
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                   Ohio                                    Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Ohio, Inc.                                                        
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                 Oklahoma                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Oklahoma, Inc.                                                    
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                   Texas                                   Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Texas, Inc.                                                       
    NEA Valuebuilder Investor                  Wyoming                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Services of Wyoming, Inc.                                                     
    NEA Valuebuilder Services               Massachusetts                               Life Insurance Agency
    Insurance Agency, Inc.                                                        
    Neckura General Insurance                  Germany                                  Insurance Company
    Company                                                                       
    Neckura Holding Company                    Germany                                  Administrative Service for Neckura
                                                                                        Insurance Group
    Neckura Insurance Company                  Germany                                  Insurance Company
    Neckura Life Insurance Company             Germany                                  Life Insurance Company
    NWE, Inc.                                   Ohio                                    Special Investments
    PEBSCO of Massachusetts                 Massachusetts                               Markets and Administers Deferred
    Insurance Agency, Inc.                                                              Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                                        Employees
    PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                      Texas                                    Markets and Administers Deferred
                                                                                        Compensation Plans for Public 
                                                                                        Employees
                                                                                  
                                        92
<PAGE>

                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE          PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>

    Pension Associates of Wausau,              Wisconsin                                Pension plan administration, record
    Inc.                                                                                keeping and consulting and compensation
                                                                                        consulting
    Physicians Plus Insurance                  Wisconsin                                Health Maintenance Organization
    Corporation                                                                  
    Prevea Health Insurance Plan,              Wisconsin                                Health Maintenance Organization
    Inc.                                                                         
    Public Employees Benefit                   Delaware                                 Markets and Administers Deferred
    Services corporation                                                                Compensation Plans for Public 
                                                                                        Employees
    Public Employees Benefit                   Alabama                                  Markets and Administers Deferred
    Services Corporation of Alabama                                                     Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                                        Employees
                                                                                 
    Public Employees Benefit                  Arkansas                                  Markets and Administers Deferred
    Services Corporation of Arkansas                                                    Compensation Plans for Public 
                                                                                        Employees
    Public Employees Benefit                   Montana                                  Markets and Administers Deferred
    Services Corporation of Montana                                                     Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                                        Employees
    Public Employees Benefit                 New Mexico                                 Markets and Administers Deferred
    Services Corporation of New                                                         Compensation Plans for Public
    Mexico                                                                              Employees
    Scottsdale Indemnity Company                Ohio                                    Insurance Company
    Scottsdale Insurance Company                Ohio                                    Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
                                                                                        Company
    Scottsdale Surplus Lines                  Arizona                                   Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance 
    Insurance Company                                                                   Company
    SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura                   Germany                                   Sales support for Neckura Insurance 
    Insurance Group                                                                     Group
    Wausau Business Insurance                Wisconsin                                  Insurance Company
    Company                                                                      
    Wausau General Insurance                 Illinois                                   Insurance Company
    Company                                                                      
    Wausau Insurance Company              United Kingdom                                Insurance and Reinsurance Company
    (U.K.) Limited                                                               
    Wausau International                    California                                  Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
    Underwriters                                                                        Insurance Underwriting Manager
**  Wausau Preferred Health                  Wisconsin                                  Insurance and Reinsurance Company
    Insurance Company                                                            
    Wausau Service Corporation               Wisconsin                                  Holding Company
    Wausau Underwriters Insurance            Wisconsin                                  Insurance Company
    Company                                                                      
**  West Coast Life Insurance               California                                  Life Insurance Company
    Company     


                                       93
<PAGE>



                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                STATE                    SECURITIES
                                                 OF                  (SEE ATTACHED CHART
             COMPANY                         ORGANIZATION             UNLESS  OTHERWISE                  PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
    <S>                                      <C>                   <C>                                 <C>
    PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
*   MFS Variable Account                        Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   NACo Variable Account                       Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide DC Variable Account              Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide DCVA II                          Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Separate Account No. 1                      Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable              Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
    Account                                                        Account
*   Nationwide VA Separate                      Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Annuity Contracts
    Account-A                                                      Annuity Separate Account
*   Nationwide VA Separate                      Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Annuity Contracts
    Account-B                                                      Annuity Separate Account
    Nationwide VA Separate                      Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Annuity Contracts
    Account-C                                                      Annuity Separate Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account                 Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-II              Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-3               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-4               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-5               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Fidelity Advisor                 Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
    Variable Account                                               Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-6               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-8               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide Variable Account-9               Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
*   Nationwide VL Separate 
    Account-A                                   Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                   Annuity Separate Account            Policies
*   Nationwide VL Separate
    Account-B                                   Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                   Annuity Separate Account            Policies
*   Nationwide VL Separate Account-             Ohio               Nationwide Life and                 Issuer of Life Insurance 
    C                                                              Annuity Separate Account
*   Nationwide VLI Separate Account             Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                   Account                             Policy
*   Nationwide VLI Separate                     Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Life Insurance
    Account-2                                                      Account                             Policy
*   Nationwide VLI Separate                     Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Life Insurance
    Account-3                                                      Account                             Policy
*   Nationwide VLI Separate                     Ohio               Nationwide Life Separate            Issuer of Life Insurance
    Account-4                                                      Account                             Policy

                                        94
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                               (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                  |      EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU     |
                                                  |           A MUTUAL COMPANY             |
                                                  |             (EMPLOYERS)                |
                                                  |                                        |========================================
                                                  | Contribution Note         Cost         |
                                                  | -----------------         ----         |
                                                  | Casualty                  $400,000,000 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    SAN DIEGO LOTUS      |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|     CORPORATION         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 748,212    |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
|100%          $29,000,000|       |100%          $18,683,300|       |100%          $176,763,000|     ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------     ||  ---------------------------
                                                                                 |                   ||
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ||
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
                              |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  --------------------------
- --------------------------        |                         |       |                          |  |  ||  |                         |
|     WAUSAU BUSINESS     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES   |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |    OF KENTUCKY, INC.    |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 10,900,000 |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 100 Shares  |  |  ||  |        COMPANIES        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------              |  |  ||  |        AGENCY OF        |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ||==|        TEXAS, INC.      |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |  ||  |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |  ||  |                         |
|WSC-100%      $33,800,000|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $145,852    |  |  ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  --------------------------
|   WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS   |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |      WAUSAU GENERAL      |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   | OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 8,750      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 200,000     |  |  ||  |     COMPANIES ANNUITY   |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |  ||  |         AGENCY OF       |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ====|         TEXAS, INC.     |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |                         |
|WSC-100%      $69,560,006|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $39,000,000 |  |      |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|   GREATER LA CROSSE     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL   |  |      |     AMERICAN MARINE     |
|   HEALTH PLANS, INC.    |   |   |    OF NEW YORK, INC.    |   |   |       UNDERWRITERS       |  |      |    UNDERWRITERS, INC.   |
|Common Stock: 3,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 20         |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |------|                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-33.3%     $861,761   |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |     COMPANIES AGENCY    |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |     OF ILLINOIS, INC.   |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 250        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |  |      |WSC-100%      $2,500     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |  |------|                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |  |      |                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |       |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33 1/3%     $6,215,459|  |      |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |                                 |      
                                                                |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |  |      |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
                                                                |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |  |      |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
                                                                |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|  |      |Common Stock: 1,000      |
                                                                |   |------------              |  |      |------------  Shares     |
                                                                ----|                          |  -------|                         |
                                                                    |                          |         |                         |
                                                                    |              Cost        |         |Companies        Cost    |
                                                                    |              ----        |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
                                                                    |WSC-33 1/3%   $500,000    |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
                                                                    ----------------------------         ---------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:    3,136 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-24.5%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-24.5%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-7.7%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-7.7%        $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       ||    |                                             |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |        |           NECKURA            |
|      INSURANCE COMPANY       |       ||    |    |         AND CASUALTY         |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Guaranty Fund                 |       ||    |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |=========    |----|Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--------|Common Stock:    6,000        |
|Certificate                   |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------     Shares       |
|-----------      Cost         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |Neckura-         ----         |
|Casualty         $500,000     |             |    |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |        |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                              |                                             |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|        F & B, INC.           |             |    |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |        |         NECKURA LIFE         |
|                              |             |    |     COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1 Share      |             |    |          (COLONIAL)          |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |             |----|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--------|Common Stock:   4,000         |
|                 Cost         |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------    Shares        |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                Cost          |
|Farmland                      |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |                ----          |
|Mutual-100%      $10          |             |    |Casualty-100%    $11,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                             |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|  NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS     |             |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|     INSURANCE COMPANY        |             |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|------------     Shares       |             |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |------------------|------------     Shares       |         |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%   $26,714,335  |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:                |                  |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|-------------                 |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,567  |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |          SCOTTSDALE          |         |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                                  |        SURPLUS LINES         |         |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
                                                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |              GmbH            |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
                                                  |                              |         |--------|------------                  |
                                                  |        "NEWLY FORMED"        |         |        |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                 ----         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |         |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
                                                  |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |         |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
                                                  |           COMPANY            |         |        |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |         |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
                                                  |------------     Shares       |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                                  |         SVM SALES            |                  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
                                                  |            GmbH              |                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |                  |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
                                                  |------------                  |                  |------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                              (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                         FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY                            |
       |                                (FIRE)                                     |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       |
  |                                          |                                                                  |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |                |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |                |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |                |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |                |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |                |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |                |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |                                                  
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |                                                  
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |                                                  
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |                                                  
        |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                      ||                     |                                                                                      
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
        |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |       CALIFORNIA CASH        |                                                  
        |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |          MANAGEMENT          |                                                  
        |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
        |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |Common Stock:    90 Shares    |                                                  
        |------------------            |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $9,000       |                                                  
        |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                                             |                                                      
                                             |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                             |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                  |           THE BEAK AND       |
                                             |    |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.     |                  |         WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                             |    |Common Stock:    14,750       |                  |                              |
                                             |    |------------     Shares       |                  |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |
                                             -----|                 Cost         |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |Casualty-100%    $11,510,000  |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Other Capital:                |                  |NW Comm-100%     $531,000     |
                                                  |-------------                 |                  |                              |
                                                  |Casualty-Ptd.      1,000,000  |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
Subsidiary Companies -- Solid Line
Contractual Association -- Double Lines

March 6, 1997

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)
                                                NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              EMPLOYERS INSURANCE               |
                                        |                  OF WAUSAU                     |==========================================
                                        |               A MUTUAL COMPANY                 |
                                         ------------------------------------------------



























<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------        ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |     ADVISORY SERVICES     |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|        (NW LIFE)          |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 68,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life--100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv.--100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
| NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|    COMPANY OF NEW YORK    |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock:             |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life--100%             |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| (Proposed)                |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |  |  |                           |==||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life--90%              |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual--10%            |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
                               |                                 ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |__|  |                           |__||                               
|                           |     |                           |                                   
|                           |     |                           |                                   
| NW Life--97.6%            |     |                           |                                   
| NW Mutual--2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------                                    

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |==========================================
                                        |                  (CASUALTY)                    |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
                                                                 |              ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |              |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                              |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                              |   Common Stock:           Control     |
                                              |   ------------            -------     |
                                              |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                              |              Shares      Cost         |
                                              |             ------      ----          |
                                              | Casualty    12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                              | Fire           649,510     24,007,936 |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                                                |
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                                     |                                |                             |
 ---------------------------     --------------------------       -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |   |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |    |      WEST COAST LIFE        |    |    NATIONAL CASUALTY       |
|    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |   |                           |    |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |    |         COMPANY            |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |           (NC)             |
| Common Stock: Control     |   | Common Stock: 1           |    | Common Stock: 1,000,000     |    | Common Stock: 100          |
| ------------  -------     |   | ------------  Share       |    | ------------  Shares        |    | ------------  Shares       |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |                            |
|                           |   |               Cost        |    |               Cost          |    |                Cost        |
| Class A     Public--100%  |   |               ----        |    |               ----          |    |                ----        |
| Class B     NW Corp--100% |   | NW Corp.--100% $1,339,218 |    | NW Corp.--100% $152,946,930 |    | NW Corp.--100% $73,442,439 |
 ---------------------------     ---------------------------      -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
             |                                                                                                     |
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                   |
                             |                                                  |                                  |
                ---------------------------                       ---------------------------        ----------------------------
               | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |                     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER       |    |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.     |
               |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |                     |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.   |    |         (INACTIVE)         |
               |         (PEBSCO)          |                     |             (NEA)           |    |                            |
               | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||                 | Common Stock: 500           |    |                            |
               | ------------  Shares      |  ||                 | ------------  Shares        |    |                            |
               |                           |  ||                 |                             |    |                            |
               | NFS--100%                 |  ||                 | NFS--100%                   |    | NFS--100%                  |
                ---------------------------   ||                  -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |          ALABAMA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%      $5,000     |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 || 
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |         ARKANSAS          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF ARIZONA, INC      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 50,000      |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $1,000      |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |  PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS  |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |  ||
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |          MONTANA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|       OF OHIO, INC.       |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ----------------------------
               |                           |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                            |
               |                           |  ||  |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||  |                            |
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||  |      NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |      INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|        OF TEXAS, INC.      |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               Cost        |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               ----        |      |                            |
               |                           |      | NEA--100%     $1,000      |      |                            |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ----------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|











- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.      |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |         (NW HMO)             |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | Common Stock:   254         |     | Common Stock:   250,000      |     | Common Stock:   100          |
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  |                 Cost         |
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | NW CORP.--100%  $25,683,532 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $126,509,480 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $14,603,732  |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    ---------------------------     |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |  |  |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |
           |   |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |  |  |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   3           |  |  | Common Stock:   250,000      |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         |
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES--100%     $106,947    |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc.--100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |     KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |  |  |          NATIONWIDE          |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |  |  |                              |  |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |  |  | Common Stock:   1,000        |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         |
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | Gates--100%     $93,750     |     | ELIOPW--80%  $2,700,000      |  |  | Inc.--99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------   
           |   |      GATES, MCDONALD        |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |  
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | NW CORP.--100%  $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   


                                                                                    Subsidiary Companies -- Solid Line

                                                                                    Contractual Association -- Double Lines


                                                                                                                  March 6, 1997
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                         Page 2

</TABLE>

                                  100 of 109
<PAGE>

Item 27. NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

    Not applicable.

Item 28. INDEMNIFICATION

    Provision is made in the Company's Amended and Restated Code of Regulations
    and expressly authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of
    Ohio, for indemnification by the Company of any person who was or is a
    party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
    completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
    administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is
    or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, against expenses,
    including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
    actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
    action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances
    permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
    of 1933 ("Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
    controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company
    has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
    Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
    the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
    indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
    registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
    controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
    action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
    controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
    registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
    settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
    jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
    public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
    adjudication of such issue.

Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

    (a)  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") acts as principal
         underwriter and general distributor for the Nationwide Multi-Flex
         Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA II,
         Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-5,
         Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide Variable Account-9,
         Nationwide VA Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B,
         Nationwide VA Separate Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A,
         Nationwide VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide VL Separate Account-C,
         Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3,
         Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4, NACo Variable Account and the
         Nationwide Variable Account, all of which are separate investment
         accounts of the Company or its affiliates.

         NAS also acts as principal underwriter for Nationwide Investing
         Foundation, Nationwide Separate Account Trust, Financial Horizons
         Investment Trust, Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust and Nationwide
         Investing Foundation II, which are open-end management investment
         companies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    (b)                 NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

                                                                 POSITIONS AND OFFICES
      NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS                                     WITH UNDERWRITER
<S>                                                     <C>
Joseph J. Gasper                                               President and Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Dimon Richard McFerson                                  Chairman of the Board of Directors and 
One Nationwide Plaza                                                Chairman and
Columbus, OH  43215                                       Chief Executive Officer-Nationwide
                                                           Insurance Enterprise and Director

Gordon E. McCutchan                                        Executive Vice President-Law and
One Nationwide Plaza                                        Corporate Services and Director
Columbus, OH  43215

                                     97 of 105
<PAGE>

   (b)                               NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                                           DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Robert A. Oakley                                          Executive Vice President - Chief
One Nationwide Plaza                                       Financial Officer and Director
Columbus, OH  43215

Robert J. Woodward, Jr.                                    Executive Vice President - Chief
One Nationwide Plaza                                        Investment Officer and Director
Columbus, OH 43215

W. Sidney Druen                                               Senior Vice President and
One Nationwide Plaza                                              General Counsel and
Columbus, OH  43215                                              Assistant Secretary

James F. Laird, Jr.                                            Vice President - General
One Nationwide Plaza                                         Manager & Acting Treasurer
Columbus, OH  43215

Edwin P. Mc Causland                                          Vice President-Fixed Income
One Nationwide Plaza                                                 Securities
Columbus, OH 43215

Harry S. Schermer                                            Vice President - Investments
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Joseph P. Rath                                               Vice President -Compliance
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

William G. Goslee                                                   Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Peter J. Neckermann                                                 Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215x

Rae M. Pollina                                                         Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

    
    (c)  NAME OF           NET UNDERWRITING        COMPENSATION ON
        PRINCIPAL           DISCOUNTS AND           REDEMPTION OR       BROKERAGE
       UNDERWRITER           COMMISSIONS            ANNUITIZATION      COMMISSIONS      COMPENSATION
       Nationwide               N/A                      N/A               N/A              N/A
        Advisory
        Services,
          Inc.
</TABLE>

                                     98 of 105

<PAGE>

Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

         Robert O. Cline
         Nationwide Life Insurance Company
         One Nationwide Plaza
         Columbus, OH  43215

Item 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

         Not Applicable

Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS
         The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

         (a)  file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement as
              frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited financial
              statements in the registration statement are never more than 16
              months old for so long as payments under the variable annuity
              contracts may be accepted;

         (b)  include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a
              contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an applicant can
              check to request a Statement of Additional Information, or (2) a
              post card or similar written communication affixed to or included
              in the prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a
              Statement of Additional Information; and

         (c)  deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any financial
              statements required to be made available under this form promptly
              upon written or oral request.

         The Registrant represents that any of the Contracts which are issued
         pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code, are issued by the Company
         through the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance with, a
         no-action letter issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange
         Commission to the American Council of Life Insurance (publicly
         available November 28, 1988) permitting withdrawal restrictions to the
         extent necessary to comply with Section 403(b)(11) of the Code.

         The Company represents that the fees and charges deducted under the
         Contract in the aggregate are reasonable in relation to the services
         rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred and risks assumed by
         the Company.

                                      99 of 105
<PAGE>

                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                      Offered by
                          Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           

                           NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                                            
              MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                      PROSPECTUS
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                   October 27, 1997

                                      100 of 105
<PAGE>

                                                          SCHEDULE I

     NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

               Consolidated Summary of Investments-
              Other Than Investments in Related Parties

                      As of December 31, 1996
                          ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------  -----------   --------------   ---------------
              Column A                                Column B       Column C         Column D
- --------------------------------------------------  -----------   --------------   ---------------
                                                                                   Amount at which
                                                                                    shown in the
                                                                                    consolidated
         Type of Investment                            Cost        Market value     balance sheet
- --------------------------------------------------  ----------    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>              <C>
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
  Bonds:

    U.S. Government and government agencies and
      authorities                                  $ 3,757,887        3,834,762        3,834,762
    States, municipalities and political
       subdivisions                                      6,242            6,690            6,690
    Foreign governments                                100,656          101,940          101,940
    Public utilities                                 1,798,736        1,843,938        1,843,938
    All other corporate                              6,307,357        6,517,309        6,517,309
                                                   -----------      -----------      -----------
        Total fixed maturity securities
          available-for-sale                        11,970,878       12,304,639       12,304,639
                                                   -----------      -----------      -----------
Equity securities available-for-sale:
  Common stocks:
    Industrial, miscellaneous and all other             43,501           50,405           50,405
  Non-redeemable preferred stock                           389            8,726            8,726
                                                   -----------      -----------      -----------
        Total equity securities
          available-for-sale                            43,890           59,131           59,131
                                                   -----------      -----------      -----------
Mortgage loans on real estate, net                   5,327,317                         5,272,119 (1)
Real estate, net: 
    Investment properties                              253,383                           217,611 (1)
    Acquired in satisfaction of debt                    57,933                            48,148 (1)
Policy loans                                           371,816                           371,816
Other long-term investments                             27,370                            28,668 (2)
Short-term investments                                   4,789                             4,789
                                                   -----------                       -----------
        Total investments                          $18,057,376                        18,306,921
                                                   -----------                       -----------
                                                   -----------                       -----------
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Difference from Column B is primarily due to valuation of allowances due 
    to impairments on mortgage loans on real estate and due to accumulated 
    depreciation and valuation allowances due to impairments on real estate. See
    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
    Operations and note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Difference from Column B is primarily due to operating gains on 
    investments in limited partnerships.







See accompanying independent auditors' report.
    

<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE III

                   NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          Supplemental Insurance Information

                         As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                          and for each of the years then ended
                                   ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Column A                  Column B               Column C              Column D              Column E              Column F
- -------------------       -----------------     ------------------    -----------------    ------------------    ------------------
                                                   Future policy                            Other policy claims
                          Deferred policy        benefits, losses,         Unearned            and benefits
                            acquisition             claims and             premiums               payable               Premium
    Segment                    costs              loss expenses              (1)                    (2)                 revenue
- -------------------       -----------------     ------------------    -----------------    ------------------    ------------------
<S>                       <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1996: Variable Annuities   $  791,611                       -                                          -                       -
      Fixed Annuities         242,421              14,952,877                                        687                  24,030
      Life Insurance          414,417               1,995,802                                    395,739                 174,612
      Corporate and Other     (81,940)                230,381                                     25,048                       -
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
       Total               $1,366,509              17,179,060                                    421,474                 198,642
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------

1995: Variable Annuities      571,283                       -                                          -                       -
      Fixed Annuities         221,111              14,221,622                                        455                  32,774
      Life Insurance          366,876               1,898,641                                    383,983                 166,332
      Corporate and Other    (138,914)                238,351                                     28,886                       -
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
       Total               $1,020,356              16,358,614                                    413,324                 199,106
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------

1994: Variable Annuities      395,397                       -                                          -                       -
      Fixed Annuities         198,639              12,633,253                                        240                  20,134
      Life Insurance          327,079               1,806,762                                    371,984                 156,524
      Corporate and Other      74,445                 233,569                                     26,927                       -
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
       Total               $  995,560              14,673,584                                    399,151                 176,658
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
                           -----------             ----------                                   --------                --------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Column A                  Column G               Column H              Column I              Column J              Column K
- -------------------       -----------------     ------------------    -----------------    ------------------    ------------------
                            Net investment       Benefits, claims,      Amortization              Other
                               income          losses and settlement   of deferred policy   operating expenses         Premiums
    Segment                      (3)                 expenses          acquisition costs           (3)                  written
- -------------------       -----------------     ------------------    -----------------    ------------------    ------------------
<S>                       <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
1996: Variable Annuities   $  (21,449)                  4,624               57,412               132,357
      Fixed Annuities       1,050,557                 838,533               38,635                79,737
      Life Insurance          174,002                 211,386               37,347                78,965
      Corporate and Other     154,649                 106,037                    -                51,335
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
       Total               $1,357,759               1,160,580              133,394               342,394
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------

1995: Variable Annuities      (17,640)                  2,881               26,264               109,089
      Fixed Annuities       1,002,718                 804,980               29,499                80,260
      Life Insurance          171,255                 201,986               31,021                68,832
      Corporate and Other     137,700                 105,646               (4,089)               14,773
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
       Total               $1,294,033               1,115,493               82,695               272,954
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------

1994: Variable Annuities      (13,415)                  2,277               22,135                83,701
      Fixed Annuities         903,572                 702,082               29,849                69,975
      Life Insurance          166,329                 191,006               29,495                69,861
      Corporate and Other     154,325                  97,302                4,089                17,115
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
       Total               $1,210,811                 992,667               85,568               240,652
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------
                           -----------             ----------           ----------              --------

</TABLE>

(1) Unearned premiums are included in Column C amounts.

(2) Column E agrees to the sum of the Balance Sheet captions, Policyholders' 
    dividend accumulations and Other policyholder funds.
(3) Allocations of net investment income and certain general expenses are 
    based on a number of assumptions and estimates, and reported operating 
    results would change by segment if different methods were applied.

See accompanying independent auditors' report.


<PAGE>



                                                                    SCHEDULE IV

                NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    Reinsurance
 
                      As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                       and for each of the years then ended
                                  ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------  ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
       Column A             Column B         Column C          Column D      Column E      Column F
- ------------------------  ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                                                                                          Percentage
                                             Ceded to        Assumed from                  of amount
                          Gross amount    other companies  other companies  Net amount  assumed to net
- ------------------------  ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
<S>                       <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>         <C>
1996:
Life insurance in force    $47,071,264      6,633,567          288,593      40,726,290       0.7%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
Premiums:
  Life insurance               225,615         29,282            2,309         198,642       1.2%
  Accident and health
    insurance                  291,871        305,789           13,918            -          N/A
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                  $   517,486        335,071           16,227         198,642       8.2%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
1995:
Life Insurance in force    $41,087,025      8,935,743          391,174      32,542,456       1.2%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
Premiums:
  Life insurance               221,257         24,360            2,209         199,106       1.1%
  Accident and health
    insurance                  298,058        313,036           14,978           -           N/A
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                  $   519,315        337,396           17,187         199,106       8.6%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
1994:
Life Insurance in force    $35,926,633      7,550,623          829,742      29,205,752       2.8%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
Premiums:
  Life insurance               198,705         24,912            2,865         176,658       1.6%
  Accident and health
    insurance                  303,435        321,696           18,261           -           N/A
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                  $   502,140        346,608           21,126         176,658      12.0%
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
                          ------------    ---------------  ---------------  ----------  -------------
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Note: The life insurance caption represents principally premiums from 
traditional life insurance and life-contingent immediate annuities
and excludes deposits on investment products and universal life
insurance products.








See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE V

              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


                Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                              ($000's omitted)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------  ------------  --------------------------  ----------  -------------
                      Column A                          Column B             Column C            Column D      Column E
- ----------------------------------------------------  ------------  --------------------------  ----------  -------------
                                                       Balance at   Charged to
                                                      beginning of  costs and    Charged to     Deductions   Balance at
Description                                              period      expenses   other accounts      (1)     end of period
- ----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>
1996:
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate     $49,128       4,497           -            2,587       51,038
Valuation allowances - real estate                        25,819     (10,600)          -             -          15,219
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                                                $74,947      (6,103)          -            2,587       66,257
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------


1995:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities            -          8,908           -            8,908          -
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate      46,382       7,433           -            4,686        49,128
Valuation allowances - real estate                        27,330      (1,511)          -             -           25,819
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                                                $73,711      14,830           -           13,594        74,947
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------


1994:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities           4,800      (4,800)          -             -             -
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate      42,150      20,445           -           16,214        46,381
Valuation allowances - real estate                        31,357      (4,027)          -             -           27,330
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
    Total                                                $78,307      11,618           -           16,214        73,711
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------
                                                      ------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------

</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) Amounts represent direct write-downs charged against the valuation 
allowance.










See accompanying independent auditors' report.



<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES
   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 
1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9 certifies that the 
requirements of the Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of the 
Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 
to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf in the City of 
Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 24th day of October, 1997.
    
                                            NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
                                       --------------------------------------
                                                   (Registrant)
                                         NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                       --------------------------------------
                                                   (Depositor)

                                                 By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                                       --------------------------------------
                                                    Joseph P. Rath
   
                             Vice President - Product and Market Compliance
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 24th day of
October, 1997.
    

    SIGNATURE                                TITLE
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                             Director
- ---------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin                             

KEITH W. ECKEL                              Director
- ---------------------------
Keith W. Eckel

WILLARD J. ENGEL                            Director
- ---------------------------
Willard J. Engel

FRED C. FINNEY                              Director
- ---------------------------
Fred C. Finney

CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                   Director
- ---------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.

JOSEPH J. GASPER                 President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- ---------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper

HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                Chairman of the Board and Director
- ---------------------------
Henry S. Holloway

DIMON RICHARD MCFERSON        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide 
- ---------------------------         Insurance Enterprise and Director
Dimon Richard McFerson                      

DAVID O. MILLER                             Director
- ---------------------------
David O. Miller

C. RAY NOECKER                              Director
- ---------------------------
C. Ray Noecker

ROBERT A. OAKLEY              Executive Vice President- Chief Financial Officer
- --------------------------- 
Robert A. Oakley

JAMES F. PATTERSON                          Director       By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
- ---------------------------                                --------------------
James F. Patterson                                            Joseph P. Rath

ARDEN L. SHISLER                            Director       Attorney-in-Fact
- ---------------------------
Arden L. Shisler

ROBERT L. STEWART                           Director
- ---------------------------
Robert L. Stewart

NANCY C. THOMAS                             Director
- ---------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas

HAROLD W. WEIHL                             Director
- ---------------------------
Harold W. Weihl

                                      105 of 105

<PAGE>







                                 EXHIBIT NO. 5
                     THE VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION FORM



<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

[LOGO]

                                    THE BEST OF AMERICA-Registered Trademark- AMERICA'S FUTURE ANNUITY -SM-
                                                         APPLICATION/ENROLLMENT CARD
                                       INITIAL MINIMUM IS $100,000 FOR 401(a), $15,000 FOR ALL OTHERS
<S>                                                                       <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN TYPE    AN OPTION MUST BE SELECTED                                   DEATH BENEFIT    OPTION AN OPTION MUST BE SELECTED

This contract is established as a:

/ /  NON-QUALIFIED                                                        / /  STANDARD 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
/ /  IRA ROLLOVER                                                         / /  1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY  *
/ /  403(b) TRANSFER  Disclosure form required.                           / /  5%  INTEREST  *
/ /  CRT (Charitable Remainder Trust)                                     *  Additional charge, please see prospectus
/ /  401 (a)  (Investment Only)  Disclosure form required.                   Available to annuitants aged less than  85

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT OWNER                                                            / / CONTINGENT OWNER  / /JOINT OWNER


Last Name or Plan Name                                                        Last Name       Spouse only unless prohibited by law

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

First Name or Plan Name (CONTINUED)                    MI                     First Name                                       MI

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

Address                                                                       Address
         ------------------------------------------                                    -------------------------------------

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

Sex / /M   / /F     Birthdate     /   /                                       Sex  / /M   / /F    Birthdate     /   /
                              -------------                                                                 -------------
                              MM  DD  YYYY                                                                  MM  DD  YYYY

Soc. Sec. No. or Tax ID                                                       Soc. Sec. No. or Tax ID
                        ---------------------------                                                   ----------------------

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


ANNUITANT     Complete only if different from                             / / CONTINGENT ANNUITANT
              primary contract owner.
Last Name                                                                     Last Name

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

First Name                                             MI                     First Name                                       MI

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

Address
         ------------------------------------------

         ------------------------------------------
                         Maximum issue age through age 85

Sex / /M   / /F     Birthdate     /   /                                       Sex  / /M   / /F    Birthdate     /   /
                              -------------                                                                 -------------
                              MM  DD  YYYY                                                                  MM  DD  YYYY

Soc. Sec. No.                                                                 Soc. Sec. No. 
             ------------------------------                                                ------------------------------

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


BENEFICIARY     BENEFICIARY WILL RECEIVE DEATH BENEFIT UPON DEATH OF ANNUITANT (AND CONTINGENT ANNUITANT, IF NAMED).

                                                                                    Relationship                        Birthdate
Primary      Contingent      Print Full Name (Last, First, MI)      Allocation      to Annuitant     Soc. Sec. No.      MM/DD/YYYY
                                                                                                                          /  /    
  / /                        ---------------------------------      ---------%      ------------     -------------      ----------
                                                                                                                          /  /    
  / /           / /          ---------------------------------      ---------%      ------------     -------------      ----------
                                                                                                                          /  /    
  / /           / /          ---------------------------------      ---------%      ------------     -------------      ----------
                                                                                                                          /  /    
  / /           / /          ---------------------------------      ---------%      ------------     -------------      ----------
                                                                                                                          /  /    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUITY PURCHASE PAYMENTS              / / PAYMENT ENCLOSED            / / 1035             / / TRANSFER             / / ROLLOVER

First Purchase Payment $       (Initial 401(a) minimum is $100,000. All other plan types are $15,000) submitted.  A copy of this
application properly signed by the producer will constitute receipt for such amount.  If this application is declined by the
Company, there will be no liability on the part of the Company, and any payments submitted with this application will be refunded.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMARKS

APO-3418                                    PRODUCT OF NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE CO.                          ID-FUTURE-AO (8/97)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE PAYMENT ALLOCATION                            WHOLE PERCENTAGES ONLY, MUST TOTAL 100%


                                        A CONTRACT CANNOT BE ISSUED UNLESS THIS SECTION IS COMPLETE.

<S>                                              <C>                                     <C>
AMERICAN CENTURY                                                                         NEUBERGER & BERMAN
  -----% VP Income & Growth                     NATIONWIDE SUBADVISED FUNDS               -----%  AMT Guardian Portfolio
  -----% VP International                           Fund Name(Subadvisor)                 -----%  AMT Partners Portfolio
  -----% VP Value                                -----%   Balanced Fund                   -----%  AMT Mid-Cap Growth
                                                          (Salomon Brothers)
DREYFUS                                          -----%   Equity Income Fund             OPPENHEIMER FUNDS
  -----% Capital Appreciation Portfolio                   (Federated)                     -----%  Capital Appreciation Fund
  -----% Stock Index Fund                        -----%   Global Equity Fund              -----%  Growth Fund
  -----% Socially Responsible Growth Fund                 (JP Morgan)                     -----%  Growth & Income Fund
                                                 -----%   High Income Bond Fund
FIDELITY                                                  (Federated)                    VAN ECK
  -----% Contrafund Portfolio                    -----%   Multi Sector Bond Fund          -----%  Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
  -----% Equity-Income Portfolio                          (Salomon Brothers)              -----%  Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
  -----% Growth Portfolio                        -----%   Small Cap Value Fund
  -----% Growth Opportunities Portfolio                   (Dreyfus)                      WARBURG PINCUS
  -----% High Income Portfolio                   -----%   Small Company Fund              -----%  International Equity Portfolio
  -----% Overseas Portfolio                               (Multi Managers)                -----%  Growth & Income Portfolio
                                                 -----%   Strategic Growth Fund           -----%  Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
MORGAN STANLEY                                            (Strong)
  -----% Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio         -----%   Strategic Value Fund           NATIONWIDE LIFE INS. CO
  -----% Real Estate Securities Portfolio                 (Strong/Schafer)                -----%  Fixed Account
                                                 -----%   Select Advisers Mid Cap
NATIONWIDE-Registered Trademark-                          Fund (Three UAM Managers)             MVA/GUAR. TERM OPTION
  -----% Capital Appreciation Fund                                                        -----%  3 Year
  -----% Government Bond Fund                                                             -----%  5 Year
  -----% Money Market Fund                                                                -----%  7 Year    $1,000 minimum
  -----% Total Return Fund                                                                -----%  10 Year   for each option

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURES

I hereby represent my answers to the above questions to be accurate and complete and acknowledge that I have received a copy of the
current prospectus for this variable annuity contract.

            CONTRACT
PRODUCER    OWNER
/ / Yes     / / Yes   To the best of your knowledge, will the annuity contract applied for diminish the value of
/ / No      / / No    (replace) an existing annuity contract or life policy?
/ / Please send me a copy of the Statement of Additional Information to the Prospectus.

     STATE IN WHICH APPLICATION WAS SIGNED
                                           ----------------------------------------
                                                           State
     CONTRACT OWNER                                                                      DATE
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------          ------------------------
                                                 Signature
     JOINT OWNER
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Signature
     PRODUCER
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Signature

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCER'S NAME & ADDRESS

     NAME                                                                         PRODUCER SSN
         --------------------------------------------------------------------                 ------------------------------------
     BROKER/DEALER                                                                PHONE  (  )
                  -----------------------------------------------------------          -------------------------------------------
     ADDRESS
            -----------------------------------------------------------------

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

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




REGULAR MAIL    Nationwide Life Insurance Co.                              EXPRESS MAIL     Nationwide Life Insurance Co.
                P.O. Box 16609                                                              Individual Annuity Products, 1-05-P1
                Columbus, Ohio  43216-6609                                                  One Nationwide Plaza
                1-800-848-6331                                                              Columbus, Ohio  43215-2220
</TABLE>


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