STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LTD
424B3, 1998-11-10
INSURANCE AGENTS, BROKERS & SERVICE
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                                           Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
                                                 Registration No. 333-32995

                        Prospectus Supplement No. 4
                                     to
                     Prospectus Dated August 10, 1998,
                             as supplemented by
            Prospectus Supplement No. 1, dated August 10, 1998,
                                    and
            Prospectus Supplement No. 2, dated August 13, 1998,
                                    and
            Prospectus Supplement No. 3, dated October 7, 1998.
                             -----------------

                   STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED
                              ORDINARY SHARES
                        (par value $0.25 per share)

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

      See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10 of the Prospectus dated
          August 10, 1998 for certain considerations relevant to
                   an investment in the Ordinary Shares.

           The Ordinary Shares are quoted in the Nasdaq National
                     Market under the symbol "SCBHF".
                            --------------------

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER
REGULATORY BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                           ---------------------

     This Prospectus Supplement, together with the Prospectus, dated August
10, 1998, as supplemented by Prospectus  Supplement No. 1, dated August 10,
1998,  Prospectus  Supplement  No. 2, dated August 13, 1998 and  Prospectus
Supplement No. 3, dated October 7, 1998, has been prepared for and is to be
used by  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. in  connection  with offers and sales of the
Ordinary Shares related to market-making transactions, at prevailing market
prices,  related prices or negotiated  prices. The Company will not receive
any of the  proceeds  of such  sales.  Goldman,  Sachs  & Co.  may act as a
principal or agent in such transactions. See "Plan of Distribution".

                            GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

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

        The date of this Prospectus Supplement is November 9, 1998.
<PAGE>
     This Prospectus Supplement is intended to be read in conjunction with
the Prospectus, dated August 10, 1998 (the "Prospectus"), as supplemented
by Prospectus Supplement No. 1, dated August 10, 1998, Prospectus
Supplement No. 2, dated August 13, 1998 and Prospectus Supplement No. 3,
dated October 7, 1998. Capitalized terms used in this Prospectus Supplement
and not otherwise defined herein have the same meanings as in the
Prospectus.

     On November 9, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, a copy of which is attached hereto
and deemed to be a part hereof.
<PAGE>
===========================================================================

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                    -----------------------------------

                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT

                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                    -----------------------------------



DATE OF REPORT:  NOVEMBER 9, 1998


DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED:  NOVEMBER 9, 1998

                   STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       BERMUDA                     000-23427                 NOT APPLICABLE
   (State or other         (Commission File Number)         (I.R.S. Employer
   jurisdiction of                                       Identification Number)
  incorporation or
    organization)
                         VICTORIA HALL, THIRD FLOOR
                             11 VICTORIA STREET
                          HAMILTON, HM 11, BERMUDA
                  (Address of principal executive offices)




REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:         (441) 295-7556
<PAGE>
Item 5.   Other Events.
          ------------

     On November 9, 1998, the registrant issued the press release filed as
Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
          ---------------------------------


               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

               99.1          Press Release issued November 9, 1998
<PAGE>
                                 SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Dated: November 9, 1998


                                     STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                     By:   /s/George W. Jones
                                        ----------------------------------
                                         George W. Jones
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                         and Director
<PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT INDEX



               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

               99.1          Press Release issued November 9, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                               Exhibit 99.1

            [STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED LETTERHEAD]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               Contact:          Mark Cooke
                                                      George Jones
                                                      Tel: 441-295-7556
                                                      Fax: 441-295-7201
                                                      Address above

               STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED REPORTS

             RESULTS FOR 3rd QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1998

Hamilton,  Bermuda  (November  9, 1998) -  Stirling  Cooke  Brown  Holdings
Limited  (NASDAQ:  "SCBHF")  today  reported  results for the third quarter
ended September 30th, 1998.

                                     Three months ended      Nine months ended
                                       September 30th         September 30th
                                      1997         1998      1997        1998
                                      ----         ----      ----        ----
                                    (Dollars in thousands except per share data)

   NET INCOME                        $3,590       $4,129    $9,582      $12,141

   BASIC EPS
     Net Income per share            $ 0.42       $ 0.42    $ 1.17      $  1.24
     Avg. no. of ordinary shares
      outstanding - Basic (000's)     8,488        9,823     8,168        9,823

   DILUTED EPS
     Net Income per ordinary share   $ 0.42       $ 0.42    $ 1.15      $  1.23
     Avg. no. of ordinary shares
      outstanding - Diluted (000's)   8,488        9,823     8,341        9,858

Mark Cooke, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The  operating  results for the third  quarter 1998 were most  satisfying,
once again reflecting the continued growth of the Company's  business.  Net
income grew by 15% in the third quarter to $4.1 million, and grew by 27% to
$12.1  million  for the first  nine  months of 1998,  as  compared  to $3.6
million and $9.6 million, respectively, in 1997".

Diluted net income per share remained even for the third quarter of 1998 at
$0.42 and  increased  by 7% to $1.23 for the first nine months of 1998,  as
compared to $0.42 and $1.15, respectively, in 1997.

Risk management  fees increased $2.4 million,  or 20%, to $14.1 million for
the quarter  and by $7.2  million,  or 21%, to $41.0  million for the first
nine months of 1998  compared  to the  corresponding  periods in 1997.  The
Company's  brokerage  operations  continued to grow,  increasing  brokerage
income by $1.2 million to $7.1 million in the third  quarter of 1998 and by
$2.3 million to $20.0 million for the first nine months of 1998 compared to
the corresponding periods in 1997. The Company also continued to experience
growth in managing  general agency fees which increased $0.6 million in the
third quarter of 1998, to $3.6 million and by $2.7 million to $10.9 million
for the first nine months of 1998 compared to the corresponding  periods in
1997.  This growth  reflected  the  continued  expansion  of the  Company's
managing  general  agency  network  primarily  in the  Southeastern  United
States.  Policy  issuance fees earned by Realm National  Insurance  Company
Limited  ("Realm  National")  increased $0.3 million to $0.4 million in the
third  quarter of 1998 and by $0.8  million to $1.4  million  for the first
nine months of 1998 compared to the corresponding periods in 1997.

Net  premiums  earned  decreased  $0.1 million to $3.3 million in the third
quarter of 1998 and  increased  by $3.8  million to $12.9  million  for the
first nine months of 1998  compared to the  corresponding  periods in 1997.
The decrease in net  premiums  earned  during the third  quarter of 1998 as
compared  to 1997  was due to a  decrease  in net  premiums  earned  by the
Company's Bermuda based  reinsurance  subsidiary in line with the Company's
decision to reduce its underwriting  activities.  The year to date increase
was due to  significant  growth in  workers'  compensation  business  being
written by Realm National.  Gross premiums written by Realm National in the
third  quarter of 1998  increased  by $3.0  million to $9.0  million and by
$22.8  million to $35.1  million for the first nine months of 1998 compared
to the  corresponding  periods in 1997. The growth in premiums  written was
primarily workers'  compensation business generated by the Company's M.G.A.
network and independent  M.G.A.s based primarily in the Southeastern United
States.

Net investment  income increased $0.9 million to $2.3 million for the third
quarter  of 1998 and by $2.1  million  to $6.4  million  for the first nine
months of 1998 compared to the corresponding periods in 1997. Overall total
revenues  increased  $3.7  million,  or 22%, to $20.7 million for the third
quarter of 1998 and by $14.7  million,  or 31%,  to $62.7  million  for the
first nine months of 1998 compared to the corresponding periods in 1997.

Total  expenses  increased  $2.8 million,  or 22%, to $15.6 million for the
third  quarter of 1998 and by $11.3  million,  or 31%, to $47.6 million for
the first nine  months of 1998  compared  to the  corresponding  periods in
1997. Of the  increase,  $0.3 million in the third quarter and $5.5 million
for the first nine months related to increased  insurance  costs.  This was
primarily  due to a  corresponding  increase in net premiums  earned in the
respective  periods  and  partly  due to adverse  loss  development  on one
particular  program that covers  bodily  injury and  property  risks in the
construction  industry.  Total expenses excluding insurance costs increased
$2.5  million,  or 27%, to $11.7  million for the third quarter of 1998 and
$5.8 million,  or 21%, for the first nine months of 1998 as compared to the
corresponding  periods in 1997,  reflecting  the general  expansion  of the
Company as reflected in the Company's growth in revenues.

The  Company  will pay a third  quarter  dividend  of 3 cents per  ordinary
share.  The dividend will be payable on December 1, 1998 to shareholders of
record on November 17, 1998.

Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings  Limited is a Bermuda  holding company which,
through its  subsidiaries,  provides risk management  services and products
predominantly to U.S. based small and mid-sized businesses, including those
seeking cost-effective alternatives to traditional commercial insurance for
certain  of  their  risk  exposures.  In  addition,  the  Company  arranges
reinsurance  for its products as well as for those  offered by  independent
insurance  carriers  and  reinsurance  companies  active  in  the  workers'
compensation,  occupational  accident  and  health and  casualty  insurance
markets.

Stirling Cooke Brown  Holdings  Limited  Ordinary  Shares are quoted on the
NASDAQ market under the symbol "SCBHF".

                                   # # #

<PAGE>
                   STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED
                      Third Quarter Reported Earnings
                                 Unaudited


                                     Three Months ended   Nine months ended 
                                        September 30         September 30
                                      ------------------   -----------------
                                        1997      1998      1997      1998
                                      -------    -------   -------   -------
                                     (Dollars in thousands except share data)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues
     Risk management fees .........   $11,712   $14,112   $33,714   $40,952
     Net premiums earned ..........     3,390     3,334     9,111    12,938
     Net investment income ........     1,440     2,314     4,318     6,373
     Other income .................       477       947       866     2,479
                                      -------   -------   -------   -------

          Total revenues ..........    17,019    20,707    48,009    62,742
                                      -------   -------   -------   -------

Expenses
     Net losses and loss expenses
         incurred .................     3,258     3,616     8,428    13,337
     Acquisition costs ............       286       267     1,007     1,627
     Salaries and benefits ........     4,416     5,927    13,285    16,639
     General and administration
         expenses .................     4,793     5,751    13,637    16,046
                                      -------   -------   -------   -------

          Total expenses ..........    12,753    15,561    36,357    47,649
                                      -------   -------   -------   -------

Income before taxation ............     4,266     5,146    11,652    15,093
     Taxation .....................       676     1,017     2,070     2,952
                                      -------   -------   -------   -------
     Net income ...................   $ 3,590   $ 4,129   $ 9,582   $12,141
                                      =======   =======   =======   =======

BASIC

Net income per share                  $  0.42   $  0.42   $  1.17   $  1.24
Average number of ordinary shares
     outstanding - Basic (000's)        8,488     9,823     8,168     9,823

DILUTED

Net income per share                  $  0.42   $  0.42   $  1.15   $  1.23
Average number of ordinary shares
     outstanding - Diluted (000's)      8,488     9,823     8,341     9,858

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
                                          December 31, 1997   September 30, 1998
                                          -----------------  -------------------
Total Assets                                   $406,330            $506,232
Shareholders' Equity                           $ 83,103            $ 94,256


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