PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C
10-K405, 1998-03-16
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                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 10-K

                  1. ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d)

                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997   Commission File Number 2-39957 and
                          (current  number)   Commission File Number 33-58028

                     PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               SEPARATE ACCOUNT C
            (Exact Name of Registrant, as specified in its charter)



             Iowa                                           42-0127290
- -------------------------------                ---------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                  IRS Employer Identification No.
incorporation or organization)                 (Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                                                                  Company)

The Principal Financial Group
Des Moines, Iowa                                             50392-0200
- -------------------------------                ---------------------------------
         (Address)                                           (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code         (515) 248-3842
                                                          

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


         Variable Contracts - Participating with Pooled Separate Account
                         Variable Benefits - HR-10 Plans
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                             Yes  ___X___      No _______

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained,  to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information  statements  incorporated  by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

     The Registrant has no voting stock.


                                     PART I


Item 1. Business

        The  Registrant  is  a  separate  account  established  under  the  Iowa
        insurance  laws and  regulations  as  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
        Company Separate  Account C on April 12, 1971,  pursuant to a resolution
        of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Principal Mutual
        Life  Insurance  Company.   Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,
        formerly  known as Bankers Life Company,  adopted its new name effective
        July 1, 1986. The account was formed to receive payments under Principal
        Mutual Life Insurance Company  Contracts  designed for use in connection
        with  pension  or  profit   sharing   plans  which   qualify  under  the
        Self-Employed  Individuals  Tax  Retirement  Act  of  1962,  as  amended
        ("HR-10").  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company is a mutual life
        insurance company,  incorporated under the laws of Iowa,  offering life,
        disability,  health and annuity  contracts  written on an individual and
        group basis.

        Pursuant to the Amendments enacted in 1970 to the Investment Company Act
        of 1940,  the Account is not an  investment  company for purposes of the
        Act.

        The objective of these  Contracts is to provide for the  accumulation of
        retirement  funds and to provide for  payments,  usually  commencing  at
        retirement,  which  tend to reflect  changes in the cost of living  both
        during the years prior to and the years  following the  commencement  of
        annuity payments.  With Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts (Registration
        No. 2-39957),  Principal Mutual Life Insurance  Company,  as a depositor
        for the Account,  seeks to  accomplish  this  objective by investing the
        payments  made  under  the  Contracts  in shares  of  Principal  Capital
        Accumulation  Fund,  Inc.  which invests  principally  in common stocks.
        Similarly,  with Pension Builder Contracts  (Registration No. 33-58028),
        it seeks to accomplish  this objective by investing  payments made under
        the Contract in three Divisions.  One is a "Common Stock Division" where
        payments are invested in shares of Principal Capital  Accumulation Fund,
        Inc. Another is a "Money Market Division" where payments are invested in
        Principal  Money Market Fund,  Inc.  which invests in  short-term  money
        market  instruments.  The third  Division  is a  "Government  Securities
        Division" where payments are invested in Principal Government Securities
        Fund,  Inc.,  which invests in  obligations  issued or guaranteed by the
        United States Government or its agencies.  There may be a combination of
        investments in the three Divisions, as directed by Participants.

        Except for those Contracts described above with payments credited to the
        Registrant  (Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C)
        and Variable  Annuity  Contracts and Variable Life  Insurance  Contracts
        with  payments  credited  to  Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance  Company
        Separate Account B and Variable Life Separate Account, respectively, the
        Company  distributes its own products as permitted under the laws of the
        various jurisdictions in which the Company is authorized to do business,
        namely the fifty states of the United States,  the District of Columbia,
        the  Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Canadian  provinces of Alberta,
        British  Columbia,  Manitoba,  Ontario and Quebec.  Such distribution is
        through a field agency system of approximately 1,327 full-time agents, a
        group insurance sales  organization of approximately 254 individuals and
        through a large number of independent insurance brokers.

        The Contracts  described above with payments  credited to the Registrant
        and  other  Variable  Annuity  Contracts  and  Variable  Life  Insurance
        Contracts   are   distributed   through   Princor   Financial   Services
        Corporation,  an affiliated  broker-dealer  offering open-end management
        investment company shares, variable annuities,  variable life insurance,
        interests in limited  partnerships and general securities to the public.
        Such Contracts are sold primarily by registered  representatives  of the
        broker-dealer  who are also insurance agents of or brokers for Principal
        Mutual Life  Insurance  Company and authorized by applicable law to sell
        life  and  other  forms  of  personal  insurance  and who are  similarly
        authorized to sell variable  annuities.  Such Contracts may also be sold
        through other selected broker-dealers.

        The  Registration  Statement  filed by the Registrant was made effective
        September  13,  1971,  and the first  sale of Bankers  Flexible  Annuity
        Contracts occurred on October 8, 1971.  Effective January 4, 1989, sales
        of Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts were discontinued.

        In 1982  the  Registrant  filed a  Registration  Statement  in File  No.
        2-78747,  to  register  a  new  class  of  securities  (called  "Pension
        Builder")  for the same  HR-10  plan  market  utilizing  the  contingent
        deferred sales charge  concept.  The  registration  for Pension  Builder
        contracts first became effective on May 5, 1983 and the first sale under
        the Pension Builder Contract was made on September 19, 1983.

        In 1989 the Registrant  filed a new  Registration  Statement in File No.
        33-27256  for the  contracts  in view of the fact that  aggregate  sales
        under  the  prior  registration   statement  approached  the  amount  of
        contracts  registered  thereunder.  The  contracts  offered  by the  new
        registration  statement are identical to contracts previously registered
        under the 1933 Act in File No. 2-78747.

        In 1993 the Registrant  filed a new  Registration  Statement in File No.
        33-58028  for the  contracts  in view of the fact that  aggregate  sales
        under  the  prior  registration   statement  approached  the  amount  of
        contracts  registered  thereunder.  The  contracts  offered  by the  new
        registration  statement are identical to contracts previously registered
        under the 1933 Act in File No. 33-27256.

Item 2. Properties

        The Registrant owns no physical properties.  The principal properties of
        the Depositor,  Principal  Mutual Life Insurance  Company,  are its home
        office complex at The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        None.


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

        Inapplicable.


                                     PART II


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

        a.    The  Registrant  does  not  issue  common  stock.   The  Contracts
              described in Item 1. are  distributed  through  Princor  Financial
              Services  Corporation,   an  affiliated   broker-dealer   offering
              open-end management investment company shares, variable annuities,
              variable life  insurance,  interests in limited  partnerships  and
              general  securities  to  the  public.   Such  Contracts  are  sold
              primarily by registered  representatives  of the broker-dealer who
              are also insurance  agents of or brokers for Principal Mutual Life
              Insurance  Company and  authorized by applicable  law to sell life
              and  other  forms  of  personal  insurance  and who are  similarly
              authorized to sell variable annuities.  Such Contracts may also be
              sold through other selected broker-dealers.

              For Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts  (Registration No. 2-39957)
              the high and low unit values for each quarterly period during 1996
              and 1997 are:

                             Lowest Unit Value                Highest Unit Value

First Quarter 1996              16.1566920                        17.7276157
Second  "     1996              17.2376898                        18.4981914
Third   "     1996              17.1298163                        19.0972231
Fourth  "     1996              19.0834302                        20.9438753
First   "     1997              20.4528637                        21.9936217
Second  "     1997              20.3003374                        23.8234633
Third   "     1997              23.6068661                        25.2849532
Fourth  "     1997              23.6518502                        26.5671402

              For Pension Builder  Contracts  (Registration  No. 33-58028) units
              were first  valued at $1.00 on  September  19, 1983 for the Common
              Stock  Division,  September 22, 1983 for the Money Market Division
              and March 30, 1987 for the Government Securities Division.  Listed
              below are the low and high unit values for each  quarterly  period
              during 1996 and 1997.

                        Common Stock        Money Market    GovernmentSecurities
                          Division            Division            Division
                    ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
      Quarter         Lowest   Highest    Lowest    Highest   Lowest   Highest
      -------       --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

First Quarter  1996 3.2910145 3.6038869 1.7643456 1.7794169 1.7885686 1.8659123
Second   "     1996 3.5027271 3.7531349 1.7795808 1.7944082 1.7579298 1.8082621
Third    "     1996 3.4715323 3.8626355 1.7945771 1.8100784 1.7664483 1.8331690
Fourth   "     1996 3.8592017 4.2249921 1.8102495 1.8260476 1.8293409 1.9038096
First    "     1997 4.1255939 4.4281422 1.8262238 1.8416400 1.8452822 1.9047543
Second   "     1997 4.0833413 4.7827225 1.8418203 1.8584075 1.8424106 1.9329582
Third    "     1997 4.7380533 5.0609139 1.8585945 1.8745921 1.9286336 1.9921011
Fourth   "     1997 4.7149497 5.2522151 1.8747794 1.8911113 1.9864637 2.0387303

        b.    The approximate number of holders of record of each group contract
              and the  number of the  participants  therein as of  December  31,
              1997, are as follows:

                                        (1)                    (2)
                                  Number of Group           Number of
                                  Contract Holders         Participants
                                  ----------------         ------------
Bankers Flexible Annuity                  18                     18
Pension Builder                           41                     48

        c.    No dividends have been declared on units held by participants. Any
              changes  in net  investment  income,  net  realized  gains and net
              realized  appreciation  are included in the daily valuation of the
              units of the Registrant.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

        The information contained in the "Statement of Net Assets,  Statement of
        Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets for Principal  Mutual
        Life Insurance  Company  Separate Account C", filed as Item 8. should be
        read in conjunction with this item.

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

        All payments made to the  Registrant on behalf of a Participant  under a
        contract (less any authorized deductions) are used to purchase shares of
        Principal Capital  Accumulation Fund, Inc., Principal Money Market Fund,
        Inc., or Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc., as appropriate,  at
        net asset value. In addition,  any  distributions  made by the Fund with
        respect to shares held by the  Registrant  are reinvested by the Fund at
        net asset  value.  Values  under the  contract  increase  or decrease to
        reflect the investment performance of the underlying investments.

        Principal  Capital  Accumulation  Fund, Inc. is an open-end  diversified
        management  investment  company,  sponsored  by  Principal  Mutual  Life
        Insurance  Company.  The  principal  objective  of the Fund is long-term
        capital  appreciation  and  growth of future  investment  income.  It is
        intended  that  the  assets  of the Fund  will  consist  primarily  of a
        portfolio of common  stocks.  The value of the  investments  held by the
        Fund fluctuates  daily. It is subject to the risks of changing  economic
        conditions  as  well  as  the  risks  inherent  in  the  ability  of the
        management  of the  Fund  to  anticipate  changes  in  such  investments
        necessary to meet changes in economic conditions.

        Principal Money Market Fund, Inc. is an open-end diversified  management
        investment  company,   sponsored  by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
        Company.  The principal objective of the Fund is to seek as high a level
        of  income  available  from  short-term   securities  as  is  considered
        consistent  with  preservation of principal and maintenance of liquidity
        by  investing  all  of  its  assets  in  a  portfolio  of  money  market
        instruments.

        Principal  Government  Securities Fund, Inc. is an open-end  diversified
        management  investment  company,  sponsored  by  Principal  Mutual  Life
        Insurance Company. The principal objective of the Fund is to seek a high
        level of current income,  liquidity and safety of principal  through the
        purchase  of  obligations  issued or  guaranteed  by the  United  States
        Government  or  its  agencies,  with  emphasis  on  Government  National
        Mortgage Association Certificates ("GNMA Certificates").
<PAGE>
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                              Financial Statements

                          Year ended December 31, 1997






                                    Contents

Report of Independent Auditors................................................1

Audited Financial Statements

Statement of Net Assets.......................................................2
Statement of Operations.......................................................3
Statements of Changes in Net Assets...........................................4
Notes to Financial Statements.................................................5


Ernst & Young LLP                Suite 3400                  Phone: 515 243 2727
                                 801 Grand Avenue
                                 Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2765



                         Report of Independent Auditors






Board of Directors and Participants
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company


We have audited the  accompanying  statement  of net assets of Principal  Mutual
Life Insurance Company Separate Account C (comprising, respectively, the Capital
Accumulation [formerly Common Stock],  Government  Securities,  and Money Market
Divisions) as of December 31, 1997, and the related statements of operations for
the year then ended,  and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended.  These  financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1997, by correspondence with
the transfer agent. An audit also includes  assessing the accounting  principles
used and  significant  estimates made by  management,  as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement  presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Principal Mutual Life Insurance
Company  Separate  Account  C at  December  31,  1997,  and the  results  of its
operations  for the year then ended,  and the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
February 6, 1998

       Ernst & Young LLP is a member of Ernst & Young Internationl, Ltd.


                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                             Statement of Net Assets

                                December 31, 1997



Assets
Investments:
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. - 79,070 shares at net 
       asset value of $34.61 per share (cost - $1,939,051)            $2,736,606
   Government Securities Division:
     Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc. - 37,487 shares at net 
       asset value of $10.72 per share (cost - $385,839)                 401,865
   Money Market Division:
     Principal Money Market Fund, Inc. - 278,051 shares at net asset 
       value (cost) of $1.00 per share                                   278,051
                                                                      ==========
Net assets                                                            $3,416,522
                                                                      ==========

                                                              Unit
                                                  Units      Value
                                             -------------------------
Net assets are represented by:
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Currently payable annuity contracts:
       Bankers Flexible Annuity                  10,008      $26.57   $  265,913
       Pension Builder Plus                       3,818        5.25       20,044
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Bankers Flexible Annuity                  55,100       26.57    1,463,872
       Pension Builder Plus                     187,845        5.25      986,777
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       2,736,606
   Government Securities Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period - Pension 
       Builder Plus                             197,135        2.04      401,865

   Money Market Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period - Pension 
       Builder Plus                             147,215        1.89      278,051
                                                                      ----------
Net assets                                                            $3,416,522
                                                                      ==========


See accompanying notes.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                             Statement of Operations

                          Year ended December 31, 1997


                                                                  Capital         Government        Money
                                                                Accumulation      Securities        Market
                                                  Combined        Division         Division        Division
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income
Income:
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>    
   Dividends                                        $ 86,581       $ 49,517        $23,370         $13,694
   Capital gains distributions                       214,545        214,545              -               -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     301,126        264,062         23,370          13,694

Expenses:
   Mortality and expense risks                        31,807         21,983          5,799           4,025
   Administration charges                              4,549          2,929            782             838
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      36,356         24,912          6,581           4,863
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                                264,770        239,150         16,789           8,831

Realized and unrealized gains on investments
Net realized gains on investments                    127,878        126,977            901               -
Change in net unrealized appreciation of
   investments                                       272,101        258,222         13,879               -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                ===============================================================
Net increase in net assets resulting from
   operations                                       $664,749       $624,349        $31,569         $ 8,831
                                                ===============================================================


See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                       Statements of Changes in Net Assets

                     Years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996


                                                                  Capital         Government        Money
                                                                Accumulation      Securities        Market
                                                  Combined        Division         Division        Division
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>     
Net assets at January 1, 1996                     $5,903,158     $4,074,988        $834,687         $993,483

Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
   Net investment income                             359,715        337,159           9,595           12,961
   Net realized gains on investments                 375,271        370,021           5,250                -
   Change in net unrealized appreciation of
     investments                                    (128,013)      (104,624)        (23,389)               -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
   resulting from operations                         606,973        602,556          (8,544)          12,961
Changes from principal transactions:
   Purchase payments, less sales charges, per
     payment fees and applicable premium taxes             -              -               -                -
   Contract terminations                          (1,445,557)    (1,320,708)       (135,139)        (177,730)
   Transfer payments to other contracts           (1,757,595)      (717,332)       (299,188)        (553,055)
   Annuity payments                                  (23,805)       (23,805)              -                -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in net assets from principal             (3,226,957)    (2,061,845)       (434,327)        (730,785)
   transactions
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Total decrease                                    (2,619,984)    (1,459,289)       (442,871)        (717,824)
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at December 31, 1996                    3,283,174      2,615,699         391,816          275,659

Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
   Net investment income                             264,770        239,150          16,789            8,831
   Net realized gains on investments                 127,878        126,977             901                -
   Change in net unrealized appreciation of
     investments                                     272,101        258,222          13,879                -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from            664,749        624,349          31,569            8,831
   operations
Changes from principal transactions:
   Purchase payments, less sales charges, per
     payment fees and applicable premium taxes         7,701          7,701               -                -
   Contract terminations                            (227,772)      (223,037)         (2,404)          (2,331)
   Transfer payments to other contracts             (285,041)      (261,817)        (19,116)          (4,108)
   Annuity payments                                  (26,289)       (26,289)              -                -
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in net assets from principal               (531,401)      (503,442)        (21,520)          (6,439)
   transactions
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase                                       133,348        120,907          10,049            2,392
                                                ===============================================================
Net assets at December 31, 1997                   $3,416,522     $2,736,606        $401,865         $278,051
                                                ===============================================================


See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>



                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1997



1. Investment and Accounting Policies

Principal Mutual Life Insurance  Company Separate Account C (Separate Account C)
was organized by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company  (Principal  Mutual) in
accordance  with the  provisions of the Iowa Insurance Laws and is a part of the
total  operations of Principal  Mutual.  The assets and  liabilities of Separate
Account C are clearly  identified  and  distinguished  from the other assets and
liabilities of Principal  Mutual,  with the remaining  aggregate  value of units
registered  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under  the  current
registration statement (but not the authorized number of units) limited to $10.6
million.  As directed by eligible  contractholders,  Separate  Account C invests
solely  in  shares of  Principal  Capital  Accumulation  Fund,  Inc.,  Principal
Government  Securities  Fund,  Inc.  and  Principal  Money  Market  Fund,  Inc.,
diversified  open-end  management  investment  companies  organized by Principal
Mutual.  Investments  are stated at the  closing  net asset  values per share on
December 31, 1997.

The  average  cost  method is used to  determine  realized  gains and  losses on
investments.  Dividends  are taken  into  income on an  accrual  basis as of the
ex-dividend date.

Contributions to Separate Account C are no longer accepted.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of Separate  Account C's financial  statements and  accompanying
notes  requires  management to make  estimates and  assumptions  that affect the
amounts reported and disclosed.  These estimates and assumptions could change in
the future as more  information  becomes  known,  which could impact the amounts
reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes.

Reclassifications

Certain  amounts  appearing in the 1996  Statement of Changes in Net Assets have
been reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation.


2. Expenses

Principal Mutual is compensated for the following expenses:

   Bankers Flexible  Annuity  Contracts - Mortality and expense risks assumed by
   Principal Mutual are compensated for by a charge equivalent to an annual rate
   of 0.48% of the asset value of each contract. An annual administration charge
   of $7  for  each  participant's  account  is  deducted  as  compensation  for
   administrative   expenses.   The   mortality  and  expense  risk  and  annual
   administration charges amounted to $7,719 and $125, respectively,  during the
   year 1997.


                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2. Expenses (continued)

   Pension  Builder  Plus  Contracts - Mortality  and expense  risks  assumed by
   Principal Mutual are compensated for by a charge equivalent to an annual rate
   of 1.4965% of the asset value of each contract.  A contingent sales charge of
   up to 7% may be deducted from withdrawals made during the first 10 years of a
   contract,  except for death or permanent disability. An annual administration
   charge  will be deducted  ranging  from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $275
   depending upon a  participant's  investment  account values and the number of
   participants  under  the  retirement  plan and their  participant  investment
   account  value.  The  charges  for  mortality  and  expense  risks and annual
   administration amounted to $24,088 and $4,424, respectively,  during the year
   1997. There were no contingent sales charges during 1997.


3. Federal Income Taxes

The  operations of Separate  Account C are a part of the operations of Principal
Mutual.  Under  current  practice,  no federal  income  taxes are  allocated  by
Principal Mutual to the operations of Separate Account C.


4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

The aggregate units and cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments
were as follows:

                                           For the year ended December 31, 1997
                                           ------------------------------------
                                             Units    Amount    Units    Amount
                                           Purchased Purchased Redeemed Redeemed
                                           -------------------------------------
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Bankers Flexible Annuity                318     $173,073   10,411  $233,193
     Pension Builder Plus                      -       98,690   66,102   302,862
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             318      271,763   76,513   536,055

   Government Securities Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                      -       23,370   11,882    28,101

   Money Market Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                      -       13,694    3,744    11,302
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             318     $308,827   92,139  $575,458
                                           =====================================



                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)



4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities (continued)

                                          For the year ended December 31, 1996
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                           Units    Amount    Units     Amount
                                         Purchased Purchased Redeemed  Redeemed
                                         ---------------------------------------
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Bankers Flexible Annuity                  -   $207,624    25,504 $  469,156
     Pension Builder Plus                      -    175,450   443,203  1,638,604
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                               -    383,074   468,707  2,107,760

   Government Securities Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                      -     22,335   244,388    447,067

   Money Market Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                      -     21,212   412,690    739,036
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                               -   $426,621 1,125,785 $3,293,863
                                         =======================================

Purchases include reinvested dividends and capital gains.  Mortality adjustments
are included in purchases or redemptions, as applicable.

Money Market purchases include transactions where investment allocations are not
known at the time of the deposit.  Redemptions reflect subsequent allocations to
directed investment divisions.


5. Net Assets

Net assets at December 31, 1997 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Net Unrealized
                                                                         Accumulated       Appreciation
                                                           Unit         Net Investment    of Investments
                                          Combined     Transactions         Income
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
   Capital Accumulation Division:
<S>                                      <C>              <C>             <C>                 <C>     
     Bankers Flexible Annuity            $1,729,785       $  210,868      $  943,998         $574,919
     Pension Builder Plus                 1,006,821          619,706         164,479          222,636
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          2,736,606          830,574       1,108,477          797,555
   Government Securities Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                   401,865          332,171          53,668           16,026
   Money Market Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                   278,051          253,781          24,270                -
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       ===================================================================
                                         $3,416,522       $1,416,526      $1,186,415         $813,581
                                       ===================================================================
</TABLE>



                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account C

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited)

Like  other  investment   funds,   financial  and  business   organizations  and
individuals around the world,  Separate Account C could be adversely affected if
the computer systems used by Principal Mutual and other service providers do not
properly process and calculate date-related  information and data from and after
January 1, 2000. In 1996,  Principal Mutual completed its assessment of the Year
2000 impact on its systems,  procedures,  customers and business  processes.  At
December 31, 1997, management estimates that approximately 95% of the identified
modifications  have been  completed for its Year 2000 project.  System  testing,
using an isolated test environment,  will begin early in 1998.  Ultimate project
completion is targeted for early 1999, which is prior to any anticipated  impact
on Principal Mutual's operations.

The date on which  Principal  Mutual  believes  it will  complete  the Year 2000
modifications  are based on  management's  best  estimates,  which were  derived
utilizing  numerous   assumptions  of  future  events.   Principal  Mutual  also
recognizes there are outside  influences and  dependencies  relative to its Year
2000 effort, over which it has little or no control.  However,  Principal Mutual
is putting effort into ensuring these  considerations  will have minimal impact.
These would include the continued availability of certain resources, third-party
modification  plans and many other factors.  However,  there can be no guarantee
that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ from those
anticipated.


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

         Inapplicable.


                                    PART III


Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         Inapplicable,  the Registrant  does not have any directors or executive
         officers.


Item 11. Executive Compensation

         Inapplicable,  the Registrant  does not have any directors or executive
         officers.


Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         No  person  owns  beneficially  or of  record  the  assets  held by the
         Depositor,  Principal  Mutual Life Insurance  Company,  in the Separate
         Account.   As   contractholders   of  the   variable   contracts   each
         contractholder  has one vote in the  election of the Board of Directors
         at annual  meetings  and upon other  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
         Company  matters,  if any, where a  policyholder's  vote is taken.  The
         contractholders  have  the  same  voting  privilege  as  do  all  other
         policyholders of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. An individual
         participant  (certificateholder)  does  not have a vote.  There  are no
         policyholders that are entitled to cast more than 5% of the votes to be
         cast.


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         Inapplicable.

                                     PART IV


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

         (a) Documents filed as part of this report:

             1. The following financial statements are submitted herewith:

                Statement of Net Assets -- December 31, 1997

                Statement of Operations -- Year ended December 31, 1997

                Statements of Changes in Net Assets -- Years ended  December 31,
                1997 and 1996.

                Notes to Financial Statements

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

             3. Exhibits:

                (20) Subsidiaries of the Registrant


                         Subsidiaries of the Registrant

The Registrant is a separate account of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company.
It has no subsidiary.  Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, as the Depositor
of the Account,  owns or controls,  as of December  31,  1997,  subsidiaries  as
follows:

     I.   Principal Holding Company

          A.   Organized in Iowa.

          B.   Depositor owns 100% of outstanding stock.

          C.   Subsidiaries  of  Principal  Holding  Company as of December  31,
               1997, are as follows:

               1.   Patrician  Associates,   Inc.  (a  real  estate  development
                    company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               2.   Petula Associates, Ltd. (a real estate development company)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Sudsidiary  of Petula  Associates,  Ltd. as of December
                         31, 1997 is as follows:

                         (1)  Magnus Properties, Inc. (owns real estate)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Petula   Associates,   Ltd.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

               3.   Principal  Development  Associates,   Inc.  (a  real  estate
                    development company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               4.   Principal   Spectrum   Associates,   Inc.   (a  real  estate
                    development company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               5.   Principal Commercial Advisors,  Inc.  (purchasing,  managing
                    and selling commercial real estate assets)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               6.   Principal FC, Ltd. (limited purpose investment corporation)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               7.   Equity FC, Ltd. (a general business corporation that engages
                    in investment transactions including limited partnership and
                    limited liability companies)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               8.   Invista Capital  Management,  Inc. (a registered  investment
                    advisor)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               9.   Principal Residential Mortgage, Inc. (a residential mortgage
                    loan broker)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               10.  Principal Asset Markets,  Inc. (a residential  mortgage loan
                    broker)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               11.  Principal  Portfolio  Services,  Inc. (a mortgage  diligence
                    company)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               (12) The Admar  Group,  Inc. (a  national  managed  care  service
                    organization that developes and manages  preferred  provider
                    organizations (PPO's))

                    a.   Organized in Florida.

                    b.   Principal  Health Care,  Inc. owns 100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries  of The Admar  Group,  Inc. as of December
                         31, 1997 are as follows:

                         (1)  Admar   Corporation   (a  managed  care   services
                              organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Admar  Insurance  Marketing,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (3)  Benefit Plan Administrators,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Colorado.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (4)  SelectCare  Management  Co.,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (5)  Image  Financial  &  Insurance  Services,  Inc. (a
                              managed care services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (6)  WM.  G.  Hofgard  &  Co.,  Inc.  (a  managed  care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

               13.  The  Principal   Financial  Group,  Inc.  (general  business
                    corporation   established   in  connection   with  corporate
                    identity - not currently active)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               14.  Principal Marketing Services, Inc. (a corporation formed to 
                    serve as an interface between marketers and manufacturers
                    of financial services products)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               15.  Principal  Health Care, Inc. (a developer and  administrator
                    of managed care systems)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries  of  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  as of
                         December 31, 1997 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal   Health  Care  Management   Corporation
                              (provide management services to health maintenance
                              organizations)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Principal  Health Care of the  Carolinas,  Inc. (a
                              health maintenance organization operating in North
                              Carolina and South Carolina)

                              (a)  Organized in North Carolina.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (3)  Principal Health Care of Delaware,  Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (4)  Principal  Health Care of Florida,  Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Florida.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (5)  Principal  Health Care of Georgia,  Inc.(a  health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Georgia.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (6)  Principal Health Care of Illinois,  Inc. (A health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Illinois.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (7)  Principal  Health Care of Indiana,  Inc.(a  health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (8)  Principal  Health  Care  of  Iowa,  Inc.(a  health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (9)  Principal  Health  Care of Kansas  City,  Inc.  (a
                              health maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Missouri.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (10) Principal Health Care of Louisiana, Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Louisiana.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (11) Principal Health Care of Nebraska,  Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Nebraska.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (12) Principal  Health  Care of  Pennsylvania,  Inc. (a
                              health  maintenance   organization   operating  in
                              Pennsylvania - not currently active)

                              (a)  Organized in Pennsylvania.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (13) Principal Health Care of St. Louis, Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (14) Principal  Health Care of South Carolina,  Inc. (a
                              health maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in South Carolina.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (15) Principal Health Care of Tennessee, Inc. (a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Tennessee.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (16) Principal  Health  Care of  Texas,  Inc.(a  health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Texas.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (17) United Healthcare  Services of Iowa, Inc.(a health
                              maintenance organization)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc.  owns  100% of
                                   outstanding stock.

               16.  Principal Financial Advisors,  Inc. (a registered investment
                    advisor)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               17.  Delaware  Charter  Guarantee & Trust Company  (nondepository
                    trust company)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal   Holding  Company  currently  owns  100%  of
                         outstanding stock.

                    c.   Subsidiary  of  Delaware  Charter   Guarantee  &  Trust
                         Company as of December 31, 1997 is as follows:

                         (1)  Trust    Consultants,    Inc.    (consulting   and
                              administration of employee benefit plans)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  Delaware  Charger  Guarantee & Trust  Company
                                   owns 100% of outstanding stock.

               18.  Princor   Financial   Services   Corporation  (a  registered
                    broker-dealer)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries of Princor Financial Services  Corporation
                         as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal  Management  Corporation  (a  registered
                              investment adviser)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Princor Financial  Services  Corporation owns
                                   100% of outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Principal Investors Corporation  (broker-dealer of
                              securities and registered investments 
                              - not currently active)

                              (a)  Organized in New Jersey.

                              (b)  Princor Financial  Services  Corporation owns
                                   100% of outstanding stock.

               19.  Principal  International,  Inc.  (a  company  formed for the
                    purpose of international business development)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries  of  Principal  International,  Inc. as of
                         December 31, 1997 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal International Espana, S.A. de Seguros de
                              Vida  (a  Spain   corporation)  a  life  insurance
                              company (individual group), annuities and pension.

                              (a)  Organized in Spain.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc. owns 99.9% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns .1% of outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiary of Principal  Internationl Espana,
                                   S.A.  de Seguros de Vida as of  December  31,
                                   1997 is as follows:

                                   (1)  Princor  International  Espana  Sociedad
                                        Anonima  de  Agencia de Seguros (a Spain
                                        corporation)   an  insurance   agency  -
                                        inactive

                                        (a)  Organized in Spain.

                                        (b)  Principal   International   Espana,
                                             S.A.  de Seguros de Vida owns 99.9%
                                             of outstanding  stock and Principal
                                             International,  Inc.  owns  .1%  of
                                             outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Zao Principal International (a Russia corporation)
                              inactive

                              (a)  Organized in Russia.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (3)  Principal   International   Argentina,   S.A.  (an
                              Argentina services corporation)

                              (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                              (b)  Principal International,  Inc. owns 97.03% of
                                   outstanding  stock and  Enrique S. Braun owns
                                   2.97% of outstanding stock

                              (c)  Subsidiaries of International Argentina, S.A.
                                   as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:

                                   (1)  Ethika   Administradora   de  Fondos  de
                                        Jubilaciones   y  Pensiones   S.A.   (an
                                        Argentina pension company).

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A.  owns  68.12%  of  outstanding
                                             stock.

                                   (2)  Princor  Compania  de Seguros de Retiro,
                                        S.A.  (an   Argentina   annuity/employee
                                        benefit company) inactive

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A. owns 99% of outstanding  stock
                                             and Principal  International,  Inc.
                                             owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                                   (3)  Principal Life Compania de Seguros, S.A.
                                        (an Argentina life insurance company)

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A. owns  99.9963% of  outstanding
                                             stock and Principal  International,
                                             Inc.  owns  .0037%  of  outstanding
                                             stock.

                         (4)  Principal  International Asia Limited (a Hong Kong
                              corporation)  operating as a regional headquarters
                              for Asia

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  50% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 50% of outstanding stock.

                         (5)  Principal   Asset   Management   (Hong   Kong)   a
                              corporation which manages pension funds.

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  50% of
                                   outstanding  stock  and  Principal  Insurance
                                   Company  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  owns  50%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (6)  Principal  Insurance  Company  (Hong Kong) Limited
                              (for group life and group pension products)

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding stock and Principal International
                                   Asia Limited owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (7)  Principal Trust Company (Asia) Limited (Hong Kong)
                              an Asia trust company.

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal   Holding   Company   owns  20%  of
                                   outstanding  stock,   Principal   Residential
                                   Mortgage, Inc. owns 20% of outstanding stock,
                                   Principal International Asia Limited owns 20%
                                   of outstanding stock and Principal  Insurance
                                   Company   (Hong   Kong)   Limited   owns  20%
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (8)  Principal  International  de Chile,  S.A. (a Chile
                              corporation) a holding company

                              (a)  Organized in Chile.

                              (b)  Principal   International,   Inc.   owns  99%
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiary  of  Principal   International  de
                                   Chile,  S.A.  as of  December  31, 1997 is as
                                   follows:

                                   (1)  BanRenta  Compania  de  Seguros de Vida,
                                        S.A.  (a Chile  corporation)  for  group
                                        life and supplemental health, individual
                                        annuities

                                        (a)  Organized in Chile.

                                        (b)  Principal  International  de Chile,
                                             S.A.  owns  87.5%  of   outstanding
                                             stock BanMedica, S.A. 12.5%.

                         (9)  Principal Mexico Compania de Seguros, S.A. de C.V.
                              (a Mexico  corporation) a life  insurance  company
                              (individual group), personal accidents.

                              (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (10) Afore  Confia-Principal,  S.A.  de C.V.  (a Mexico
                              Corporation) pension.

                              (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  49% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Confia  owns 51% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiary  of Afore  Confia-Principal  as of
                                   December 31, 1997 is as follows:

                                   (1)  Siefore  Confia-Principal,  S.A. de C.V.
                                        (a  Mexico  Corporation)  an  investment
                                        fund company.

                                        (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                                        (b)  Confia-Principal    owns   99%   of
                                             outstanding   stock  and  Principal
                                             International,    Inc.    owns   1%
                                             outstanding stock.

     II.  PT  Asuransi   Jiwa   Principal   Egalita   Indonesia   (an  Indonesia
          corporation)

          A.   Organized in Indonsesia.

          B.   Depositor owns 75% of the outstanding stock.

          C.   Subsidiary of PT Asuransi Jiwa Principal  Egalita Indonesia as of
               December 31, 1997 is as follows:

               1.   Dana Pensiun Lembaga Keuangan  Principal  Egalita  Indonesia
                    (an Indonesia company)

                    (a)  Organized in Indonesia.

                    (b)  Dana  Pensiun  Lembaga   Keuangan   Principal   Egalita
                         Indonesia owns 100% of outstanding stock.

The  Depositor's  investment  in its  subsidiaries,  which in turn  includes the
subsidiary's  investment  in its  subsidiaries,  is  included  in the  financial
statements of the Depositor.

                                   SIGNATURES


       Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company has duly caused this report
to be signed on behalf of  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  Separate
Account C by the undersigned thereto duly authorized

PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C

By   PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                   /s/ D. J. DRURY
By   ---------------------------------------------------
      D. J. Drury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                     March 13, 1998
Date ---------------------------------------------------


       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant in the capacities with Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and on
the dates indicated.


Signature                        Title                                 Date


 /s/ D. J. DRURY               Chairman and                       March 13, 1998
- ---------------------          Chief Executive Officer  
D. J. Drury                             


/s/ D. C.  CUNNINGHAM          Vice President and                 March 13, 1998
- ----------------------         Controller (Principal
D. C. Cunningham               Accounting Officer)  
                                     


/s/ M. H. GERSIE               Senior Vice                        March 13, 1998
- ----------------------         President (Principal
M. H. Gersie                   Financial Officer)
                               


  (M. V. Andringa)*            Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
M. V. Andringa



  (R. M. Davis)*               Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
R. M. Davis



  (C. D. Gelatt)*              Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
C. D. Gelatt



  (G. D. Hurd)*                Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
G. D. Hurd



  (T. M. Hutchison)*           Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
T. M. Hutchison



  (C. S. Johnson)*             Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
C. S. Johnson



  (W. T. Kerr)*                Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
W. T. Kerr



  (L. Liu)*                    Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
L. Liu



  (V. H. Loewenstein)*         Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
V. H. Loewenstein



  (R. D. Pearson)*             Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
R. D. Pearson



  (J. R. Price, Jr.)*          Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
J. R. Price, Jr.



  (D. M. Stewart)*             Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
D. M. Stewart



  (E. E. Tallett)*             Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
E. E. Tallett



  (D. D. Thornton)*            Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
D. D. Thornton




  (F. W. Weitz)*               Director                           March 13, 1998
- ----------------------
F. W. Weitz

 
                                                   /s/ DAVID J. DRURY
                                       *By -------------------------------------
                                           David J. Drury
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                           Pursuant to Powers of Attorney
                                           Previously Filed or Included Herein

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

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