SWIFT ENERGY CO
S-3, 1996-10-24
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 1996.

                                          Registration Statement No. 333-_______

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

                                    FORM S-3
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                              SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
                           (Exact name of Registrant)

         Texas                       1311                        74-2073055
(State of incorporation)  (Primary Standard Industrial        (I.R.S. Employer
                           Classification Code Number)       Identification No.)

                            A. Earl Swift, President
                              Swift Energy Company
                        16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400
                              Houston, Texas 77060
                                 (713) 874-2700
(Address  and  telephone  number of  Registrant's  executive  offices  and name,
address and telephone number of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:

Donald W. Brodsky                                      Christine LaFollette
Judy G. Gechman                                        Thomas P. Mason
Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation        Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 1800                      4200 Texas Commerce Tower
Houston, Texas 77002                                   Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 951-3300

       Approximate  date of  commencement  of proposed sale to the public:  From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

       If the only  securities  being  registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

       If any of the securities  being registered on this form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in  connection  with  dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ]

       If this Form is filed to register  additional  securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

       If this Form is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. [ ]

       If delivery  of the  prospectus  is expected to be made  pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]
                                 ---------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Proposed                Proposed
     Title of Each               Amount                   Maximum                 Maximum                 Amount of
  Class of Securities             to be                  Offering                Aggregate              Registration
   to be Registered            Registered             Price Per Note          Offering Price                 Fee
- ------------------------     ---------------          --------------          ---------------           ------------
<S>                          <C>                           <C>                <C>                          <C>    
__% Convertible              $115,000,000(1)               100%               $115,000,000(1)              $34,849
Subordinated Notes
due 2006

Common Stock, $.01
par value per share                 (2)                      (2)                     (2)                      (3)
</TABLE>

(1)  Includes $15,000,000 principal amount of Notes issuable upon exercise of
     the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2)  Such indeterminate number of shares as may be issued upon conversion of the
     Notes.
(3)  No additional consideration will be received for the Common Stock and
     therefore no registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i).

     The Registrant  hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further  amendment  which  specifically  states  that  this  Registration
Statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or until the Registration  Statement
shall become  effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.



<PAGE>



                              Swift Energy Company
                              Cross Reference Sheet
                     Pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 501(b)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Form S-3 Item Number and Caption                          Location/Caption in Prospectus
         --------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>
1.       Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
         Front Cover Pages of Prospectus.........................     Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus
2.       Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of                 Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
         Prospectus..............................................     Pages of Prospectus
3.       Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of
         Earnings to Fixed Charges...............................     Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors
4.       Use of Proceeds.........................................     Use of Proceeds
5.       Determination of Offering Price.........................     Not Applicable
6.       Dilution................................................     Not Applicable
7.       Selling Security Holders................................     Not Applicable
8.       Plan of Distribution....................................     Underwriting
9.       Description of Securities to be Registered..............     Description of Notes
10.      Interests of Named Experts and Counsel..................     Not Applicable
11.      Material Changes........................................     Not Applicable
12.      Incorporation of Certain Information by                      Incorporation of Certain Information by
         Reference...............................................     Reference
13.      Disclosure of Commission Position on
         Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities..........     Not Applicable
</TABLE>




                                        1

<PAGE>
Information  contained  herein is  subject to  completion  or  amendment.  These
securities may not be delivered without the delivery of a final prospectus. This
Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
to buy nor  shall  there be any sale of these  securities  in any State in which
such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful  prior to  registration  or
qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

                             Subject to Completion,
                             Dated October 24, 1996

Prospectus                                                    [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
$100,000,000
Swift Energy Company
    % Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2006

The %  Convertible  Subordinated  Notes due 2006 (the  "Notes") of Swift  Energy
Company (the "Company" or "Swift") offered hereby will mature on        ,  2006.
Interest  on the  Notes  will  accrue  from          ,  1996 and is  payable  on
          and           of each year  commencing          ,  1997. The Notes are
convertible  at the option of the holder at any time after 60 days following the
date of original issuance thereof and prior to the close of business on the last
trading  day  prior  to  the  maturity  date,  unless  previously   redeemed  or
repurchased, into shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"),  at a conversion price of $         per share  (equivalent
to a conversion rate of          shares per $1,000  principal  amount of Notes),
subject to certain adjustments.  The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New
York Stock  Exchange and the Pacific Stock  Exchange  under the symbol "SFY." On
October 24, 1996 the last reported  sale price of the Company's  Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange was $24.50 per share.

The Notes are  redeemable at the option of the Company,  in whole or in part, at
any time on or after            , 1999 at the redemption prices set forth herein
together  with  accrued  and unpaid  interest.  The Notes do not provide for any
sinking fund.  Upon the  occurrence of a Designated  Event (as defined  herein),
each holder of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase  all or a portion
of such holder's Notes at 101% of the principal  amount  thereof,  together with
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. See "Description
of Notes."

The Notes will constitute unsecured subordinated  obligations of the Company and
will rank pari  passu in right of payment to the  Company's  other  subordinated
indebtedness,  if any.  The Notes and the  Company's  obligations  with  respect
thereto  (including  the  Company's  obligation  to  repurchase  Notes  upon the
occurrence of a Designated  Event) will be  subordinated  in right of payment to
all Senior Debt (as defined herein) of the Company. See "Description of Notes --
Subordination of Notes" and "Capitalization."

Application will be made to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange.

See "Risk Factors" commencing on page 9 of this  Prospectus for a description of
certain  factors that should be considered  in connection  with an investment in
the Notes.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Price to                Underwriting            Proceeds to
                                               Public (1)              Discount                Company (1)(2)
                                               --------------          ------------            --------------
<S>                                            <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Per Note...................................    $                       $                       $
Total(3)...................................    $                       $                       $
</TABLE>

(1)      Plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance.
(2)      Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $       .
(3)      The Company has granted the Underwriters an option,  exercisable within
         30 days  from  the  date  of  this  Prospectus,  to  purchase  up to an
         additional $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes at the Price
         to Public, less Underwriting  Discount,  to cover  over-allotments,  if
         any. If the Underwriters  exercise such option in full, the total Price
         to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be $    ,
         $         and $        , respectively. See "Underwriting."

The Notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters,  to
prior  sale and to the  Underwriters'  right to reject  any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw,  cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that  delivery of the Notes will be made at the office of Salomon  Brothers Inc,
Seven World Trade Center,  New York,  New York, or through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company, on or about         , 1996.

Salomon Brothers Inc
                      Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
                                        Prudential Securities Incorporated
                                                              Southcoast Capital
                                                                   Corporation

The date of this Prospectus is November    , 1996.


                                        1

<PAGE>




                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (of which this Prospectus is
a part)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  with  respect to the
securities offered hereby.  This Prospectus does not contain all the information
set  forth in the  Registration  Statement  or the  exhibits  thereto,  to which
reference is made  concerning the contents of such  exhibits.  Reference to each
such exhibit qualifies all information related thereto.

         The  Company  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and  accordingly  files  reports,
proxy  statements and other  information  ("Reports")  with the Commission.  The
Registration  Statement,  the exhibits thereto and the Reports, can be inspected
and copied at the public  reference  facilities  maintained by the Commission at
450 5th Street,  N.W., Room 1024,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the following
regional offices of the Commission:  7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York,
New York 10048 and Northwestern  Atrium Center,  500 West Madison Street,  Suite
1400,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661,  at prescribed  rates.  Reports  concerning the
Company can also be  inspected  at the  offices of the New York Stock  Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street,  New York,  New York 10005 and the Pacific Stock Exchange
Incorporated, 115 Sansome Street, 8th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104. In
addition, such materials filed electronically by the Company with the Commission
are available at the Commission's World Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS  OFFERING,  THE  UNDERWRITERS  MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS  WHICH  STABILIZE  OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES OR THE
COMMON  STOCK AT A LEVEL  ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT  OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET.  SUCH  TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE,  THE
PACIFIC STOCK  EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH  STABILIZING,  IF COMMENCED,  MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                  DEFINED TERMS

         The following  defined  terms have the indicated  meanings when used in
this Prospectus:

"Bcf" means billion cubic feet of natural gas.

"Bcfe" means billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. See "-- Mcfe."

"Bbl" means barrel or barrels of oil.

"MBbl" means thousand barrels of oil.

"Mcf" means thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

"Mcfe" means thousand  cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, which is determined
using the ratio of one barrel of oil,  condensate  or natural gas liquids to six
Mcf of natural gas.

"Mcfepd" means Mcfe per day.

"MMcf" means million cubic feet of natural gas.

"MMcfe" means million cubic feet of natural gas  equivalent, which is determined
using the ratio of one barrel of oil,  condensate  or natural gas liquids to six
Mcf of natural gas.

"MMBbl" means million barrels of oil.

"MMBtu" means  million  British  Thermal  Units,  which is a heating  equivalent
measure  for  natural  gas,  as opposed to Mcf,  which is  strictly a measure of
natural gas volumes.  Typically  prices quoted for natural gas are designated as
prices per MMBtu, the same basis on which natural gas is contracted for sale.

"PV-10  Value" means the estimated  future net revenue to be generated  from the
production  of proved  reserves  discounted  to  present  value  using an annual
discount rate of 10%. These amounts are  calculated net of estimated  production
costs and future  development  costs,  using  prices and costs in effect as of a
certain date,  without  escalation  and without  giving  effect to  non-property
related  expenses  such as general and  administrative  expenses,  debt service,
future income tax expense or depreciation, depletion and amortization. See "Risk
Factors -- Uncertainty of Estimates of Reserves and Future Net Revenues."

"reserve  replacement cost" means, with respect to proved reserves, a three-year
average (unless otherwise  indicated)  calculated by dividing total acquisition,
exploration  and  development  costs  incurred  during the period  (exclusive of
future  development  costs) by net reserves  added during the period  (excluding
revisions).


                                        2

<PAGE>




                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and Consolidated Financial Statements,  including the notes thereto,
and other financial information included or incorporated by reference, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.  Prospective  investors should carefully  consider
the  factors  set forth  under  "Risk  Factors."  Unless the  context  otherwise
requires,  references to the "Company" or "Swift" refer to Swift Energy  Company
and its consolidated  subsidiaries.  Unless otherwise indicated, all information
in this  Prospectus  assumes no  exercise  of the  Underwriters'  over-allotment
option.  Defined  terms used  herein to describe  quantities  of oil and gas and
other matters are explained under "Defined Terms" on page 2 above. The Company's
principal executive  offices are located at 16825 Northchase  Drive,  Suite 400,
Houston, Texas 77060, and its telephone number is (713) 874-2700.

                                   The Company

         Swift  Energy  Company  is  engaged  in the  exploration,  development,
acquisition  and  production of oil and gas  properties  with a primary focus on
U.S.  onshore  natural gas  reserves.  As of December 31, 1995,  the Company had
interests in over 4,000 oil and gas wells located in 15 states, with over 85% of
its proved reserve base  concentrated  in Texas.  At the same date had estimated
proved  reserves of 176 Bcfe,  approximately  80% of which were natural gas, and
operated 767 wells representing 86% of its proved reserve base.

         The Company's primary focus is exploration and development  drilling on
its core areas,  the AWP Olmos Field located in South Texas and the Texas Austin
Chalk trend. The AWP Olmos Field is characterized by long-lived reserves,  while
the Austin Chalk trend is characterized  by more short-lived  reserves with high
initial   production  and  rapid  decline  rates.  These  fields  accounted  for
approximately 67% and 6%,  respectively,  of the Company's proved reserves as of
December 31, 1995, and approximately 61% and 16%, respectively, of the Company's
production  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996.  The  Company has
substantially accelerated its drilling activities during the last several years,
drilling  16, 42 and 75 net wells in 1994,  1995 and the  first  nine  months of
1996,  respectively,  primarily in these areas. The Company has also doubled its
undeveloped  acreage  position in both the AWP Olmos Field and the Austin  Chalk
trend  during 1996 and  currently  has an inventory of over 360 and 65 potential
well  locations  in these two areas,  respectively.  The  Company  has  budgeted
capital  expenditures  of over $134.0 million for the remaining  three months of
1996 and for 1997,  of which  approximately  $90.0 million is targeted for these
two fields.  The Company is also actively  pursuing  exploratory and development
drilling  opportunities  in other basins in Texas,  Louisiana and Wyoming.  As a
complement to these domestic activities, the Company is participating in several
high potential  international  projects,  with limited  capital  exposure to the
Company in New Zealand, Russia and Venezuela.

         The Company has increased its proved  reserves from 41 Bcfe at year-end
1990 to 176  Bcfe  at  year-end  1995,  primarily  from  additions  through  the
drillbit, which has resulted in the replacement of 257% of production during the
same five-year  period.  In 1995, the Company  increased its proved  reserves by
70%, resulting the in replacement of 648% of the prior year's  production.  Over
the 1991 through 1995 period,  reserve replacement costs have averaged $0.63 per
Mcfe,  a level which the  Company  believes  is lower than  comparable  industry
averages.  As a result of increased drilling activity,  average daily production
increased to 57,875  Mcfepd in September  1996,  an increase of 98% over average
daily  production of 29,300 Mcfepd in September  1995. Due to economies of scale
and geographic concentration, general and administrative expenses and production
costs have  fallen  from $1.19 and $0.63 per Mcfe in 1990 to $0.34 and $0.42 per
Mcfe,  respectively,   for  the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996.  The
combination of increased  production and decreased  operating costs per Mcfe has
resulted in average  annual growth in net cash provided by operating  activities
of 24% per year from year-end 1990 to year-end  1995.  For the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, net cash provided by operating  activities increased by 208%
over the same period in 1995 to $26.4 million due to these same  production  and
operating cost factors.

Business Strategy

         The Company  intends to continue to increase its  reserves,  cash flows
and underlying net asset value through a balanced  growth strategy that includes
an  aggressive  drilling  program,  exploitation  of advanced  technologies  and
strategic acquisitions.

         Key elements of the Company's strategy include the following:

         Aggressive  Drilling Program.  The Company believes that future reserve
growth will result from a combination  of drilling  wells on proved  undeveloped
acreage in its core areas,  step-out and  exploratory  drilling on the Company's
substantial inventory of undeveloped acreage and exploration efforts in selected
areas outside the Company's  core fields.  In 1995,  the Company  drilled 39 net
development  wells and 4 net  exploration  wells,  including 38 net  development
wells in the Company's AWP Olmos Field and Austin Chalk trend core areas. During
this period, the Company had drilling success rates of 96% for development wells
and 50% for exploratory wells. The Company expects to drill a total of 162 gross
(122 net) wells in 1996,  102 which have been drilled as of  September  30, 1996
for a capital cost of $42.4 million to the Company.  For 1997, the Company plans
to drill  approximately  161  gross  wells at an  expected  capital  cost of $86
million to the Company.  The Company  anticipates that drilling  activity in the
AWP Olmos Field will represent 85% of the Company's 1996 drilling budget and 75%
of the  Company's  1997  drilling  budget.  Exploratory  drilling  is based on a
"controlled risk" approach  focusing on regions where the exploration  objective
would allow the Company to utilize its technological or geological expertise and
which

                                        3

<PAGE>




are in close proximity to known producing horizons. The Company also reduces its
overall risk exposure with respect to exploration and development  activities by
entering into joint  ventures with industry  partners to share capital  exposure
for any individual well. As an example of this strategy,  the Company has active
joint  venture  development   projects  with  Union  Pacific  Resources  Company
("UPRC"),   Chesapeake  Energy   Corporation   ("Chesapeake")   and  Snyder  Oil
Corporation  ("Snyder")  in the Austin  Chalk  trend,  under  which the Company
serves as operator of a majority of these the wells on these properties.

         Exploitation of advanced technologies. To minimize the risks associated
with exploration and development  drilling and to enhance operating  efficiency,
the  Company  has  devoted   considerable   resources  to  developing   advanced
technological  expertise.   These  technologies  include  2-D  and  3-D  seismic
analysis, AVO (amplitude versus offset) studies and detailed formation depletion
studies. The Company has also attained substantial  expertise in horizontal well
technology,  having  participated in 28 such wells in the Austin Chalk trend, 27
of which  have  been  successful.  Additionally,  the  Company  uses  innovative
fracturing  methods,  coiled tubing technology and computer telemetry to monitor
well performance in the AWP Olmos Field. As a result of these technologies,  the
Company has enhanced its production yields while reducing its costs per Mcfe.

         Strategic   acquisitions.   The  Company  is   continuously   reviewing
acquisition  opportunities,   including  opportunities  to  acquire  substantial
undeveloped  acreage  for  future  drilling  activities.   The  Company  targets
properties in close  proximity to the  Company's  current  reserves,  where such
reserves  can be  increased  through  development  drilling  and where  improved
operating  efficiencies  can be  achieved.  Using  these  criteria,  the Company
employs a disciplined, market-driven approach to acquisitions that can result in
varying levels of annual spending on  acquisitions.  The Company has substantial
experience in making such acquisitions,  having purchased  approximately  $465.0
million of producing oil and natural gas  properties on behalf of itself and its
co-investors in 122 separate transactions since 1979.


                                        4

<PAGE>




                                  The Offering


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C> 
Securities Offered.................................... $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of         %
                                                       Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes"),
                                                       excluding $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                                       Notes   subject   to  the Underwriters' over-allotment
                                                       option.

Maturity.............................................. The Notes will mature on           , 2006 unless earlier
                                                       redeemed, repurchased or converted.

Payment of Interest................................... Interest on the Notes at the rate of    % per annum is
                                                       payable semi-annually on            and             of
                                                       each year commencing                 , 1997.

Conversion Right...................................... The Notes are convertible into shares of the Company's
                                                       Common Stock at the option of the holder at any time
                                                       after 60 days following the date of original issuance
                                                       thereof and prior to the close of business on the last
                                                       trading day prior to the maturity date, unless previously
                                                       redeemed or repurchased, at a conversion price of $        
                                                       per share, subject to certain adjustments. See "Description
                                                       of Notes -- Conversion."

Redemption at the Option of the Company............... On or after                , 1999, the Company may, upon
                                                       at least 15 days  notice, redeem the Notes in whole
                                                       or in part at the redemption prices set forth herein, together
                                                       with  accrued  and unpaid interest   thereon.   See
                                                       "Description  of Notes -- Optional Redemption."

Repurchase Upon Occurrence of a Designated             The Notes are required to be repurchased at 101% of
Event................................................. their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid
                                                       interest thereon, at the option of the holder upon the
                                                       occurrence of a Designated Event (as defined herein).
                                                       See "Description of Notes -- Repurchase at the Option
                                                       of Holders" and "Risk Factors --  Limitation on Repurchase of
                                                       Notes Upon the Occurrence of a Designated Event."  Any
                                                       future credit  agreements or other agreements relating to
                                                       indebtedness (including Senior Debt) to which the Company
                                                       becomes a party may contain restrictions on the repurchase
                                                       of Notes.  In the event a Designated Event occurs at a time
                                                       when the Company is prohibited from repurchasing Notes, the
                                                       Company's failure to repurchase tendered Notes would constitute
                                                       an Event of Default under the Indenture (as defined herein),
                                                       which may, in turn, constitute a further default under existing
                                                       debt instruments and may constitute a default under the terms
                                                       of other indebtedness that the Company may enter into from time
                                                       to time.  In such circumstances, the subordination provisions
                                                       in the Indenture would likely restrict payments to the holders
                                                       of Notes.  See "Description of Notes -- Repurchase at the Option
                                                       of  Holders" and "Risk Factors -- Limitation on Repurchase of
                                                       Notes Upon the Occurrence of a Designated Event."

Ranking............................................... The Notes will be unsecured obligations of the Company,
                                                       will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing
                                                       and future Senior Debt of the Company and will rank pari passu
                                                       with all other subordinated indebtedness of the Company, if any.
                                                       See "Description of Notes -- Subordination of Notes."

Use of Proceeds....................................... From the estimated net proceeds of $           million, the
                                                       Company intends to repay in full all of its outstanding
                                                       indebtedness under its existing credit facilities ($17.2
                                                       million at September 30, 1996).  The remaining net
                                                       proceeds will be added to working capital to fund the
                                                       Company's development and exploration drilling projects
                                                       and possibly to acquire oil and gas properties, or for
                                                       other general corporate purposes.  See "Use of
                                                       Proceeds."

Listing............................................... Application will be made to list the Notes on the New
                                                       York Stock Exchange.

Common Stock.......................................... 15,091,384 shares of Common Stock were outstanding
                                                       on September 30, 1996. The Common Stock is traded
                                                       on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock
                                                       Exchange under the symbol "SFY."
</TABLE>

                                        5

<PAGE>




                       Summary Consolidated Financial Data

         The  following  tables,  which  have been  derived  from the  Company's
audited  financial   statements,   set  forth  selected   historical   financial
information for the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations"  herein.  The
financial  data for the  six-month  periods  ended  June 30,  1996 and 1995 were
derived  from  the  unaudited  financial  statements  of the  Company  that,  in
management's  opinion,  include  all  adjustments  (consisting  of  only  normal
recurring  adjustments,  except as disclosed  below) necessary to present fairly
the results for such  periods.  The  operating  results for such periods are not
necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for a full fiscal
year, and none of the data presented below are necessarily  indicative of future
results.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months
                                                    Ended June 30,                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                ----------------------        --------------------------------------
                                                  1996          1995            1995           1994           1993
                                                --------      --------        --------       --------       --------
                                                                (In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>     
Income Statement Data:
    Revenues...............................     $ 23,747      $ 12,823        $ 28,931       $ 25,375       $ 24,133
    Costs and expenses:
        General and administrative, net
           of reimbursement................        2,852         2,752           5,256          5,198          5,065
        Depreciation, depletion, and
           amortization....................        6,900         4,002           8,839          7,905          7,301
        Oil and gas production.............        3,659         3,337           6,826          5,639          4,540
        Interest expense, net..............          294         1,090           1,115          1,795            598
                                                --------      --------        --------       ---------      --------
    Income before income taxes.............       10,042         1,642           6,895          4,838          6,629
    Provision for income taxes.............        3,281           386           1,982          1,112          1,732
                                                --------      --------        --------       --------       --------
    Income before cumulative effect of
        change in accounting principle.....        6,761         1,256           4,913          3,726          4,897
    Cumulative effect of change in
        accounting principle...............           --            --              --        (16,773)(1)         --
                                                --------      --------        --------       --------       --------

    Net income (loss)......................     $  6,761      $  1,256        $  4,913       $(13,047)(1)   $  4,897
                                                ========      ========        ========       ========       ========

    Per share data:
        Income before cumulative
           effect of change in
           accounting principle............     $   0.54      $   0.19        $   0.54       $   0.56 (1)   $   0.74
                                                ========      ========        ========       ========       ========

        Net income (loss)..................     $   0.54      $   0.19        $   0.54       $  (1.96)(1)   $   0.74
                                                ========      ========        ========       ========       ========
    Weighted average shares
        outstanding........................       12,586         6,706           9,123          6,644          6,588

Other Financial Data:
    EBITDA(2)..............................     $ 17,236      $  6,735        $ 16,849       $ 14,538       $ 14,527
    Net cash provided by operating
        activities.........................       14,904         4,810          14,376         10,395          7,238
    Capital expenditures...................       29,968        12,572          40,033         34,531         24,229
    Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)
           Historical......................         9.1x          1.6x            3.1x            2.6x          6.8x
           Pro forma(4)....................         4.6x            --            2.1x              --            --
</TABLE>



                                        7

<PAGE>






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  June 30, 1996
                                                            ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Actual                                   As Adjusted(5)
                                                            ---------                                   ----------
                                                                                (In thousands)
<S>                                                         <C>                                          <C>      
Balance Sheet Data:
   Working capital..........................                $   5,975                                    $  85,765
   Total assets.............................                  174,918                                      253,610
   Long-term debt:
       Bank borrowings......................                   15,210                                           --
       6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
          Debentures due 2003...............                   28,750                                           --
          % Convertible Subordinated
          Notes due 2006....................                       --                                      100,000
   Stockholders' equity.....................                  101,694                                      129,347
</TABLE>

(1)      Effective  January  1,  1994,  the  Company  adopted  a new  method  of
         accounting   for  earned   interests   with   respect  to  the  limited
         partnerships  for which it serves as general  partner,  whereby  earned
         interests are no longer recognized as income.  The effect of the change
         in 1994 was to increase  income before  cumulative  effect of change in
         accounting principle by approximately $1,047,000 or $.16 per share. The
         cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle resulted in an
         adjustment  of  $16,772,698,  or a  loss  of  $2.52  per  share  (after
         reduction  for income  taxes of  $8,640,481),  in the first  quarter of
         1994,  to apply the new  method  retroactively,  thereby  reducing  net
         income in 1994.  The Company  believes the change in policy  results in
         financial statements that better reflect its current business focus and
         that  are  more  comparable  to  current  practices  in the oil and gas
         exploration and production business.  See "Management's  Discussion and
         Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of Operations -- General"
         and Note 2 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)      EBITDA is defined for this purpose as income  (loss) before taking into
         consideration the cumulative  effect of change in accounting  principle
         and net interest expense,  income taxes and  depreciation,  depletion,
         and amortization.  EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to
         earnings   (losses)  as  an  indicator  of  the   Company's   financial
         performance  or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity,  but rather to
         provide additional information related to debt service capability.

(3)      For  purposes of  calculating  the ratio of earnings to fixed  charges,
         fixed   charges   include   interest   expense  and  that   portion  of
         non-capitalized rental expense deemed to be the equivalent of interest.
         Earnings   represents   income  before  income  taxes  from  continuing
         operations before fixed charges.

(4)      Pro forma for the offering and for the  application of a portion of the
         net  proceeds  of the  offering  to repay  $15.2  million  of  existing
         indebtedness. See "Use of Proceeds."

(5)      As adjusted to give effect to the  conversion  of the  Company's 6 1/2%
         Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due  2003  and  the  sale by the
         Company of the        % Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 offered
         hereby  and the  application  of the net  proceeds as  described  under
         "Use of Proceeds."



                                        8

<PAGE>




                           Reserve and Production Data

        The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  summary  information  as of
December 31, 1995 with respect to estimates prepared by the Company, and audited
by H.J. Gruy and Associates,  Inc., independent petroleum engineers ("Gruy"), of
the Company's proved oil and gas reserves, the future net revenues therefrom and
their PV-10 Value.  Estimates are based upon weighted  average  prices of $18.07
per Bbl of oil and $2.41 per Mcf of natural gas at December  31,  1995,  holding
prices  constant  throughout  the  life of the  properties  in  accordance  with
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is based
upon numerous  assumptions and is subject to change due to numerous factors. See
"Business and  Properties  -- Properties  and -- Oil and Gas Reserves" and "Risk
Factors -- Uncertainty of Estimates of Reserves and Future Net Revenues."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31, 1995
                                                              ---------------------------------------------
                                                               Proved                                 Total
                                                              Developed                              Proved
                                                              ---------                             --------
                                                                           (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                           <C>                                   <C>     
Estimated net proved reserves:
     Oil and condensate (MBbl)........................           3,313                                 5,422
     Natural gas (MMcf)...............................          81,532                               143,568
     Total reserves (MMcfe)...........................         101,411                               176,099
     Future net revenues..............................        $162,723                              $281,647
     PV-10 Value......................................        $ 85,537                              $147,038
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Six Months
                                                                        Ended June 30,          Year Ended December 31,
                                                                      ------------------    -----------------------------
                                                                        1996       1995       1995       1994       1993
                                                                      -------     ------    -------    -------     ------
<S>                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
Production:
     Oil (MBbl)...................................................        309        256        545        467        324
     Natural gas (MMcf)(1)........................................      6,674      3,454      7,914      6,799      5,422
     Gas equivalents (MMcfe)......................................      8,529      4,991     11,187      9,601      7,369

Weighted average sales prices:
     Oil (per Bbl)................................................     $18.24     $15.97     $15.66     $14.35     $15.10
     Natural gas (per Mcf)(2).....................................       2.23       1.64       1.77       1.93       1.96

Selected data per Mcfe:
     Production costs.............................................     $ 0.43     $ 0.67     $ 0.61     $ 0.59     $ 0.62
     Depreciation, depletion, and amortization....................       0.81       0.80       0.79       0.82       0.99
     General and administrative(3)................................       0.33       0.55       0.47       0.54       0.69
     Reserve replacement cost(4)..................................        N/A        N/A       0.61       0.79       0.70

Wells drilled:
     Gross .......................................................         66         24         76         44         34
     Net..........................................................         58         13         42         16          9

  Total reserves (MMcfe) added by:
     Exploration and development..................................        N/A        N/A     72,425     24,804     13,502
     Acquisitions.................................................        N/A        N/A      5,692     12,879     26,469
</TABLE>


(1)      Natural gas production for 1995, 1994, 1993, and the six-month  periods
         ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 includes 1,211,  1,358, 1,581, 581 and 622
         MMcf,  respectively,  delivered under a volumetric  production  payment
         pursuant to which the Company is obligated to deliver  certain  monthly
         quantities  of  natural  gas.   Future  Volumes   associated  with  the
         volumetric  production   payment  are  not  included  in the  Company's
         estimate of net reserves.  See  "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis
         of  Financial Condition  and  Results  of  Operation  --  General"  and
         Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)      The above  natural  gas  prices  reflect  the high BTU  content  of the
         natural gas  produced  from the  Company's  AWP Olmos and Austin  Chalk
         properties. Gas is sold on the basis of price per MMBtu, which measures
         the heating equivalent of such gas. The prices per Mcf above (Mcf being
         strictly a  physical  measure of natural  gas  volumes)  are  therefore
         higher than the prices which would be paid for natural gas with a lower
         Btu content.

(3)      Net of reimbursements.

(4)      Calculated  for a three-year  period ending with the year  presented by
         dividing  total   acquisition,   exploration  and   development   costs
         (excluding future development costs) incurred during such period by net
         reserves added during the period (excluding revisions).


                                        9

<PAGE>




                                  RISK FACTORS


         In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,  the
following factors should be considered  carefully in evaluating an investment in
the  Notes  offered  hereby.  The  statements  contained  herein  that  are  not
historical  facts are  forward-looking  statements  as that term is  defined  in
Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and therefore
involve a number of risks and  uncertainties.  The actual  results of the future
events  described  in  such  forward-looking   statements  in  this  Prospectus,
including those regarding the Company's financial results, levels of oil and gas
production or revenue,  capital  expenditures  and capital  resource  activities
could differ  materially from those estimated,  anticipated or projected.  Among
the factors that could cause actual results to differ  materially  are:  general
economic conditions, competition and government regulations, fluctuations in oil
and natural gas prices and the factors  set forth in "Risk  Factors"  below,  as
well as the risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the Company's
other public  reports filed with the Commission  and  incorporated  by reference
herein.

Subordination and Absence of Financial Covenants

         The Notes are  subordinated  in right of  payment to all  existing  and
future  Senior Debt of the Company.  "Senior  Debt" is defined under the heading
"Description  of  Notes  --  Subordination  of  Notes."  As  a  result  of  such
subordination, in the event of any insolvency,  liquidation or reorganization of
the Company or upon  acceleration  of the Notes due to an Event of Default,  the
assets of the Company will be available to pay  obligations on the Notes and any
other  subordinated  indebtedness  of the Company only after all Senior Debt has
been paid in full,  and  there may not be  sufficient  assets  remaining  to pay
amounts due on any or all of the Notes or any other subordinated indebtedness of
the Company  then  outstanding.  The  Indenture  does not  prohibit or limit the
incurrence  of Senior Debt or the  incurrence  of other  indebtedness  and other
liabilities  by the Company or its  subsidiaries.  As of September 30, 1996, the
Company had approximately  $17.2 million of indebtedness  outstanding that would
have  constituted  Senior Debt. It is anticipated  that,  immediately  after the
application  of the net proceeds  from this  offering,  the Company will have no
Senior Debt  outstanding;  however,  any future  borrowings  under the Company's
existing credit facilities will constitute  Senior Debt, and other  indebtedness
incurred  by  the  Company  in  the  future  may  constitute  Senior  Debt.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."

         The  Indenture  does not contain any financial  performance  covenants.
Consequently,  the  Company  is not  required  under the  Indenture  to meet any
financial  tests such as those  that  measure  the  Company's  working  capital,
interest  coverage,  fixed  charge  coverage  or net worth in order to  maintain
compliance  with  the  terms  of the  Indenture.  See  "Description  of Notes --
Repurchase at the Option of Holders."

Limitation on Repurchase of Notes Upon the Occurrence of a Designated Event

         Upon the  occurrence  of a Designated  Event,  each holder of Notes may
require the Company to  repurchase  all or a portion of such  holder's  Notes at
101% of their principal amount.  If a Designated Event were to occur,  there can
be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient financial  resources,  or
would be able to arrange  financing,  to pay the repurchase  price for all Notes
tendered  by  the  holders  thereof.  Any  future  credit  agreements  or  other
agreements relating to indebtedness (including Senior Debt) to which the Company
becomes a party may contain  restrictions  on the  repurchase  of Notes.  In the
event a Designated  Event occurs at a time when the Company is  prohibited  from
repurchasing  the Notes,  the  Company  could seek the consent of its lenders to
repurchase the Notes or could attempt to refinance the  borrowings  that contain
such prohibition.  If the Company does not obtain such consent or refinance such
borrowings, the Company would remain prohibited from repurchasing Notes. In such
case, the Company's  failure to repurchase  tendered  Notes would  constitute an
Event of Default under the  Indenture  which may, in turn,  constitute a further
default  under  certain  of the  Company's  existing  debt  instruments  and may
constitute a default under the terms of other  indebtedness that the Company may
incur from time to time. In such circumstances,  the subordination provisions in
the  Indenture  would  likely  prohibit   payments  to  holders  of  Notes.  See
"Description of Notes -- Repurchase at the Option of Holders."



                                       10

<PAGE>




Volatility of Oil and Gas Prices and Markets

         The Company's  profitability is  substantially  dependent on prevailing
prices for oil and  natural  gas.  The amounts of and price  obtainable  for the
Company's oil and gas  production  will be affected by market factors beyond the
Company's control.  Such factors include the extent of domestic production,  the
level of imports of foreign oil and gas, the general level of market demand on a
regional, national and worldwide basis, domestic and foreign economic conditions
that  determine  levels of industrial  production,  political  events in foreign
oil-producing regions and variations in governmental regulations and tax laws or
the imposition of new governmental  requirements  upon the oil and gas industry.
Prices for oil and gas are subject to wide fluctuation in response to relatively
minor changes in supply of and demand for oil and gas, market  uncertainty and a
variety of  additional  factors that are beyond the control of the  Company.  In
addition, the marketability of the Company's production depends in part upon the
availability,  proximity  and  capacity  of  gathering  systems,  pipelines  and
processing facilities. A substantial and prolonged decline in oil and gas prices
could have a material adverse effect upon the Company.

         The Company  currently  emphasizes the  exploration  and development of
natural gas reserves.  See "Business and  Properties -- General." As a result of
changes in recent  years in the  natural  gas market  regulatory  structure  and
volatility  in the market price for natural gas, most  producers and  purchasers
are unwilling to enter into long-term purchase and sale contracts.  Accordingly,
most  of the  Company's  gas  production  is sold on the  "spot  market,"  where
producers  and  purchasers  negotiate  sales on a short-term  (usually a 30-day)
basis. Accordingly, the stability of the Company's future revenues is vulnerable
to short-term  fluctuations in the price of natural gas. See "-- Effect of Price
Risk Management."

         Under Commission  regulations  applicable to entities which account for
their  investments  in oil and gas  properties  using the  full-cost  accounting
rules,  on a quarterly  basis the Company  confirms  that the PV-10 Value of its
proved  reserves  (plus  certain  amounts for unproved  properties)  exceeds the
capitalized  costs of oil and gas properties  carried on its balance sheet. This
test must be  performed  using oil and gas  prices at the end of the  applicable
period,  rather  than  historical  amounts or  averages  calculated  over longer
periods. Thus, while the Company has never been required to write down its asset
base,  and at December 31, 1995 there was a substantial  excess of reserves over
capitalized  costs under the "ceiling test," declines in oil and gas prices,  if
sustained,  could  require a writedown of the value of the Company's oil and gas
properties  unless at the same time the Company had  sufficient  net  additional
reserves to offset the effect of any such  decline in oil and gas prices.  It is
possible  that such a  writedown  could be  required  even if there  were only a
temporary  decline in prices.  Although any such writedown would not affect cash
flow from operating activities, it would constitute a charge to earnings.

Replacement and Expansion of Reserves

         The  Company's  success  will be largely  dependent  on its  ability to
replace and expand its oil and gas reserves through the acquisition of producing
properties and the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves, both
of which involve  substantial risks.  Without successful drilling or acquisition
ventures,  the Company will be unable to replace the reserves  being depleted by
production,  and its assets and revenues  including  the reserves  will decline.
There can be no assurance that the Company's  acquisition  and  exploration  and
development  activities  will result in the replacement of, or additions to, the
Company's reserves.  Successful  acquisition of producing  properties  generally
requires accurate assessments of recoverable reserves, future oil and gas prices
and operating costs,  potential  environmental  and other  liabilities and other
factors.  Such  assessments are  necessarily  inexact,  and as estimates,  their
accuracy is inherently uncertain.

Future Capital Requirements

        The  Company  makes  and  will  continue  to  make  substantial  capital
expenditures  to further  explore  and  develop  its  properties  and to acquire
additional oil and gas properties.  These expenditures are currently anticipated
to be $134.0 million for the remaining  three months of 1996 and for 1997.  Cash
flows  from  operations,  to the  extent  available,  will be used to fund these
expenditures.  The Company may also seek  additional  capital  from  traditional
reserve base  borrowings,  equity and debt  offerings,  joint ventures and other
sources.  Furthermore,  the Company may seek to raise capital through production
payment  financing  and  vendor  financing.  The  Company's  ability  to  access
additional  capital will depend on its  continued  success in exploring  for and
developing  its reserves and the status of the capital  markets at the time such
capital is sought.  Accordingly,  there can be no assurance that capital will be
available to the Company from any source or that,  if  available,  it will be on
terms acceptable to the Company. Should sufficient


                                       11

<PAGE>




capital not be  available,  the  exploration  and  development  of the Company's
properties  could  be  delayed  and,  accordingly,  the  implementation  of  the
Company's business strategy would be adversely affected.

Uncertainty of Estimates of Reserves and Future Net Revenues

         Estimates of the  Company's  proved  developed oil and gas reserves and
future net revenues  therefrom  appearing  elsewhere herein are based on reserve
reports audited by independent  petroleum engineers.  The estimation of reserves
requires substantial judgment on the part of the petroleum engineers,  resulting
in  imprecise  determinations,  particularly  with  respect to new  discoveries.
Estimates of proved undeveloped  reserves,  which comprise a significant portion
of the Company's total reserves,  are by their nature less certain. The accuracy
of any  reserve  estimate  depends on the quality of  available  data as well as
engineering   and  geological   interpretation   and  judgment.   Actual  future
production, oil and gas prices, revenues, taxes, capital expenditures, operating
expenses,  geologic  success and quantities of recoverable oil and gas resources
may vary  substantially  from  those  assumed  in the  estimates,  may result in
revisions to such estimates and could materially affect the estimated quantities
and related PV-10 Value of reserves set forth in this Prospectus.  The estimates
of future net revenues  reflect oil and gas prices as of the date of estimation,
without  escalation,  except where  changes in prices were fixed under  existing
contracts. There can be no assurance, however, that such prices will be realized
or that the  estimated  production  volumes will be produced  during the periods
indicated.  Future  performance  that  deviates  significantly  from the reserve
reports could have a material  adverse effect on the Company.  See "Business and
Properties -- Properties and -- Oil and Gas Reserves."

        The  estimates of future net revenues and their  present  values  assume
that  some  portion  of the  limited  partnerships  in which  the  Company  owns
interests  will achieve  payout  status.  At payout,  the  Company's  percentage
ownership  of  the  limited  partnerships'   reserves  increases.   The  primary
assumptions  utilized  for  purposes  of  such  estimates  consist  of  (i)  the
continuation of oil and gas prices realized by the partnerships at year-end 1995
through  the  life of the  properties  owned  by the  partnerships  and (ii) the
continued ownership of such properties.  Only three of the limited  partnerships
in which the Company owns an interest had achieved  payout status at the date of
this Prospectus and achievement of payout status for the remaining  partnerships
will depend not only upon prices at which future  production  is sold,  but also
upon whether  individual  properties  are sold prior to  depletion  and upon the
prices  received in such  sales.  See "--  Volatility  of Oil and Gas Prices and
Markets" and "Business and Properties -- Partnerships."

Exploration and Development Risks

         Exploration  and  development  of oil and gas  reserves  involve a high
degree  of risk  that no  commercial  production  will be  obtained  or that the
production will be insufficient to recover  drilling and completion  costs.  The
cost of  drilling,  completing  and  operating  wells  is often  uncertain.  The
Company's drilling operations may be curtailed,  delayed or canceled as a result
of numerous factors,  including title problems,  weather conditions,  compliance
with  governmental  requirements  and  shortages  or delays in the  delivery  of
equipment.  Furthermore,  completion  of a well does not  assure a profit on the
investment  or a recovery of  drilling,  completion  and  operating  costs.  See
"Business and Properties -- Exploration and Development Drilling Activities."

Operating Hazards and Uninsured Risks

         In  addition to the  substantial  risk that wells  drilled  will not be
productive,   hazards  such  as  unusual  or  unexpected  geologic   formations,
pressures, downhole fires, mechanical failures, blowouts, cratering, explosions,
uncontrollable   flow  of  oil,  gas  or  well  fluids,   pollution   and  other
environmental  risks are  inherent in oil and gas  exploration  and  production.
These  hazards could result in  substantial  losses to the Company due to injury
and loss of life,  severe damage to and  destruction  of property and equipment,
pollution  and other  environmental  damage and  suspension of  operations.  The
Company  carries  insurance  which it believes is in accordance  with  customary
industry practices,  but, as is common in the oil and gas industry,  the Company
does not fully insure  against all risks  associated  with its  business  either
because  such  insurance  is not  available  or  because  the  cost  thereof  is
considered prohibitive.



                                       12

<PAGE>




Effect of Price Risk Management

        To the extent that price floors or caps are  purchased  for a portion of
the Company's  production but are not needed, or to the extent that future sales
are made at prices below ultimate future market prices, funds so spent will have
been lost or income realized from sale of production may be reduced.  Therefore,
the Company intends to expend only limited  amounts to hedge pricing risks.  See
"Business and Properties -- Price Risk Management."

Risks of Purchasing Interests in Oil and Gas Properties

         Although the Company  emphasizes  reserve growth through  drilling,  it
expects to make  acquisitions  of oil and gas properties  from time to time. The
Company  generally  focuses most of its title and valuation  efforts on the more
significant  properties.  It is generally not feasible for the Company to review
in-depth  every  property  it  purchases  and all records  with  respect to such
properties.  However,  even an in-depth review of properties and records may not
necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer to
become  familiar  enough with the properties to assess fully their  deficiencies
and  capabilities.  Evaluation  of future  recoverable  reserves of oil, gas and
natural  gas  liquids,  which  is an  integral  part of the  property  selection
process,  is a process  that  depends upon  evaluation  of existing  geological,
engineering and production data, some or all of which may prove to be unreliable
or not  indicative of future  performance.  See "--  Uncertainty of Estimates of
Reserves and Future Net Revenues." To the extent the seller does not operate the
properties,  obtaining  access to properties and records may be more  difficult.
Even when problems are identified,  the seller may not be willing or financially
able to give contractual  protection against such problems,  and the Company may
decide to assume environmental and other liabilities in connection with acquired
properties. See "Business and Properties -- Oil and Gas Acreage."

Foreign Activities

         In the last several years,  the Company has undertaken  exploration and
development  activities in Russia and New Zealand.  The Company is also pursuing
development  opportunities in Venezuela. In Russia, the Company has entered into
several  agreements  with a Russian  joint stock  company to develop and produce
reserves in two fields in Western Siberia under which the Company is entitled to
receive a minimum 5% net profits  interest in the properties.  In July 1996, the
Company  entered into a partnership  agreement which provides for the Company to
contribute  its rights under these  agreements  to the  partnership  and for the
partners to share  equally  revenues and costs of  developing  the project along
with the Russian  company.  The partnership is to be funded upon  fulfillment of
certain  conditions.  The Company is also  performing  certain  seismic  work on
136,500 acres in two adjacent  onshore areas located in New Zealand  pursuant to
Exploration  Permits  which  provide for certain  work to be performed in stages
through the year 2001. In addition,  the Company is pursuing several cooperative
ventures  in  Venezuela.   The  Company's   investment  in  these  projects  was
approximately  $11.2 million at September 30, 1996.  Russia has  experienced and
continues to experience social,  political and economic instability,  and all of
the Company's operations overseas are subject to various additional risks. There
can be no assurance that future  developments  in these regions,  over which the
Company  has no  control,  will not impair  the  Company's  operations  in these
regions or result in a loss of part or all of the Company's investment.

Competition

         The Company operates in a highly competitive  environment.  The Company
competes  with  major  integrated  and  independent  energy  companies  for  the
acquisition  of  desirable  oil and natural gas  properties,  as well as for the
equipment  and labor  required to develop and operate such  properties.  Many of
these competitors have financial and other resources  substantially greater than
those of the Company. See "Business and Properties -- Competition."

Governmental and Environmental Regulation

         The production of oil and natural gas is subject to regulation  under a
wide  range of United  States  federal  and state  statutes,  rules,  orders and
regulations.  State and federal  statutes and  regulations  require  permits for
drilling,  reworking and  recompletion  operations,  drilling  bonds and reports
concerning  operations.  Most  states in which  the  Company  owns and  operates
properties have regulations governing conservation matters, including provisions
for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties,


                                       13

<PAGE>




the  establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells
and the  regulation  of the spacing,  plugging and  abandonment  of wells.  Many
states also restrict production to the market demand for oil and natural gas and
several states have  indicated  interest in revising  applicable  regulations in
light of the  persistent  oversupply  and low  prices  for oil and  natural  gas
production.  These  regulations  may limit the rate at which oil and natural gas
could otherwise be produced from the Company's properties. Some states have also
enacted  statutes  prescribing  ceiling  prices for  natural gas sold within the
state. See "Business and Properties -- Regulations."

         Various federal,  state and local laws and regulations  relating to the
protection of the environment may affect the Company's  operations and costs. In
particular,  the Company's  production  operations and its use of facilities for
treating, processing or otherwise handling hydrocarbons and wastes therefrom are
subject to stringent  environmental  regulation.  Although compliance with these
regulations  increases the cost of Company  operations,  such compliance has not
had a  material  effect  on the  Company's  capital  expenditures,  earnings  or
competitive position.  Environmental  regulations have historically been subject
to  frequent  change by  regulatory  authorities  and the  Company  is unable to
predict the ongoing cost of  complying  with these laws and  regulations  or the
future impact of such regulations on its operations.  A significant discharge of
hydrocarbons  into  the  environment  could,  to the  extent  such  event is not
insured,   subject  the  Company  to  substantial  expense.  See  "Business  and
Properties -- Regulations -- Environmental Regulations."

Dependence on Key Personnel

         The Company  depends,  and will  continue to depend in the  foreseeable
future,  on the  services  of its  officers  and key  employees  with  extensive
experience  and  expertise in  evaluating  and  analyzing  producing oil and gas
properties  and  drilling  prospects,  maximizing  production  from  oil and gas
properties and marketing oil and gas  production.  The ability of the Company to
retain its officers and key employees is important to the continued  success and
growth of the Company.  The loss of key personnel could have a material  adverse
effect on the Company. See "Management."

Liability as General Partner; Conflicts of Interest

         The  Company  serves as the  managing  general  partner of 103  limited
partnerships,  which had invested over $478.0  million in oil and gas activities
at September  30, 1996.  These  limited  partnerships  had  approximately  $10.0
million of indebtedness at June 30, 1996,  virtually all of which is owed to the
Company.  However, the Company remains contingently liable for their obligations
as general partner,  including  responsibility for their day-to-day  operations,
and  liabilities  which  cannot be repaid from  partnership  assets or insurance
proceeds.  In the  future,  the  Company  might  be  exposed  to  litigation  in
connection with partnership activities, or find it necessary to advance funds on
behalf  of  certain  partnerships  to  protect  the  value of their  oil and gas
properties.  Conversely,  the Company might be prohibited from acquiring certain
property  interests  if to do so would  conflict  with the  interests of limited
partnerships which it manages. See "Business and Properties -- Partnerships."

 Absence of Public Market for the Notes

         There is currently no public trading market for the Notes.  Application
will be made to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange,  but there can be
no assurance that an active  trading market will develop for the Notes,  or that
holders of the Notes will be able to sell their Notes on acceptable  terms.  The
Underwriters  have  indicated  that they  intend to make a market in the  Notes;
however,  they are not  obligated  to do so, and any such  market-making  may be
discontinued at any time without notice.  The Notes may trade at a discount from
the initial public offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the
market price for similar  securities,  the market price for the Common Stock and
other  factors.  In addition,  prices for the Common Stock will be determined by
the market and may be influenced  by many  factors,  including the financial and
operating  performance of the Company,  investor perceptions of the Company, the
depth and  liquidity of the market for the Company's  Common Stock,  oil and gas
prices and general economic  conditions.  Although the Common Stock is currently
traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange,  there can
be no assurance  that the Common Stock will  continue to be traded on any active
trading market in the future.


                                       14

<PAGE>




                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

        The net  proceeds  to the  Company  from the sale of the  Notes  offered
hereby will be  approximately  $               million,  ($              million
assuming exercise of the Underwriters'  over-allotment  option), after deducting
estimated  underwriting  discount and  expenses of the  offering  payable by the
Company.  From these  proceeds,  the Company intends to repay in full all of its
borrowings under the credit facilities  described below,  which amount was $17.2
million at September  30, 1996.  The remaining net proceeds will be used to fund
exploratory and development  drilling  projects during the remainder of 1996 and
1997,  and  possibly to acquire  oil and gas  properties,  or for other  general
corporate  purposes.  The  allocation  of the  Company's  net proceeds from this
offering,  together  with other  available  capital,  among these  categories of
anticipated  expenditures  is  discretionary  and will depend upon future events
that  cannot be  predicted,  including  the actual  results  and costs of future
exploratory and development drilling and other activities,  the availability and
cost of oil and gas properties meeting the Company's acquisition  criteria,  the
Company's net cash flows from operating  activities and other matters beyond the
control of the Company.

        The Company has two credit  facilities.  The first  facility is a $100.0
million  revolving line of credit which  currently has a borrowing base of $30.0
million.  For balances up to $17.5  million,  this  facility  bears  interest at
either  the lead  bank's  base  rate or at the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate
("LIBOR") plus 1%. For balances  between $17.5 million and $26.25  million,  the
Company has the option to incur interest at the lead bank's base rate plus 0.25%
or at LIBOR  plus  1.25%.  For  amounts in excess of $26.25  million,  the LIBOR
option is set at LIBOR plus 1.5%. The outstanding  amount under this facility at
September 30, 1996 was $17.0  million,  all of which was bearing  interest under
the LIBOR rate option at rates ranging from 6.5620% to 6.8125%.  Such funds were
borrowed  primarily  to  finance  the  Company's  working  capital  and  capital
expenditures  needs.  The  Company's  other  credit  facility is a $7.0  million
revolving line of credit bearing interest at the bank's base rate less 0.25%. At
September  30,  1996,  $170,000 was  outstanding  under this  facility,  bearing
interest at 8%. Both of these credit  facilities  extend  through  September 30,
1999. The $7.0 million credit facility is the Company's only secured facility.

         Until net proceeds of the offering are utilized for purposes  described
above, they will be invested in interest bearing bank accounts,  U.S. government
securities,   other  investment  grade  debt  securities  and  other  short-term
investments.




                                       15

<PAGE>




                 PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Common Stock trades on the New York Stock  Exchange and the Pacific
Stock  Exchange  under the symbol "SFY." At September 30, 1996,  the Company had
approximately  532  stockholders  of record.  The following table sets forth the
range of high and low quarterly closing sales prices for the Common Stock of the
Company as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             High                  Low
                                                           --------             --------
<S>                                                        <C>                  <C>     
1996
     Fourth Quarter (Through October 23, 1996).......      $ 26.250             $ 23.750
     Third Quarter...................................        24.875               17.500
     Second Quarter .................................        18.125               13.000
     First Quarter...................................        14.125               10.875

1995
     Fourth Quarter..................................        12.625                7.750
     Third Quarter...................................         9.625                8.250
     Second Quarter..................................        10.125                8.500
     First Quarter...................................         9.875                8.000

1994
     Fourth Quarter..................................        11.375                9.500
     Third Quarter...................................        10.500                9.250
     Second Quarter..................................        10.125                9.000
     First Quarter...................................        11.250                8.500
</TABLE>

         The above prices for the first three quarters of 1994 have been revised
to reflect a 10% Common Stock dividend  declared and paid in September  1994. On
October 24, 1996,  the last  reported sale price for the Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange was $24.50 per share.

         Since the Company's inception,  no cash dividends have been declared on
its Common Stock,  and the Company does not expect to declare cash  dividends in
the foreseeable  future.  The Company  currently intends to continue a policy of
using retained earnings for expansion of its business.  Under its current credit
arrangements,  the Company may not declare  cash  dividends  on its Common Stock
that exceed $2.0 million in any fiscal year.





                                       16

<PAGE>




                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The  following  table sets forth the  capitalization  of the Company at
June 30, 1996,  and as adjusted to reflect (i) the conversion of the Company's 6
1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2003  (the "6 1/2%  Convertible
Subordinated  Debentures") which occurred on August 6, 1996 and (ii) the sale by
the Company of the Notes offered hereby and the  application of the net proceeds
as  described  under  "Use of  Proceeds."  This  information  should  be read in
conjunction with the Company's  Consolidated  Financial Statements and the Notes
thereto and  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of Operations" presented elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    June 30, 1996
                                                                               -----------------------
                                                                                                 As
                                                                                Actual        Adjusted
                                                                               --------       --------
                                                                                    (In thousands)
<S>                                                                            <C>            <C>     
Cash and cash equivalents................................................      $  1,329       $ 81,119
                                                                               ========       ========
Long-term debt, including current portion
      Bank borrowings(1).................................................      $ 15,210       $     --
      6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2003................        28,750             --
           % Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006.....................            --        100,000
Stockholders' equity
      Preferred Stock--$.01 par value; 5,000,000 authorized
           shares; no shares issued and outstanding......................            --             --
      Common Stock--$.01 par value; 35,000,000 authorized
           shares; 12,687,886 issued and outstanding shares(2)...........           127            151(3)
      Additional paid-in capital.........................................        72,720        100,349(3)
      Retained earnings..................................................        28,847         28,847
                                                                               --------       --------
      Total stockholders' equity.........................................       101,694        129,347
                                                                               --------       --------
Total capitalization.....................................................      $145,654       $229,347
                                                                               ========       ========
</TABLE>

(1)      See  Note 4 to the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for
         additional information concerning the Company's bank borrowings.

(2)      Excludes (a)  1,232,646  shares  issuable upon exercise of employee and
         director  stock  options  outstanding  as of September 30, 1996 and (b)
         41,250 shares  issuable  upon the exercise of stock options  granted to
         other individuals outstanding as of September 30, 1996.

(3)      Includes  2,343,108 shares issued in August 1996 upon the conversion of
         the  6  1/2%   Convertible   Subordinated   Debentures  due  2003.  See
         "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and
         Results of  Operations  --  Liquidity  and Capital  Resources"  and the
         Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  the Notes thereto.



                                       17

<PAGE>




                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

         The following selected  consolidated  financial data of the Company for
each of the five years in the period ended  December 31, 1995,  are derived from
the Company's  Consolidated  Financial Statements,  which have been audited. The
selected  consolidated  financial data for the six-month  periods ended June 30,
1996 and 1995 are  unaudited,  and,  in the opinion of  management,  include all
adjustments  (consisting  of  only  normal  recurring  adjustments,   except  as
disclosed  below)  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the  results for such
interim periods.  Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative
of results  to be  expected  for the  entire  year.  The  selected  consolidated
financial data should be read in conjunction with  "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations"  and the Company's
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and the Notes  thereto  included  elsewhere
herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Six Months
                                       Ended June 30,                              Year Ended December 31,
                                    --------------------       --------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1996        1995           1995       1994            1993        1992           1991
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
                                                          (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<S>                                 <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>     
Income Statement Data:
Revenues:
    Oil and gas sales.........      $ 20,507    $  9,742       $ 22,528   $ 19,802        $ 15,536    $ 12,420       $  8,362
    Earned interests and
       fees(1)................           160         248            590        702           4,072       2,716          2,232
    Supervision fees..........         2,127       1,865          3,839      3,751           3,719       3,444          3,363
    Interest income...........            26          18            212         48             202         113            192
    Other, net................           927         950          1,762      1,072             604         516            541
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
         Total revenues.......        23,747      12,823         28,931     25,375          24,133      19,209         14,690
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
Costs and expenses:
    General and
       administrative, net of
       reimbursement..........         2,852       2,752          5,256      5,198           5,065       4,977          4,656
    Depreciation, depletion,
       and amortization.......         6,900       4,002          8,839      7,905           7,301       4,906          3,843
    Oil and gas production....         3,659       3,337          6,826      5,639           4,540       3,934          2,442
    Interest expense, net.....           294       1,090          1,115      1,795             598          76             --
    Other expenses............            --          --             --         --              --         628             --
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------     -------       --------
         Total costs and
            expenses..........        13,705      11,181         22,036     20,537          17,504      14,521         10,941
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
Income before income taxes....        10,042       1,642          6,895      4,838           6,629       4,688          3,749
Provision for income taxes....         3,281         386          1,982      1,112           1,732       1,518          1,236
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
Income before cumulative
    effect of change in
    accounting principle......         6,761       1,256          4,913      3,726           4,897       3,170          2,513
Cumulative effect of change
    in accounting principle...            --          --             --    (16,773)(1)          --         915(2)          --
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
Net income (loss).............      $  6,761    $  1,256       $  4,913   $(13,047)       $  4,897    $  4,085       $  2,513
                                    ========    ========       ========   ========        ========    ========       ========

Per share data:
    Primary:
       Income before
         cumulative effect of
         change in
         accounting principle.      $   0.54    $   0.19       $   0.54   $   0.56        $   0.74    $   0.52       $   0.47
       Cumulative effect of
         change in
         accounting principle.            --          --             --      (2.52)(1)          --        0.15(2)          --
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
       Net income (loss)......      $   0.54    $   0.19       $   0.54   $  (1.96)       $   0.74    $   0.67       $   0.47
                                    ========    ========       ========   ========        ========    ========       ========
    Fully diluted:
       Income before
         cumulative effect of
         change in
         accounting principle.      $   0.47    $   0.19       $   0.54   $   0.56        $   0.70    $   0.52       $   0.47
       Cumulative effect of
         change in
         accounting principle.            --          --             --      (2.52)(1)          --        0.15(2)          --
                                    --------    --------       --------   --------        --------    --------       --------
       Net income (loss)......      $   0.47    $   0.19       $   0.54   $  (1.96)       $   0.70    $   0.67       $   0.47
                                    ========    ========       ========   ========        ========    ========       ========
Weighted average shares
    outstanding(3)............        12,586       6,706          9,123      6,644           6,588       6,135          5,363

Other Financial Data:
EBITDA(4).....................      $17,236     $  6,734       $16,849    $ 14,538        $ 14,528    $ 10,585       $  7,592
Net cash provided by
    operating activities......       14,904        4,810        14,376      10,395           7,238        6,349         5,912
Capital expenditures..........       29,968       12,572        40,033      34,531          24,229       34,401         7,985

Ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges (5)
    Historical................          9.1x         1.6x          3.1x        2.6x            6.8x         7.5x         10.3x
    Pro forma (6).............          4.6x          --           2.1x         --              --           --            --

Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital...............      $ 5,975     $(20,668)      $ 3,247    $(13,137)       $  9,742    $   2,953      $ (2,992)
Total assets..................      174,918      136,273       175,253     135,673         160,893      100,243       101,422
Long-term debt:
    Bank borrowings...........       15,210       31,300            --      27,229           2,650           --        23,380
    6 1/2% Convertible
       Subordinated
       Debentures due 2003 (7)       28,750       28,750        28,750      28,750          28,750           --            --
Stockholders' equity..........      101,694       43,976        93,346      42,127          54,466       49,281        38,660
</TABLE>

(1)      Effective  January  1,  1994,  the  Company  adopted  a new  method  of
         accounting   for  earned   interests   with   respect  to  the  limited
         partnerships  for which it serves as general  partner,  whereby  earned
         interests are no longer recognized as income.  The effect of the change
         in 1994 was to increase  income before  cumulative  effect of change in
         accounting principle by approximately $1,047,000 or $.16 per share. The
         cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle resulted in an
         adjustment  of  $16,772,698,  or a  loss  of  $2.52  per  share  (after
         reduction  for income  taxes of  $8,640,481),  in the first  quarter of
         1994,  to apply the new  method  retroactively,  thereby  reducing  net
         income in 1994.  The Company  believes the change in policy  results in
         financial statements that better reflect its current business focus and
         that  are  more  comparable  to  current  practices  in the oil and gas
         exploration and production business.  See "Management's  Discussion and
         Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of Operations -- General"
         and Note 2 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)      In the fourth  quarter of 1992,  the Company  elected to adopt SFAS No.
         109, effective beginning January 1, 1992. The cumulative effect of this
         change  resulted  in an  increase in net income of $915,000 or $.16 per
         share  in 1992.  The  effect  of this  change  on  income  tax  expense
         (exclusive of cumulative effect adjustment) for the year ended December
         31, 1992 was not material.

(3)      Amounts have been  retroactively  restated in all periods  presented to
         give  recognition  for an equivalent  change in capital  structure as a
         result of a 10% stock  dividend in  September  1994.  See Note 7 to the
         Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)      EBITDA is defined for this purpose as income  (loss) before taking into
         consideration the cumulative effect of change in  accounting  principle
         and  net  interest  expense, income taxes, and depreciation, depletion,
         and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative  to
         earnings   (losses)  as  an  indicator  of  the   Company's   financial
         performance  or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity, but rather to
         provide additional information related to debt service capability.

(5)      For  purposes of  calculating  the ratio of earnings to fixed  charges,
         fixed   charges   include   interest   expense  and  that   portion  of
         non-capitalized rental expense deemed to be the equivalent of interest.
         Earnings   represents   income  before  income  taxes  from  continuing
         operations before fixed charges.

(6)      Pro forma for the offering and for the  application of a portion of the
         net  proceeds  of the  offering  to repay  $15.2  million  of  existing
         indebtedness. See "Use of Proceeds."

(7)      The $28,750,000  principal  amount of 6 1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated
         Debentures  due  2003 was  converted  on August 6, 1996 into  2,343,108
         shares of the Company's Common Stock.


                                       19

<PAGE>




                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The  following  discussion  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the
Company's  Consolidated  Financial Statements and Notes thereto and the Selected
Consolidated Financial Data included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

General

        The Company was formed in 1979 and,  from 1985 to 1991,  grew  primarily
through  the  acquisition  of  producing   properties   funded  through  limited
partnership financing. Commencing in 1991, the Company began to re-emphasize the
addition of reserves through exploration and development drilling activity while
significantly reducing its reliance on limited partnership  financing.  By 1995,
reserves added by drilling had almost tripled over reserves added by drilling in
1994.

        The  Company's  revenue  is  primarily  comprised  of oil and gas  sales
attributable  to  properties  in which the  Company  owns a direct  or  indirect
interest. Additionally, prior to 1994, the Company recorded earned interests and
fees from limited  partnerships and joint ventures.  Effective  January 1, 1994,
the Company changed its revenue  recognition  policy for earned  interests.  The
cumulative effect in 1994 of this change in accounting  principle  resulted in a
one-time  accounting  adjustment of $16.8 million,  or a loss of $2.52 per share
(after reduction for income taxes of $8.6 million), from applying the new method
retroactively. Earned interests represented revenues in the form of interests in
proved  developed oil and gas properties  conveyed to limited  partnerships  and
joint  ventures  formed  in  connection  with  the  Company's  organization  and
management  of  limited  partnerships  and  joint  ventures,   representing  the
difference   between  the  Company's  capital   contributions  to  each  limited
partnership  or joint  venture  and its earned  revenue  interest in the limited
partnership's  or venture's  properties  (based upon the expected levels of cash
distributions to the limited partners or joint  venturers).  Under the Company's
current  method of  accounting  such  amounts will not be  recognized as income,
thereby reducing the Company's  investment in oil and gas property.  The Company
believes  the  change in policy  results in  financial  statements  that  better
reflect its business focus and that are more  comparable to prevalent  practices
in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

        In May 1992, the Company  purchased  interests in certain wells from the
Manville  Corporation  for $14.3 million  using funds  provided by the Company's
sale of a volumetric  production  payment in these properties to a subsidiary of
Enron  Corp.  Net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  production   payments  of
approximately $13.8 million were recorded as deferred revenues. Deliveries under
the  volumetric  production  payment are recorded as oil and gas sales  revenues
which are offset by a corresponding  reduction of deferred revenues.  Under this
arrangement, the Company is required to deliver a fixed quantity of hydrocarbons
produced  from the  properties  over  specified  periods  through  October 2000.
Volumes  remaining  to be  delivered  under the  volumetric  production  payment
(approximately  4.1 Bcf and 3.6 Bcf at  December  31,  1995 and  June 30,  1996,
respectively)  are not  included in the  Company's  proved  reserves.  Under the
volumetric  production  payment,  hydrocarbons  produced in excess of the amount
required to be delivered are sold by the Company for its own account.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995

         Revenues.  The Company's revenues increased 85% during  the first  half
of 1996 from the first half of 1995, due primarily to  the  increase  in oil and
gas sales.

         Oil and Gas Sales. Oil and gas sales increased 110% to $20.5 million in
the first half of 1996,  compared to $9.7 million for the comparative  period in
1995.  The 93%  increase in natural gas  production  and the 21% increase in oil
production  were  primarily  the  result  of  production  from  recent  drilling
activity, most notably from the Company's two primary development areas, the AWP
Olmos  Field  and the  Austin  Chalk  trend.  The  Company's  net  sales  volume
(including  the volumetric  production  payment) in the first six months of 1996
increased by 71% or 3.5 Bcf over volumes in the comparable 1995 period. Oil and


                                       20

<PAGE>




gas sales were also aided by a 14% and 36%  increase in prices  received for oil
and gas, respectively, between the two periods. Average prices for oil increased
from $15.97 per Bbl in the  six-month  period of 1995,  to $18.24 per Bbl in the
comparable 1996 period, while average gas prices increased from $1.64 per Mcf in
the 1995 period, to $2.23 per Mcf in the comparable 1996 period.

         Revenues from oil and gas sales comprised 86% and 76%, respectively, of
total  revenues for the first six months of 1996 and 1995. The majority of these
revenues were derived from the sale of the Company's gas production. The Company
expects oil and gas sales to continue to increase as a direct consequence of the
addition of oil and gas reserves through the Company's active drilling programs.

         Supervision  Fees.  Supervision  fees increased 14%,  having grown from
$1.9  million  in the first  half of 1995 to $2.1  million  in the first half of
1996.  This increase is primarily due to the annual  escalation in April in well
overhead rates, and the increase in drilling  activity by the Company,  which in
turn increases the drilling well overhead portion of such fees.

         Costs and Expenses.  General and administrative  expenses for the first
six months of 1996 increased  approximately  $100,000 or 4% when compared to the
same period in 1995. However, the Company's general and administrative  expenses
per Mcfe  produced  decreased by 40% from $0.55 per Mcfe  produced for the first
half of 1995 to $0.33  per Mcfe  produced  for the  comparable  period  in 1996.
Certain  companies  in the oil  and gas  industry  treat  supervision  fees as a
reduction of their general and administrative  expenses.  If the Company were to
follow  this  practice,  these  expenses  net of  supervision  fees  would  have
decreased to $0.18 per Mcfe produced for the first half of 1995 and to $0.08 per
Mcfe produced for the same period in 1996.

         Depreciation,   depletion,  and  amortization  ("DD&A")  increased  72%
(approximately $2.9 million) for the first six months of 1996,  primarily due to
the Company's reserve additions and the associated costs thereof and the related
sale of increased  quantities of oil and gas therefrom.  The Company's DD&A rate
per Mcfe of production  has  increased  slightly from $0.80 per Mcfe produced in
the 1995  period  to $0.81  per Mcfe  produced  in the 1996  period,  reflecting
variations in the per unit cost of reserve additions.

         The Company's  production  costs per Mcfe decreased from $0.67 per Mcfe
produced  in the 1995  period to $0.43  per Mcfe  produced  in the 1996  period.
However, due to the increase in production volumes, oil and gas production costs
increased  10%  (approximately  $320,000)  in the first six  months of 1996 when
compared to the first six months of 1995.  As  discussed  above,  the  Company's
increase in production is primarily  through its drilling  activities in the AWP
Olmos Field and Austin Chalk trend where the Company  already has an established
operating base. The increase in production  costs is partially offset by a state
severance  tax  exemption   applicable  to  gas  production  from  these  fields
classified as "high cost gas" by the State of Texas. Therefore,  the increase in
drilling  activity and  production has not been  accompanied by a  proportionate
increase in operating  costs.  Although  this tax  exemption  has had a positive
impact on the Company's production costs during 1995 and 1996, the amount of the
exemption  was recently  reduced by  approximately  50%.  The partial  exemption
currently applies to qualifying production from wells spudded or completed after
August 31, 1996 and before September 30, 2002.

         Interest  expense in the first  half of 1996 on the 6 1/2%  Convertible
Subordinated Debentures,  including amortization of debt issuance costs, totaled
$994,000  ($990,000 in the 1995 period),  while  interest  expense on the credit
facilities,  including  commitment  fees,  totaled $477,000 ($1.3 million in the
1995 period) for a total interest expense of $1.5 million (of which $1.2 million
was  capitalized).  In the first half of 1995,  these costs totaled $2.3 million
(of which $1.2 million was capitalized). The Company capitalizes that portion of
interest  related  to  its  exploration,   partnership,   and  foreign  business
development activities. The decrease in interest expense in 1996 is attributable
to the  decrease  in the  average  balance  under  the  Company's  credit  lines
necessary to finance the Company's  capital  expenditures as discussed below.



                                       21

<PAGE>




         Net Income.  Net income of $6.8 million and earnings per share of $0.54
for the  first  half of 1996 were 438% and 187%  higher,  respectively  than net
income of $1.3  million and  earnings  per share of $0.19 in the same period for
1995.  This  increase  in net income  primarily  reflected  the effect of a 110%
increase in oil and gas sales  revenues as a result of a 93% increase in natural
gas  production,  a 21%  increase  in crude oil  production  and  product  price
improvements.  The lower  percentage  increase in earnings per share reflects an
88% increase in weighted average shares  outstanding for the period, as a result
of the sale of 5,750,000 shares of Common Stock in the third quarter of 1995.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993

        Revenues.  The Company's revenues in 1995 increased by 14% over revenues
in 1994, and by 5% in 1994 over 1993 revenues,  principally  due to increases in
oil and gas sales.  Revenues for 1993 included  recognition of earned interests,
discussed  above,  amounting  to  $3.3  million.  On a pro  forma  basis,  after
considering  the retroactive  application of the Company's  change in accounting
for earned  interests,  revenues  for 1993 would have been  reduced 14% to $20.8
million.

         Oil and Gas  Sales.  The  increase  in oil and gas  sales  for 1995 was
primarily the result of production  from  exploratory  and  developmental  wells
drilled in late 1994 and in 1995. In 1995,  the Company's  additions to reserves
from  drilling  were  approximately  13 times its  additions  to  reserves  from
producing property  acquisitions.  In 1994, reserves added through drilling were
approximately   double  the  additions  to  reserves  from  producing   property
acquisitions.  As a percentage of total  revenues,  oil and gas sales have risen
from 64% of total revenues in 1993 to 78% of total revenues in 1995.

         The  Company's  net sales  volumes in 1995  (including  the  volumetric
production payment associated with each year's production) increased by 17% (1.6
Bcfe) over net sales volumes in 1994, while 1994 net sales volumes  increased by
30% (2.2 Bcfe) over net sales  volumes  in 1993.  Oil and gas sales in
1995 increased by 14% ($2.7 million) over 1994,  while in 1994 oil and gas sales
increased by 27% ($4.3  million) over oil and gas sales in 1993.  Average prices
for oil  dropped  from  $15.10 per Bbl in 1993,  to $14.35 per Bbl in 1994,  but
recovered to $15.66 per Bbl in 1995,  while  average gas prices  decreased  from
$1.96 per Mcf in 1993, to $1.93 per Mcf in 1994, and to $1.77 per Mcf in 1995.

        Increased  1995  oil and gas  sales  were  attributable  to the  sale of
production  from  properties  owned by the  Company for its own  account,  which
includes  production derived from (i) producing  properties acquired for its own
account in 1994 and (ii) wells placed into  production  in 1994 and 1995 through
exploratory  and development  drilling (the largest  primary  contributor to the
Company's  increased  oil and gas sales in 1995).  In 1995,  oil and gas  sales,
exclusive of both the Company's interests in partnerships and in sales delivered
under the volumetric  production payment, were $10.8 million (5.3 Bcfe) compared
to similar oil and gas sales in 1994 of $7.0  million  (3.2  Bcfe),  an increase
between  years of $3.8  million  (2.1 Bcfe).  These same sales in 1993 were $2.2
million (0.9 Bcfe). These sales have comprised 48%, 35% and 14% of total oil and
gas sales for the respective years 1995, 1994 and 1993.

         The Company's oil and gas sales derived through the Company's  interest
in partnerships were $7.6 million (3.8 Bcfe) in 1995, $8.7 million (4.2 Bcfe) in
1994 and $8.8 million (4.0 Bcfe) in 1993.  As a percentage  of total oil and gas
sales,  revenues from these  interests  have  comprised  34%, 44% and 57% of the
total for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

        The final major source of the Company's oil and gas sales is the sale of
production from the properties  acquired from Manville  Corporation in May 1992.
The Company records the entire amount of hydrocarbons sold as revenue, which was
$4.1  million  (18% of total  oil and gas sales  revenue)  from 2.1 Bcfe sold in
1995, of which 44% was a non-cash  amortization of deferred revenues  associated
with the  volumetric  production  payment,  while the  remaining 56% equals cash
proceeds  from sale of oil and excess gas for the Company's  account.  For 1994,
the Company  recorded  $4.1  million of revenue  (21% of total oil and gas sales
revenue)  from the sale of 2.1 Bcfe, of which 49% was non-cash  amortization  of
deferred revenues and 51% cash proceeds from the sale of oil and excess gas. For
1993,  the Company  recorded  $4.6  million of revenue (29% of total oil and gas
sales)  from the sale of 2.4 Bcfe,  of which 51% was  non-cash  amortization  of
deferred revenues and 49% cash proceeds from sale of oil and excess gas.


                                       22

<PAGE>




         Supervision  Fees.  Supervision  fees  continue to  increase  slightly,
having  grown  from  $3.72  million  in 1993 to $3.75  million  in 1994 to $3.84
million in 1995,  due to the change in properties  operated by the Company,  the
annual  escalation in well overhead rates and the increase in drilling  activity
by the Company,  which in turn  increases the drilling well overhead  portion of
such fees.

        Costs and Expenses.  General and  administrative  expenses  increased 3%
from 1993 to 1994 and 1% from 1994 to 1995.  However,  the Company's general and
administrative expenses per Mcfe produced decreased from $0.69 per Mcfe in 1993,
to $0.54 per Mcfe produced in 1994 (a 22% decrease),  to $0.47 per Mcfe produced
in 1995 (a 13% decrease).  Also, if the Company's  supervision fees were treated
as a reduction of its general and administrative expenses, these expenses net of
supervision  fees would have decreased to $0.18 per Mcfe produced in 1993, $0.15
per Mcfe produced in 1994 and to $0.13 per Mcfe produced in 1995.

         Depreciation,   depletion,   and   amortization   (DD&A)  has  steadily
increased,  primarily due to the increase in the Company's reserve additions and
the associated costs thereof and the related sale of increased quantities of oil
and gas therefrom.  The Company's DD&A rate per Mcfe of production has, however,
decreased  from $0.99 in 1993,  to $0.82 in 1994,  to $0.79 in 1995,  reflecting
variations in the per unit cost of reserve additions.

         The 24% increase in oil and gas production  costs from 1993 to 1994 and
the 21% increase  from 1994 to 1995 also relates to the growth in the  Company's
production  volumes.  The 1995  increase was also  affected by certain  one-time
remedial  well  expenses.  The  Company's  production  costs were $0.62 per Mcfe
produced in 1993, $0.59 per Mcfe produced in 1994 and $0.61 per Mcfe produced in
1995.

         Interest  expense  in  1995  on  the 6  1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated
Debentures due 2003, including amortization of debt issuance costs, totaled $2.0
million ($2.0 million in 1994 and $984,000 in 1993),  while interest  expense on
the credit  facilities,  including  commitment fees,  totaled $1.7 million ($1.7
million  in 1994 and  $599,000  in 1993) for a total  interest  expense  of $3.7
million (of which $2.5 million was capitalized). The 1994 total was $3.7 million
(of which $1.9 million was  capitalized),  while the 1993 total was $1.6 million
(of which $986,000 was  capitalized).  The Company  capitalizes  that portion of
interest   related  to  its   exploration,   partnership  and  foreign  business
development  activities.  The  lower  amount  of  interest  expense  in 1993 was
attributable  to a smaller  average  balance  under the  Company's  credit lines
necessary to finance the Company's capital expenditures,  as well as paying only
six months of interest on the 6 1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due
2003.

         Net Income (Loss). Net income of $4.9 million and earnings per share of
$0.54 for 1995 were 32% higher and 4% lower,  respectively  than "Income  before
cumulative  effect  of change  in  accounting  principle"  of $3.7  million  and
earnings per share of $0.56 in 1994.  The  increase in net income was  primarily
due to an  increase  in  production  volumes  and the  related oil and gas sales
therefrom.  The 1995  decrease in earnings per share  reflects a 37% increase in
weighted average shares  outstanding for the period,  as a result of the sale of
5,750,000  shares of Common Stock in the third  quarter of 1995.  The  Company's
consolidated  effective  tax rate was 26%,  23% and 29% in 1993,  1994 and 1995,
respectively.

         Net loss for 1994 of $13.0  million  included a cumulative  effect of a
change  in  accounting  principle  (see  Note  2 to the  Company's  Consolidated
Financial  Statements)  of $16.8  million.  Income before  cumulative  effect of
change in accounting principle for 1994 was 24% less than net income for 1993.

         On a pro forma basis, after considering the retroactive  application of
the Company's change in accounting for earned  interests,  net income would have
been $3.7 million and $4.3 million for 1994 and 1993, respectively.



                                       23

<PAGE>




Liquidity and Capital Resources

         In 1991, the Company's  strategy shifted toward  increased  reliance on
exploration  and  development  activities,  and the  Company  has  significantly
expanded reserves added through these efforts. Previously, the Company relied on
limited  partnership  capital  as its  principal  financing  vehicle to fund its
acquisitions of producing properties. As a result of this shift in strategy, the
Company has  reduced its  reliance  on cash flows  generated  from,  and capital
raised through, limited partnerships.  Supplemental cash and working capital are
provided through internally generated cash flows and debt and equity financing.

         During the first half of 1995,  the Company used a combination  of bank
financing, internally generated cash flows and partnership financing to fund its
operations.  In the third quarter of 1995, the Company realized $45.7 million in
net proceeds from an offering of Common Stock that provided  sufficient  capital
to repay its bank financing and finance its capital  expenditures for the second
half of 1995.  During the first half of 1996, the Company relied upon internally
generated  cash  flows and bank  borrowings  to fund its  capital  expenditures.
Described  below are the major  elements of the Company's  liquidity and capital
resources:

         Net Cash Provided by Operating  Activities.  For the  six-month  period
ended  June 30,  1996,  net cash  provided  by  operating  activities  increased
significantly  (210%) to $14.9 million compared to $4.8 million during the first
six months of 1995. In 1995, 1994 and 1993, the Company  generated net cash from
operating  activities  of  $14.4  million,   $10.4  million  and  $7.2  million,
respectively. These increases were primarily due to increased production volumes
and higher product prices, as discussed above. During 1995, the Company also had
a $689,000  increase  in other  revenues  and a $680,000  decrease  in  interest
expense,  partially  offset by a $1.2 million increase in oil and gas production
costs.  The 1994  increase of $3.2  million in net cash  provided  by  operating
activities  was  primarily  due to the cash flows from oil and gas sales,  which
increased $4.6 million (35%), exclusive of the non-cash amortization of deferred
revenues associated with the Company's volumetric production payment,  partially
offset by a $1.1  million  increase in oil and gas  production  costs and a $1.2
million increase in interest expense.

         Working Capital. The Company's working capital increased  significantly
from a deficit  of $13.1  million  at  December  31,  1994,  to $3.2  million at
December 31,  1995.  This  increase is primarily  the result of the net proceeds
from the 1995 Common Stock offering.

         The Company's  working  capital has increased over the last six months,
from $3.2 million at December 31,  1995,  to $6.0 million at June 30, 1996.  The
increase is primarily due to the replacement of the Company's credit  agreements
with its banks,  effective April 30, 1996.  Such bank  borrowings  under the new
agreements  are  classified  as  long-term  liabilities  as  opposed  to current
liabilities under the expired agreements.

        During the second quarter of 1996, the Company's receivable account from
limited partnerships decreased significantly due to (a) receipt of approximately
$7.1  million   generated  from  property  sales  proceeds   realized  by  these
partnerships  and (b) an  increase  in oil  and gas  prices  received  by  these
partnerships. Both increased the cash flows of these partnerships, thus allowing
them to reduce their balances owed to the Company.

         Due to the nature of the  Company's  business  highlighted  above,  the
individual  components of working capital fluctuate  considerably from period to
period.  The  Company  incurs  significant   working  capital   requirements  in
connection  with its role as  operator  at June 30,  1996 of  approximately  810
wells,  its  accelerated  drilling  program  and the  management  of  affiliated
partnerships.   In  this  capacity,  the  Company  is  responsible  for  certain
day-to-day cash management, including the collection and disbursement of oil and
gas revenues and related expenses.

        Capital  Expenditures.  Capital  expenditures  for  property,  plant and
equipment during the first six months of 1996 were $30.0 million.  These capital
expenditures included: (a) $20.5 million of drilling costs, both exploratory and
developmental;   (b)  $6.2  million  of  prospect  costs  (principally  prospect
leasehold,  seismic and geological costs of unproved prospects for the Company's
account);  (c) $2.1 million invested in foreign business opportunities in Russia
(approximately $1.7 million), in Venezuela (approximately


                                       24

<PAGE>




$200,000) and in New Zealand (approximately $200,000), as described in Note 9 to
the Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements included herein; and (d) $1.1
million  spent  for  computer  equipment  and  furniture  and  fixtures.  In the
remaining six months of 1996, the Company  expects  capital  expenditures  to be
approximately  $38.0  million,  including  investments  in all  areas  in  which
investments were made during the first half of the year as described above, with
a  particular  focus  on  exploration  and  development  drilling.  The  Company
currently  plans to  participate  in the  drilling of 162 gross wells this year,
compared  to  76  wells  in  1995.  Through  June  30,  1996,  the  Company  had
participated  in  drilling  5  exploratory  and  61  development  wells  with  3
exploratory  successes and 58  development  successes.  The steady growth in the
Company's  unproved  property account which is not being amortized is indicative
of the shift to a focus on drilling  activity,  as the Company acquires prospect
acreage.  During the first half of 1996, this account also reflects $2.1 million
of capital  expenditures  made in relation  to the  Company's  foreign  business
opportunities, as described above.

        The Company's  capital  expenditures were  approximately  $40.0 million,
$34.5 million and $24.2 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Including
the Company's  general  partner capital  contribution  to drilling  partnerships
formed in 1995 ($3.2  million).  Approximately  $23.6  million (59%) of the 1995
capital  expenditures was spent on developmental  drilling (primarily in the AWP
Olmos  Field and the  Austin  Chalk  trend) and $2.3  million  (6%) was spent on
exploratory drilling.  The Company expended approximately $6.4 million (16%) for
prospect costs, principally prospect leasehold,  seismic and geological costs of
unproven prospects for the Company's account.  The Company funded  approximately
$2.1 million (5%) for the Company's general partner capital  contribution to the
partnerships  formed  under  its  SDI  offering.   The  Company  also  purchased
approximately  $500,000 (1%) of limited partner  interests in previously  formed
partnerships. In its foreign activities, as described in Note 9 to the Company's
Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  the Company  invested  $2.8 million  (7%),
$300,000 (1%), and $200,000 (1%), respectively in its Russia,  Venezuela and New
Zealand  initiatives.  Finally,  the Company spent the remaining amounts (4%) on
fixed assets (primarily for computer equipment) and other additions.

        The net  proceeds of the  offering,  after  repayment  of the  Company's
outstanding indebtedness, will be added to working capital to fund the Company's
development  and exploration  drilling  projects and possibly to acquire oil and
gas properties,  or for other general corporate  purposes.  The Company believes
that the proceeds of this offering and  anticipated  internally  generated  cash
flows  (expected to increase as the  Company's  production  base  increases as a
result of its  accelerated  drilling  program) will be sufficient to finance the
costs associated with its currently budgeted capital expenditures of over $134.0
million for the remaining three months of 1996 and for 1997.  Further  liquidity
needs may also be met by its existing credit facilities.

         1995 Stock Offering. During the third quarter of 1995, the Company sold
5,750,000  shares of Common Stock in a public offering at $8.50 per share,  with
net proceeds of $45.7 million. As a result, the Company's  stockholders'  equity
at June 30, 1996,  increased to $101.7  million.  Net proceeds from the offering
were used to repay outstanding  indebtedness,  and the remainder of the proceeds
have been used to finance the Company's  exploration and development  activities
and to acquire producing oil and gas properties,  including limited  partnership
interests.

         Other Financing Activities.  On June 30, 1993, the Company issued the 6
1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2003 in the amount of $28.8 million
in a public  offering.  Proceeds of the offering were used  primarily to acquire
producing  oil  and  gas  properties  and to  finance  the  Company's  expanding
exploration  and development  programs.  As described in Note 5 to the Company's
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included herein,  in August 1996 the 6 1/2%
Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2003 were  converted by their holders
into 2.34 million shares of the Company's  Common Stock  following the Company's
July 1996 announcement that the 6 1/2% Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures due
2003 would be redeemed in August 1996 unless earlier converted.

         Credit Facilities.  Recently, the Company's credit facilities have been
used to fund a portion of the Company's exploration and development  activities.
Formerly,  the Company established credit facilities which were used principally
to finance the  Company's  purchase of producing  oil and gas  properties  on an
interim basis pending  transfer of the  properties to newly formed  partnerships
and joint  ventures and to provide  working  capital.  These  credit  facilities
consist of a $100.0  million  unsecured  revolving  line of credit  with a $30.0
million borrowing base and a $7.0 million secured revolving line of


                                       25

<PAGE>




credit.  The principal  terms and  restrictions  of these credit  facilities are
described in Note 4 to the Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements included
herein.

        At June 30, 1996, the Company had $15.2 million  outstanding under these
borrowing arrangements used, along with internally generated cash flows of $14.9
million, principally to fund the Company's capital expenditures in the first six
months of 1996, and to a lesser extent, to provide working capital.  At December
31,  1995,  the  Company  had no  outstanding  balances  under  these  borrowing
arrangements,  as these  borrowings were repaid with proceeds from the Company's
1995 stock offering.

        Partnership  Programs.  Between  1991  and  1995,  the  Company  offered
interests  in oil and gas  production  partnerships  under its Swift  Depositary
Interests ("SDI") offering, and since late 1993 has offered private partnerships
formed to drill for oil and gas. The SDI program concluded at the end of 1995.

        At June 30, 1996,  limited  partnership  formation and  marketing  costs
(which under the current drilling partnership offerings are borne by the Company
as part of the Company's general partner contribution) amounted to $1.7 million,
an increase of $848,000, when compared with the December 31, 1995 balance.


                                       26

<PAGE>



                             BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

General

         The Company is engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and
production  of oil and gas  properties  with a  primary  focus  on U.S.  onshore
natural gas reserves. As of December 31, 1995, the Company had interests in over
4,000 oil and gas  wells  located  in 15  states,  with  over 85% of its  proved
reserve  base  concentrated  in  Texas.  At the same date had  estimated  proved
reserves of 176 Bcfe,  approximately 80% of which were natural gas, and operated
767 wells representing 86% of its proved reserve base.

         The Company's primary focus is exploration and development  drilling on
its core areas,  the AWP Olmos Field located in South Texas and the Texas Austin
Chalk trend. The AWP Olmos Field is characterized by long-lived reserves,  while
the Austin Chalk trend is characterized  by more short-lived  reserves with high
initial   production  and  rapid  decline  rates.  These  fields  accounted  for
approximately 67% and 6%,  respectively,  of the Company's proved reserves as of
December 31, 1995, and approximately 61% and 16%, respectively, of the Company's
production  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996.  The  Company has
substantially accelerated its drilling activities during the last several years,
drilling  16, 42 and 75 net wells in 1994,  1995 and the  first  nine  months of
1996,  respectively,  primarily in these areas. The Company has also doubled its
undeveloped  acreage  position in both the AWP Olmos Field and the Austin  Chalk
trend  during 1996 and  currently  has an inventory of over 360 and 65 potential
well  locations  in these two areas,  respectively.  The  Company  has  budgeted
capital  expenditures  of over $134.0 million for the remaining  three months of
1996 and for 1997,  of which  approximately  $90.0 million is targeted for these
two fields.  The Company is also actively  pursuing  exploratory and development
drilling  opportunities  in other basins in Texas,  Louisiana and Wyoming.  As a
complement to these domestic activities, the Company is participating in several
high potential  international  projects,  with limited  capital  exposure to the
Company in New Zealand, Russia and Venezuela.

         The Company has increased its proved  reserves from 41 Bcfe at year-end
1990 to 176  Bcfe  at  year-end  1995,  primarily  from  additions  through  the
drillbit, which has resulted in the replacement of 257% of production during the
same five-year  period.  In 1995, the Company  increased its proved  reserves by
70%, resulting the in replacement of 648% of the prior year's  production.  Over
the 1991 through 1995 period,  reserve replacement costs have averaged $0.63 per
Mcfe,  a level which the  Company  believes  is lower than  comparable  industry
averages.  As a result of increased drilling activity,  average daily production
increased to 57,875  Mcfepd in September  1996,  an increase of 98% over average
daily  production of 29,300 Mcfepd in September  1995. Due to economies of scale
and geographic concentration, general and administrative expenses and production
costs have  fallen  from $1.19 and $0.63 per Mcfe in 1990 to $0.34 and $0.42 per
Mcfe,  respectively,   for  the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996.  The
combination of increased  production and decreased  operating costs per Mcfe has
resulted in average  annual growth in net cash provided by operating  activities
of 24% per year from year-end 1990 to year-end  1995.  For the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, net cash provided by operating  activities increased by 208%
over the same period in 1995 to $26.4 million due to these same  production  and
operating cost factors.

Business Strategy

         The Company  intends to continue to increase its  reserves,  cash flows
and underlying net asset value through a balanced  growth strategy that includes
an  aggressive  drilling  program,  exploitation  of advanced  technologies  and
strategic acquisitions.

         Key elements of the Company's strategy include the following:

         Aggressive  Drilling Program.  The Company believes that future reserve
growth will result from a combination  of drilling  wells on proved  undeveloped
acreage in its core areas,  step-out and  exploratory  drilling on the Company's
substantial inventory of undeveloped acreage and exploration efforts in selected
areas outside the Company's  core fields.  In 1995,  the Company  drilled 39 net
development  wells and 4 net  exploration  wells,  including 38 net  development
wells in the Company's AWP Olmos Field and Austin Chalk trend core areas. During
this period, the Company had drilling success rates of 96% for development wells
and 50% for exploratory wells. The Company expects to drill a total of 162 gross
(122 net) wells in 1996,  102 which have been drilled as of  September  30, 1996
for a capital cost of $42.4 million to the Company.  For 1997, the Company plans
to drill  approximately  161  gross  wells at an  expected  capital  cost of $86
million to the Company.  The Company  anticipates that drilling  activity in the
AWP Olmos Field will represent 85% of the Company's 1996 drilling budget and 75%
of the  Company's  1997  drilling  budget.  Exploratory  drilling  is based on a
"controlled risk" approach  focusing on regions where the exploration  objective
would allow the Company to utilize its technological or geological expertise and
which

<PAGE>




are in close proximity to known producing horizons. The Company also reduces its
overall risk exposure with respect to exploration and development  activities by
entering into joint  ventures with industry  partners to share capital  exposure
for any individual well. As an example of this strategy,  the Company has active
joint  venture  development   projects  with  Union  Pacific  Resources  Company
("UPRC"),   Chesapeake  Energy   Corporation   ("Chesapeake")   and  Snyder  Oil
Corporation  ("Snyder")  in the Austin  Chalk  trend,  under  which the Company
serves as operator of a majority of these the wells on these properties.

         Exploitation of advanced technologies. To minimize the risks associated
with exploration and development  drilling and to enhance operating  efficiency,
the  Company  has  devoted   considerable   resources  to  developing   advanced
technological  expertise.   These  technologies  include  2-D  and  3-D  seismic
analysis, AVO (amplitude versus offset) studies and detailed formation depletion
studies. The Company has also attained substantial  expertise in horizontal well
technology,  having  participated in 28 such wells in the Austin Chalk trend, 27
of which  have  been  successful.  Additionally,  the  Company  uses  innovative
fracturing  methods,  coiled tubing technology and computer telemetry to monitor
well performance in the AWP Olmos Field. As a result of these technologies,  the
Company has enhanced its production yields while reducing its costs per Mcfe.

         Strategic   acquisitions.   The  Company  is   continuously   reviewing
acquisition  opportunities,   including  opportunities  to  acquire  substantial
undeveloped  acreage  for  future  drilling  activities.   The  Company  targets
properties in close  proximity to the  Company's  current  reserves,  where such
reserves  can be  increased  through  development  drilling  and where  improved
operating  efficiencies  can be  achieved.  Using  these  criteria,  the Company
employs a disciplined, market-driven approach to acquisitions that can result in
varying levels of annual spending on  acquisitions.  The Company has substantial
experience in making such acquisitions,  having purchased  approximately  $465.0
million of producing oil and natural gas  properties on behalf of itself and its
co-investors in 122 separate transactions since 1979.

Properties

Major Properties

        The Company's  proved  reserves are  geographically  concentrated,  with
approximately  73% of the  Company's  proved  reserves  at  December  31,  1995,
attributable to its two largest  properties,  the AWP Olmos Field and the Austin
Chalk trend.

        AWP Olmos Field.  The  Company's  most  significant  property is the AWP
Olmos Field in South Texas. The Company has extensive expertise in the AWP Olmos
Field  and  a  long  history  of  experience  with  low-permeability  tight-sand
formations  typical of this  field.  Since  acquiring  its first AWP Olmos Field
acreage in 1988, the Company has made detailed  studies of drainage  patterns in
the  formation  and  has   introduced   innovations   in  fracture   design  and
implementation  methods and coiled tubing technology that  substantially  reduce
overall costs and improve recoveries.

        The AWP  Olmos  Field  represented  approximately  67% of the  Company's
proved reserves at December 31, 1995 and approximately 31% of the Company's 1995
production and 61% of production for the first nine months of 1996. At September
30, 1996, the Company owned interests in, and was the operator of  approximately
200 wells  producing  natural  gas from the Olmos Sand  Formation  at a depth of
approximately  10,000  feet.  The Company has  engaged in  extensive  fracturing
operations  to increase the  permeability  of the formation and flow of gas from
the wells. In addition,  the Company has used coiled tubing velocity  strings in
several  wells to improve  production  rates and a system of BJ Services Inc. by
which the  Company is  capable  of  monitoring  fracturing  operations  from its
Houston headquarters through direct computer access to the field.


<PAGE>




        During 1995 and the first nine months of 1996,  the Company  drilled 121
(120 successful)  development wells in this field.  During the latter portion of
1996, the Company has utilized six drilling rigs in continuous  operation in the
AWP Olmos Field area, with each rig drilling  approximately two wells per month.
The average  working  interest  owned by the Company or entities  managed by the
Company in this field range from 40% to 100%.  During 1996, the Company acquired
an  additional  18,000  net acres in this area and has  drilled  12 wells on the
newly-acquired  acreage.  These  acquisitions have tripled the amount of acreage
that the Company has under lease and quadrupled the amount of developed  acreage
on which there is current  production.  The Company  anticipates  continuing its
acquisition  of acreage in this area in the future.  The Company has  identified
more than 360  potential  drilling  locations  on its current  acreage,  and the
Company  anticipates  drilling  approximately 210 additional wells in this field
through 1998.

        Austin Chalk Trend.  At September 30, 1996,  the Company owned  drilling
and production  rights to over 58,000 acres in the Austin Chalk trend containing
substantial proved undeveloped reserves.  The Giddings Field in the Austin Chalk
trend in Fayette County,  Texas,  represented  approximately 6% of the Company's
proved reserves at December 31, 1995. Production from this field constituted 18%
of oil and gas  production in 1995 and 16% of  production  during the first nine
months of 1996.  The wells in the Giddings Field are all  horizontally  produced
natural gas wells that deliver  high initial flow rates and strong  initial cash
flows which decline rapidly.  The Company believes these reserves complement its
long-lived  reserves  in the AWP  Olmos  Field.  Since  1992,  the  Company  has
participated  in 28  horizontal  wells in the Giddings  Field with a 96% success
rate,  including 9 and 7 successful  development wells drilled in 1995 and 1996,
respectively. The Company believes its success is attributable to its ability to
identify hydrocarbon-bearing fractures, relying on its expertise in seismic data
analysis, and its ability to drill and operate horizontal wells.

         Substantial  portions of its  property  interests  in the Austin  Chalk
trend  have been  acquired  through  joint  ventures,  including  ventures  with
Chesapeake and UPRC, two of the most active  participants  in exploration of the
Austin  Chalk  trend.  The  venture  with  Chesapeake  began in 1993 and  covers
approximately  8,800 acres in which the Company currently has an average working
interest of 25%. In September  1995,  the Company  entered into a joint  venture
with UPRC covering 19,500 acres in which UPRC and the Company  alternate serving
as operator of wells drilled on the acreage.  During 1996, the Company purchased
UPRC's  interest in 6,500 acres,  and the joint venture now covers a 10,000 acre
block. The Company has identified 25 potential drilling locations on the Fayette
County  acreage and  anticipates  drilling 10 to 12 wells on this acreage during
1997.

        The most recent  joint  venture with Snyder  covers  29,000 net acres in
Walker  County,  Texas in which the Company  purchased a 56%  interest  and will
serve as operator.  It is  anticipated  that the first well on this acreage will
commence  drilling  in  November  1996.  The  Company  has  identified  up to 40
potential well locations on the Walker County property.  Future  operations will
be defined by the results of the two initial wells drilled.



<PAGE>





Proved Reserve and Production Data

         The following presentation of the Company's proved reserves at December
31, 1995, the percentage of such reserves  comprised of natural gas and its 1995
production, is broken down by the Company's two core properties and by state for
the remainder of its properties.

                  DISTRIBUTION OF THE COMPANY'S PROVED RESERVES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       At and for the year ended December 31, 1995
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Proved Reserves (Bcfe)             Percent of       Percent                           Percent of
                         -----------------------------------------     Company's        Natural            Percent        1995 Total
     Region              Developed        Undeveloped        Total     Reserves           Gas            Undeveloped      Production
- ----------------------   ---------        -----------        -----     ---------       ---------          ---------       ----------
<S>                          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>                <C>             <C> 
South Texas AWP Olmos        50.3             67.8           118.1        67.1            86.9               57.4            31.0
Texas Austin Chalk            6.9              4.0            10.9         6.2            78.3               36.7            18.0
Other Texas (1)              22.2              0.2            22.4        12.7            72.4                0.9            23.1
Louisiana                     6.5              2.0             8.5         4.8            88.0               23.5             8.0
Oklahoma                      4.4              0.2             4.6         2.6            81.4                4.3             6.7
Alabama                       4.5               --             4.5         2.6            55.4                 --             1.5
Mississippi                   3.4               --             3.4         1.9            31.1                 --             4.4
Other                         3.2              0.5             3.7         2.1            32.7               13.5             7.3
                            -----             ----           -----       -----            ----               ----           -----
Total                       101.4             74.7           176.1       100.0            81.5               42.4           100.0
                            =====             ====           =====       =====            ====               ====           =====
</TABLE>

(1)      No single property in this category comprised as much as 2% of reserves
         or production for 1995.

Exploration and Development Drilling Activities

         In 1991, the Company began to increase its inventory of exploration and
development  drilling  prospects.   Drilling  locations  were  selected  through
intensive  geological  and  geophysical  studies  of the  Company's  undeveloped
acreage and other  prospects.  During 1994,  the Company added 25 Bcfe of proved
reserves  through  drilling.  By 1995,  reserves  added by  drilling  had almost
tripled to 72 Bcfe with the Company's  success rate 50% for exploratory wells (4
out of 8 drilled) and 96% for  development  wells (65 out of 68 drilled).  These
successful  drilling  results have led to acquisition of substantial  additional
acreage during 1996 in the area of its two core properties,  the AWP Olmos Field
in the tight sands  formations  of southern  Texas and the Austin Chalk trend in
Fayette and Walker Counties in central and eastern Texas, respectively.

         The  Company  pursues  a  "controlled  risk"  approach  to  exploratory
drilling.  The Company focuses its exploration activities on specific regions in
the U.S.  where its technical  staff has  considerable  experience  and in close
proximity  to known  producing  horizons  where the  potential  for  significant
reserves exists. The Company seeks to minimize its exploration risk by investing
in multiple  prospects,  farming out interests to industry partners and drilling
funds,  utilizing  advanced  technologies  and  drilling in  different  types of
geological formations.

         The  Company's  development  strategy is designed to maximize the value
and productivity of its existing  properties  through  development  drilling and
recovery methods, enhancing production results through improved field production
techniques,  lowering  production  costs and  applying the  Company's  technical
expertise and resources to exploit producing properties efficiently. The Company
employs various  recovery  techniques  which include water flooding,  fracturing
reservoir rock through the injection of  high-pressure  fluid,  inserting coiled
tubing  velocity  strings  to speed gas flow and acid  treatments.  The  Company
believes that the  application  of fracturing  technology  and coiled tubing has
resulted in significant increases


<PAGE>




in production and decreases in drilling and operating costs in several of its
fields, including the Company's largest single property, the AWP Olmos Field.
See "-- Properties -- Major Properties -- AWP Olmos Field."

         The Company's  exploration and development  activities are conducted by
its  in-house   exploration   staff,   assisted  by  professionals   from  other
departments,   including   reservoir   engineers,   geologists,   geophysicists,
petrophysicists,  landmen and drilling  and  operations  engineers.  The Company
believes  that one of the keys to its success has been its team  approach  which
integrates  multiple  disciplines  to maximize  utilization  of the  information
provided by modern seismic techniques.

         The Company has increasingly  utilized  advanced seismic  technology to
enhance  the  quality of its  drilling  efforts,  including  2-D and 3-D seismic
analysis,  AVO studies and  detailed  formation  depletion  studies.  During the
second quarter of 1996, the Company completed two 3-D seismic  programs,  one in
northern  Louisiana and the other in central Texas.  The Company has a number of
computer  workstations  from which  seismic data is analyzed  and enhanced  with
advanced   software   programs,   including   its  three   Landmark   Systems(R)
workstations.  As a result,  the Company has  developed a  significant  internal
seismic expertise and has compiled an extensive library of seismic data.

         In addition to exploration and development  activities in the AWP Olmos
Field and the  Austin  Chalk  trend,  the  Company  is  currently  focusing  its
exploration  activities in three main geographical  areas: the Gulf Coast Basin,
the Wyoming Powder River Basin and the North Louisiana Salt Dome Basin.

         Gulf Coast  Basin.  The  Company's  drilling  program in the Gulf Coast
Basin in 1995  consisted of one successful  exploratory  well and two successful
development  wells. The locations were selected utilizing  traditional  geologic
studies  combined  with  analyses  of  available  seismic  data.  To reduce  its
exploration and development risk in the Gulf Coast Basin, the Company  conducted
a 3-D seismic  survey in Jackson  County,  Texas,  in 1994.  The  processing and
interpretation  has identified a number of potential  drilling  locations  which
have been further  refined  through AVO analysis.  The Company owns interests in
the South  Louisiana  East Mud Lake and Second  Bayou  fields  with  significant
drilling  potential.  Through the third quarter of 1996, three exploratory wells
(one  successful)  have been  drilled in the Gulf Coast Basin.  Two  exploratory
wells are planned for the fourth quarter.  In 1997,  Swift expects to drill five
exploratory wells in this basin.

         Wyoming  Powder River  Basin.  Through the third  quarter of 1996,  the
Company  drilled one  successful  exploratory  well in the Wyoming  Powder River
Basin, and plans to drill two or three  exploratory  wells in the fourth quarter
of 1996 and up to four  exploratory  wells in 1997 in this area.  The  Minnelusa
trend has been the subject of extensive study by the Company's multidisciplinary
teams in order to identify the location of stratigraphic  hydrocarbon traps. The
Company's  staff has evaluated  over 5,000 wells drilled in the area,  utilizing
2-D and 3-D seismic data, and has conducted  petrophysical  studies to determine
the hydrocarbon-bearing capacity of the rock. To increase the production in some
areas, the Company has instituted  secondary and tertiary recovery through water
or polymer flooding in the Minnelusa fields.

         North  Louisiana  Salt Dome.  The North  Louisiana Salt Dome covers the
neighboring  corners  of  Arkansas,  Louisiana  and  Texas.  In this  area,  the
Smackover formation is a prolific  hydrocarbon producer from multiple levels and
from a variety of structures,  including fault traps, salt anticlines,  basement
structures  and  stratigraphic  traps.  The  Company  currently  has access to a
7,000-mile  seismic data base in the area and completed a 3-D seismic  survey in
the Smackover  formation in early 1996. The Company has drilled five  successful
exploratory  wells in this area  through the third  quarter of 1996 and plans to
drill  three  exploratory  wells  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  1996  and  seven
exploratory wells in 1997 in this area.

Operations

         The Company  generally seeks to be named as operator for wells in which
it or its  affiliated  limited  partnerships  and joint ventures have acquired a
significant  interest,  although this typically  occurs only when the Company or
its affiliated limited  partnerships and joint ventures own the major portion of
the working interest in a particular well or field. The Company acts as operator
of approximately  770 wells at December 31, 1995,  which comprise  approximately
86% of the Company's total proved reserves.



<PAGE>




         As operator, the Company is able to exercise substantial influence over
development and enhancement of a well and to supervise operation and maintenance
activities  on a  day-to-day  basis.  The  Company  does not  conduct the actual
drilling  of  wells  on  properties  for  which  it acts as  operator.  Drilling
operations  are conducted by independent  contractors  engaged and supervised by
the Company.  The Company employs  petroleum  engineers,  geologists,  and other
operations and production  specialists who strive to improve  production  rates,
increase reserves and/or lower the cost of operating its oil and gas properties.

         Oil and gas  properties are  customarily  operated under the terms of a
joint operating  agreement,  which provides for  reimbursement of the operator's
direct expenses and monthly per-well supervision fees. Per-well supervision fees
vary widely depending on the geographic  location and producing formation of the
well,  whether  the well  produces  oil or gas,  and  other  factors.  Such fees
received by the Company in 1995 ranged from $50 to $1,433 per well per month.

Marketing of Production

         The Company typically sells its gas production at or near the wellhead,
although in some cases it must be gathered by the Company or other operators and
delivered to a central  point.  Gas  production  is  generally  sold in the spot
market at prevailing  prices.  The Company generally sells its oil production at
prevailing market prices. The Company does not refine any oil it produces.  Only
one  single  oil or gas  purchaser  accounted  for 10% or more of the  Company's
consolidated  revenues  during  the year  ended  December  31,  1995,  with that
purchaser  accounting for  approximately  12%. The Company does not believe that
the loss of any single oil or gas purchaser or contract would materially  affect
its  sales.   The  Company   recently   entered  into  gas  processing  and  gas
transportation  agreements with respect to its natural gas production in the AWP
Olmos Field with Valero Transmission,  L.P. and its affiliates ("Valero") for up
to 75,000 Mcf per day.  The Company  anticipates  that these  arrangements  will
adequately  provide for its gas  transportation  and processing needs in the AWP
Olmos  Field  for  the  foreseeable  future.  Additionally,   at  the  Company's
discretion, the gas processed and transported under these agreements may be sold
to Valero at indexed  prices based upon the Inside  F.E.R.C.,  Gas Market Report
Houston Ship Channel Monthly Price.

         The following table summarizes sales volume, sales price and production
cost information for the Company's net oil and gas production for the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995 and the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and
1995.  "Net"  production  is  production  that is  owned by the  Company  either
directly or  indirectly  through  partnerships  or joint  venture  interests and
produced to its interest  after  deducting  royalty,  limited  partner and other
similar interests.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Six Months
                                                                Ended June 30,              Year Ended December 31,
                                                            ----------------------     --------------------------------
                                                             1996            1995       1995          1994        1993
                                                            -------         ------     -------       ------      ------
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>   
Production:
     Oil (MBbl)........................................         309            256         545          467         324
     Natural gas (MMcf)(1).............................       6,674          3,454       7,914        6,799       5,422
     Gas equivalents (MMcfe)...........................       8,529          4,991      11,187        9,601       7,369

Weighted average sales prices:
     Oil (per Bbl).....................................     $ 18.24         $15.97     $ 15.66       $14.35      $15.10
     Natural gas (per Mcf)(2)..........................        2.23           1.64        1.77         1.93        1.96

Selected data per Mcfe:
     Production costs..................................     $  0.43         $ 0.67     $  0.61       $ 0.59      $ 0.62
</TABLE>

(1)      Natural gas production for 1995, 1994, 1993, and the six-month  periods
         ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 includes 1,211,  1,358, 1,581, 581 and 622
         MMcf,  respectively,  delivered under the volumetric production payment
         pursuant to which the Company is obligated to deliver  certain  monthly
         quantities of natural gas. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- General" and Note 9 to
         the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)      The above  natural  gas  prices  reflect  the high BTU  content  of the
         natural gas  produced  from the  Company's  AWP Olmos and Austin  Chalk
         properties. Gas is sold on the basis of price per MMBtu, which measures
         the heating equivalent of such gas. The prices per Mcf above (Mcf being
         strictly a  physical  measure of natural  gas  volumes)  are  therefore
         higher than the prices which would be paid for natural gas with a lower
         Btu content.


<PAGE>




         Under the  volumetric  production  payment  entered into in 1992, as of
December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996,  the Company has a remaining  commitment to
deliver approximately 4.1 Bcf and 3.6 Bcf of gas, respectively,  meeting certain
heating  equivalent  and  quality  standards  through  October  2000,  when such
agreement  expires.  Since entering into this agreement,  these  properties have
produced in excess of the required monthly delivery requirements.

Price Risk Management

         In recent  years the  Company  has  purchased  price  floors,  or "put"
options to provide  downside price  protection  while  preserving the benefit of
rising prices.  During the first nine months of 1996, the Company spent $784,000
to purchase  put  options  covering  varying  amounts of the  Company's  and its
partnerships' production,  ranging between 26% and 56% of such oil production at
floor  prices  ranging  from $16.00 to $17.50 per Bbl and between 35% and 47% of
its gas  production at prices ranging from $1.65 to $2.20 per Mcf. The Company's
options  currently  extend through March 1997.  Through the first nine months of
1996, all such options expired unexercised.  The net cost of gas put options was
$0.029  and  $0.039  per Mcfe  during  1995 and the first  nine  months of 1996,
respectively.  The net cost of oil put  options  was  $0.278  and $0.200 per Bbl
during 1995 and the first nine months of 1996, respectively.  For the amounts of
oil and natural gas covered by the options,  if the options were  exercised,  in
the  aggregate,  the Company would  receive the  specified  option floor prices,
irrespective of the prices actually paid by the purchasers of such products.

Acquisition Activities

         Since 1979,  the Company has acquired  approximately  $465.0 million of
producing oil and natural gas assets on behalf of itself and its co-investors in
122  separate  transactions.  The  Company  has  acquired  for its  own  account
approximately  $111.6  million of producing  properties,  with  original  proved
reserves  estimated  at 145 Bcfe.  The  Company's  acquisition  activities  have
declined over the past three years,  with  approximately  $21.8  million,  $13.1
million and $3.5 million of producing  properties  acquired in 1993,  1994,  and
1995,  respectively.  For  1996 for its own  account,  the  Company  anticipates
spending  approximately  $1.5 million to purchase limited partner interests from
existing limited partnerships.

         The Company uses a disciplined, market-driven approach to acquisitions.
The Company  generally seeks  acquisition of properties for its own account that
are in close proximity to its current  reserves and provide the potential to add
reserves through additional  development efforts. As the market for acquisitions
has  become  more  competitive  in  recent  years,  the  Company  has  taken the
initiative in creating acquisition opportunities by directly soliciting property
owners  who have not placed  their  properties  on the  market.  Properties  are
acquired  after the Company  has  analyzed  and  evaluated  available  reservoir
engineering, geological and geophysical data. In evaluating producing properties
prior to  purchase,  the Company  assesses  many  factors,  including  estimated
reserves,  anticipated cash flows from production,  production costs and various
factors affecting the marketing of production.

Foreign Activities

         Russia.  On  September  3, 1993,  the  Company  signed a  Participation
Agreement with Senega,  a Russian  Federation  joint stock company (in which the
Company has an indirect  interest of less than 1%), to assist in the development
and  production  of reserves from two fields in Western  Siberia,  providing the
Company  with a minimum 5% net  profits  interest  from the sale of  hydrocarbon
products  from the fields for  providing  managerial,  technical  and  financial
support to Senega. Additionally, the Company purchased a 1% net profits interest
from  Senega for  $300,000.  In May 1995,  the  Company  executed  a  Management
Agreement  with  Senega,  under  which,  in  return  for  undertaking  to obtain
financing for development of these fields,  the Company is entitled to receive a
49% interest in  production  income  derived by Senega from this  project  after
repayment  of  costs.  At  September  30,  1996,  the  Company's  investment  in
activities in Russia was approximately $9.2 million.


<PAGE>




         On July 12,  1996,  the Company  entered into a  partnership  agreement
which provides for the Company to contribute its rights under the  Participation
and  Management  Agreements to the  partnership  and for the  partners  to share
equally  revenues  and costs of  developing  the  Samburg  Field and funding and
management of the license areas, all in conjunction with Senega. The partnership
is to be funded by the partners upon  fulfillment of certain  conditions.  It is
currently  anticipated that these activities would be funded principally through
project financing.

         New  Zealand.  Since  October  1995,  the  Company  has been issued two
Petroleum  Exploration  Permits by the New Zealand Minister of Energy. The first
permit covers approximately 65,000 acres in the Onshore Taranaki Basin region in
the  southwestern  area of New  Zealand's  North  Island and the  second  covers
approximately  71,500 acres adjacent to the acreage covered by the first permit.
Under  the terms of the  permits,  the  Company  is  obligated  to  analyze  and
interpret  certain  seismic data,  acquire  certain new seismic data,  drill one
exploratory  well,  and  either  drill a  further  development  well or  perform
additional seismic work, all of which activities are to be performed on a staged
basis in order to maintain the permits, over periods extending through July 2000
in the case of the first permit, and through July 2001 for the second permit. At
September 30, 1996,  the Company's  investment in New Zealand was  approximately
$600,000.

         Venezuela. The Company formed a wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Swift Energy
de Venezuela, C.A., for the purpose of submitting a bid on August 5, 1993, under
the Venezuelan Marginal Oil Field Reactivation Program. Although the Company did
not win the bid, it is continuing to pursue cooperative ventures involving other
fields and  opportunities  in Venezuela.  At September  30, 1996,  the Company's
investment in Venezuela was approximately $1.4 million.

Oil and Gas Reserves

         All information set forth in this Prospectus regarding proved reserves,
related  future net revenues  and PV-10 Value is taken from reports  prepared by
the  Company  and audited by Gruy.  Gruy's  estimates  were based upon review of
production histories and other geological,  economic,  ownership and engineering
data provided by the Company, and their report is contained as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement of which this  Prospectus is a part. No other reports on
the Company's  reserves have been filed with any federal  agency.  In accordance
with Commission guidelines,  the Company's estimates of future net revenues from
the Company's  proved  reserves and the present value thereof  (PV-10 Value) are
made using oil and gas sales prices in effect as of the dates of such  estimates
and are held constant  throughout the life of the properties,  except where such
guidelines permit alternate treatment,  including, in the case of gas contracts,
the use of fixed and determinable contractual price escalations. Proved reserves
at December 31, 1995, were estimated based upon weighted average prices of $2.41
per Mcf of natural  gas and $18.07 per Bbl of oil,  compared  to $1.85 and $2.50
per Mcf of natural gas and $15.09 and $12.87 per Bbl of oil as of  December  31,
1994 and 1993,  respectively.  See "Risk Factors --  Uncertainty of Estimates of
Reserves and Future Net Revenues."

         The Company's total proved  developed and  undeveloped  reserve volumes
have  increased at an annual  compound rate of  approximately  35% over the last
five years.  In 1995, the Company's  proved natural gas reserves  increased over
1994 year-end  amounts by 88% or 67.3 Bcf and its proved oil reserves  increased
19% or 868,714 Bbl. The composition of these reserves has shifted substantially,
with  proved  developed  reserves  comprising  63% of total  proved  reserves at
year-end  1994,  and 58% at December  31, 1995.  This shift  reflects the recent
reserve  additions  comprised of proved  undeveloped  reserves in newly acquired
areas of the AWP Olmos Field.  Additional  reserves  have also been added due to
December 31, 1995 prices being higher than those at year-end 1994, which has the
effect of changing quantities  estimates and the estimated present value of such
proved reserves.

         The table  below also sets  forth  estimates  of future  net  revenues,
presented  on the  basis of  unescalated  prices  and costs in  accordance  with
criteria prescribed by the Commission,  and the PV-10 Value. Operating costs and
development costs and certain production-related taxes were deducted in arriving
at the estimated  future net  revenues.  No provision was made for income taxes.
The  estimates  of future net revenues  and their  present  value differ in this
respect from the  standardized  measure of discounted  future net cash flows set
forth in the Notes to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of the  Company,
which is calculated  after  provision  for future  income taxes.  In cases where
producing properties are subject to gas


<PAGE>




purchase contracts and the amount of gas purchased thereunder was reduced during
1995,  gas  projections  used to estimate  future net revenues were based on the
reduced gas purchases for the affected producing properties.  The assumption was
made  that  purchases  in 1996 and  thereafter  will be made at an  unrestricted
level.  The Company has interests in certain  tracts which are estimated to have
additional  hydrocarbon  reserves which are not classified as proved and are not
reflected in the following table. The proved reserves  presented for all periods
also exclude any reserves attributed to the volumetric  production payment.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations  --  General"  and  Note 9 to the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.  There  can  be no  assurance  that  these  estimates  are  accurate
predictions  of future net revenues  from oil and gas reserves or their  present
value.

                      Estimated Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             At December 31,
                                                            ------------------------------------------------
                                                              1995                1994                1993
                                                            --------            --------            --------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>                 <C>     
Net natural gas reserves (MMcf):
      Proved developed.........................               81,532              46,406              50,937
      Proved undeveloped.......................               62,035              29,858              13,526
                                                             -------             -------              ------
           Total proved natural gas
              reserves.........................              143,568              76,264              64,463
                                                             -------             -------              ------
Net oil reserves (MBbl):
      Proved developed.........................                3,313               3,209               3,111
      Proved undeveloped.......................                2,109               1,344               1,161
                                                             -------             -------              ------
           Total proved oil reserves...........                5,422               4,553               4,271
                                                             -------             -------              ------
Total proved reserves (MMcfe)..................              176,099             103,584              90,089
                                                             =======             =======              ======
</TABLE>

                                 Estimated Present Value of Proved Reserves

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             At December 31,
                                                            ------------------------------------------------
                                                              1995                1994                1993
                                                            --------            --------            --------
                                                                             (In Thousands)
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>                 <C>     
Estimated PV-10 Value:
      Proved developed.........................             $ 85,537            $ 47,172            $ 66,309
      Proved undeveloped.......................               61,502              22,223              17,451
                                                            --------            --------            --------
           Total ..............................             $147,038            $ 69,395            $ 83,761
                                                            ========            ========            ========
</TABLE>


         Proved  reserves are estimates of  hydrocarbons  to be recovered in the
future. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating the sizes of
underground  accumulations  of oil and gas that  cannot be  measured in an exact
way.  The  accuracy  of any  reserves  estimate  is a function of the quality of
available data and of engineering  and geological  interpretation  and judgment.
Reserve  reports of other  engineers  might  differ from the  reports  contained
herein.  Results of drilling,  testing, and production subsequent to the date of
the estimate may justify  revision of such estimate.  Future prices received for
the sale of oil and gas may be  different  from  those used in  preparing  these
reports.  The amounts and timing of future  operating and development  costs may
also differ from those used. Accordingly,  reserve estimates are often different
from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately  recovered.  There can be
no assurance that these estimates are accurate  predictions of the present value
of future net cash flows from oil and gas reserves.



<PAGE>




         A portion of the Company's proved reserves has been accumulated through
the  Company's  interests  in the  limited  partnerships  for which it serves as
general  partner.  The estimates of future net revenues and their present values
assume that some portion of the limited  partnerships  in which the Company owns
interests  will achieve  payout  status.  At payout,  the  Company's  percentage
ownership  of  the  limited  partnerships'   reserves  increases.   The  primary
assumptions  utilized  for  purposes  of  such  estimates  consist  of  (i)  the
continuation of oil and gas prices realized by the partnerships at year-end 1995
through  the  life of the  properties  owned  by the  partnerships  and (ii) the
continued ownership of such properties.  Only three of the limited  partnerships
in which the Company owns an interest had achieved  payout status at the date of
this Prospectus and achievement of payout status for the remaining  partnerships
will depend not only upon prices at which future  production  is sold,  but also
upon whether  individual  properties  are sold prior to depletion and the prices
received in such sales.  See "Risk  Factors --  Volatility of Oil and Gas Prices
and  Markets  and --  Uncertainty  of  Estimates  of  Reserves  and  Future  Net
Revenues."

Drilling Activity

         The following  table sets forth the results of the  Company's  drilling
activities  during the three fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995 and the first
six months of 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Gross Wells                                    Net Wells(1)
                                         ----------------------------------------        -----------------------------------
   Period        Type of Well(2)         Total          Producing(3)       Dry(4)        Total         Producing(3)   Dry(4)
- ---------------  ---------------         -----          ------------       ------        -----         ------------   ------
<S>               <C>                      <C>               <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>
    1996          Exploratory               5                 3              2             3               2.1         0.9
  (Through        Development              61                58              3            43.9            42.9         1.0
    6/30)
    1995          Exploratory               8                 4              4             3.5             1.5         2.0
                  Development              68                65              3            38.7            38.0         0.7
    1994          Exploratory              14                 6              8             9.2             4.7         4.5
                  Development              30                26              4             6.9             5.0         1.9
    1993          Exploratory              12                 5              7             5.6             2.5         3.1
                  Development              22                21              1             3.8             3.4         0.4
</TABLE>

(1)      Represents the aggregate of the Company's direct or indirect fractional
         working interests in the gross wells drilled.

(2)      An exploratory well is a well drilled either in search of a new, as-yet
         undiscovered oil or gas reservoir or to greatly extend the known limits
         of a previously  discovered  reservoir.  A  development  well is a well
         drilled within the presently  proved  productive  area of an oil or gas
         reservoir, as indicated by reasonable interpretation of available data,
         with the objective of completing in that reservoir.

(3)      A producing  well is an  exploratory  or  development  well found to be
         capable of  producing  either oil or gas in  sufficient  quantities  to
         justify completion as an oil or gas well.

(4)      A   dry  well  is an exploratory or development well that is not a pro-
         ducing well.

The  following  table  sets  forth the gross and net wells in which the  Company
owned an interest at the following dates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Oil Wells                  Gas Wells                 Total Wells(1)
                                                  ---------                  ---------                 --------------
<S>                                                <C>                         <C>                          <C>  
December 31, 1995
         Gross(2).....................               3,049                       995                        4,044
         Net(3).......................                88.5                     121.6                        210.1
December 31, 1994
         Gross(2).....................             3,141.0                     1,000                        4,141
         Net(3).......................                79.3                     109.1                        188.4
December 31, 1993
         Gross(2).....................               3,165                       872                        4,037
         Net(3).......................                72.5                      52.4                        124.9
</TABLE>

(1)      Excludes 39 service wells in 1995, 31 service wells in 1994,  and  165
         service wells in 1993.

(2)      A gross well is a well in which  a  working  interest  is  owned.   The
         number of gross wells is  the total  number of wells in which a working
         interest is owned.

(3)      A net well is  deemed  to exist  when the sum of  fractional  ownership
         working interests in gross wells equals one. The number of net wells is
         the sum of fractional  working interests owned in gross wells expressed
         as whole numbers and fractions thereof.



<PAGE>




Oil and Gas Acreage

         As is customary in the industry, the Company generally acquires oil and
gas acreage  without any warranty of title except as to claims made by, through,
or under the  transferor.  Although the Company has title to  developed  acreage
examined prior to acquisition in those cases in which the economic  significance
of the acreage  justifies the cost,  there can be no assurance  that losses will
not result from title  defects or from  defects in the  assignment  of leasehold
rights.  In  many  instances,  title  opinions  may  not be  obtained  if in the
Company's judgment it would be uneconomical or impractical to do so.

         The following table sets forth the developed and undeveloped  leasehold
acreage held by the Company at December 31, 1995:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Developed                                Undeveloped
                                                        ----------------------------             --------------------------
                                                        Gross (1)           Net (2)              Gross (1)         Net (2)
                                                        ----------         ---------             ---------        ---------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>                    <C>              <C>      
Alabama....................................               7,075.72            820.82                372.00            61.17
Arkansas...................................               8,960.45          3,271.17              4,754.86         2,978.63
Kansas.....................................               1,630.00            571.67              5,450.00         2,268.55
Louisiana..................................              56,766.05         18,620.66             11,985.24         7,222.14
Mississippi................................              10,680.29          4,211.95              4,965.61           887.68
Nebraska...................................                     --                --              1,707.04         1,029.53
New Mexico.................................               1,854.47            473.61                240.00            28.80
North Dakota...............................               1,276.19            147.25                160.00            17.32
Oklahoma...................................              54,270.93         21,420.96              4,410.02         2,103.66
Texas......................................             116,635.23         53,438.69             22,897.00        15,938.33
West Virginia..............................              16,048.20         10,484.50                    --               --
Wyoming....................................              10,434.00          3,225.25             27,177.72        10,941.82
All other states...........................                 477.64            128.66              4,690.44           272.81
                                                        ----------        ----------             ---------        ---------

TOTAL......................................             286,109.17        116,815.19             88,809.93        43,749.84
                                                        ==========        ==========             =========        =========
</TABLE>

(1)      A  gross  acre  is  an  acre in which a working interest is owned.  The
         number of gross acres is  the  total number of acres in which a working
         interest is owned.

(2)      A net acre is  deemed  to exist  when the sum of  fractional  ownership
         working interests in gross acres equals one. The number of net acres is
         the sum of fractional  working interests owned in gross acres expressed
         as whole  numbers  and  fractions  thereof.  A material  portion of the
         Company's  acreage  is owned by virtue of its  interests  derived  from
         limited partnerships. The net acreage reflected on this table shows the
         Company's interests assuming that an after-payout status is achieved in
         some of these limited partnerships. At September 30, 1996, three of the
         limited  partnerships  had achieved payout status.  See "-- Oil and Gas
         Reserves" above.

Partnerships

         Prior  to  1993,  the  Company  relied  to a large  extent  on  limited
partnerships  as a  principal  financing  vehicle  to fund its  activities.  The
Company  had  formed  103  limited  partnerships  which  have  raised a total of
approximately $478.0 million at September 30, 1996.  However, as the Company has
increasingly shifted its emphasis to exploration and development  activities and
its reserve base has grown, the Company has  significantly  reduced its reliance
on limited partnership financing.



<PAGE>




         More than 21 of the  limited  partnerships  formed  and  managed by the
Company have been in operation  over nine years and have  produced a substantial
majority of their  reserves.  Given the age of these limited  partnerships,  the
limited partners in 18 of these  partnerships have voted to sell their remaining
properties and liquidate the limited partnerships.  It is anticipated that these
partnerships  will be  liquidated  in late  1996.  The  Company  intends to make
similar proposals to other  partnerships for an orderly sale of their properties
and liquidation of the partnerships over the next several years. The Company may
acquire  portions of the  remaining  property  interests  owned by these limited
partnerships.

         From  1991 to 1995  the  Company  sponsored  SDI,  a  publicly  offered
partnership program under which partnerships were formed to acquire interests in
producing  oil and gas assets.  The Company  concluded  the SDI Program upon the
formation of its last two  partnerships  in December  1995.  Under this program,
partnerships  were formed on a sequential  basis and in 1995, the Company raised
approximately  $12.4 million under this program.  The SDI partnerships  acquire,
manage and ultimately  sell  interests in properties  that are producing oil and
gas in commercial quantities. The SDI partnerships seek to profit primarily from
the  sale of oil and  gas  produced  from  the  properties  in  which  they  own
interests,  and  ultimately  from the  proceeds  of the  eventual  sale of their
interests.

         In September of 1993, the Company began offering interests in privately
offered  partnerships  formed to  engage  in the  drilling  of  development  and
exploratory  wells. As of September 30, 1996, seven partnerships had been formed
(one in 1993,  one in  1994,  three  in 1995  and two in  1996)  with  aggregate
investor  contributions  of  approximately  $34.8 million.  The private drilling
partnerships  are offered on a no-load  basis  under which the Company  pays all
selling and offering  expenses of the  offering.  Selling and offering  expenses
paid by the Company are treated as a capital  contribution to each  partnership.
The Company also is entitled to a general and administrative  overhead allowance
and an incentive amount. In certain partnerships,  the Company does not bear any
of the costs incurred in acquiring or drilling  properties.  As managing general
partner of certain other partnerships, the Company pays out of its own corporate
funds  the  capital   costs   (consisting   of  all   prospect   costs  and  the
non-deductible,  tangible portion of drilling and completion costs). The Company
pays between 20% and 40% of all continuing  costs (higher  amounts after payout)
and is entitled to receive  between 20% and 40% of net revenues  distributed  by
each partnership (and higher amounts after payout).

         Under the terms of the  Company's  limited  partnership  programs,  the
Company  generally  retains the right to engage in oil and gas  exploration  and
production through other limited partnerships and joint ventures and for its own
account.  The  partnership  agreement  for  each  limited  partnership  contains
detailed  provisions  regarding  the terms upon which a variety of  transactions
between the Company and the limited  partnership  may be carried out,  including
(i)  sales  of  properties  by the  Company  to the  limited  partnership,  (ii)
operation of limited partnership  properties by the Company,  (iii) rendering of
oil field or drilling services by the Company to the limited  partnership,  (iv)
handling of limited  partnership  funds by the Company and (v) loans between the
Company and the limited  partnership.  These  restrictions,  which may limit the
ability of the  Company to take  certain  actions,  are  intended to ensure that
transactions  between the Company and its limited  partnerships are fair to such
limited partnerships.

Management of Risks of Operation

         The  Company's  operations  are  subject  to all of the risks  normally
incident to the  exploration  for and the  production of oil and gas,  including
blowouts,  cratering,  pipe failure, casing collapse, oil spills and fires, each
of which could result in severe damage to or  destruction  of oil and gas wells,
production facilities or other property, or individual injuries. The oil and gas
exploration  business  is also  subject to  environmental  hazards,  such as oil
spills, gas leaks, and ruptures and discharges of toxic substances or gases that
could expose the Company to  substantial  liability  due to pollution  and other
environmental  damage.  Additionally,  as  managing  general  partner of limited
partnerships,  the Company is solely  responsible for the day-to-day  conduct of
the limited partnerships' affairs and accordingly has liability for expenses and
liabilities of the limited  partnerships.  The Company  maintains  comprehensive
insurance coverage,  including general liability insurance in an amount not less
than $20.0 million, as well as general partner liability insurance.  The Company
believes that its insurance is adequate and customary for


<PAGE>




companies of a similar size engaged in comparable  operations,  but losses could
occur for  uninsurable  or  uninsured  risks or in amounts in excess of existing
insurance coverage.

Competition

         The oil and gas industry is highly  competitive in all its phases.  The
Company  encounters  strong  competition  from many other oil and gas producers,
including  many that  possess  substantial  financial  resources,  in  acquiring
economically  desirable producing properties and exploratory drilling prospects,
and in obtaining equipment and labor to operate and maintain its properties.

Regulations

         Environmental Regulations. The federal government and various state and
local  governments  have adopted laws and  regulations  regarding the control of
contamination  of the  environment.  These laws and  regulations may require the
acquisition  of a  permit  by  operators  before  drilling  commences,  prohibit
drilling  activities  on certain  lands lying within  wilderness  areas or where
pollution arises,  and impose  substantial  liabilities for pollution  resulting
from  drilling  operations  particularly  operations  in  offshore  waters or on
submerged  lands.  These laws and  regulations  may also  increase  the costs of
routine  drilling and  operation of wells.  Because  these laws and  regulations
change  frequently,  the costs to the Company of  compliance  with  existing and
future  environmental  regulations  cannot be  predicted.  See "Risk  Factors --
Effects of Governmental Regulation."

         Federal  Regulation  of Natural  Gas.  The  transportation  and sale of
natural  gas in  interstate  commerce  is heavily  regulated  by agencies of the
federal government. The following discussion is intended only as a brief summary
of the principal statutes, regulations and orders that may affect the production
and sale of the Company's natural gas. This summary should not be relied upon as
a complete review of applicable natural gas regulatory provisions.

         FERC Orders.  Several major regulatory changes have been implemented by
the Federal Energy Regulatory  Commission ("FERC") from 1985 to the present that
affect the economics of natural gas  production,  transportation  and sales.  In
addition,  the FERC continues to promulgate  revisions to various aspects of the
rules and regulations  affecting those segments of the natural gas industry that
remain subject to the FERC's jurisdiction.  In April 1992, the FERC issued Order
No. 636  pertaining to pipeline  restructuring.  This rule  requires  interstate
pipelines to unbundle  transportation  and sales services by separately  stating
the price of each service and by providing customers only the particular service
desired,  without  regard to the source for  purchase of the gas.  The rule also
requires pipelines to (i) provide nondiscriminatory "no-notice" service allowing
firm  commitment  shippers  to receive  delivery  of gas on demand up to certain
limits without penalties, (ii) establish a basis for release and reallocation of
firm upstream pipeline capacity and (iii) provide  non-discriminatory  access to
capacity by firm  transportation  shippers on a  downstream  pipeline.  The rule
requires interstate pipelines to use a straight fixed variable rate design.

         FERC Order No. 500  affects the  transportation  and  marketability  of
natural gas.  Traditionally,  natural gas has been sold by producers to pipeline
companies,  which then  resold the gas to  end-users.  FERC Order No. 500 alters
this market structure by requiring  interstate  pipelines that transport gas for
others to provide  transportation  service to  producers,  distributors  and all
other shippers of natural gas on a nondiscriminatory, "first-come, first-served"
basis ("open access  transportation"),  so that producers and other shippers can
sell natural gas directly to end-users.  FERC Order No. 500 contains  additional
provisions intended to promote greater competition in natural gas markets.

         It is not anticipated  that the  marketability  of and price obtainable
for the Company's natural gas production will be significantly  affected by FERC
Order No. 500. Gas produced  normally  will be sold to  intermediaries  who have
entered  into  transportation   arrangements  with  pipeline  companies.   These
intermediaries will accumulate gas purchased from a number of producers and sell
the gas to end-users through open access transportation.



<PAGE>




         State Regulations. Production of any oil and gas by the Company will be
affected to some degree by state  regulations.  Many states in which the Company
operates have statutory provisions regulating the production and sale of oil and
gas,  including  provisions  regarding  deliverability.  Such statutes,  and the
regulations  promulgated  in connection  therewith,  are  generally  intended to
prevent  waste of oil and gas and to protect  correlative  rights to produce oil
and  gas  between  owners  of  a  common  reservoir.  Certain  state  regulatory
authorities  also  regulate  the  amount of oil and gas  produced  by  assigning
allowable rates of production to each well or proration unit.

Federal Leases

         Some of the  Company's  properties  are  located on federal oil and gas
leases  administered by various federal  agencies,  including the Bureau of Land
Management.   Various  regulations  and  orders  affect  the  terms  of  leases,
exploration and development plans, methods of operation and related matters.

Employees

         At December 31, 1995,  the Company  employed 176 persons,  including 24
engineers,  12 geologists and geophysicists and 9 landmen. None of the Company's
employees are represented by a union. Relations with employees are considered to
be good.

Facilities

         The Company and its  subsidiaries  occupy  approximately  75,000 square
feet of office space at 16825 Northchase Drive, Houston, Texas, under a ten-year
lease expiring in 2005 which provides for various expansion  options.  The lease
requires  payments of  approximately  $81,000  per month.  A  subsidiary  of the
Company maintains an office in Denver,  Colorado.  The Company has field offices
in various  locations from which Company  employees  supervise local oil and gas
operations.

Legal Proceedings

         No legal proceedings are pending other than ordinary routine litigation
incidental to the Company's business.


<PAGE>




                                   MANAGEMENT

Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Other Officers

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Name                                                    Title
- ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>
A. Earl Swift....................... Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Virgil N. Swift..................... Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice President -- Business
                                     Development
Terry E. Swift...................... Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
John R. Alden....................... Senior Vice President -- Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Bruce H. Vincent.................... Senior Vice President -- Funds Management
James M. Kitterman.................. Senior Vice President -- Operations
James R. Stewart.................... Vice President -- Drilling and Production
Alton D. Heckaman, Jr. ............  Vice President and Controller
Joseph A. D'Amico................... Vice President-Exploration and Development
G. Robert Evans..................... Director
Raymond O. Loen..................... Director
Henry C. Montgomery................. Director
Clyde W. Smith, Jr.................. Director
Harold J. Withrow................... Director
</TABLE>

         A. Earl Swift, 63, is President,  Chief Executive  Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Company and has served in such  capacity  since
its  founding  in 1979.  For the 17 years  prior to  1979,  he was  employed  by
affiliates of American Natural Resources  Company,  serving his last three years
as Vice President of Exploration and Production for Michigan-Wisconsin Pipe Line
Company and American Natural Gas Production  Company.  Mr. Swift is a registered
professional  engineer  and holds a degree  in  Petroleum  Engineering,  a Juris
Doctor  degree  and a  Master's  degree in  Business  Administration.  He is the
brother of Virgil N. Swift and the father of Terry E. Swift.

         Virgil N. Swift, 68, has been a director of the Company since 1981, and
has acted as Vice  Chairman of the Board and Executive  Vice  President-Business
Development  since  November  1991.  He  previously  served  as  Executive  Vice
President  and Chief  Operating  Officer from 1982 to November  1991.  Mr. Swift
joined the Company in 1981 as Vice  President-Drilling  and Production.  For the
preceding  28  years  he  held  various  production,  drilling  and  engineering
positions  with Gulf Oil  Corporation  and its  subsidiaries,  last  serving  as
General  Manager-Drilling  for  Gulf  Canada  Resources,  Inc.  Mr.  Swift  is a
registered professional engineer and holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

         Terry E. Swift,  40, was appointed  Executive  Vice President and Chief
Operating  Officer of the  Company in  November  1991.  He served as Senior Vice
President -- Exploration  and Joint Ventures from 1990 to November 1991, as Vice
President --  Exploration  and Joint Ventures from 1988 to 1990 and as Assistant
Vice  President  --  Engineering  from 1986 to 1988.  Mr.  Swift is a registered
professional  engineer and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master's
degree in Business Administration.

         John R. Alden,  50, Senior Vice President -- Finance,  Chief  Financial
Officer and  Secretary,  joined the Company in 1981.  Mr. Alden was appointed to
his  current  offices in 1990.  Prior to that time he served the  Company as its
principal  financial officer under a variety of titles. Mr. Alden holds a degree
in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Administration.

         Bruce H. Vincent, 49, joined the Company as Senior Vice President --
Funds Management in 1990.  Mr. Vincent acted as Chief Operating Officer of
Energy Assets International Corp. from 1986 to 1988, and as President of Vincent
& Company, an investment banking firm, from 1988 to 1990.  Mr. Vincent holds a
degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Finance.

         James  M.  Kitterman,  52,  was  appointed  Senior  Vice  President  --
Operations in May 1993. He had previously served as Vice President -- Operations
since joining the Company in 1983 with 16 years of prior


<PAGE>




experience in oil and gas exploration, drilling and production.  Mr. Kitterman
holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Master's degree in Business
Administration.

         James R.  Stewart,  60, was  appointed  Vice  President -- Drilling and
Production  in August 1993.  He joined the Company as Manager of  Operations  in
1990. He has 30 years experience in drilling, production, reservoir engineering,
and geology.  During his 30 years in the oil and gas industry,  Mr.  Stewart has
held a variety of  management  level  positions.  Mr.  Stewart holds a degree in
Petroleum Engineering.

         Alton D. Heckaman, Jr., 39, was appointed Vice President and Controller
in May 1993. He had previously served as Assistant Vice President -- Finance and
Controller  since  1986.  Mr.  Heckaman  joined  the  Company  in 1982.  He is a
Certified Public Accountant and holds a degree in Accounting.

         Joseph A.  D'Amico,  48, has been Vice  President  --  Exploration  and
Development of the Company since August 1993. He served in the funds  management
division and as Director of Exploration and Development of the Company from 1988
to 1993.  Mr.  D'Amico  holds a degree in  Petroleum  Engineering  and  Master's
degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Finance.

         G. Robert  Evans,  65, has been a director  of the Company  since 1994.
Since  1991,  he has been  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Material
Sciences  Corporation  of Elk Grove  Village,  a  corporation  that develops and
commercializes continuously processed, coated materials technologies. He is also
currently  serving as a director of three other public  companies:  Consolidated
Freightways,  Inc.  (transportation),  Fibreboard  Corporation  (wood  products,
insulation and resort operations) and Elco Industries (manufacturing). From 1990
until 1991, he served as President,  Chief  Executive  Officer and a Director of
Corporate  Finance  Associates of Illinois,  Inc., a financial  intermediary and
consulting  firm. From 1987 until 1990, he served as President,  Chief Executive
Officer and a Director of Bemrose Group USA, a British  holding  company engaged
in value-added  manufacturing and sale of products to the advertising  specialty
industry.

         Raymond O. Loen,  72, has served as a director of the Company since its
founding in 1979.  Since 1963, he has been  President of R.O.  Loen  Company,  a
privately held management consulting firm headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

         Henry C. Montgomery,  60, has served as a director of the Company since
1987.  Since  1980,  Mr.  Montgomery  has  been  the  Chairman  of the  Board of
Montgomery Financial Services Corporation, a management consulting and financial
services firm. Mr.  Montgomery  also currently  serves as a director of Catalyst
Semiconductor,  Inc., a public company  engaged in the design and manufacture of
semiconductors.  Mr.  Montgomery  previously  served as Chairman of the Board of
each of Private  Financial  Services  Corporation,  a management  consulting and
financial  services firm (1986 to 1989), and Aquanautics  Corporation,  a public
company involved in the extraction of oxygen from water and air (1986 to 1991).

         Clyde W. Smith,  Jr., 47, has served as a director of the Company since
1984. He has served as President of Somerset Properties, Inc., a real estate and
investment  company,  since 1985, as President of AdVision,  Inc., which markets
video  display  merchandising  systems,  since  1988  and  as  President  of H&R
Precision,  Inc., a general contractor,  since 1994. Mr. Smith formerly acted as
Chief Executive Officer of California Video Sales, Inc. from 1987 to 1990.

         Harold J.  Withrow,  69, has been a director of the Company since 1988.
Mr. Withrow is an independent oil and gas consultant.  From 1975 until 1988, Mr.
Withrow served as Senior Vice  President-Gas  Supply for Michigan Wisconsin Pipe
Line Company and its successor, ANR Pipeline Company.




<PAGE>




                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         The   following   table   sets   forth   information   concerning   the
shareholdings,  as of September 30, 1996,  of the seven  current  members of the
board of directors, each of the Company's five most highly compensated executive
officers,  all executive  officers and directors as a group, and each person who
beneficially  owns more than five percent of the  Company's  outstanding  Common
Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Shares of Common Stock
                                                                                              Beneficially Owned at
                                                                                              September 30, 1996(1)
                                                                                          -----------------------------
                                                                                                            Percent of
                                                                                                               Class
Name of Person or Group                           Position                                   Number         Outstanding
- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------------             -------------     -----------
<S>                                 <C>                                                   <C>                 <C> 
A. Earl Swift...................... Chairman of the Board, President,                        282,472(2)         1.9%
                                    Chief Executive Officer
Virgil N. Swift.................... Vice Chairman of the Board,                              320,280            2.1%
                                    Executive Vice President-- Business
                                    Development
G. Robert Evans.................... Director                                                   6,400            (3)
Raymond O. Loen.................... Director                                                 146,756(4)         1.0%
Henry C. Montgomery................ Director                                                  33,780            (3)
Clyde W. Smith, Jr................. Director                                                  17,400            (3)
Harold J. Withrow.................. Director                                                  17,500            (3)
Terry E. Swift..................... Executive Vice President, Chief                           90,636            (3)
                                    Operating Officer
John R. Alden...................... Senior Vice President-- Finance,                          76,091(5)         (3)
                                    Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
James M. Kitterman................. Senior Vice President-- Operations                        63,370            (3)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Shares of Common Stock
                                                                                              Beneficially Owned at
                                                                                              September 30, 1996(1)
                                                                                          ------------------------------
                                                                                                            Percent of
                                                                                                               Class
Name of Person or Group                                                                      Number         Outstanding
- -----------------------------------                                                       -------------     ------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>                 <C> 
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)...................            1,146,996            7.6%
FMR Corp ......................................................................            1,291,458(7)         8.6%(7)
  82 Devonshire Street
  Boston, Massachusetts  02109
State Street Research & Management Company.....................................            1,284,450(8)         8.5%(8)
  Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  One Financial Center, 30th Floor
  Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2690
Foreign & Colonial Management Limited..........................................              935,052(6)         6.2%(6)
Hypo Foreign & Colonial Management (Holdings) Limited
  Exchange House, Primrose Street
  London EC2A 2NY England
</TABLE>




<PAGE>







(1)      Unless  otherwise  indicated  below, the persons named have sole voting
         and investment  power over the number of shares of the Company's Common
         Stock shown as being owned by them.  The table  includes the  following
         shares that were acquirable within 60 days following September 30, 1996
         by exercise of options  granted under the Company's stock option plans:
         Mr. A. E. Swift - 56,648;  Mr. V. N. Swift - 50,424; Mr. Evans - 4,400;
         Mr. Loen - 27,400;  Mr. Smith - 16,400;  Mr.  Montgomery - 30,370;  Mr.
         Withrow - 15,300;  Mr. T. E. Swift - 69,004;  Mr.  Alden - 57,706;  Mr.
         Kitterman - 48,290; and all executive officers and directors as a group
         - 446,562.

(2)      Includes 858 shares held by Mr. Swift's wife.

(3)      Less than one percent.

(4)      Includes 14,300 shares as to which Mr. Loen, as co-trustee for an HR-10
         Retirement  Plan,  shares  voting and  investment  power with his wife;
         70,000  shares held by his wife (who holds sole  voting and  investment
         power as to those shares and 3,680  shares held in her IRA),  and 4,554
         shares held in Mr. Loen's IRA.

(5)      Includes 100 shares held by the estate of Mr.  Alden's  mother of which
         he could be deemed to be the beneficial owner.

(6)      Based on  Schedules  13G dated  February  1, 1996 and  February 8, 1996
         filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  Of the  shares
         listed,  53,789 were issued on August 6, 1996 upon  conversion of the 6
         1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Foreign & Colonial Management
         Limited  ("F&C")  is deemed to have  beneficial  ownership  of  935,052
         shares of the Company's stock. F&C is an Investment  Adviser registered
         under  the  Investment  Advisers  Act of  1940  and is a  wholly  owned
         subsidiary of Hypo Foreign & Colonial  Management  (Holdings)  Limited.
         F&C disclaims beneficial interest in all of the shares.

(7)      Based  on a  Schedule  13G  dated  February  8,  1996  filed  with  the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  Fidelity  Management & Research
         Company  ("Fidelity"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of FMR  Corp.,  an
         Investment  Adviser  registered  under  Section  203 of the  Investment
         Advisers Act of 1940, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,291,458
         shares of the  Company's  stock as a result of acting as an  investment
         adviser to several investment  companies  registered under Section 8 of
         the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Funds"). Members of the Edward
         C.  Johnson 3d family,  as well as trusts  for their  benefit,  are the
         predominant  owners  of Class B shares of  Common  Stock of FMR  Corp.,
         representing  approximately  49% of the voting  power of FMR Corp.  Mr.
         Johnson  3d owns  12.0%  and  Abigail  P.  Johnson  owns  24.5%  of the
         aggregate  outstanding  voting  stock of FMR Corp.  The Johnson  family
         group  and  all  other  Class  B  shareholders   have  entered  into  a
         shareholders'  voting  agreement under which all Class B shares will be
         voted  in  accordance  with  the  majority  vote  of  Class  B  shares.
         Accordingly,  through  their  ownership of voting  Common Stock and the
         execution of the shareholder's voting agreement, members of the Johnson
         family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form
         a  controlling  group with respect to FMR Corp.  Neither FMR Corp.  nor
         Edward C. Johnson 3d,  Chairman of FMR Corp.,  has any power to vote or
         direct the  voting of the shares  directly  by the Funds,  which  power
         resides with the Funds' Boards of Trustees.

(8)      Based on  Schedules  13G dated  February 8, 1996 and  February 13, 1996
         filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  State  Street
         Research  and  Management  Company  ("State  Street") is deemed to have
         beneficial  ownership of 1,284,450  shares of the  Company's  stock and
         reports sole power to vote  1,238,650 of these shares.  State Street is
         an Investment  Adviser  registered  under Section 203 of the Investment
         Advisers Act of 1940 and is a wholly owned  subsidiary of  Metropolitan
         Life Insurance Company.  State Street disclaims  beneficial interest in
         all of the shares held by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

General

         The Notes will be issued under an  indenture,  to be dated as of , 1996
(the "Indenture"), between the Company and Bank One Texas, National Association,
as trustee (the  "Trustee").  A form of the  Indenture is filed as an exhibit to
the  Registration  Statement of which this  Prospectus is a part.  The following
summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture,  do not purport to be complete
and are subject to and are  qualified in their  entirety by reference to, all of
the provisions of the Indenture,  including the  definitions  therein of certain
terms.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to
them in the Indenture.

         The Notes are convertible at the option of the holder into Common Stock
of the Company.  See "-- Conversion."  The Notes are unsecured,  will constitute
subordinated  obligations  of the  Company  and will rank pari passu in right of
payment to the Company's other subordinated indebtedness,  if any. The Notes and
the  Company's   obligations  with  respect  thereto  (including  the  Company's
obligations to


<PAGE>




repurchase Notes upon the occurrence of a Designated Event) will be subordinated
in right of payment  to all Senior  Debt (as  defined in the  Indenture)  of the
Company.  As of September 30, 1996, the Company had approximately  $17.2 million
of indebtedness outstanding under its existing credit facilities that would have
constituted  Senior  Debt.  The Company  intends to use net  proceeds  from this
offering to repay all of its outstanding borrowings under its credit facilities,
and as a result,  the Company  will not have any Senior Debt  immediately  after
such repayment.  The Indenture does not restrict,  however, the amount of Senior
Debt or other  indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company that
may be incurred in the future,  and the Company and its subsidiaries  anticipate
incurring Senior Debt or other indebtedness in the future.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

         The Notes offered by this  Prospectus will be limited to $100.0 million
aggregate  principal amount,  plus such additional amount not in excess of $15.0
million  as  may  be  purchased  by  the  Underwriters   upon  exercise  of  the
over-allotment  option. See  "Underwriting." The Notes will mature on November ,
2006.  The Notes will bear interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover
page of this  Prospectus  from November , 1996 or from the most recent  interest
payment  date  to  which  interest  has  been  paid  or  provided  for,  payable
semiannually  on and of each year,  commencing 199 , to the person in whose name
such  Note is  registered  at the close of  business  on the or  preceding  such
interest payment date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months.

         The Notes will be issuable and  transferable  in fully  registered form
and will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

         Principal,  premium,  if any,  and  interest  on the Notes may,  at the
option of the Company,  be paid either (i) by check mailed to the address of the
person  entitled  thereto  as it  appears in the  security  register  or (ii) by
transfer to an account  maintained by the payee entitled thereto as specified in
the security register.

Optional Redemption

         The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company,  in whole or in
part, at any time on or after November , 1999, on not less than 15 nor more than
60 days' prior notice at the  redemption  prices  (expressed as  percentages  of
principal amount) set forth below, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the date of redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning
on of the years  indicated  below  (subject to the right of holders of record on
relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                                          PRICE
<S>                                                                         <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------

1999.....................................................................          %
2000.....................................................................          %
2001.....................................................................          %
2002.....................................................................          %
2003.....................................................................          %
2004.....................................................................          %
2005.....................................................................          %
</TABLE>

         If less than all of the Notes are to be  redeemed,  the  Trustee  shall
select the Notes or portions  thereof to be redeemed  either in compliance  with
the requirements of the principal material securities exchange, if any, on which
the Notes are listed  or, if the Notes are not so listed,  pro rata or by lot or
by any other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.



<PAGE>




Mandatory Redemption

         The Company is not  required to make  mandatory  redemption  or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

         Upon the  occurrence  of a Designated  Event (as defined  below),  each
holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an  integral  multiple  thereof)  of such  holder's
Notes (the "Designated  Event  Repurchase") at a purchase price equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof,  together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon
to the Designated Event Payment Date (the "Designated Event Payment"). Within 30
days  following any  Designated  Event,  the Company shall mail a notice to each
holder stating:  (1) that the Designated Event Repurchase is being made pursuant
to the covenant entitled  "Designated Event" and that all Notes tendered will be
accepted for payment;  (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall
be no earlier  than 30 days nor later than 40 days from the date such  notice is
mailed (the  "Designated  Event Payment Date");  (3) that any Notes not tendered
will continue to accrue  interest;  (4) that, upon the payment of the Designated
Event Payment,  all Notes accepted for payment  pursuant to the Designated Event
Repurchase  shall cease to accrue  interest after the  Designated  Event Payment
Date;  (5) that  holders  electing  to have any Notes  purchased  pursuant  to a
Designated  Event  Repurchase will be required to surrender the Notes,  with the
form entitled  "Option of Holder to Elect  Purchase" on the reverse of the Notes
completed,  to the Trustee at the address  specified  in the notice prior to the
close of business on the third  Business  Day  preceding  the  Designated  Event
Payment Date;  (6) that holders will be entitled to withdraw  their  election if
the  Trustee  receives,  not later  than the  close of  business  on the  second
Business Day preceding  the  Designated  Event Payment Date, a telegram,  telex,
facsimile  transmission  or letter  setting  forth the name of the  holder,  the
principal  amount of Notes  delivered  for purchase,  and a statement  that such
holder is  withdrawing  his  election  to have such  Notes  purchased;  (7) that
holders  whose Notes are being  purchased  only in part will be issued new Notes
equal in principal amount to the unpurchased  portion of the Notes  surrendered,
which  unpurchased  portion  must be equal to $1,000 in  principal  amount or an
integral  multiple  thereof;  (8) the last date on which holders' rights to have
Notes repurchased may be exercised;  and (9) the procedures  holders must follow
in order to have their Notes repurchased.

         On the  Designated  Event Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent
lawful,  (1) accept for payment Notes or portions thereof  tendered  pursuant to
the Designated Event Repurchase, (2) deposit with the Trustee an amount equal to
the  Designated  Event  Payment in respect of all Notes or  portions  thereof so
tendered  and (3)  deliver  or cause to be  delivered  a  Trustee's  Certificate
stating the Notes or portions thereof tendered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall
promptly mail to each holder of Notes so accepted  payment in an amount equal to
the purchase price for such Notes,  and the Trustee shall promptly  authenticate
and mail to each holder a new Note equal in principal  amount to any unpurchased
portion  of the Notes  surrendered,  if any;  provided,  that each such new Note
shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral  multiple  thereof.  The
Company will publicly announce the results of the Designated Event Repurchase on
or as soon as practicable  after the Designated Event Payment Date. There can be
no assurance  that the Company will have the  financial  resources  necessary to
repurchase the Notes in such circumstances.

         The foregoing  provisions  would not necessarily  afford holders of the
Notes protection in the event of a takeover, recapitalization,  restructuring or
other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders.

         The right to require the Company to  repurchase  Notes as a result of a
Designated  Event could have the effect of delaying,  deferring or  preventing a
Designated  Event or other  attempts to acquire  control of the  Company  unless
arrangements have been made to enable the Company to repurchase all the Notes at
the  Designated  Event  Payment Date.  Consequently,  this right may render more
difficult or  discourage a merger,  consolidation  or tender offer (even if such
transaction is supported by the Company's  Board of Directors or is favorable to
the stockholders), the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the
Company's shares and the removal of incumbent management.



<PAGE>




         Any  future  credit   agreements  or  other   agreements   relating  to
indebtedness  (including  Senior Debt) to which the Company  becomes a party may
contain restrictions on the repurchase of Notes. In the event a Designated Event
occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited  from  repurchasing  Notes,  the
Company  could seek the  consent of its  lenders to the  repurchase  of Notes or
could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition.  If the
Company  does not obtain  such a consent or repay such  borrowings,  the Company
would remain  prohibited  from  repurchasing  Notes. In such case, the Company's
failure to repurchase  tendered Notes would constitute an Event of Default under
the Indenture,  which may, in  turn, constitute  a further default under certain
of the Company's  existing debt  instruments  and may constitute a default under
the terms of other  indebtedness  that the  Company  may enter into from time to
time.  As the payment of the  Designated  Event Payment is  subordinated  to the
prior  payment of Senior  Debt as  described  under  "--Subordination  of Notes"
below,  in such  circumstances,  the  subordination  provisions in the Indenture
would likely prohibit payments to the holders of Notes.

         A  "Designated  Event" will be deemed to have occurred upon a Change of
Control or a Termination of Trading.

         A "Change of Control"  will be deemed to have  occurred  when:  (i) any
"person"  or "group"  (as such terms are used in Section  13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange  Act) is or becomes the  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3
and 13d-5 under the Exchange  Act) of shares  representing  more than 50% of the
combined  voting  power  of the then  outstanding  securities  entitled  to vote
generally in elections of directors of the Company  ("Voting  Stock"),  (ii) the
Company  consolidates  with or merges into any other  corporation,  or any other
corporation  merges into the Company,  and, in the case of any such transaction,
the outstanding  Common Stock of the Company is  reclassified  into or exchanged
for any other  property  or  security,  unless the  stockholders  of the Company
immediately  before such  transaction  own,  directly or indirectly  immediately
following such transaction,  at least a majority of the combined voting power of
the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the  corporation  resulting  from  such
transaction  in  substantially  the same  proportion  as their  ownership of the
Voting Stock  immediately  before such  transaction,  (iii) the Company conveys,
transfers or leases more than _____% of its assets (other than to a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the  Company) or (iv) any time the  Continuing  Directors  do not
constitute  a  majority  of the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company  (or,  if
applicable, a successor corporation to the Company);  provided, that a Change of
Control  shall not be deemed to have  occurred if either (i) the last sale price
of the  Common  Stock for any five  trading  days  during the ten  trading  days
immediately  preceding  the Change of  Control is at least  equal to 110% of the
Conversion  Price in effect on the date of such  Change  of  Control  or (ii) at
least 90% of the consideration  (excluding cash payments for fractional  shares)
in the transaction or transactions  constituting  the Change of Control consists
of shares of common stock that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a United
States  national  securities  exchange or approved for trading on an established
automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States.

         "Continuing  Directors"  means,  as of any date of  determination,  any
member of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  who (i) was a member of such
Board of  Directors  on the date of the  Indenture  or (ii)  was  nominated  for
election or elected to such Board of  Directors  with the approval of a majority
of the  Continuing  Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.

         A  "Termination  of  Trading"  will be deemed to have  occurred  if the
Common Stock (or other  common stock into which the Notes are then  convertible)
is not listed for trading on a United States


<PAGE>




national  securities  exchange  or  an  established  automated  over-the-counter
trading market in the United States.

         The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other
tender offer rules under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable  and will
file a Schedule  13E-4 or any other schedule  required  thereunder in connection
with any offer by the Company to repurchase  Notes at the option of holders upon
a Designated Event.

         The Company  could,  in the future,  enter into  certain  transactions,
including certain  recapitalization of the Company,  that would not constitute a
Change of Control for purposes of the Designated Event repurchase feature of the
Notes, but that would increase the amount of Senior Debt (or other indebtedness)
outstanding  at such time.  There are no  restrictions  in the  Indenture on the
creation  of  additional  Senior  Debt (or any  other  indebtedness),  and under
certain  circumstances  the  incurrence  of  significant  amounts of  additional
indebtedness  could have an adverse  effect on the Company's  ability to service
its  indebtedness,  including  the Notes.  If a Designated  Event were to occur,
there can be no assurance  that the Company would have  sufficient  funds to pay
the Designated  Event Payment for all Notes tendered by the holders  thereof.  A
default by the Company on its  obligations to pay the  Designated  Event Payment
could result in acceleration of the payment of other indebtedness of the Company
at the time outstanding pursuant to cross-default provisions.

Conversion

         The Notes,  or any portion  thereof  which is an  integral  multiple of
$1,000, are convertible at any time after 60 days following the date of original
issuance thereof and prior to the close of business on November , 2006,  subject
to prior  redemption at the option of the Company or repurchase at the option of
the holder,  into shares of the Company's  Common Stock, at the conversion price
set forth on the cover of this  Prospectus,  subject to  adjustment as set forth
below (the  "Conversion  Price").  The  Company  will not be  required  to issue
fractional  shares  of  Common  Stock  but  will pay a cash  adjustment  in lieu
thereof.  In the case of any Note or  portion  thereof  called  for  redemption,
conversion  rights  expire  at  the  close  of  business  on  the  business  day
immediately  preceding  redemption.  In  the  event  any  holder  exercises  its
repurchase right upon a Designated  Event,  such holder's  conversion right will
terminate.  See "--  Repurchase  at the Option of Holders."  Except as described
below,  no  adjustment  will be made on  conversion  of any Notes  for  interest
accrued thereon or for dividends on any Common Stock issued.

         Accrued  interest will not be paid on the Notes that are converted.  If
any Note is converted  between a record date for the payment of interest and the
next  succeeding  interest  payment  date,  such  Note  upon  surrender  must be
accompanied by funds equal to the interest payable on such interest payment date
on the  principal  amount so converted  (unless such Note shall have been called
for redemption, in which case no such payment shall be required).

         The  Conversion  Price is subject  to  adjustment  in  certain  events,
including  (i)  the  subdivision,   combination  or   reclassification   of  the
outstanding  Common  Stock of the  Company;  (ii) the issuance by the Company of
Common  Stock as a  dividend  or  distribution  on the Common  Stock;  (iii) the
issuance of rights and warrants  (expiring  within 45 days after the record date
for the  determination  of  stockholders  entitled  to receive  such  rights and
warrants) to all holders of Common Stock  entitling  them to purchase  shares of
Common Stock or securities  convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock at
a price per share (or having a conversion or exercise price per share) less than
the then current  market price (as defined in the Indenture) of the Common Stock
(iv) the  distribution  of shares of capital  stock of the  Company  (other than
Common Stock), evidences of indebtedness or other assets (excluding dividends in
cash,  except as described in clause (v) below) to all holders of Common  Stock;
(v) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of cash to all holders of Common
Stock in an aggregate  amount  that,  together  with the  aggregate of any other
distributions  of cash that did not trigger a Conversion Price adjustment to all
holders of its Common  Stock within the 12 months  preceding  the date fixed for
determining  the  stockholders  entitled  to such  distribution  and all  Excess
Payments in respect of each tender offer or other negotiated  transaction by the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  for  Common  Stock  concluded  within  the
preceding 12 months not triggering a Conversion Price adjustment,  exceeds 5% of
the  product of the  current  market  price per share  (determined  as set forth
below) on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders


<PAGE>




entitled to receive such distribution times the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding  on such date;  (vi)  payment  of an Excess  Payment in respect of a
tender  offer or  other  negotiated  transaction  by the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  for Common Stock, if the aggregate  amount of such Excess Payment,
together  with the  aggregate  amount  of cash  distributions  made  within  the
preceding 12 months not triggering a Conversion  Price adjustment and all Excess
Payments in respect of each tender offer or other negotiated  transaction by the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  for  Common  Stock  concluded  within  the
preceding 12 months not triggering a Conversion Price adjustment,  exceeds 5% of
the  product of the  current  market  price per share  (determined  as set forth
below) on the  expiration  of such  tender  offer  times the number of shares of
Common Stock  outstanding on such date;  (vii) the distribution to substantially
all holders of Common  Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe  for  securities
(other than those  securities referred to in clause (iii) above); and (viii) the
issuance of Common Stock or securities  convertible  into, or exchangeable  for,
Common Stock at a price per share (or having a conversion or exchange  price per
share)  that is less than the  current  market  price of the  Common  Stock (but
excluding, among other things, issuances: (a) pursuant to any bona fide plan for
the  benefit of  employees,  directors  or  consultants  of the  Company  now or
hereafter  in effect;  (b) to  acquire  all or any  portion of a business  in an
arm's-length  transaction  between the Company and an  unaffiliated  third party
including, if applicable, issuances upon exercise of options or warrants assumed
in  connection  with such an  acquisition;  (c) in a bona fide  public  offering
pursuant to a firm commitment  underwriting or sales at the market pursuant to a
continuous  offering  stock  program;  (d) pursuant to the exercise of warrants,
rights (including,  without limitation,  earnout rights) or options, or upon the
conversion of convertible  securities,  which are issued and  outstanding on the
date  hereof,  or which may be issued in the  future  for fair value and with an
exercise price or conversion price at least equal to the current market price of
the Common Stock at the time of such  issuance).  In the event of a distribution
to  substantially  all  holders  of  Common  Stock of rights  to  subscribe  for
securities (other than those securities  referred to in clause (iii) above), the
Company may,  instead of making any  adjustment in the  Conversion  Price,  make
proper  provision so that each holder of a  Convertible  Note who converts  such
Convertible  Note after the record date for such  distribution  and prior to the
expiration  or  redemption of such rights shall be entitled to receive upon such
conversion, in addition to shares of Common Stock, an appropriate number of such
rights.  The Company is not required to make any  adjustment  in the  Conversion
Price of less than 1%, but instead such  adjustment  will be carried forward and
taken into account in the computation of any subsequent adjustment.

         In the Indenture,  the "current market price" per share of Common Stock
on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Daily Market Prices for the
shorter of (i) the date on which an event occurs or an act is taken,  or (ii) 30
consecutive business days ending on the last full trading day on the exchange or
market referred to in determining  such Daily Market Prices prior to the time of
determination  (as defined in the  Indenture) or (iii) the period  commencing on
the date next  succeeding the first public  announcement of the issuance of such
rights or warrants or such distribution through such last full trading day prior
to the time of determination.

         "Excess  Payment" means the excess of (A) the aggregate of the cash and
fair  market  value of other  consideration  paid by the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  with  respect to the shares  acquired in the tender offer or other
negotiated  transaction  over (B) the market value of such acquired shares after
giving  effect  to the  completion  of the  tender  offer  or  other  negotiated
transaction.

         In case of any merger or  consolidation  of the  Company or the sale or
conveyance by the Company of all or substantially all the assets of the Company,
the holder of each  outstanding  Note shall have the right to convert  such Note
only into the kind and  amount of  shares  of stock  and  other  securities  and
property (including cash) received in such transaction by a holder of the number
of shares of Common Stock into which such Note was convertible immediately prior
to the effective  date of such  transaction.  The meaning of the phrase "sale or
conveyance  by the  Company  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of the
Company" will be  determined  under New York law,  which governs the  Indenture.
Application  of the phrase to a  particular  sale of assets  will  depend on the
interpretation  given to the  phrase  by courts  construing  New York law at the
time, and by the specific facts and  circumstances of such sale.  Although there
is a developing body of case law  interpreting the phrase  "substantially  all,"
there is no precise  established  definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly,  the  applicability  of the  foregoing  provision  as a result of a
lease,  transfer or  conveyance of less than all of the assets of the Company to
another person or group may be uncertain.



<PAGE>




         The Company may from time to time  reduce the  Conversion  Price by any
amount for any period of at least 20 days,  in which case the Company shall give
at least 15 days'  notice of such  reduction,  if the Board of  Directors of the
Company  has  made a  determination  that  such  reduction  would be in the best
interests of the Company, which determination shall be conclusive.  In addition,
and without  limiting the  foregoing,  the Board of Directors may also make such
reductions in the  Conversion  Price as it deems  advisable to avoid or diminish
any income  tax to  holders  of Common  Stock  resulting  from any  dividend  or
distribution  of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as
such for income tax purposes.
See "Certain United States Tax Considerations."

         Certain  adjustments  (or the failure to make  certain  adjustments  in
certain  cases)  in the  Conversion  Price  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing
provisions  (other than to take account of a dividend of the Company's own stock
or a stock  split)  could be taxable  pursuant  to Section  305 of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  as a constructive  distribution to holders of
the Notes at the time of such adjustments in the Conversion Price.

Subordination of Notes

         The payment of the principal  of,  interest on or any other amounts due
on the Notes will be  subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Debt.  The Indenture does not restrict the amount of Senior Debt or other
indebtedness that may be incurred in the future by the Company or any subsidiary
of the  Company.  In addition,  the Notes will be  effectively  subordinated  to
claims of holders of any preferred stock and claims of creditors (other than the
Company) of the  Company's  subsidiaries,  including  trade  creditors,  secured
creditors, taxing authorities, creditors holding guarantees, and tort claimants.
In the event of a liquidation, reorganization, or similar proceeding relating to
a subsidiary,  these persons  generally  would have priority as to the assets of
such subsidiary over the claims and equity interest of the Company and,  thereby
indirectly,  holders of the Company's  indebtedness,  including the Notes. As of
September  30,  1996,  there  were  no  material   outstanding   liabilities  of
subsidiaries of the Company, but such liabilities may be incurred in the future.


         No payment on account of principal of,  redemption  of,  interest on or
any other amounts due on the Notes, including,  without limitation, any payments
with  respect  to a  Designated  Event,  and no  redemption,  purchase  or other
acquisition of the Notes may be made unless (i) full payment of amounts then due
on all Senior Debt have been made or duly  provided for pursuant to the terms of
the  instrument  governing  such  Senior  Debt,  and  (ii) at the time  for,  or
immediately  after giving effect to, any such payment,  redemption,  purchase or
other acquisition,  there shall not exist under any Senior Debt or any agreement
pursuant to which any Senior Debt has been issued,  any default  which shall not
have been cured or waived and which  shall have  resulted  in the full amount of
such Senior Debt being declared due and payable. In addition, the Indenture will
provide  that if any of the  holders  of any  issue of  Designated  Senior  Debt
notifies  (the  "Payment  Blockage  Notice")  the Company and the Trustee that a
default has occurred giving the holders of such Designated Senior Debt the right
to  accelerate  the  maturity  thereof,  no payment  on  account  of  principal,
redemption,  interest  or any other  amounts  due on the Notes and no  purchase,
redemption  or other  acquisition  of the Notes will be made for the period (the
"Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date the Payment Blockage Notice is
received  and  ending  on the  earlier  of (A) the date on which  such  event of
default  shall  have  been  cured or  waived  or (B) 90 days  after the date the
Payment Blockage Notice is received.  Notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject
to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this paragraph), unless the
holders of such  Designated  Senior Debt or the  representative  of such holders
shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated  Senior Debt, the Company
may resume payments on the Notes after the end of such Payment  Blockage Period.
Not  more  than one  Payment  Blockage  Notice  will be  treated  as such in any
consecutive 365-day period,  irrespective of the number of defaults with respect
to Senior Debt during such period.

         Upon any distribution of its assets in connection with any dissolution,
winding-up,  liquidation or reorganization of the Company or acceleration of the
principal  amount due on the Notes  because of an Event of  Default,  all Senior
Debt must be paid in full  before the  holders of the Notes are  entitled to any
payments whatsoever.

         If payment of the Notes is accelerated  because of an Event of Default,
the Company or the Trustee shall  promptly  notify the holders of Senior Debt or
the trustee (s) for such  Senior Debt of the  acceleration.  The Company may not
pay the Notes until five days after such  holders or  trustee(s)  of Senior Debt
receive


<PAGE>




notice of such  acceleration  and,  thereafter,  may pay the  Notes  only if the
subordination provisions of the Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.

         As a result  of these  subordination  provisions,  in the  event of the
Company's insolvency, holders of the Notes may recover ratably less than general
creditors of the Company.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

         The  certificates  representing  the  Notes  will be  issued  in  fully
registered form, without coupons. The Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, The Depository Trust Company,  New York, New York ("DTC"), and registered in
the  name  of  Cede & Co.,  as  DTC's  nominee  in the  form  of a  global  Note
certificate  (the  "Global  Certificate")  or will  remain in the custody of the
Trustee  pursuant to a FAST Balance  Certificate  Agreement  between DTC and the
Trustee.

Global Certificates

         Upon the issuance of the Global Certificate,  DTC or its custodian will
credit, on its internal system, the respective  principal amount of Notes of the
individual  beneficial  interests  represented by such Global Certificate to the
respective  accounts of persons who have  accounts  with such  depositary.  Such
accounts  initially  will be  designated  by or on behalf  of the  Underwriters.
Ownership of beneficial  interests in the Global  Certificate will be limited to
persons  who  have  accounts  with  DTC  ("participants")  or  persons  who hold
interests through  participants.  Ownership of beneficial  interests in a Global
Certificate  will be  shown  on,  and the  transfer  of that  ownership  will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to
interests of  participants)  and the records of  participants  (with  respect to
interests of persons other than participants).

         Conveyance  of  notices  and  other  communications  by DTC  to  Direct
Participants   (as  defined   herein),   by  Direct   Participants  to  Indirect
Participants  (as  defined  herein),  and by Direct  Participants  and  Indirect
Participants to beneficial owners,  will be governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any  statutory or  regulatory  requirements  as may be in effect from
time to time.

         Purchases  of Notes  under the DTC  system  must be made by or  through
Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Notes on DTC's records.
The  ownership  interest  of each  actual  purchaser  of each Note  ("Beneficial
Owner")  will in turn be  recorded  on the  Direct  and  Indirect  Participants'
records.  Beneficial  Owners will not receive written  confirmation  from DTC of
their  purchase,   but  Beneficial   Owners  are  expected  to  receive  written
confirmations  providing  details  of  the  transaction,  as  well  as  periodic
statements of their holdings,  from the Direct and Indirect  Participant through
which the  Beneficial  Owners  entered the  transaction.  Transfers of ownership
interests  in the Notes are to be  accomplished  by entries made on the books of
participants  acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners.  Beneficial Owners will not
receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the Notes, except
in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Notes is discontinued.

         So long as DTC, or its nominee,  is the  registered  owner or holder of
the  Global  Certificate,  DTC or such  nominee,  as the  case  may be,  will be
considered  the sole  owner or holder of the Notes  represented  by such  Global
Certificate  for all purposes  under the Indenture and the Notes.  No beneficial
owner of an interest  in the Global  Certificate  will be able to  transfer  the
interest except in accordance with DTC's applicable  procedures,  in addition to
those provided for under the Indenture.

         Payments of the principal  of, and interest on, the Global  Certificate
will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners
thereof.  Neither the  Company,  the Trustee nor any Paying  Agent will have any
responsibility  or  liability  for any  aspect  of the  records  relating  to or
payments  made on  account  of  beneficial  ownership  interests  in the  Global
Certificate of for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such  beneficial  ownership  interests,  subject to any  statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

         The  Company  expects  that DTC or its  nominee,  upon  receipt  of any
payment of  principal  or  interest in respect of the Global  Certificate,  will
credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts


<PAGE>




proportionate to their respective  beneficial  interests in the principal amount
of such Global  Certificate  as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee.  The
Company also  expects  that  payments by  participants  to owners of  beneficial
interests in such Global  Certificate  held through  such  participants  will be
governed by standing  instructions and customary  practices,  as is now the case
with  securities  held for the accounts of customers  registered in the names of
nominees for such customers.  Such payments will be the  responsibility  of such
participants.

         Transfers between  participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary
way in accordance with DTC rules. If a holder  requires  physical  delivery of a
certificated  note  for any  reason,  including  to sell  Notes  to  persons  in
jurisdictions which require such delivery of such Notes or to pledge such Notes,
such holder must transfer its interest in the Global  Certificate  in accordance
with the normal procedures of DTC and the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
Once an interest in the Global  Certificate is delivered as a certificated Note,
such  certificated  Note  may  be  exchanged  for  an  interest  in  the  Global
Certificate.

         The Company expects that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken
by a holder  of Notes  (including  the  presentation  of Notes for  exchange  as
described  below) only at the  direction  of one or more  participants  to whose
account  the DTC  interests  in a Global  Certificate  is  credited  and only in
respect of such  portion of the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Notes as to
which such participant or participants has or have given direction.  However, if
there is an Event of Default (as defined) under the Notes, DTC will exchange the
Global  Certificate  for  certificated  Notes,  which it will  distribute to its
participants.

         DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose  trust
company  organized  under the New York  Banking  Law, a  "banking  organization"
within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal  Reserve
System,  a "clearing  corporation"  within the  meaning of the New York  Uniform
Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"  registered  pursuant to the provisions
of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds  securities that its  participants
deposit with DTC. DTC also  facilitates  the settlement  among  participants  of
securities transactions,  such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities
through   electronic   computerized   book-entry  changes  in  accounts  of  its
participants,  thereby  eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations.  DTC is
owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC
system is also available to others such as banks, securities brokers and dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").

         Although  the  Company  expects  that DTC will  agree to the  foregoing
procedures  in  order  to  facilitate  transfers  of  interests  in  the  Global
Certificate among  participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or
continue to perform such procedures,  and such procedures may be discontinued at
any time.  Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any  responsibility for
the  performance  by  DTC  or its  Direct  or  Indirect  Participants  of  their
respective   obligations   under  the  rules  and  procedures   governing  their
operations.

         If DTC is at any time  unwilling  or unable to continue as a depositary
for a Global  Certificate  and a successor  depositary  is not  appointed by the
Company  within 90 days, the Company will issue  certificated  Notes in exchange
for the Global  Certificate.  The Company also may decide to discontinue  use of
the  system of  book-entry  transfers  through  DTC (or a  successor  securities
depository).  In that  event,  the  Company  will  issue  certificated  Notes in
exchange for the Global Certificate.

         The  information in this section  concerning  DTC and DTC's  book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that the Company  believes to be reliable,
but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Transfer and Exchange

         A  holder  may  transfer  or  exchange  Notes  in  accordance  with the
Indenture.  The  Registrar  and the Trustee  may  require a holder,  among other
things,  to furnish  appropriate  endorsements  and transfer  documents  and the
Company  may  require  a holder to pay any  taxes  and fees  required  by law or
permitted


<PAGE>




by the  Indenture.  The Company is not  required  to  exchange  or register  the
transfer of any Note selected for redemption.  Also, the Company is not required
to exchange or register  the transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days before
a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

         The registered  holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for
all purposes.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

         The Indenture  provides that the Company will not  consolidate  with or
merge  into  any  other  Person  or  sell,  convey,  transfer  or  lease  all or
substantially  all of its  properties  and assets to any  Person,  or permit any
Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company or sell,  convey,  transfer
or lease all or  substantially  all of its properties and assets to the Company,
unless (a)  either  the  Company  shall be the  continuing  Person or the Person
formed by such  consolidation  or into which the Company is merged or the Person
or  corporation  that acquires all or  substantially  all of its  properties and
assets is a  corporation,  partnership or trust  organized and validly  existing
under the laws of the United  States or any stated  thereof or the  District  of
Columbia and expressly assumes payment of the principal of and premium,  if any,
and interest on the Notes and  performance  and observance of each obligation of
the Company under the  Indenture,  (b)  immediately  after giving effect to such
transaction  and treating any  indebtedness  which  becomes an obligation of the
Company as a result of such  transaction  as having been incurred by the Company
at the time of such transaction,  no Event of Default, and no event which, after
notice or lapse of time or both,  would  become an Event of Default,  shall have
happened and be continuing, (c) such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer
or lease does not adversely affect the validity or  enforceability  of the Notes
and (d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel,  each stating that such consolidation,  merger,  conveyance,
transfer or lease complies with the provisions of the Indenture.

Events of Default

         The following are Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to
the Notes (even if the event is the failure to do an act which is  prohibited by
the subordination  provisions of the Indenture):  (a) failure to pay an interest
upon any Note when it becomes due and payable,  and  continuance of such default
for a period of 30 days;  (b) failure to pay the  principal of (or  premium,  if
any, on) any Note at its Maturity;  (c) failure to pay the  Redemption  Price or
the  Designated  Event  Payment  when and as due;  (d)  failure to  deposit  the
Redemption Price or Repurchase Price when and as due; (e) failure to perform, or
breach of, any  covenant or warranty of the Company in the  Indenture  continued
for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (f) default under
any  mortgage,  indenture  or  instrument  under which there may be issued or by
which there may be secured or evidenced any  Indebtedness  for money borrowed by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries),  whether such Indebtedness or guarantee
now  exists  or is  created  after  the  date  on  which  the  Notes  are  first
authenticated  and  issued,  which  default  (a) is caused  by a failure  to pay
principal  or  interest  due on such  Indebtedness  within the grace  period for
payment  provided  in such  Indebtedness  (which  failure  continues  beyond any
applicable   grace  period)  (a  "Payment   Default")  or  (b)  results  in  the
acceleration  of such  Indebtedness  prior to its express  maturity and, in each
case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal
amount of any  other  such  Indebtedness  under  which  there has been a Payment
Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $10 million
or more;  (g) one or more  judgments  or decrees  shall be entered  against  the
Company or any  Significant  Subsidiary  involving a liability of $10 million or
more in the aggregate and such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated,
discharged,  satisfied or stayed  pending appeal within 60 days from the date of
entry   thereof;   and  (h)  certain   events  of   bankruptcy,   insolvency  or
reorganization of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.

         If an Event of Default  with  respect to the Notes  shall  occur and be
continuing,  the  Trustee  or the  holders  of not less  than  25% in  aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of all
Notes to be due and  payable.  The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee
quarterly  statements as to any default in the performance by the Company of its
obligations under the Indenture. Under certain circumstances, any declaration of
acceleration with respect to the Notes may be rescinded and past defaults may be
waived by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the


<PAGE>




outstanding  Notes. The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall give notice to
the  holders of the Notes of any  default  known to it as  provided in the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939.

         No holder of any Note will have any right individually to institute any
proceeding  with respect to the  Indenture or for any remedy under the Indenture
unless (i) the holder  previously  has given to the Trustee  written notice of a
continuing  Event of Default,  (ii) holders of not less than 25%of the aggregate
principal  amount of the  outstanding  Notes  have made  written  request to the
Trustee to  institute a  proceeding,  (iii) such  holder has offered  reasonable
indemnity to the Trustee,  (iv) the Trustee has not received from the holders of
a majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the outstanding  Notes a direction
inconsistent  with the request and (v) the Trustee has failed to institute  such
proceeding  within 60 days.  However,  these  limitations do not apply to a suit
instituted by a holder of a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal
of an premium,  if any, or interest on such Note on or after the  respective due
dates  expressed in such Note or of the right to convert the Note in  accordance
with the Indenture.

Modifications, Amendment and Waivers

         Modifications and amendment of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the  Trustee  with the  consent of the  holders of a majority  in  aggregate
principal  amount of the  outstanding  Notes;  provided,  however,  that no such
modification  or  amendment  may,  without  the  consent  of the  holder of each
outstanding  Note,  (a) change the Stated  Maturity of the  principal of, or any
installment  of interest on such Note,  (b) reduce the  principal  amount of, or
premium  payable  upon  redemption,  or  interest  on such Note,  (c) modify the
conversion or  subordination  provisions of the Indenture  (except to reduce the
Conversion Price as permitted),  (d) change the place or currency of payment of,
or premium,  if any, or interest to convert  such Note,  (e) modify or adversely
affect the right to require the Company to  repurchase  Notes upon a  Designated
Event,  (f) impair the right to institute  suit for the  enforcement of any such
payment  on or with  respect  to such Note,  or (g)  reduce  the  percentage  in
principal amount of outstanding  Notes, the consent of whose holders is required
for  modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.

         Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  without  the consent of any holder of
Notes,  the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the
Notes  to  cure  any  ambiguity,   defect  or  inconsistency,   to  provide  for
uncertificated  Notes  in  addition  to or in place of  certificated  Notes,  to
provide for the assumption of the Company's  obligations to holders of the Notes
in the case of a merger or consolidation,  to make any change that would provide
any  additional  rights or benefits to the holders of the Notes or that does not
adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder,  or to
comply with requirements of the Commission in order to qualify,  or maintain the
qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

         The  holders  of a  majority  in  aggregate  principal  amount  of  the
outstanding  Notes may, on behalf of all holders of Notes,  waive  compliance by
the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, on behalf
of all holders of Notes, waive any past default under the Indenture with respect
to the Notes,  except (a) a default in the payment of principal  of, or premium,
if any, or interest on, the Notes,  (b) failure to convert the Notes,  or (c) in
respect of a provision  which under the Indenture  cannot be modified or amended
without consent of the holder of each outstanding Note.

Payments for Consent

         Neither  the  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  shall,  directly or
indirectly,  pay or  cause  to be  paid  any  consideration,  whether  by way of
interest,  fee or otherwise,  to any holder of any Notes for or as an inducement
to any consent,  waiver or amendment  of any of the terms or  provisions  of the
Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed
to be paid to all holders of the Notes that consent,  waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.

Certain Definitions



<PAGE>




         Set forth  below  are  certain  defined  terms  used in the  Indenture.
Reference is made to the Indenture for a full  disclosure of all such terms,  as
well as any other  capitalized  terms  used  herein for which no  definition  is
provided.

         "Capital  Stock" means any and all shares,  interests,  participations,
rights or other  equivalents  (however  designated)  of equity  interests in any
entity,   including,   without  limitation,   corporate  stock  and  partnership
interests.

         "Designated  Senior  Debt" means any Senior Debt which,  at the date of
determination,  has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or commitments
to lend up to,  at least  $25  million  and is  specifically  designated  by the
Company  in  the  instrument   evidencing  or  governing  such  Senior  Debt  as
"Designated Senior Debt" for purposes of the Indenture.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting  principles set forth in the
opinions and pronounce ments of the Accounting  Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public  Accountants and statements and  pronouncements of
the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board or in such other  statements by such
other  entity as may be  approved  by a  significant  segment of the  accounting
profession  of the  United  States,  which  are in  effect  as of  the  date  of
preparation  of a financial  statement or the date that a  particular  action is
taken or event occurs.

         "Indebtedness"  means,  with  respect to any person,  all  obligations,
whether or not contingent, of such person (i) (a) for borrowed money (including,
but not limited to, any indebtedness secured by a security interest, mortgage or
other lien on the assets of such person which is (1) given to secure all or part
of the purchase price of property subject  thereto,  whether given to the vendor
of such  property  or to  another,  or (2)  existing  on property at the time of
acquisition thereof), (b) evidenced by a note, debenture,  bond or other written
instrument, (c) under a lease required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of
the  lessee  under  GAAP or under any lease or  related  document  (including  a
purchase  agreement) which provides that such person is contractually  obligated
to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased  property,  (d) in
respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances,  (e) with
respect to Indebtedness secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge
or adverse claim  affecting  title or resulting in an  encumbrance  to which the
property or assets of such  person are  subject,  whether or not the  obligation
secured  thereby shall have been assumed or guaranteed by or shall  otherwise be
such  person's  legal  liability,  (f) in respect of the balance of deferred and
unpaid  purchase  price of any property or assets,  (g) under  interest  rate or
currency swap  agreements,  cap, floor and collar  agreements,  spot and forward
contracts  and similar  agreements  and  arrangements;  (ii) with respect to any
obligation of others of the type described in the preceding  clause (i) or under
clause (iii) below  assumed by or  guaranteed in any manner by such person or in
effect  guaranteed by such person  through an agreement to purchase  (including,
without  limitations  "take or pay" and  similar  arrangements),  contingent  or
otherwise  (and the  obligations  of such  person  under  any such  assumptions,
guarantees  or  other  such  arrangements);  and  (iii)  any and all  deferrals,
renewals,   extensions,   refinancings   and   refundings   of,  or  amendments,
modifications or supplements to, any of the foregoing.

         "Material  Subsidiary"  means any  Subsidiary of the Company which is a
"significant  subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act (as such Regulation is in effect on the date
hereof).

         "Senior Debt" means the principal of, interest on and other amounts due
on Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture
or thereafter created,  incurred,  assumed or guaranteed by the Company, unless,
in the instrument  creating or evidencing or pursuant to which  Indebtedness  is
outstanding,  it is expressly  provided that such  Indebtedness is not senior in
right of  payment  to the  Notes.  Senior  Debt  includes,  with  respect to the
obligations  described above,  interest accruing,  pursuant to the terms of such
Senior  Debt,  on or after  the  filing of any  petition  in  bankruptcy  or for
reorganization  relating to the Company,  whether or not post-filing interest is
allowed in such  proceeding,  at the rate specified in the instrument  governing
the  relevant  obligation.  Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary  in the
foregoing, Senior Debt shall not include: (a) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by
the Company for compensation to employees,  or for goods,  services or materials
purchased in


<PAGE>




the ordinary course of business; (b) Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary
of the Company;  or (c) any liability for Federal,  state,  local or other taxes
owed or owing by the Company.

         "Subsidiary"  means  any  corporation,  association  or other  business
entity of which  more than 50% of the total  voting  power of shares of  Capital
Stock entitled  (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in
the election of directors,  managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
controlled,  directly or  indirectly,  by any person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

Governing Law

         The  Indenture  and Notes will be governed and  construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York  without  giving  effect to such  state's
conflicts of laws principles.

Information Concerning the Trustee

         The  Indenture  contains  certain  limitations  on  the  rights  of the
Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims
in certain  cases or to realize on certain  property  received in respect of any
such claim as security or otherwise. Subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended,  the Company and its  Subsidiaries may maintain deposit accounts and
conduct other banking  transactions  with the Trustee in the ordinary  course of
business;  however,  if  the  Trustee  acquires  any  conflicting  interest,  as
described in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.


                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Preferred Stock

         The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par  value  $.01,  of which no  shares  have been  issued.  Under the  Company's
Articles of  Incorporation,  the  Company's  Board of Directors  is  authorized,
without  shareholder  action, to issue preferred stock in one or more series and
to fix the number of shares and the rights,  preferences and limitations of each
series.  Among  the  specific  matters  that may be  determined  by the Board of
Directors  are the dividend  rate,  the  redemption  price,  if any,  conversion
rights, if any, the amount payable in the event of any voluntary  liquidation or
dissolution of the Company and voting rights, if any.

Common Stock

         The Company is authorized to issue  35,000,000  shares of Common Stock,
par value $.01, of which 15,091,236 were issued and outstanding at September 30,
1996.  Holders of Common  Stock are  entitled  to one vote for each share  held.
Shareholders  do not have  preemptive  rights or the right to cumulate votes for
the  election  of  directors.  Shares are not subject to  redemption  nor to any
liability for further calls.  All shares of Common Stock issued and  outstanding
are, and all the shares issued on conversion of the Notes offered by the Company
hereby when  issued  will be,  validly  issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable.
Holders of the  Common  Stock are  entitled  to  receive  dividends  as they are
declared by the board of directors out of funds legally  available  therefor and
are  entitled  to  participate  in the  assets  of  the  Company  available  for
distribution  in the event of  liquidation or  dissolution.  See "Price Range of
Common Stock and Dividend  Policy." At September 30, 1996, there were shares, in
the aggregate,  reserved for issuance under the Company's stock option plans, of
which  1,232,646,  in the  aggregate,  were subject to outstanding  options.  In
addition,  41,250  shares  were  reserved  for  issuance  upon the  exercise  of
outstanding options granted outside the Company's option plans. The Company does
not currently  have any plans to issue  additional  shares of Common Stock other
than pursuant to its 1990 Stock  Compensation  Plan, its 1990 Nonqualified Plan,
or its Employee Stock Purchase Plan.



<PAGE>




Antitakeover Measures

         The board of directors adopted amendments  ("Antitakeover Measures") to
the  Company's  bylaws on August 14,  1995,  designed  to protect  shareholders'
rights in the event of an  acquisition  of control by an outsider  that does not
have the support of the board of directors. The primary amendment classifies the
board  of  directors.  Other  Antitakeover  Measures  adopted  by the  board  of
directors  include  supermajority  approval by the  shareholders for (i) sale of
substantially all of the assets of the Company,  merger or issuances of stock to
certain   shareholders  unless  approved  by  Continuing  Directors  (as  herein
defined);  (ii)  removal  of  directors;   and  (iii)  amendment  or  repeal  of
Antitakeover  Measures.  The  Antitakeover  Measures could result in a denial or
reduction to  shareholders  of potential  premiums over market often afforded by
tender offers, the ability of management or less than a majority of shareholders
to thwart  transactions which may be desirable or beneficial to shareholders and
increased difficulty to alter management of the Company.

         As  amended,  the  bylaws  provide  that the board of  directors  shall
consist of seven (7) directors,  and the number may be increased or decreased by
a majority of the  Continuing  Directors,  provided that the number of directors
shall  never be less than  three (3) nor more than nine (9)  members.  Under the
amended  bylaws,  at the Annual Meeting held on May 14, 1996, two directors were
elected to serve terms expiring at the 1997 Annual Meeting, three directors were
elected to serve terms  expiring at the 1998 Annual  Meeting,  and two directors
were elected to serve terms expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
In all cases, the directors will hold office until their  respective  successors
have been duly elected and have qualified.  Vacancies  occurring on the board of
directors may be filled by the board of directors for the unexpired  term of the
replacement  director's  predecessor in office. At future annual meetings,  each
nominee for director that is elected will be elected to serve a three year term.

         The  Antitakeover  Measures also provide for the affirmative vote of at
least sixty-six and two thirds percent  (66-2/3%) of the  outstanding  shares of
the capital stock of the Company  entitled to vote  generally in the election of
directors  ("Supermajority  Vote") on certain corporate actions. A Supermajority
Vote is required to sell,  assign or dispose of the Company's assets or to merge
with  another  corporation  or entity if such  transaction  is not approved by a
majority of the  directors  then in office who were  directors  for the two-year
period  ending on the date  notice of the  meeting or  written  consent is first
provided  to  shareholders  (the  "Continuing  Directors")  or to enter into any
transaction, including the issuance or transfer of securities of the Company, to
any  holder of twenty  percent  (20%) of the  outstanding  capital  stock of the
Company.  A Supermajority  Vote is also required to remove one or more directors
or to amend or repeal the provisions that contain  Antitakeover  Measures in the
bylaws adopted by the board of directors.


Transfer Agent

         American  Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company,  New York,  New York is the
transfer agent and registrar for the Notes.

                    CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS

         The following  summary of the United States  federal  income and estate
tax  consequences of investing in the Notes is necessarily  general and does not
cover all tax issues. It does not take into account foreign,  state or local tax
consequences or the particular circumstances of any investor. The summary is not
intended  as a  substitute  for  careful  and  independent  review  of  the  tax
consequences of an investment in the Notes by each investor and its professional
advisors.  Before  deciding to invest in the Notes,  each  prospective  investor
should consult its own tax advisor concerning the foreign, federal, state, local
and other tax laws that may apply to its investment.

         The following  summary and opinions of counsel are based upon currently
existing  United States  federal  income and estate tax  statutes,  regulations,
interpretative  rulings  and  judicial  decisions.  Legislative,  regulatory  or
interpretative changes, future court decisions or specific tax treaty provisions
may significantly  modify the statements made herein or the opinions  expressed.
Any such changes may or may not be retroactively applied to transactions entered
into or completed prior to the change.


<PAGE>




         The  opinions  set  forth  below  merely  represent  counsel's  present
judgment  on  the  specific   issues   addressed   based  on  the   assumptions,
qualifications  and conditions  described  herein.  The opinions have no binding
effect or legal  status of any kind,  and the  United  States  Internal  Revenue
Service ("IRS") or a court may take a position contrary to counsel's opinion.

         As used  herein,  "United  States  Holder"  means a holder of a Note or
Common  Stock  acquired  upon  conversion  of a Note that is for  United  States
federal  income tax purposes (i) an  individual  who is a citizen or resident of
the United States,  its  territories,  possessions or other areas subject to its
jurisdiction,  (ii) a  corporation,  partnership  or  other  entity  created  or
organized  in or  under  the  laws  of the  United  States  or of any  political
subdivision thereof, or (iii) any estate or trust the income of which is subject
to United States federal income taxation  regardless of its source.  (Generally,
for tax years beginning after December 31, 1996, a trust will be a United States
Holder only if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise  primary
supervision  over the  administration  of the trust, and (ii) one or more United
States   fiduciaries  have  the  authority  to  control  all  substantial  trust
decisions.)  "Non-United States Holder" means a holder of a Note or Common Stock
acquired upon conversion of a Note who is not a United States Holder.

         Subject to the  foregoing,  in the  opinion of Jenkens &  Gilchrist,  A
Professional  Corporation,  tax counsel to the Company, the following discussion
accurately   describes  (i)  the  material  United  States  federal  income  tax
consequences of the ownership and disposition of Notes and Common Stock acquired
upon  conversion of Notes  applicable to  Non-United  States  Holders and United
States  Holders  who will  acquire  and own such Notes  and/or  Common  Stock as
"capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and whose
taxable  year is a calendar  year within the meaning of Section 441 of the Code,
and (ii) the United  States  estate tax  consequences  of the ownership of Notes
and/or Common Stock for individual Non-United States Holders.

United States Holders

Stated Interest

         A United States Holder will be required to report as income for federal
income tax purposes interest earned on the Notes in accordance with the holder's
method of tax  accounting.  A United States  Holder using the accrual  method of
accounting for tax purposes is, as a general rule,  required to include interest
in ordinary  income as such interest  accrues,  while a cash basis United States
Holder must include  interest in income when cash payments are received (or made
available for receipt) by such holder.

Market Discount on Resale of Notes

         The resale of Notes may be affected by the market  discount  provisions
of the Code.  These  rules  generally  provide  that if a United  States  Holder
purchased  such Notes  (other  than in an original  issue) at a market  discount
equal to at least 0.25% of its stated  redemption  price at maturity  (generally
its principal  amount)  multiplied by the number of complete years from the date
of acquisition to maturity,  and thereafter  recognizes  gain upon a disposition
(including  a gift) of the Notes  (or the  Common  Stock  into  which  they were
converted),  the  lesser  of (i) such  gain (or  appreciation,  in the case of a
gift),  or (ii) the portion of the market  discount that accrued while the Notes
were held by such  holder,  will be treated as ordinary  interest  income at the
time of the  disposition.  For these  purposes,  (i) market  discount  means the
excess, if any, of the stated redemption price of the Notes at maturity over the
basis  of  the  Notes  in  the  hands  of  such  holder  immediately  after  its
acquisition,  and  (ii)  market  discount  accrues  ratably  from  the  date  of
acquisition  until the date of maturity  unless the holder makes an  irrevocable
election to accrue market discount under a constant  interest rate basis similar
to the accrual of interest with respect to original  issue  discount.  The rules
also provide that a United States Holder who acquires Notes at a market discount
may be  required  to defer the  deduction  of all or a portion  of any  interest
expense  that may  otherwise  be  deductible  on any  indebtedness  incurred  or
continued  to  purchase  or carry such Notes  until the holder  disposes of such
Notes in a taxable transaction.

         On or after November , 1999, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole
or in part,  prior to maturity.  The Code  includes a rule for the  treatment of
market discount on debt instruments where the


<PAGE>




principal  is paid in more  than one  installment.  This rule  would  apply to a
United States  Holder if such  holder's  Notes were redeemed in part. In such an
event, the United States Holder would be required to include in gross income (as
ordinary  income)  the lesser of (i) the  principal  payment or (ii) the accrued
market discount.  The amount of accrued market discount shall be reduced by such
amount included in gross income.

         A United States Holder of Notes acquired at a market discount may elect
to  include  market  discount  in income as the  discount  accrues,  either on a
ratable  basis or on a constant  interest  rate  basis.  The  current  inclusion
election,  once made, applies to all market discount  obligations acquired on or
after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and
may not be revoked  without the consent of the IRS.  If a United  States  Holder
elects to include  market  discount in income in  accordance  with the preceding
sentence,  the  foregoing  rules with respect to (i) the  recognition  of market
discount income on sales and certain other  dispositions of such Notes, (ii) the
deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related to such Notes, and (iii)
the recognition of market  discount  income upon the partial  redemption of such
Notes, would not apply.

Amortizable Bond Premium

         The resale of any Notes may be  affected by the bond  premium  rules of
the Code. Generally,  if the tax basis of Notes immediately after their purchase
exceeds the amount payable at maturity of the Notes,  such excess may constitute
amortizable  bond  premium that the United  States  Holder may elect to amortize
under the  constant  interest  rate method  over the period  from such  holder's
acquisition  date to the Notes' maturity date. In the case of convertible  debt,
such as the Notes,  the  amortizable  bond  premium does not include any premium
that is  attributable  to the conversion  feature.  In addition,  in the case of
obligations,  such as the  Notes,  which may be called  prior to  maturity,  the
earlier  call date is  treated  as the  maturity  date,  and the  amount of bond
premium is  determined  by treating the amount  payable on such call date as the
amount  payable at  maturity,  if such  calculation  produces  a smaller  annual
premium  deduction than the method  described  above.  If a United States Holder
elects to amortize bond premium,  if any, on the Notes and is required under the
rule described in the preceding  sentence to amortize and deduct bond premium by
reference to such a call date and the Notes are not  redeemed on such date,  the
remaining  unamortized premium will be amortized to a succeeding call date or to
maturity in accordance with the foregoing rules.

         An election to amortize bond premium  applies to all bonds  acquired by
the  United  States  Holder  at a  premium  during  the  year  of  election  and
thereafter, unless the IRS consents to a revocation of the election. Amortizable
bond  premium on a Note is treated as an offset to  interest  income on the Note
and  not  as  a  separate  deduction,  unless  otherwise  provided  in  Treasury
regulations.  Recently  proposed  Treasury  regulations  would continue to treat
amortizable  bond premium only as an offset to interest  income on the Note. The
Notes' basis must be reduced by any  amortizable  bond premium applied to reduce
interest  under this rule.  Amortizable  bond premium on a Note held by a United
States Holder who does not elect to amortize bond premium will decrease the gain
or increase the loss  otherwise  recognized on  disposition  of a Note or Common
Stock into which a Note is converted.

Conversion of Notes into Common Stock

         A  United  States  Holder  should  not  recognize  gain  or loss on the
conversion of the Notes solely into shares of Common Stock,  except with respect
to cash  received  either in lieu of a  fractional  share or with respect to any
accrued  interest  payable on the Notes converted and not subject to a repayment
obligation to the Company (see  "--Description  of Notes - Conversion")  and not
previously  included in income.  Any interest accrued on the Notes converted but
not  payable  or  recoverable  by the  Company  (see  "--Description  of Notes -
Conversion")  should not be  included in the income of the holder of such Notes.
The holding period of the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion of the
Notes will  include the period  during which the Notes were held  (provided  the
Notes were a capital asset in the hands of the holder prior to the  conversion).
The holder's  aggregate  tax basis in the shares of Common Stock  received  upon
conversion of the Notes will be equal to the holder's aggregate tax basis in the
Notes  exchanged  therefor (less a portion  thereof  allocable to any fractional
share).  A United  States  Holder will  recognize  taxable  gain or loss on cash
received in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock in an amount equal to the
difference  between the amount of cash  received and the holder's  basis in such
fractional share. Such


<PAGE>




gain or loss  should  be a  capital  gain or loss if the  fractional  share is a
capital asset in the hands of the holder.

         If Notes as to which there is accrued  market  discount  are  converted
into shares of Common  Stock,  such accrued  market  discount will carry over to
such shares of Common Stock (to the extent that such accrued market discount has
not previously been included in the holder's  income) and any gain realized upon
a subsequent  disposition of such shares of Common Stock,  to the extent of such
accrued market discount,  may be taxable as ordinary  interest  income.  See "--
United States Holders--Market Discount on Resale of Notes."

         Certain  adjustments  (or the failure to make  certain  adjustments  in
certain  cases)  in the  conversion  price of the  Notes  made  pursuant  to the
provisions of the Indenture may be deemed taxable distributions to United States
Holders  pursuant to Section 305 of the Code,  whether or not such  holders ever
exercise their conversion  privilege.  In addition,  the failure to adjust fully
the  conversion  price  of the  Notes  to  reflect  distributions  of any  stock
dividends  with respect to the Common Stock (or rights to acquire  Common Stock)
may be deemed taxable  distributions to the holders of the Common Stock pursuant
to  Section  305 of the Code.  Such  deemed  distributions  will be taxable as a
dividend,  return  of  capital  or  capital  gain in  accordance  with the rules
discussed under "--United States Holders-Distributions on Common Stock."

Distributions on Common Stock

         Distributions  paid on shares of Common  Stock or deemed  distributions
under Section 305 of the Code (see "--United States  Holders-Conversion of Notes
Into Common Stock") will  constitute  dividends for United States federal income
tax purposes to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated  earnings and
profits  and will be  includible  in the  income  of a United  States  Holder as
ordinary income. Dividends paid or deemed paid to United States Holders that are
United States corporations may qualify for a dividends-received deduction.

         To the  extent,  if any,  that such  distributions  exceed  current and
accumulated  earnings  and profits of the  Company,  such excess will be treated
first as a  non-taxable  return of capital  reducing the  holder's  basis in the
shares of Common  Stock.  Any  remaining  excess  of such  distribution  will be
treated as capital gain.

Disposition of Notes or Common Stock

         In general,  United States Holders will recognize gain or loss upon the
sale,  redemption,  retirement or other disposition of the Notes or Common Stock
measured by the difference  between the amount of cash and the fair market value
of  property  received  (except to the  extent  attributable  to the  payment of
accrued  interest which was not previously  included in income) and the holder's
tax basis in the Notes or Common Stock. In this regard, a United States Holder's
tax basis in the Notes generally will equal the basis of the Notes upon issuance
to the holder (generally the amount paid for the Notes), increased by the amount
of market  discount,  if any,  previously  taken  into  income by the  holder or
decreased by any bond premium  theretofore  amortized by the holder with respect
to the Notes.  The gain on the sale or  redemption  of the Notes or Common Stock
should be long-term capital gain (except as discussed in the second paragraph of
"-- United  States  Holders-Conversion  of Notes into  Common  Stock" and in "--
United States Holders-Market Discount on Resale of Notes") provided the Notes or
Common  Stock were  capital  assets in the hands of the holder and had been held
for more than the then applicable period (currently one year).

Backup Withholding

         Under the Code, a United  States  Holder may be subject,  under certain
circumstances, to "backup withholding" at a 31% rate with respect to payments in
respect  of  interest  or  dividends  on the Notes or Common  Stock or the gross
proceeds from the disposition thereof.  This withholding  generally applies only
if the  holder  (i) fails to  furnish  its  social  security  or other  taxpayer
identification  number ("TIN"),  (ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to
report   properly   interest  or  dividends,   or  (iv)  fails,   under  certain
circumstances,  to  provide a  certified  statement,  signed  under  penalty  of
perjury,  that the TIN provided is its correct number and that it is not subject
to backup withholding. Any amount withheld from a payment


<PAGE>




to a holder under the backup  withholding rules is allowable as a credit against
such  holder's  federal  income  tax  liability,   provided  that  the  required
information  is furnished to the IRS.  United States Holder should consult their
tax advisors as to their  qualifications  for exemption from backup  withholding
and the  procedure for obtaining  such an exemption.  Prospective  purchasers of
Notes will be required  to complete a Form W-9 in order to provide the  required
information  to the  Company.  A United  States  Holder who does not provide the
Company with the holder's correct TIN may be subject to penalties imposed by the
IRS.

         The Company will report to each United States  Holder,  and the IRS the
amount of any "reportable payments" for each calendar year and the amount of tax
withheld, if any, with respect to payments on the Notes.

Non-United States Holders

Interest

         Payments of principal  and interest on the Notes to  Non-United  States
Holders  will not be  subject to the  generally  applicable  30%  United  States
federal  withholding  tax,  provided  that, in the case of interest,  one of the
following is satisfied:

         (1)      i. the beneficial owner does not actually orconstructively own
                  10% or more of the total combined  voting power of all classes
                  of stock  of the  Company  entitled  to vote as  described  in
                  Section 871(h)(3);

                  ii.      the beneficial owner is not a bank receiving interest
                  described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code;

                  iii.     the beneficial owner is not a controlled foreign
                  corporation within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code
                  that is related to the Company through stock ownership; and

                  iv.      either:

                           (A) the  beneficial  owner of the  Notes  provides  a
                  properly  completed  IRS  Form  W-8  (Certificate  of  Foreign
                  Status)   certifying  to  the  person  otherwise  required  to
                  withhold  United States federal income tax from such interest,
                  under  penalties  of perjury,  that it is not a United  States
                  person and provides its name and address; or

                           (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other
                  financial  institution that holds customers' securities in the
                  ordinary  course  of  its  trade  or  business  (a  "financial
                  institution"),  and  holds  the  Notes,  provides  a  properly
                  completed  IRS  Form  W-8  certifying  to  the  Company  under
                  penalties of perjury,  that a properly  completed IRS Form W-8
                  has  been  received  from the  beneficial  owner by it or by a
                  financial  institution between it and the beneficial owner and
                  furnishes the payor with a copy thereof;

         (2) the beneficial  owner is entitled to an exemption from or reduction
         of the United States federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty
         to which the United States is a party and the  beneficial  owner of the
         Notes or such owner's agent provides a properly completed IRS Form 1001
         (Ownership,  Exemption  or  Reduced  Rate  Certificate)  claiming  such
         exemption or reduction; or

         (3) the  beneficial  owner  conducts a trade or  business in the United
         States  to  which  the  interest  is  effectively   connected  and  the
         beneficial owner of the Notes or such owner's agent provides a properly
         completed IRS Form 4224  (Exemption  From  Withholding of Tax on Income
         Effectively  Connected  With the  Conduct of a Trade or Business in the
         United States);

provided  that in each such case,  none of the persons  receiving  the  relevant
certification  or IRS Form has actual  knowledge that the  certification  or any
statement on the IRS Form is false.



<PAGE>




         Interest on Notes that is  effectively  connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States by a Non-United  States Holder,  although
exempt from  withholding  tax, may be subject to United  States income tax as if
such interest was earned by a United States Holder.

         A beneficial  owner of the Notes,  or, in certain cases,  its agent, is
required to submit the appropriate  IRS Forms  described above under  applicable
procedures to the person through which the owner directly holds the Notes.  Each
other  person  through  which  Notes  are held  must  submit,  on  behalf of the
beneficial  owner,  the IRS  Form (or in  certain  cases a copy  thereof)  under
applicable  procedures to the person through which it holds the Notes, until the
IRS Form is received by the United States person who would otherwise be required
to  withhold  United  States  federal  income  tax from  interest  on the Notes.
Applicable  procedures  include  additional  certification   requirements  if  a
beneficial owner provides an IRS Form W-8 to a financial  institution that holds
the Notes on its behalf.

         Each  Non-United  States  Holder  should  be aware  that if it does not
properly  provide the required IRS Form, or if the IRS Form (or, if permissible,
a copy of such Form) is not properly  transmitted  to and received by the United
States person  otherwise  required to withhold United States federal income tax,
interest on the Notes may be subject to United States  withholding  tax at a 30%
rate. Such tax, however, may in certain  circumstances be allowed as a refund or
as a credit  against  such  holder's  United  States  federal  income  tax.  The
foregoing does not deal with all aspects of federal income tax withholding  that
may be relevant to Non-United States Holders. Investors are therefore advised to
consult their own tax advisors for specific advice  concerning the ownership and
disposition of Notes.


Conversion of Notes into Common Stock

         No United States federal income tax will be imposed upon  conversion of
Notes  into  shares of Common  Stock by a  Non-United  States  Holder  except as
described below in "-- Non-United States  HoldersDisposition  of Notes or Common
Stock"  with  respect  to the  receipt of cash in lieu of  fractional  shares by
certain  holders upon  conversion  of Notes.  As  described in "--United  States
Holders-Conversion  of Notes Into  Common  Stock,"  certain  adjustments  to the
conversion price of the Notes may be a deemed  distribution  pursuant to Section
305 of the Code regardless of whether or not the holder exercises its conversion
privilege. (See "--Non-United States Holders-Distributions on Common Stock.")

Distributions on Common Stock

         The Company has never paid a cash  dividend  and does not expect to pay
dividends  in the  foreseeable  future  with  respect to its  Common  Stock (see
"--Price  Range of Common  Stock and  Dividend  Policy").  In the event that the
Company  pays  dividends  with  respect  to its  Common  Stock  in  the  future,
Non-United  States Holders should consult with their tax advisors  regarding the
tax consequences of receiving a dividend on Common Stock.

         Certain  adjustments  to the  conversion  price of the  Notes  may be a
deemed  distribution  to  NonUnited  States  Holders (see  "--Non-United  States
Holders-Conversion  of Notes Into  Common  Stock").  The maximum  United  States
withholding tax on such deemed  distributions  would be 30%.  Non-United  States
Holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of
such a deemed distribution.

Disposition of Notes or Common Stock

         Generally,  a  Non-United  States  Holder will not be subject to United
States  federal  income or  withholding  tax on any gain  realized  on the sale,
exchange,  redemption  or  repurchase  of Notes or upon the sale,  exchange  or,
generally,  redemption  of  the  Company's  Common  Stock  (including  any  gain
representing  accrued market  discount or attributable to the receipt of cash in
lieu of  fractional  shares  upon  conversion  of the Notes  into  shares of the
Company's Common Stock), unless:

                  (1)      such  gain  is effectively connected with the conduct
         of a trade or business within the United States by such holder;


<PAGE>




                  (2) such holder is an  individual  who has been present in the
         United  States  for at least 183 days  during the  taxable  year of the
         disposition,  the Notes or Common Stock are capital assets and (i) such
         individual's  "tax  home" for  federal  income tax  purposes  is in the
         United  States or (ii) the gain is  attributable  to an office or other
         fixed  place  of  business  maintained  in the  United  States  by such
         individual; or

                  (3) the Company is or has been a "United  States real property
         holding corporation" for federal income tax purposes and the Non-United
         States person owned,  directly or pursuant to certain attribution rules
         at  any  time  during  the  five-year  period  ending  on the  date  of
         disposition,  more than 5% of the Company's  Common Stock (assuming the
         Common  Stock  continues  to be  regularly  traded  on  an  established
         securities market).

The Company  believes that it is currently a United States real property holding
corporation.

Estate Tax

         Notes owned by an  individual  who, at the time of death,  is neither a
citizen  nor  domiciliary  of the  United  States  will not be subject to United
States  federal  estate  tax as a  result  of  such  individual's  death  if the
individual  does not  actually  or  constructively  own 10% or more of the total
combined  voting  power of all classes of stock of the Company  entitled to vote
and the income on the Notes  would not have been  effectively  connected  with a
United States trade or business of the individual.  Shares of Common Stock owned
(or treated as owned) by an individual  who, at the time of death,  is neither a
citizen nor a domiciliary of the United States, will be includible in his or her
gross  estate for United  States  federal  estate tax  purposes  and thus may be
subject to United  States  estate tax,  unless an  applicable  estate tax treaty
provides otherwise.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

         Under  the  Code,  information  reporting  requirements  will  apply to
payments of principal and interest on the Notes, payments of dividends on Common
Stock,  payments  of the  proceeds  of the sale of a Note,  and  payments of the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock to certain noncorporate  holders, and a 31%
backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if the holder fails to provide
an accurate taxpayer  identification  number in the manner required or to report
all interest and dividends required to be shown on its federal tax returns.

         Information  reporting on IRS Form 1099 and backup withholding will not
apply to  principal or interest  payments  made on the Notes by the Company or a
paying agent to a Non-United States Holder if, in the case of interest,  the IRS
Form  described  above  in  clauses  (2)  or  (3)  under  "--Non-United   States
Holders-Interest" has been provided under applicable procedures, or, in the case
of interest or principal,  the  certification  described above in clause (1)(iv)
under "--  Non-United  States  Holders-Interest"  and a  certification  that the
Non-United  States Holder satisfies  certain other conditions have been supplied
under  applicable  procedures,  provided  that the  payor  does not have  actual
knowledge that the certifications are incorrect.

         Payments of the proceeds  from the sale of the Notes or Common Stock to
or through the United States  office of a broker will be subject to  information
reporting and backup  withholding  unless the NonUnited  States Holder certifies
that it is a Non-United  States  Holder under  penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes  an exemption  from  information  reporting and backup  withholding.
Payments of the  proceeds  from the sale of the Notes or Common Stock made to or
through  a  foreign  office  of a  broker  generally  will  not  be  subject  to
information  reporting or backup  withholding;  however, if such broker is (1) a
United States person,  (2) a controlled  foreign  corporation,  or (3) a foreign
person that  derives 50% or more of its gross income from the conduct of a trade
or business in the United  States,  such payment will be subject to  information
reporting (but currently not backup  withholding,  although the issue of whether
backup withholding  should apply is under  consideration by the IRS) unless such
broker has  documentary  evidence in its records that the holder is a Non-United
States Holder under penalties of perjury or the holder otherwise  establishes an
exemption.



<PAGE>




         Backup withholding is not a separate tax, but is allowed as a refund or
credit  against the holder's  United  States  federal  income tax,  provided the
necessary information is furnished to the IRS.

         Interest on the Notes that is beneficially owned by a Non-United States
Holder will be reported annually by the Company on IRS Form 1042S, which must be
filed with the IRS and furnished to such beneficial owner.

Proposed Regulations Relating to Withholding and Information Reporting

         On April 15, 1996,  the IRS issued  proposed  revisions  (the "Proposed
Regulations")  to the Treasury  regulations  interpreting  the withholding  tax,
information  reporting and backup  withholding  tax rules described  above.  The
Proposed  Regulations  would  change  in  some  respects  the  requirements  for
providing  the IRS Forms  described  above,  including  (i)  requiring  Non-U.S.
Holders  claiming  certain  exemptions  from  or  reductions  of  United  States
withholding  tax under an income tax treaty to provide their United States TINs,
(ii) requiring  partners of a foreign  partnership  that is a holder of Notes or
Common  Stock into which the Notes are  converted  to provide the  required  IRS
Forms,  and (iii)  modifying the  procedures by which  financial  intermediaries
would provide the required certifications and IRS Forms.

         The Proposed Regulations are not binding before being adopted either as
temporary or final Treasury regulations and will not be effective until the date
specified  in  such  temporary  or  final  Treasury  regulations.  The  Proposed
Regulations  are  proposed  generally to be  effective  for payments  made after
December 31, 1997. It is not possible to predict  whether,  or in what form, the
Proposed Regulations ultimately will be adopted.

         The foregoing  discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is
for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly,  each purchaser
of Notes should consult such purchaser's own tax advisor with respect to the tax
consequences  to such  purchaser,  including the tax  consequences  under state,
local, foreign and other tax laws, of the ownership and disposition of the Notes
or Common Stock.



<PAGE>




                                  UNDERWRITING

         Subject  to the terms  and  conditions  set  forth in the  Underwriting
Agreement among the Company and the Underwriters  named below (the "Underwriting
Agreement"),  the Company has agreed to sell to the several Underwriters and the
Underwriters  have  severally  agreed to purchase from the Company the principal
amounts of the Notes set forth opposite their names below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Underwriters                                                                         Principal Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc...........................................................         $
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.........................................................
Prudential Securities Incorporated.............................................
Southcoast Capital Corporation.................................................
                                                                                        ------------
         Total.................................................................         $100,000,000
</TABLE>

         In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed, subject to
the  terms  and  conditions  set  forth  therein,  that the  obligations  of the
Underwriters  are  subject  to  certain   conditions   precedent  and  that  the
Underwriters  will be obligated to purchase the entire  principal  amount of the
Notes offered hereby if any Notes are purchased.

         The Company has been advised by the  Underwriters  that they propose to
offer the Notes  directly to the public  initially at the public  offering price
set forth on the cover of this Prospectus,  and to certain dealers at such price
less a concession not in excess of % of the principal  amount of the Notes.  The
Underwriters may allow,  and such dealers may reallow,  a discount not in excess
of % of the principal  amount of the Notes to certain other  dealers.  After the
initial public offering of the Notes, the public offering price,  concession and
discount may be changed.

         The Company, its executive officers and directors have agreed that they
will not,  without the prior  written  consent of Salomon  Brothers  Inc,  which
consent may be given  without  prior  notice,  for a period of 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus,  directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, grant any
option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any
securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  or exercisable for any shares of
Common Stock,  or any right or option to acquire any such shares or  securities,
except for transactions related to the Company's existing option plans and other
employee benefit plans. Sales by the Company to the Underwriters are exempt from
such restriction.

         The Company has granted the Underwriters an option,  exercisable during
the  30-day  period  after  the date of this  Prospectus  to  purchase  up to an
additional  $15,000,000 principal amount of Notes at the initial public offering
price less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments.

         Application  will be  made to list  the  Notes  on the New  York  Stock
Exchange. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters
presently intend to make a market in the Notes offered hereby; however, they are
not obligated to do so. Any market making may be  discontinued  at any time, and
there  can be no  assurance  that an active  public  market  for the Notes  will
develop.

         The Company has agreed to indemnify  the several  Underwriters  against
certain  liabilities,  including civil  liabilities  under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.




<PAGE>



                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The validity of the Notes offered hereby and the information  contained
in  "Certain  United  States  Tax  Considerations"  will be passed  upon for the
Company by Jenkens & Gilchrist,  a  Professional  Corporation,  Houston,  Texas.
Certain  legal  matters  will be passed upon for the  Underwriters  by Andrews &
Kurth L.L.P., Houston, Texas.


                                     EXPERTS

         The audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's
Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  which
are  incorporated  by  reference in this  Prospectus,  to the extent and for the
periods  indicated in their  report,  have been audited by Arthur  Andersen LLP,
independent  public  accountants,  as  indicated  in their  report with  respect
thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority
of said  firm as  experts  in giving  said  reports.  Reference  is made to said
report,  which includes an  explanatory  paragraph with respect to the change in
the method of accounting for earned  interests in 1994 as discussed in Note 2 to
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The reference to the reports of Gruy  contained  herein with respect to
the  proved  reserves,  the  estimated  future  net  revenues  from such  proved
reserves,  and the  discounted  present  values  of such  estimated  future  net
revenues,  is made in reliance  upon the  authority  of such firm as expert with
respect to such matters.


                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

         The Company's Form 10-K as of December 31, 1995,  its definitive  proxy
statement  mailed to shareholders  in connection  with the May 14, 1996,  annual
shareholders'  meeting and its Forms 10-Q for the quarterly  periods ended March
31 and June 30, 1996, are incorporated herein by reference.  All documents filed
by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this  Prospectus  and prior to the  termination of the
offering of the Notes shall be deemed to be  incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus  and to be a part hereof  from the date of filing of such  documents.
Any statement contained in a document  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement  contained herein or in any other
subsequently  filed  document which also is or is deemed to be  incorporated  by
reference  herein modifies or supersedes  such statement.  Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will furnish without charge
to each  person to whom this  Prospectus  is  delivered,  upon  written  or oral
request of such person,  a copy of the  documents  referred to above,  excluding
exhibits thereto.  Requests should be made to: John R. Alden,  Secretary,  Swift
Energy Company, 16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77060-9968.

<PAGE>






                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Report of Independent Public Accountants.....................................F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................................F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income............................................F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity..............................F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows........................................F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................F-8


                                       F-1

<PAGE>



                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Swift Energy Company:

         We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of Swift
Energy Company (a Texas  corporation)  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995
and 1994,  and the  related  consolidated  statements  of income,  stockholders'
equity,  and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1995.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.

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

         In our opinion,  the  financial  statements  referred to above  present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Swift Energy Company
and  subsidiaries  as of December  31,  1995 and 1994,  and the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

         As  discussed  in  Note 2 to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,
effective  January 1, 1994,  the Company  changed its method of  accounting  for
earned interests.



                                                 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Houston, Texas
February 19, 1996

                                       F-2

<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                December 31,
                                                                       June 30,       -------------------------------
                                                                        1996               1995              1994
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                     (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>               <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents................................    $    1,329,439     $   7,574,512     $     985,498
      Accounts receivable--
           Oil and gas sales...................................         6,557,541        14,765,336        12,394,636
           Associated limited partnerships and
                joint ventures.................................         7,804,902        16,108,298        17,899,150
           Joint interest owners...............................         4,018,571         4,044,817         4,335,283
      Producing oil and gas properties held for transfer.......                --                --         3,525,841
      Other current assets.....................................           565,359           887,491            68,010
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                Total Current Assets...........................        20,275,812        43,380,454        39,208,418
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
Property and Equipment:
      Oil and gas, using full-cost accounting
           Proved properties being amortized...................       155,393,073       132,673,707        93,368,795
           Unproved properties not being amortized.............        25,783,462        20,652,151        14,805,479
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                      181,176,535       153,325,858       108,174,274
      Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment.................         5,432,891         4,367,719         3,476,695
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                      186,609,426       157,693,577       111,650,969
Less--Accumulated depreciation, depletion,
      and amortization.........................................       (36,983,303)      (30,169,303)      (21,364,949)
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                      149,626,123       127,524,274        90,286,020
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
Other Assets:
      Receivables from associated limited partnerships,
           net of current portion..............................         2,211,824         2,332,355         1,916,477
      Limited partnership formation and marketing costs........         1,706,530           858,559         2,991,873
      Deferred charges.........................................         1,097,551         1,157,065         1,269,955
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                        5,015,905         4,347,979         6,178,305
                                                                   --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                   $  174,917,840     $ 175,252,707     $ 135,672,743
                                                                   ==============     =============     =============
</TABLE>


          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-3

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - (Continued)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              December 31,
                                                                       June 30,       --------------------------------
                                                                        1996               1995              1994
                                                                   --------------     -------------     --------------
                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>               <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
      Short-term bank borrowings...............................    $           --     $          --     $   27,229,000
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.................         7,154,263        23,075,982          9,516,005
      Payable to associated limited partnerships...............         2,642,931            16,983            637,991
      Undistributed oil and gas revenues.......................         4,503,554        17,040,304         14,962,863
                                                                   --------------     -------------     --------------
           Total Current Liabilities...........................        14,300,748        40,133,269         52,345,859
                                                                   --------------     -------------     --------------

Long-Term Debt.................................................        28,750,000        28,750,000         28,750,000
Bank Borrowings................................................        15,210,000                --                --
Deferred Revenues..............................................         5,225,065         6,063,467          7,827,562
Deferred Income Taxes..........................................         9,737,725         6,960,006          4,622,191
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
      Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
           authorized, none outstanding........................                --                --                --
      Common stock, $.01 par value, 35,000,000 shares
           authorized, 12,687,886, 12,509,700, and
           6,685,137 shares issued and outstanding,
           respectively........................................           126,879           125,097             66,851
      Additional paid-in capital...............................        72,719,837        71,133,979         24,885,903
      Retained earnings........................................        28,847,586        22,086,889         17,174,377
                                                                   --------------     -------------     --------------
                                                                      101,694,302        93,345,965         42,127,131
                                                                   --------------     -------------     --------------
                                                                   $  174,917,840     $ 175,252,707     $  135,672,743
                                                                   ==============     =============     ==============
</TABLE>


          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-4

<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Six Months Ended
                                                   June 30,                       Year Ended December 31,
                                          -------------------------    ------------------------------------------
                                              1996          1995          1995            1994           1993
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
                                               (Unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>
Revenues:
    Oil and gas sales.................    $20,506,580   $ 9,742,473    $22,527,892   $ 19,802,188     $15,535,671
    Earned interests from limited
       partnerships and joint ventures             --            --             --             --       3,308,623
    Fees from limited partnerships and
       joint ventures.................        160,326       248,083        590,441        701,528         763,347
    Supervision fees..................      2,126,982     1,864,476      3,838,815      3,751,061       3,718,829
    Interest income...................         26,087        18,610        212,329         47,980         201,584
    Other, net........................        926,763       949,856      1,761,568      1,072,535         604,599
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
                                           23,746,738    12,823,498     28,931,045     25,375,292      24,132,653
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
Costs and Expenses:
    General and administrative, net of
       reimbursement..................      2,851,734     2,752,062      5,256,184      5,197,899       5,065,323
    Depreciation, depletion, and
       amortization...................      6,899,922     4,002,438      8,838,657      7,904,801       7,300,967
    Oil and gas production............      3,658,708     3,336,792      6,826,306      5,639,630       4,540,290
    Interest expense, net.............        293,907     1,090,324      1,115,361      1,795,133         597,465
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
                                           13,704,271    11,181,616     22,036,508     20,537,463      17,504,045
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
Income Before Income Taxes............     10,042,467     1,641,882      6,894,537      4,837,829       6,628,608
Provision for Income Taxes............      3,281,770       386,007      1,982,025      1,112,158       1,732,355
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
Income Before Cumulative Effect of
    Change in Accounting Principle....      6,760,697     1,255,875      4,912,512      3,725,671       4,896,253
Cumulative Effect of Change in
    Accounting Principle..............             --            --             --    (16,772,698)             --
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
Net Income (Loss).....................    $ 6,760,697   $ 1,255,875    $ 4,912,512   $(13,047,027)    $ 4,896,253
                                          ===========   ===========    ===========   ============     ===========
Per Share Amounts--
    Primary:
    Income Before Cumulative Effect of
       Change in Accounting Principle.    $      0.54   $      0.19    $      0.54   $       0.56     $      0.74
    Cumulative Effect of Change in
       Accounting Principle...........    $        --   $        --    $        --   $      (2.52)    $        --
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
    Net Income (Loss).................    $      0.54   $      0.19    $      0.54   $      (1.96)    $      0.74
                                          ===========   ===========    ===========   ============     ===========
    Fully Diluted:
    Income Before Cumulative Effect of
       Change in Accounting Principle.    $      0.47   $      0.19    $      0.54   $       0.56     $      0.70
    Cumulative Effect of Change in
       Accounting Principle...........    $        --   $        --    $        --   $      (2.52)    $        --
                                          -----------   -----------    -----------   ------------     -----------
    Net Income (Loss).................    $      0.47   $       .19    $      0.54   $      (1.96)    $      0.70
                                          ===========   ===========    ===========   ============     ===========
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding...     12,585,921     6,706,492      9,122,857      6,644,248       6,588,076
Pro forma amounts assuming change in
    accounting for earned interests is
    applied retroactively (see Note 2) -
    Net Income........................                                               $   3,725,671    $ 4,322,478
    Per Share Amounts -
       Primary........................                                               $        0.56    $      0.66
       Fully Diluted..................                                               $        0.56    $      0.63
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       F-5
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Additional
                                                           Common          Paid-in           Retained
                                                          Stock(1)         Capital           Earnings              Total
                                                         ----------     --------------    --------------       --------------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>               <C>                  <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992.........................       $ 59,686       $ 17,227,567      $ 31,994,033         $ 49,281,286
      Stock issued for benefit plans (19,096
           shares).................................            191            170,059                --              170,250
      Stock options exercised (13,400
           shares).................................            134            117,791                --              117,925
      Net income...................................             --                 --         4,896,253            4,896,253
                                                          --------       ------------      ------------         ------------

Balance, December 31, 1993.........................       $ 60,011       $ 17,515,417      $ 36,890,286         $ 54,465,714
      Stock issued for benefit plans (26,488
           shares).................................            265            271,176                --              271,441
      Stock options exercised (21,472
           shares).................................            214            176,808                --              177,022
      Employee stock purchase plan (29,840
           shares).................................            298            259,683                --              259,981
      10% stock dividend (606,262 shares)..........          6,063          6,662,819        (6,668,882)                  --
      Net loss.....................................             --                 --       (13,047,027)         (13,047,027)
                                                          --------       ------------      ------------         ------------

Balance, December 31, 1994.........................       $ 66,851 $       24,885,903      $ 17,174,377         $ 42,127,131
      Stock issued for benefit plans (31,113
           shares).................................            311            283,463                --              283,774
      Stock options exercised (5,761 shares).......             58             33,736                --               33,794
      Employee stock purchase plan (37,689
           shares).................................            377            289,465                --              289,842
      Stock issued in public offering
           (5,750,000 shares)......................         57,500         45,641,412                --           45,698,912
      Net income...................................             --                 --          4,912,512           4,912,512
                                                          --------       ------------      -------------        ------------

Balance, December 31, 1995.........................       $125,097       $ 71,133,979      $  22,086,889        $ 93,345,965
      Stock issue for benefit plans (30,014
           shares)(2)..............................            300            358,109                 --             358,409
      Stock options exercised (111,785
           shares)(2)..............................          1,118            955,571                 --             956,689
      Employee stock purchase plan (36,387
           shares)(2)..............................            364            272,178                 --             272,542
      Net income(2)................................             --                 --          6,760,697           6,760,697
                                                          --------       ------------      -------------        ------------
Balance, June 30, 1996(2)..........................       $126,879       $ 72,719,837      $  28,847,586        $101,694,302
                                                          ========       ============      =============        ============
</TABLE>
(1)      $.01 par value.
(2)      Unaudited.

          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       F-6
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Six Months Ended
                                                   June 30,                     Year Ended December 31,
                                         --------------------------    ------------------------------------------
                                              1996          1995           1995          1994            1993
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
   Net income (loss)..................... $  6,760,697  $ 1,255,875    $  4,912,512  $(13,047,027)    $ 4,896,253
   Adjustments to reconcile net
      income to net cash provided
      by operating activities--
      Depreciation, depletion, and
         amortization....................    6,899,922    4,002,438       8,838,657     7,904,801       7,300,967
      Deferred income taxes..............    2,731,551      307,032       2,326,162       963,324       1,199,057
      Earned interests from limited
         partnerships and joint
         ventures........................           --           --              --            --      (3,308,623)
      Deferred revenue
         amortization related to
         production payment..............     (849,187)    (910,532)     (1,787,974)   (1,993,863)     (2,304,080)
      Cumulative effect of change
         in accounting principle.........           --           --              --    16,772,698              --
      Other..............................       59,514       55,446         112,890       105,180          49,865
      Change in assets and
         liabilities--
      (Increase) decrease in
         accounts receivable.............     (841,577)      24,074        (488,599)     (762,789)       (412,960)
      Increase (decrease) in
         accounts payable and
         accrued liabilities,
         excluding income taxes
         payable.........................     (345,144)      36,416       1,074,532       142,883         110,324
      Increase (decrease) in
         income taxes payable............      487,988       39,182        (611,717)      309,307        (292,463)
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
         Net Cash Provided by
           Operating Activities..........   14,903,764    4,809,931      14,376,463    10,394,514       7,238,340
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
   Additions to property and
      equipment..........................  (29,968,034) (12,572,148)    (40,032,944)  (34,531,180)    (24,229,103)
   Proceeds from the sale of
      property and equipment.............    1,052,185           --         230,242       861,073         157,972
   Net cash received (distributed) as
      operator of oil and gas
      properties.........................  (16,411,758)  (2,788,663)      7,662,419      (229,351)     (2,556,483)
   Property acquisition costs
      (incurred on behalf of)
      reimbursed by partnerships and
      joint ventures.....................    8,423,927    6,818,529       5,316,693    (1,408,031)    (10,252,142)
   Limited partnership formation and
      marketing costs....................     (847,971)          --              --            --        (103,871)
   Prepaid drilling costs................     (119,688)     (70,233)             --            --      (1,100,076)
   Other.................................      (75,138)       2,380         (41,181)      (25,320)        (98,437)
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
         Net Cash Used in
           Investing Activities..........  (37,946,477)  (8,610,135)    (26,864,771)  (35,332,809)    (38,182,140)
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
</TABLE>

          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Six Months Ended
                                                   June 30,                     Year Ended December 31,
                                         --------------------------    ------------------------------------------
                                              1996          1995           1995          1994            1993
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
   Proceeds from long-term debt..........           --           --              --            --      28,750,000
   Net proceeds from (payments of)
      bank borrowings....................   15,210,000    4,071,000     (27,229,000)   24,579,000       2,650,000
   Net proceeds from issuances of
      common stock.......................    1,587,640      592,570      46,306,322       708,444         288,175
   Payments of debt issuance costs.......           --           --              --            --      (1,425,000)
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
         Net Cash Provided by
           Financing Activities..........   16,797,640    4,663,570      19,077,322    25,287,444      30,263,175
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
   Cash Equivalents...................... $ (6,245,073) $   863,366    $  6,589,014  $    349,149     $  (680,625)
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at
   Beginning of Period...................    7,574,512      985,498         985,498       636,349       1,316,974
                                          ------------  -----------    ------------  ------------     -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
   Period................................ $  1,329,439 $  1,848,864    $  7,574,512  $    985,498     $   636,349
                                          ============ ============    ============  ============     ===========
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash
Flow Information:
Cash paid during period for interest,
   net of amounts capitalized............ $    234,392  $ 1,035,012    $     68,097  $  1,691,400     $   605,063
Cash paid during period for income
   taxes................................. $     78,873  $    49,793    $    277,580  $     97,200     $   756,761
</TABLE>


          See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-8

<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                (Including Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

1.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

         The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of Swift Energy Company (Swift) and its wholly owned subsidiaries  (collectively
referred to as the "Company"), which is engaged in the acquisition, development,
operation,  and exploration of oil and natural gas  properties,  with particular
emphasis on U.S. onshore natural gas reserves.  The Company also has oil and gas
investments in Russia,  Venezuela, and New Zealand. The Company's investments in
associated  oil and gas  partnerships  and its joint  ventures are accounted for
using  the   proportionate   consolidation   method,   whereby   the   Company's
proportionate share of each entity's assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses
is included in the appropriate  classifications  in the  consolidated  financial
statements.  Intercompany  balances and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
preparing the consolidated statements.  Certain reclassifications have been made
to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

         The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure  of  contingent  assets and  liabilities,  if any, at the date of the
financial  statements and the reported  amounts of revenues and expenses  during
the reporting period.

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes

         The interim  consolidated  financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and
for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 and notes thereto are unaudited.
In the opinion of management,  these interim  financial  statements  include all
adjustments  necessary for a fair presentation and all such adjustments are of a
normal  recurring  nature.  Results of the interim  periods are not  necessarily
indicative of the results for the entire year.

Property and Equipment

         The Company  follows the  "full-cost"  method of accounting for oil and
gas  property  and  equipment  costs.  Under  this  method  of  accounting,  all
productive and nonproductive costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and
development  of oil and gas reserves are  capitalized.  Such costs include lease
acquisitions,   geological  and  geophysical  services,  drilling,   completion,
equipment, and certain general and administrative costs directly associated with
acquisition, exploration, and development activities. General and administrative
costs related to production  and general  overhead are expensed as incurred.  No
gains or  losses  are  recognized  upon the sale or  disposition  of oil and gas
properties,  except  in  transactions  that  involve  a  significant  amount  of
reserves.  The proceeds  from the sale of oil and gas  properties  are generally
treated as a reduction of oil and gas property  costs.  Fees from associated oil
and gas exploration and development limited partnerships are credited to oil and

                                      F-9
<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


gas property costs to the extent they do not represent  reimbursement of general
and administrative expenses currently charged to expense.

         Future development, site restoration, and dismantlement and abandonment
costs,  net of salvage  values,  are estimated on a  property-by-property  basis
based on  current  economic  conditions  and are  amortized  to  expense  as the
Company's  capitalized  oil and gas property costs are amortized.  The Company's
properties are all onshore and historically the salvage value of the tangible
equipment   offsets  the  Company's  site  restoration  and   dismantlement  and
abandonment costs. The Company expects this relationship will continue.

         The Company  computes the provision for  depreciation,  depletion,  and
amortization of oil and gas properties on the  unit-of-production  method. Under
this  method,  the Company  computes  the  provision  by  multiplying  the total
unamortized costs of oil and gas properties--including future development,  site
restoration,  and  dismantlement  and  abandonment  costs but excluding costs of
unproved  properties--by  an overall  rate  determined  by dividing the physical
units of oil and gas produced  during the period by the total estimated units of
proved oil and gas reserves. The cost of unproved properties not being amortized
is assessed quarterly to determine whether the value has been impaired below the
capitalized  cost.  Any  impairment  assessed  is added  to the  cost of  proved
properties being amortized.

         At the end of each quarterly  reporting period, the unamortized cost of
oil and gas properties,  net of related deferred income taxes, is limited to the
sum of the estimated  future net revenues from proved  properties  using current
prices,  discounted  at 10%,  and the  lower of cost or fair  value of  unproved
properties, adjusted for related income tax effects ("Ceiling Limitation").

         The   calculation   of  the  Ceiling   Limitation   and  provision  for
depreciation,  depletion,  and  amortization  is based on  estimates  of  proved
reserves.  There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of
proved  reserves and in projecting the future rates of production,  timing,  and
plan of development.  The accuracy of any reserves estimate is a function of the
quality of available data and of engineering and geological  interpretation  and
judgment. Results of drilling, testing, and production subsequent to the date of
the  estimate  may justify  revision  of such  estimate.  Accordingly,  reserves
estimates  are  often  different  from  the  quantities  of oil and gas that are
ultimately recovered.

         All other equipment is depreciated by the straight-line method at rates
based on the estimated useful lives of the property. Repairs and maintenance are
charged to expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Deferred Charges

         Legal and accounting fees, underwriting fees, printing costs, and other
direct  expenses  associated  with the  issuance  of the  Company's  Convertible
Subordinated Debentures (the "Debentures") in June 1993 have been capitalized

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

and through this period,  June 30, 1996,  were being  amortized over the life of
the  Debentures,  which matured on June 30, 2003.  Due to the  conversion of the
Debentures  to  common  stock  in  August  1996,  as  discussed  below,  related
unamortized  costs will be  transferred  to the  Company's  appropriate  capital
accounts in the third  quarter of 1996.  At June 30, 1996,  the balance of these
unamortized costs, net of accumulated amortization, was $1,097,551.

Limited Partnerships and Joint Ventures

         Between 1991 and 1995,  the Company  formed  limited  partnerships  and
joint  ventures for the purpose of acquiring  interests in producing oil and gas
properties  and,  since 1993,  partnerships  engaged in drilling for oil and gas
reserves.  The Company  serves as managing  general  partner or manager of these
entities.  The Company's  investments in associated oil and gas partnerships and
its joint  ventures  are  accounted  for using the  proportionate  consolidation
method,  whereby the  Company's  proportionate  share of each  entity's  assets,
liabilities,   revenues,   and   expenses  is   included   in  the   appropriate
classifications in the consolidated  financial  statements.  Because the Company
serves as the general partners of these entities, under state partnership law it
is  contingently  liable  for  the  liabilities  of  these  partnerships,  which
liabilities are not material for any of the periods presented in relation to the
partnerships'  respective  assets.  These  partnerships'  liabilities  generally
consist of third party borrowings from time to time to fund capital expenditures
for  development of oil and gas  properties,  which  borrowings are to be repaid
from oil and gas sales proceeds of the partnerships in future periods.

         Under the Swift Depositary Interests limited partnership offering ("SDI
Offering"),  which  commenced in March 1991 and concluded in December  1995, the
Company received a reimbursement of certain costs and a fee, both payable out of
revenues.  The Company bore all front-end  costs of the offering and partnership
formations  for which it  received an  interest  in the  partnerships.  Upon the
Company's  decision  to  conclude  the  SDI  offering  at the end of  1995,  the
remaining limited  partnership  formation and marketing costs related to the SDI
offering (approximately  $1,750,000) were accordingly transferred to the oil and
gas properties account.

         Commencing September 15, 1993, the Company began offering, on a private
placement  basis,   general  and  limited   partnership   interests  in  limited
partnerships to be formed to drill for oil and gas. As managing general partner,
the Company  pays for all  front-end  costs  incurred in  connection  with these
offerings,  for which the Company  receives  an  interest  in the  partnerships.
Through  June  30,  1996,  approximately  $19,900,000  had been  raised  in five
partnerships,  one  closed  in each of 1993 and 1994,  and  three of which  were
formed in 1995.  In July 1996,  the Company  closed the sixth  partnership  with
total  subscriptions  of  approximately  $4,900,000  and in September  1996, the
seventh partnership with total subscriptions of approximately $10,000,000. Costs
of syndication,  registration,  and qualification of these limited  partnerships
incurred by the Company have been deferred.  Under the current  private  limited
partnership offerings, selling and formation costs borne by the Company serve as
the Company's  general partner  contribution to such  partnerships.  The Company
anticipates formation of one additional partnership in 1996.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

Hedging Activities

         The Company's revenues are primarily the result of sales of its oil and
natural gas  production.  Market prices of oil and natural gas may fluctuate and
adversely affect operating  results.  To mitigate some of this risk, the Company
does engage periodically in certain limited hedging activities,  but only to the
extent of buying  protection  price  floors for  portions of its and the limited
partnerships'  oil and gas production.  Costs and/or benefits derived from these
price floors are accordingly  recorded as a reduction or increase in oil and gas
sales revenue and was not significant for any period presented.

Income (Loss) Per Share

         Primary  income (loss) per share has been  computed  using the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the respective periods. Stock
options and warrants outstanding do not have a dilutive effect on primary income
(loss) per share.  The Company's  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  are not
common stock  equivalents for the purpose of computing primary income (loss) per
share.

         Primary income (loss) per share has been retroactively  restated in all
periods  presented  to give  recognition  to an  equivalent  change  in  capital
structure as a result of a 10% stock dividend. On September 6, 1994, the Company
declared a 10% stock dividend to  shareholders  of record on September 19, 1994,
which was distributed on September 29, 1994,  resulting in an additional 606,262
shares being issued.

         The  calculation  of fully  diluted  income  (loss)  per share  assumes
conversion  of  the  Company's  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  as of the
beginning of the period and the  elimination of the related  after-tax  interest
expense and  assumes,  as of the  beginning of the period,  exercise  (using the
treasury stock method) of stock options and warrants.  The  conversion  price of
the  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  was revised to reflect the 10% stock
dividend  declared  September 6, 1994. The original  conversion price was $13.50
per common  share and the revised  conversion  price per common share is $12.27.
Fully diluted income (loss) per share has also been  retroactively  restated for
all periods presented to give effect to the resulting  conversion price revision
stemming from the 10% stock dividend. The weighted average number of shares used
in  the  computation  of  fully  diluted  per  share  amounts  were  11,671,243,
9,053,736, and 7,797,660 for the respective years ended December 31, 1995, 1994,
and 1993,  and 15,360,070  for the  respective  six-month  period ended June 30,
1996. During the first half of 1995, such amount was antidilutive.

Income Taxes

         The Company  accounts  for Income  Taxes using  Statement  of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." SFAS No. 109
utilizes the liability  method and deferred  taxes are  determined  based on the
estimated future tax effects of differences  between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and  liabilities  given the  provisions  of the  enacted tax
laws.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

Deferred Revenues

         In May 1992, as discussed in Note 9 "Oil and Gas Producing Activities,"
the Company  purchased  interests in certain  wells using funds  provided by the
Company's sale of a volumetric production payment in these properties. Under the
terms of the  production  payment  agreement,  the Company  continues to own the
properties   purchased  but  is  required  to  deliver  a  minimum  quantity  of
hydrocarbons  produced from the properties  (meeting certain quality and heating
equivalent  requirements)  over a specified  period.  Since  entering  into this
agreement,  the Company has met all scheduled deliveries.  Net proceeds from the
sale of the production  payment were recorded as deferred  revenues.  Deliveries
under  the  production  payment  agreement  are  recorded  as oil and gas  sales
revenues and a corresponding reduction of deferred revenues.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

         The  Company  considers  all highly  liquid  debt  instruments  with an
initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations

         The  Company  extends  credit to various  companies  in the oil and gas
industry which results in a concentration  of credit risk. The  concentration of
credit risk may be affected by changes in economic or other  conditions  and may
accordingly  impact the  Company's  overall  credit risk.  However,  the Company
believes that the risk is mitigated by the size,  reputation,  and nature of the
companies to which the Company extends credit.

         Only one single oil or gas  purchaser  accounted for 10% or more of the
Company's  consolidated  revenues  during the year ended December 31, 1995, with
that purchaser  accounting for  approximately  12%. The Company does not believe
that the loss of any single oil and gas purchaser or contract  would  materially
affect its sales.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

         The  Company's   financial   instruments   consist  of  cash  and  cash
equivalents,  accounts  receivable,  accounts  payable,  and long-term debt. The
carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts
payable  approximate  fair  value  due to the  highly  liquid  nature  of  these
short-term  instruments.  The fair value of long-term debt was determined  based
upon interest rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with

                                       F-13
<PAGE>
                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

similar terms. The fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying amount
as of December 31, 1995.

2.       Change in Accounting Principle

         In the  fourth  quarter  of  1994,  the  Company  changed  its  revenue
recognition  policy for earned  interests,  effective January 1, 1994. Under the
Company's current method of accounting for earned  interests,  such amounts will
not be recognized as income,  thereby  reducing the Company's  investment in oil
and gas  property.  This  change was made as the result of a  transition  in the
Company's  current  business  activities  and changes in the oil and gas limited
partnership  syndication markets. The Company feels the change in policy results
in more  comparable  financial  statements  in relation to its current  business
focus and in comparison to its current peers and  competitors in the oil and gas
exploration and production industry.

         The effect of the change was to increase 1994 income before  cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle by approximately $1,047,000 or $.16 per
share.  This  increase was a result of the  decrease in current  year  depletion
expense  more  than  offsetting  the  decrease  in  revenues  as a result of not
recognizing earned interests. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting
principle resulted in a downward  adjustment to earnings of $16,772,698 or $2.52
per share (after  reduction for income taxes of  $8,640,481),  to  retroactively
apply the new method,  thereby  reducing  net income in 1994.  See Note 9 to the
Company's  financial  statements  for the effect  this change had on oil and gas
properties and accumulated  depreciation,  depletion, and amortization.  The pro
forma amounts shown on the income statement have been adjusted for the effect of
retroactive  application,  had the new method been in effect  during the periods
presented.

3.       Provision for Income Taxes

         The Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation  Act of 1993 (the "Act") was enacted
on August 10,  1993.  The Act  contains  several  changes to federal  income tax
provisions,  including an increase in the highest corporate tax rate from 34% to
35%, for companies with taxable income in excess of  $10,000,000.  The effect of
the Act on income tax  expense for the year ended  December  31,  1993,  and the
Company's net deferred tax liability was not material.

         The following is an analysis of the consolidated income tax provision:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                                         1995               1994               1993
                                                                    -------------       ------------        -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Current.......................................................      $   (344,137)       $    148,834        $   533,298
Deferred......................................................         2,326,162             963,324          1,199,057
                                                                    ------------        ------------        -----------
Total.........................................................      $  1,982,025        $  1,112,158        $ 1,732,355
                                                                    ============        ============        ===========
</TABLE>
                                      F-14
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


         There are differences between income taxes computed using the statutory
rate (34% for 1995, 1994, and 1993) and the Company's effective income tax rates
(28.7%, 23.0%, and 26.1% for 1995, 1994, and 1993,  respectively),  primarily as
the result of certain tax credits available to the Company.

         Reconciliations  of income taxes  computed  using the statutory rate to
the effective income tax rates are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        1995               1994               1993
                                                                    ------------        -----------        -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>                <C>
Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate...............      $  2,344,143        $ 1,644,862        $ 2,253,727
State tax provisions, net of federal benefits.................            84,202             46,525            149,002
Nonconventional fuel source credit............................          (370,000)          (435,016)          (553,651)
Depletion deductions in excess of basis.......................           (34,000)           (30,895)           (98,596)
Other, net....................................................           (42,320)          (113,318)           (18,127)
                                                                    ------------        -----------        -----------
Provision for income taxes....................................      $  1,982,025        $ 1,112,158        $ 1,732,355
                                                                    ============        ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

         The tax effects of significant temporary  differences  representing the
net deferred tax liability at December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1995               1994               1993
                                                               ------------------ ------------------ -----------
Deferred tax assets:
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
     Alternative minimum tax credits..........................      $   1,372,978       $    900,562        $   786,774
     Other....................................................            115,332              7,112            231,292
                                                                    -------------       ------------        ----------
         Total deferred tax assets............................      $   1,488,310       $    907,674        $ 1,018,066
Deferred tax liabilities:
     Oil and gas properties...................................      $   7,682,701       $  4,811,886        $12,576,208
     Other....................................................            650,283            614,300            637,527
                                                                    -------------       ------------        -----------
         Total deferred tax liabilities.......................      $   8,332,984       $  5,426,186        $13,213,735
                                                                    -------------       ------------        -----------
Net deferred tax liability(1).................................          6,844,674       $  4,518,512        $12,195,669
                                                                    =============       ============        ===========
</TABLE>

(1)      This amount includes a current deferred tax asset amounts of $115,332,
         $103,679, and $96,567 for 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

         The Company did not record any valuation  allowances  against  deferred
tax assets at December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993.

         At  December  31,  1995,  the Company  had an  alternative  minimum tax
carryforward of $1,372,978  indefinitely  available to reduce future regular tax
liability to the extent it exceeds the related  tentative  minimum tax otherwise
due.

4.       Bank Borrowings

         The Company had available,  through a two-bank  group, a revolving line
of credit of $35,000,000  at the end of 1995 and  $29,000,000 at the end of 1994
bearing  interest  at the bank's  base rate plus 0.5% (9% at both  December  31,
1995, and at December 31, 1994),  secured by the Company's  interests in certain
oil and gas properties and general partner interests. This facility also allows,
at the Company's  option,  draws which bear interest for specific periods at the
London  Interbank  Offered Rate ("LIBOR")  plus 2.25%.  There was no outstanding
balance  under this line of credit at December 31,  1995.  At December 31, 1994,
$14,000,000  of the  $18,600,000  outstanding  was at the LIBOR plus 2.25% rates
(7.875% on  $3,000,000,  8.1875% on  $6,000,000,  and 8.5% on  $5,000,000).  The
outstanding  amount under this facility at December 31, 1994  ($18,600,000)  was
borrowed  primarily  to fund the advance  purchase of  producing  properties  on
behalf of  affiliated  partnerships  and/or  joint  ventures to be  subsequently
reimbursed and to fund the Company's  working  capital and capital  expenditures
needs.

         Effective  April 30, 1996,  this credit  agreement  was  restated.  The
facility was  increased to  $100,000,000  and is now  unsecured.  The  available
borrowing  base  currently  is  $30,000,000  at  September  30, 1995 and will be
redetermined  periodically.  Depending  on the level of  outstanding  debt,  the
interest rate  currently  will be either the bank's base rate or the bank's base
rate plus 0.25% (8.25% at June 30,  1996).  This  facility  also allows,  at the
Company's  option,  draws which bear interest for specific periods at the London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The LIBOR option will now vary from plus 1% to
plus 1.5%. At June 30, 1996,  $9,000,000  was  outstanding  under this line, all
bearing  interest  at the LIBOR  rates  ($7,000,000  at the rate of 6.4375%  and
$2,000,000 at the rate of 6.5313%).  The outstanding  amount under this facility
at June 30, 1996 was borrowed  primarily to fund the Company's  working  capital
and capital  expenditures  needs. The restated  revolving line of credit extends
through  September 30, 1999, and  accordingly is classified on the balance sheet
as a long-term liability.

         The  terms  of the  revolving  line  of  credit  include,  among  other
restrictions,  a  limitation  on the  level  of cash  dividends  (not to  exceed
$2,000,000  in any  fiscal  year),  requirements  as to  maintenance  of certain
minimum financial ratios (principally  pertaining to working capital,  debt, and
equity ratios) and limitations on incurring other debt. Since inception, no cash
dividends  have  been  declared  on the  Company's  common  stock.  The  Company
presently  intends to continue a policy of using retained earnings for expansion
of its business.  For all periods presented,  the Company was in compliance with
the provisions of these agreements.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

         The Company's second credit line was an Acquisition  Advance  Agreement
with the same two-bank group,  bearing interest at the greater of (a) the bank's
base rate plus 1% or (b) the  Federal  Funds  rate plus  1.5%,  to be secured by
producing oil and gas properties acquired and held for transfer. At December 31,
1994,  $3,629,000  had been  borrowed  under this  agreement to fund the advance
purchase of producing  properties  on behalf of affiliated  partnerships  and/or
joint ventures to be subsequently reimbursed. This credit agreement expired June
15, 1995.

         The  Company's  third  credit  facility  is  an  amended  and  restated
revolving line of credit with the lead bank for $5,000,000,  bearing interest at
the bank's base rate (8.5% at both December 31, 1995, and at December 31, 1994),
secured by certain Company receivables.  There were no outstanding amounts under
this  facility at December  31,  1995.  At December  31,  1994,  $5,000,000  was
outstanding  under this facility.  This facility,  effective April 30, 1996, was
amended to $7,000,000 (from  $5,000,000),  with interest at the bank's base rate
less 0.25% (8% at June 30, 1996).  At June 30, 1996,  $6,210,000 was outstanding
under this facility. This restated credit facility extends through September 30,
1999, and is also recorded as a long-term liability.

         In addition to interest on these credit facilities,  the Company pays a
commitment  fee to compensate the banks for making funds  available.  The fee on
the revolving  line of credit is calculated on the average daily  remainder,  if
any, of the commitment amount less the aggregate principal amounts  outstanding,
plus the amount of all letters of credit  outstanding during the period. The fee
on the Acquisition Advance Agreement was 0.5% of the amount of the advance.  The
aggregate  amounts of commitment  fees paid by the Company were $102,000 for the
first six months of 1996, $154,000 in 1995, and $150,000 in 1994.

5.       Long-Term Debt

         In the periods  covered by this report,  the Company's  long-term  debt
consisted  of   $28,750,000   of  6.5%   Convertible   Subordinated   Debentures
("Debentures").  The  Debentures  were issued on June 30, 1993,  with a maturity
date of June 30, 2003 under terms making them  convertible  into common stock of
the Company by the holders at any time prior to maturity at a  conversion  price
of $12.27  per share,  subject  to  adjustment  upon the  occurrence  of certain
events.  Interest on the Debentures has been payable semiannually on June 30 and
December  31,  commencing  with the  payment  made at  December  31,  1993.  The
Debentures  become  redeemable  for cash at the option of the Company after June
30, 1996 at 104.55% of principal, declining to 100.65% in 2002.

                                       F-17


<PAGE>

                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)

         Interest  expense on the  Debentures,  including  amortization  of debt
issuance costs,  totaled $993,890 for the six-month period ending June 30, 1996,
$1,981,639 for 1995, $1,973,931 for 1994, and $984,239 for 1993.

Subsequent Event (unaudited)

         On July 1, 1996, the Company announced the redemption on August 5, 1996
of all the  Debentures  at 104.55% of their face amount,  plus accrued  interest
since June 30, 1996. The Debentures  continued to be convertible  into shares of
common stock at $12.27 per share through August 5, 1996. Prior to the redemption
date, all the debenture  holders elected to convert their Debentures into shares
of common  stock,  resulting in the Company  issuing 2.34 million  shares of its
common stock in August 1996.

         Due to the Debentures  being converted to common stock, the approximate
$27,650,000  net  carrying  amount  of  the  debt  (the  face  amount  less  any
unamortized  deferred charges) will be transferred to the Company's  appropriate
capital accounts during the third quarter of 1996.

6.       Commitments and Contingencies

         Total   rental  and  lease   expenses   charged  to   earnings   before
reimbursements  were  $998,714 in 1995,  $1,159,673 in 1994,  and  $1,155,564 in
1993. The Company's  remaining minimum annual  obligations under  non-cancelable
operating  lease  commitments  are  $1,016,616  for 1996,  $1,083,830  for 1997,
$1,159,185 for 1998, $1,207,707 for 1999, and $1,201,448 for 2000.

         As of June 30, 1996, the Company is the managing general partner of 103
limited partnerships. Because the Company serves as the general partner of these
entities,  under  state  partnership  law  it is  contingently  liable  for  the
liabilities of these partnerships, which liabilities are not material for any of
the periods presented in relation to the partnerships'  respective assets. These
partnership liabilities generally consist of third party borrowings from time to
time to fund capital expenditures for development of oil and gas properties, and
will be repaid  from oil and gas sales  proceeds of the  partnerships  in future
periods.

         In the  ordinary  course of  business,  the  Company  has been party to
various legal actions,  which arise primarily from its activities as operator of
oil and gas wells.  In management's  opinion,  the outcome of any such currently
pending  actions  will not  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  financial
position or results of operations of the Company.

7.       Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock

         On  September  6, 1994,  the Company  declared a 10% stock  dividend to
shareholders of record on September 19, 1994, which was distributed on September
29, 1994. The  transaction was valued based on the closing price ($11.00) of the
Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on September 6, 1994. As a

                                      F-18
<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


result of the  issuance of 606,262  shares of the  Company's  common  stock as a
dividend,  retained  earnings were reduced by $6,668,882,  with the common stock
and additional  paid-in capital accounts  increased by the same amount.  Primary
and fully diluted income (loss) per share was restated for all periods presented
to reflect the effect of the stock dividend.

         During the third  quarter of 1995,  the Company  closed the sale to the
public of 5,750,000  shares of common  stock at a price of $8.50 per share.  Net
proceeds from this offering were $45,698,912 and were used to repay  outstanding
indebtedness,  with the remaining  proceeds  being used to finance the Company's
exploration and  development  activities,  and to acquire  producing oil and gas
properties, including limited partnership interests.

Stock Options and Warrants

         The  Company has an employee  option plan under which  incentive  stock
options  and other  options and awards may be granted to  employees  to purchase
shares  of  common  stock and a  nonqualified  stock  option  plan  under  which
non-employee  members of the Company's Board of Directors may be granted options
to purchase  shares of common stock.  The plans provide that the exercise prices
equal 100% of the fair value of the common  stock on the date of grant.  Options
become  exercisable for 20% of the shares on the first  anniversary of the grant
of the option and are  exercisable  for an additional  20% per year  thereafter.
Options  granted expire 10 years after the date of grant or earlier in the event
of the optionee's separation from employment. No accounting entries are required
until the  stock  options  are  exercised,  at which  time the  option  price is
credited to the common stock and additional paid-in capital accounts. The effect
of the 10% stock dividend increased the number of shares and decreased the price
according to the respective agreements.

         The following is a summary of stock options under these plans:


                                      F-19

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                                             1995                          1994
                                                                        --------------                 ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                            <C>
Options outstanding, beginning of period......................               1,166,920                      899,650
Options granted...............................................                 227,502                      202,760
Options terminated............................................                 (80,270)                     (20,658)
Options exercised.............................................                  (5,761)                     (21,472)
Options adjusted for stock dividend...........................                      --                      106,640
                                                                           -----------                  -----------
Options outstanding, end of period............................               1,308,391                    1,166,920
                                                                           ===========                  ===========
Options exercisable, end of period............................                 722,627                      546,172
                                                                           ===========                  ===========
Options available for future grant, end of period.............                 343,344                      498,909
                                                                           ===========                  ===========
Option price range:...........................................
         Options granted......................................          $7.045-- $10.114               $9.091-- $10.25
         Options terminated...................................          $7.045-- $10.114               $7.045-- $12.386
         Options exercised....................................          $7.045-- $10.114               $7.045-- $9.773
         Options outstanding, end of period...................          $5.455-- $12.386               $5.455-- $12.386
</TABLE>


         The Company also has granted  certain stock options to individuals  who
are neither employees,  officers, nor directors,  for specific services rendered
to the Company.  At December 31, 1995, the only  outstanding  options under this
plan were granted in 1991 covering 68,750 shares at $9.773 (after adjustment for
the September  1994 stock  dividend).  During the three years ended December 31,
1995, the only other activity has been the  cancellation  of 5,350 option shares
in 1993.

         The  Company  also has a plan which  provides  eligible  employees  the
opportunity  to acquire  shares of Company  common  stock at a discount  through
payroll  deductions.  This plan was approved at the May 11,  1993,  shareholders
meeting. The plan year is from June 1 to the following May 31. The first year of
the plan commenced June 1, 1993.  Employees may authorize payroll  deductions of
up to 10% of their base  salary  during the plan year by making an  election  to
participate  prior to the start of a plan  year.  The  purchase  price for stock
acquired  under the plan will be 85% of the  lower of the  closing  price of the
Company's common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange at the beginning
or end of the plan year or a date during the year chosen by the participant. The
Company  issued 37,689 and 29,840 shares under this plan at a range of prices of
$6.80 to $7.92 and a price of $8.71  during 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  As of
December 31, 1995,  there were 479,487 shares  available for issuance under this
plan. There are no charges or credits to income in connection with this plan.


                                      F-20

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


         In  October  1995  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation," which establishes accounting and reporting standards
for  stock-based  employee  compensation  plans.  SFAS No.  123  defines  a fair
value-based   method  of  accounting   for  stock  options  or  similar   equity
instruments, but allows companies to continue to measure compensation cost using
the intrinsic  value-based  method  prescribed by  Accounting  Principles  Board
Opinion ("APB") No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees."  Under the
fair value-based  method,  compensation cost is measured at the grant date based
on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period  (generally,
the vesting period).  Under the intrinsic value-based method,  compensation cost
is the excess,  if any, of the quoted  market  price of the stock at the date of
grant over the exercise price.

         Under the  provisions  of SFAS No.  123, a company may elect to measure
compensation  cost  associated  with its stock  option  and  similar  plans as a
component of compensation expense in its statement of operations.  Companies may
also elect to continue to measure  compensation cost under the provisions of APB
No. 25.  Companies  which  elect to  continue  measurement  under APB No. 25 are
required to provide pro forma  disclosure  in the notes to financial  statements
reflecting the difference,  if any,  between  compensation  cost included in net
income and the cost if the fair value-based  method were used including  effects
on earnings per share.  Since the inception of the Option Plan,  the Company has
not recognized  any  compensation  cost related to grants of stock options.  The
disclosure requirements of this statement are effective for financial statements
for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1995. At this time, the Company
does not expect to adopt the fair value-based method of accounting for its stock
option plans and, accordingly, adoption of this statement will have no impact on
the Company's results of operations.

8.       Related-Party Transactions

         The Company is the operator of a substantial number of properties owned
by its  affiliated  limited  partnerships  and joint  ventures  and  accordingly
charges these entities and third party joint interest owners operating fees. The
Company is also  reimbursed  for  direct,  administrative,  and  overhead  costs
incurred in conducting the business of the limited  partnerships,  which totaled
approximately $4,800,000,  $4,400,000,  and $4,200,000, in 1995, 1994, and 1993,
respectively.  The Company was also reimbursed by the limited  partnerships  and
joint ventures for costs incurred in the screening,  evaluation, and acquisition
of  producing  oil and gas  properties  on  their  behalf.  Such  costs  totaled
approximately  $600,000,  $1,400,000,  and  $2,500,000 in 1995,  1994, and 1993,
respectively.

9.       Oil and Gas Producing Activities

Capitalized Costs

         The following table presents the Company's aggregate  capitalized costs
relating  to oil and gas  producing  activities  and the  related  depreciation,
depletion, and amortization:


                                      F-21

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         December 31,
                                                                               --------------------------------
                                                                                   1995                1994
                                                                               -------------      -------------
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>
Oil and Gas Properties:
         Proved........................................................        $ 132,673,707      $  93,368,795 (1)
         Unproved (not being amortized)................................           20,652,151         14,805,479
                                                                               -------------      -------------
                                                                                 153,325,858        108,174,274
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization..................          (28,107,986)       (19,758,662)(1)
                                                                               -------------      -------------
                                                                               $ 125,217,872      $  88,415,612
                                                                               =============      =============
</TABLE>

(1)      The effect of the 1994 change in accounting  principle (see Note 2) was
         to decrease proved property costs by $37,773,087 and accumulated
         depreciation, depletion, and amortization by $12,359,908.

         Of the $20,652,151 of net unproved  property costs  (primarily  seismic
and lease  acquisition  costs) at December 31,  1995,  being  excluded  from the
amortizable  base,  $8,825,568 was incurred in 1995,  $6,977,963 was incurred in
1994,  $2,018,174  was incurred in 1993,  and  $2,830,446  was incurred in prior
years.  The Company  expects it will complete its  evaluation of the  properties
representing the majority of these costs within the next two to three years.

Capital Expenditures

         The  following  table sets forth  capital  expenditures  related to the
Company's oil and gas operations:


                                      F-22

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1995                 1994                 1993
                                                                 ------------         ------------         ------------
<S>                                                              <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Acquisition of proved properties, including
   earned interests in limited partnerships and
   joint ventures(1)...................................          $  3,461,091         $ 13,078,242         $ 21,832,157
   Lease acquisitions(2),(3)...........................             9,742,543            9,905,237            5,388,243
   Exploration.........................................             2,289,814            4,003,400            2,195,473
   Development.........................................            23,555,988            5,637,285            3,164,803
                                                                 ------------         ------------         ------------
         Total(4)......................................          $ 39,049,436         $ 32,624,164         $ 32,580,676
                                                                 ============         ============         ============
</TABLE>

(1)      There  are no earned  interests  in 1995 or in 1994.  Earned  interests
         amounts included in 1993 are $3,308,623.

(2)      Lease  acquisitions  for 1995,  1994, and 1993 include  expenditures of
         $2,814,395, $2,973,971, and $1,032,656,  respectively,  relating to the
         Company's  initiatives in Russia;  1995, 1994, and 1993 expenditures of
         $304,610, $356,136, and $456,681, respectively, relating to initiatives
         in Venezuela;  and include 1995  expenditures  of $202,206  relating to
         initiatives in New Zealand.

(3)      These are actual amounts as incurred by year, including both proved and
         unproved  lease costs.  The annual lease  acquisition  amounts added to
         proved oil and gas properties  (being  amortized)  for 1995,  1994, and
         1993, respectively, were $3,895,871, $3,032,315, and $4,198,429.

(4)      Includes   capitalized   general  and  administrative   costs  directly
         associated with the acquisition,  development,  and exploration efforts
         of approximately $7,100,000,  $5,800,000, and $8,300,000 in 1995, 1994,
         and  1993.  In  addition,  total  includes  $1,442,022,  $766,572,  and
         $389,352 in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively, of capitalized interest
         on unproved properties.

Results of Operations

         The  following  table sets forth  results of the  Company's oil and gas
operations:


                                      F-23

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1995                1994                1993
                                                                 -------------        ------------         -----------
<S>                                                              <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Oil and gas sales..........................................      $  22,527,892        $ 19,802,188         $15,535,671
Production costs...........................................         (6,826,306)         (5,639,630)         (4,540,290)
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization..................         (8,349,324)         (7,590,877)         (7,067,636)
                                                                 -------------        ------------         -----------
                                                                     7,352,262           6,571,681           3,927,745
Income taxes...............................................         (2,110,099)         (1,511,487)         (1,025,141)
                                                                 -------------        ------------         -----------
Results of producing activities............................      $   5,242,163        $  5,060,194         $ 2,902,604
                                                                 =============        ============         ===========
Amortization per physical unit of production
  (equivalent Mcf of gas)..................................      $        0.75        $       0.79         $      0.96
                                                                 =============        ============         ===========
</TABLE>

Property Purchase and Production Payment Agreement

         In May 1992,  the  Company  purchased  from a  subsidiary  of  Manville
Corporation  ("Manville")  additional  interests  in certain  wells in  McMullen
County,  Texas,  in which the Company had owned  interests for over three years.
The funds for this purchase were provided by the Company's  sale of a volumetric
production payment in the Manville properties to Enron Reserve Acquisition Corp.
("Enron")  for net proceeds of  $13,790,000.  These  proceeds  were  recorded as
deferred  revenues and are amortized as the required  deliveries are made. Under
the production  payment  agreement,  the Company continues to own the properties
purchased from Manville,  but is required to deliver to Enron  approximately 9.5
Bcf over an  eight-year  period,  or for such longer  period as is  necessary to
deliver a specified  heating  equivalent  quantity at an average price of $1.115
per  MMBtu.  The  Company  is  responsible  for  all  production  related  costs
associated with operating these  properties.  The amount to be delivered  varies
from month to month in generally  decreasing  quantities.  To the extent monthly
gas  production  from  the  properties   exceeds  the  agreed  upon  deliverable
quantities  (as it has in every  year  since the  purchase  date),  the  Company
receives all  proceeds  from sale of such excess gas at current  market  prices,
plus the  proceeds  from  sale of oil or  condensate.  Since  entering  into the
volumetric  production payment,  the Company has met all scheduled deliveries to
Enron under this agreement.

Foreign Activities

         Russia

         On September 3, 1993, the Company signed a Participation Agreement with
Senega,  a Russian  Federation  joint stock company (in which the Company has an
indirect  interest of less than 1%), to assist in the development and production
of reserves  from two fields in Western  Siberia,  providing  the Company with a
minimum 5% net profits  interest from the sale of hydrocarbon  products from the
fields for providing  managerial,  technical,  and financial  support to Senega.
Additionally,  the Company  purchased a 1% net profits  interest from Senega for
$300,000.  In May 1995, the Company executed a Management Agreement with Senega,
under which,  in return for  undertaking to obtain  financing for development of
these fields,  Swift is entitled to receive a 49% interest in production  income
derived by Senega from this project  after  repayment of costs.  At December 31,
1995 and June 30, 1996,  respectively,  the  Company's  investment in Russia was
approximately  $6,820,000  and  $8,565,000  and  is  included  in  the  unproved
properties portion of oil and gas properties.

                                      F-24

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


         On July 12, 1996, the Company entered into a partnership agreement with
two other  industry  partners  which  provides for the Company to contribute its
rights under the Participation  and Management  Agreement to the partnership and
the other partners to provide equity funding to the  partnership,  with revenues
and costs to be shared  equally.  Upon  fulfillment of certain  conditions,  the
partnership is to be funded through the contributions of the three partners, and
the partnership will then succeed to the Company's rights and obligations, which
include  pursuing  initial testing and development of hydrocarbon  production in
the Samburg Field and  collectively  arranging for funding and management of the
License Areas, all in conjunction with Senega.

         Venezuela

         The  Company  formed  a  wholly-owned   subsidiary,   Swift  Energy  de
Venezuela,  C.A.,  for the purpose of submitting a bid on August 5, 1993,  under
the Venezuelan Marginal Oil Field Reactivation  Program. The Company did not win
the bid; however,  other fields and opportunities are continuing to be evaluated
in  Venezuela.  At  December  31,  1995  and June 30,  1996,  respectively,  the
Company's  investment in Venezuela was  approximately  $1,120,000 and $1,295,000
and is included in the unproved properties portion of oil and gas properties net
of impairments of $45,668.

         New Zealand

         On  October  12,  1995,  the  Company  was  approved  for the  grant of
Petroleum  Exploration  Permit by the New  Zealand  Minister  of Energy  and the
acceptance of which was approved by the Company's board of directors on November
7, 1995.  This permit  (PEP  38717)  covers  approximately  65,000  acres in the
Onshore Taranaki Basin region.  This permit primarily  requires the Company to :
(a) post a $175,000  bond (which was done by the Company on December  22,  1995)
before  January 11, 1996;  (b) before  December 31, 1997,  analyze and interpret
approximately 460 kilometers of existing seismic data and acquire  approximately
100 kilometers of new seismic data; (c) commence drilling one well prior to July
31, 1998;  (d) review  results prior to July 31, 1999, and (e) prior to July 31,
2000, drill a development well or acquire  additional  seismic data. At December
31,  1995 and June 30,  1996,  respectively,  the  Company's  investment  in New
Zealand was approximately  $200,000 and $400,000 and is included in the unproved
properties portion of oil and gas properties.

Acquisition of Properties by Swift

         During the second quarter of 1994, the Company  acquired  approximately
$18,100,000  of  producing  oil  and  gas  properties  in a  single  acquisition
transaction.  Approximately  $3,500,000 and  $12,700,000 of the properties  were
transferred to affiliated  partnerships  formed under the Company's SDI offering
in 1995 and 1994, respectively.  Approximately $1,900,000 of the properties were
retained by the Company for its own account.

Supplemental Reserve Information (Unaudited)

         The following  information  presents  estimates of the Company's proved
oil and gas reserves, which are all located onshore in the United States. All of
the Company's reserves were determined by company personnel and audited by H. J.
Gruy and Associates,  Inc. ("Gruy"),  independent petroleum consultants.  Gruy's
summary  report dated  February 19, 1996, is set forth as an exhibit to the Form
10-K Report for the year ended December 31, 1995, and includes  definitions  and
assumptions  that served as the basis for the  estimates of proved  reserves and
future net cash flows. Such definitions and assumptions should be referred to in
connection with the following information:


                                      F-25

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


Estimates of Proved Reserves

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Oil and
                                                                                       Natural Gas           Condensate
                                                                                          (Mcf)                (Bbls)
                                                                                       -----------           -----------
<S>                                                                                    <C>                   <C>
Proved reserves as of December 31, 1992(1)...................................           41,638,100             2,901,621
         Revisions of previous estimates(2)..................................           (1,800,178)             (200,906)
         Purchases of minerals in place......................................           17,892,709             1,429,463
         Sales of minerals in place..........................................              (61,996)              (12,555)
         Extensions, discoveries, and other additions........................           10,634,805               477,932
         Production(3).......................................................           (3,840,635)             (324,486)
                                                                                       -----------           -----------

Proved reserves as of December 31, 1993(1)...................................           64,462,805             4,271,069
         Revisions of previous estimates(2)..................................          (10,570,138)             (714,246)
         Purchases of minerals in place......................................            8,136,270               790,523
         Sales of minerals in place..........................................             (881,770)              (34,834)
         Extensions, discoveries, and other additions........................           20,556,953               707,811
         Production(3).......................................................           (5,440,156)             (467,056)
                                                                                       -----------           -----------

Proved reserves as of December 31, 1994(1)...................................           76,263,964             4,553,267
         Revisions of previous estimates(2)..................................            6,982,317              (421,901)
         Purchases of minerals in place......................................            4,166,922               254,211
         Sales of minerals in place..........................................              (13,215)              (10,617)
         Extensions, discoveries, and other additions........................           62,870,240             1,592,456
         Production(3).......................................................           (6,702,708)             (545,435)
                                                                                      ------------           -----------

Proved reserves as of December 31, 1995(1)...................................          143,567,520             5,421,981
                                                                                      ============           ===========

Proved developed reserves,
         December 31, 1992...................................................           32,955,080             2,082,885
         December 31, 1993...................................................           50,936,942             3,110,505
         December 31, 1994...................................................           46,406,448             3,209,387
         December 31, 1995...................................................           81,532,025             3,313,226
</TABLE>

(1)      Proved  reserves for these periods  exclude  quantities  subject to the
         Company's volumetric production payment agreement.

(2)      Revisions  of  previous  quantity  estimates  are  related to upward or
         downward  variations  based  on  current  engineering  information  for
         production rates,  volumetrics,  and reservoir pressure.  Additionally,
         changes in quantity  estimates are affected by the increase or decrease
         in crude oil and natural gas prices at each year end.  Proved  reserves
         as of  December  31,  1995,  were based upon prices of $2.41 per Mcf of
         natural gas and $18.07 per barrel of oil, compared to $1.85 per Mcf and
         $15.09 per barrel as of December 31, 1994.

(3)      Natural gas  production for 1993,  1994,  and 1995 excludes  1,581,206,
         1,358,375,  and  1,211,255  Mcf,  respectively,   delivered  under  the
         Company's volumetric production payment agreement.


                                      F-26

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unaudited)

         The standardized  measure of discounted  future net cash flows relating
to proved oil and gas reserves is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                                  -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       1995                 1994                 1993
                                                                  --------------       -------------        -------------
<S>                                                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Future gross revenues......................................       $ 445,572,715        $ 211,210,430        $ 218,321,639
Future production and development costs....................        (163,925,771)         (92,053,163)         (75,769,590)
                                                                  -------------        -------------        -------------

Future net cash flows before income taxes..................         281,646,944          119,157,267          142,552,049
Future income taxes........................................         (55,469,213)         (14,143,796)         (26,303,502)
                                                                  -------------        -------------        -------------

Future net cash flows after income taxes...................         226,177,731          105,013,471          116,248,547
Discount at 10% per annum..................................         (97,273,647)         (38,541,504)         (41,280,376)
                                                                  -------------        -------------        -------------

Standardized measure of discounted future net
      cash flows relating to proved oil and gas
      reserves.............................................       $ 128,904,084        $  66,471,967        $  74,968,171
                                                                  =============        =============        =============
</TABLE>

         The  standardized  measure  of  discounted  future  net cash flows from
production of proved reserves was developed as follows:

1.  Estimates are made of quantities of proved  reserves and the future  periods
during  which  they are  expected  to be  produced  based on  year-end  economic
conditions.

2. The  estimated  future  gross  revenues of proved  reserves are priced on the
basis of year-end prices, except in those instances where fixed and determinable
gas price escalations are covered by contracts, limited to the price the Company
reasonably expects to receive.

3. The future gross  revenue  streams are reduced by  estimated  future costs to
develop and to produce the proved reserves, as well as certain abandonment costs
based on year-end  cost  estimates  and the  estimated  effect of future  income
taxes.

4. Future income taxes are computed by applying the statutory tax rate to future
net cash  flows  reduced  by the tax  basis  of the  properties,  the  estimated
permanent differences  applicable to future oil and gas producing activities and
tax carryforwards.

         The  estimates  of cash flows and reserves  quantities  shown above are
based on year-end oil and gas prices.  Under Securities and Exchange  Commission
rules,  companies  that follow the full-cost  accounting  method are required to
make quarterly Ceiling Limitation calculations, using prices in effect as of the
period  end date  presented  (see Note 1).  Application  of these  rules  during
periods of relatively  low oil and gas prices,  even if of  short-term  seasonal
duration, may result in write-downs.


                                      F-27

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


         The  standardized  measure of  discounted  future net cash flows is not
intended to present the fair market value of the  Company's oil and gas property
reserves.  An estimate of fair value would also take into  account,  among other
things,  the  recovery  of reserves  in excess of proved  reserves,  anticipated
future changes in prices and costs,  an allowance for return on investment,  and
the risks inherent in reserve estimates.

         The following are the principal  sources of change in the  standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1995                 1994                 1993
                                                                 --------------      -------------        -------------
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Beginning balance.......................................         $  66,471,967       $  74,968,171        $  46,582,994
                                                                 -------------       -------------        -------------
Revisions to reserves proved in prior years--
      Net changes in prices, production costs, and
         future development costs.......................            25,415,116         (21,326,677)          (4,140,177)
      Net changes due to revisions in quantity
         estimates......................................             4,735,186         (11,644,586)          (2,860,642)
      Accretion of discount.............................             6,939,460           8,376,078            5,543,984
      Other.............................................           (10,981,721)         (5,631,646)          (4,485,723)
                                                                 -------------       -------------        -------------

Total revisions.........................................            26,108,041         (30,226,831)          (5,942,558)

New field discoveries and extensions, net of
  future production and development costs...............            44,292,042          15,585,767           13,972,435
Purchases of minerals in place..........................             4,928,563           7,964,821           27,074,564
Sales of minerals in place..............................               (74,858)           (574,651)             (85,174)
Sales of oil and gas produced, net of production
  costs.................................................           (13,913,612)        (12,168,695)          (8,691,301)
Previously estimated development costs
incurred................................................            16,303,629           5,053,417            1,992,967
Net change in income taxes..............................           (15,211,688)          5,869,968               64,244
                                                                 -------------       -------------        -------------

Net change in standardized measure of
  discounted future net cash flows......................            62,432,117          (8,496,204)          28,385,177
                                                                 -------------       -------------        -------------

Ending balance..........................................         $ 128,904,084       $  66,471,967        $  74,968,171
                                                                 =============       =============        =============
</TABLE>



                                      F-28

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


10.      Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

         The following table presents summarized quarterly financial information
for the years ended December 31, 1993,  1994, and 1995, and the six months ended
June 30, 1996:


                                      F-29

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Net Income         Primary Income    Fully Diluted
                                           Income Before         (Loss)            (Loss) Per       Income (Loss)
                           Revenues        Income Taxes       (as Restated)          Share(2)         Per Share(2)
                          -----------      -------------      -------------       ---------------   --------------
<S>                       <C>               <C>                <C>                     <C>              <C>
1993
- ---------------------
First Quarter........     $ 5,325,054       $ 1,411,809        $    988,266            $ 0.15           $ 0.15
Second Quarter.......       6,012,174         1,743,606           1,220,524              0.19             0.19
Third Quarter........       6,603,605         1,905,880           1,441,549              0.22             0.19
Fourth Quarter.......       6,191,820         1,567,313           1,245,914              0.19             0.17
                          -----------       -----------        ------------            ------           ------
         Total.......     $24,132,653       $ 6,628,608        $  4,896,253            $ 0.74           $ 0.70
                          ===========       ===========        ============            ======           ======

1994
- ---------------------
First Quarter........     $ 6,138,535       $ 1,753,003(1)     $(15,561,976)(1)        $(2.36)(1)       $(2.36)(1)
Second Quarter.......       6,106,954(1)      1,462,980(1)        1,076,077 (1)          0.16 (1)         0.15 (1)
Third Quarter........       6,962,612         1,439,620(1)        1,130,398 (1)          0.17 (1)         0.16 (1)
Fourth Quarter.......       6,167,191           182,226             308,474              0.05             0.05
                          -----------       -----------        ------------            ------           ------
         Total.......     $25,375,292       $ 4,837,829        $(13,047,027)           $(1.96)          $(1.96)
                          ===========       ===========        ============            ======           ======

1995
- ---------------------
First Quarter........     $ 6,258,588       $   676,434        $    524,600 (2)        $ 0.08           $ 0.08
Second Quarter.......       6,564,910           965,448             731,275              0.11             0.11
Third Quarter........       7,048,934         1,737,763           1,264,556              0.12             0.12
Fourth Quarter.......       9,058,613         3,514,892           2,392,081              0.19             0.16
                          -----------       -----------        ------------            ------           ------
         Total.......     $28,931,045       $ 6,894,537        $  4,912,512            $ 0.54           $ 0.54
                          ===========       ===========        ============            ======           ======

1996
- ---------------------
First Quarter........     $11,188,847       $ 4,561,523        $  3,082,381            $ 0.25           $ 0.22
Second Quarter.......      12,557,891         5,480,944           3,678,316              0.29             0.25
                          -----------       -----------        ------------            ------           ------
         Total.......     $23,746,738       $10,042,467        $  6,760,697            $ 0.54           $ 0.47
                          ===========       ===========        ============            ======           ======
</TABLE>

(1)      In the  fourth  quarter  of  1994,  the  Company  changed  its  revenue
         recognition  policy  for  earned  interests.  See  Note  2  "Change  in
         Accounting Principle" for further discussion. This change was effective
         beginning January 1, 1994, and,  accordingly,  the cumulative effect of
         this change  ($(16,772,698) or $(2.52) per share) has been reflected in
         the first  quarter  of 1994,  and the first  three  quarters  have been
         restated  to  reflect  the  basis  of  the  newly  adopted   accounting
         principle.  Net Income,  Primary  Income Per Share,  and Fully  Diluted
         Income Per Share were  previously  reported  as  $814,325,  $0.14,  and
         $0.14, respectively,  for the first quarter of 1994; $1,140,197, $0.19,
         and $0.17, respectively,  for the second quarter of 1994; and $768,161,
         $0.12, and $0.12, respectively, for the third quarter of 1994.

(2)      Amounts  prior to the fourth  quarter  of 1994 have been  retroactively
         restated  to  give  recognition  to an  equivalent  change  in  capital
         structure as a result of the 10% stock dividend. See Note 1 "Summary of
         Significant  Accounting  Policies-Income  (Loss) Per Share" for further
         discussion.


                                      F-30

<PAGE>


                      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued) (Including
                Notes Applicable to Unaudited Periods)


         Pro forma amounts assuming the new earned interest  recognition  policy
is applied retroactively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Fully Diluted
                                                             Primary Income             Income
                                       Net Income               Per Share             Per Share
                                      -----------             -----------            ------------
<S>                                   <C>                        <C>                    <C>
1993
- ---------------------------
First Quarter..............           $   917,895                $ 0.14                 $ 0.14
Second Quarter.............             1,247,263                  0.19                   0.19
Third Quarter..............             1,113,049                  0.17                   0.15
Fourth Quarter.............             1,044,271                  0.16                   0.15
                                      -----------                ------                 ------
         Total.............           $ 4,322,478                $ 0.66                 $ 0.63
                                      ===========                ======                 ======

1994
- ---------------------------
First Quarter..............           $ 1,210,722                $ 0.18                 $ 0.17
Second Quarter.............             1,076,077                  0.16                   0.15
Third Quarter..............             1,130,398                  0.17                   0.16
Fourth Quarter.............               308,474                  0.05                   0.05
                                      -----------                ------                 ------
         Total.............           $ 3,725,671                $ 0.56                 $ 0.56
                                      ===========                ======                 ======
</TABLE>


                                      F-31

<PAGE>


         No dealer, salesperson, or any other person has been authorized to give
any  information or to make any  representations,  other than those contained or
incorporated  by reference in this  Prospectus,  in  conjunction  with the offer
contained  in this  Prospectus,  and,  if  given or made,  such  information  or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company
or any  Underwriters.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder and  thereunder  shall under any  circumstances  create an implication
that  there has been no  change in the  affairs  of the  Company  since the date
hereof. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy any  security  in any  jurisdiction  to any person to whom it is unlawful to
make such offer or solicitation.


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


                                Table of Contents
                                                                            Page
Available Information..........................................................2
Defined Terms..................................................................2
Prospectus Summary.............................................................3
Risk Factors...................................................................9
Use of Proceeds...............................................................14
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy...............................15
Capitalization................................................................16
Selected Consolidated Financial Data..........................................17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations......................................19
Business and Properties.......................................................26
Management....................................................................40
Principal Shareholders........................................................42
Description of Notes..........................................................43
Description of Capital Stock..................................................52
Certain United States Tax Considerations .....................................53
Underwriting..................................................................60
Legal Matters.................................................................61
Experts.......................................................................61
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.............................61
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................F-1
<PAGE>


$100,000,000


SWIFT
ENERGY
COMPANY

__% Convertible Subordinated
Notes Due 2006

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]


Salomon Brothers Inc

Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.

Prudential Securities Incorporated

Southcoast Capital
Corporation




Prospectus

Dated       , 1996



<PAGE>



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 14.          Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

         The estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution
of the securities being  registered,  all of which will be borne by the Company,
are set forth in the following itemized table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                           <C>     
         SEC Registration Fee..............................................................   $ 34,849
         NASD Registration Fee.............................................................     12,000
         New York Stock Exchange Listing Fee...............................................
         Transfer Agent's Fees.............................................................
         Blue Sky Fees and Expenses........................................................
         Accounting Fees...................................................................
         Legal Fees........................................................................
         Printing..........................................................................
         Miscellaneous.....................................................................   
                                                                                              ________

                  Total....................................................................   $
                                                                                              ========
</TABLE>



Item 15.          Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         Article  2.02-1 of the Texas Business  Corporation  Act provides that a
corporation  may  indemnify its  officers,  directors,  employees and agents for
expenses and costs incurred in certain  proceedings arising out of actions taken
in their official capacity only if such persons were acting in good faith and in
a manner  reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best  interests of
the  corporation,  except in  relation  to matters in which they have been found
liable (i) to the  corporation,  or (ii) on the basis that personal  benefit was
improperly  received  regardless  of whether or not the  benefit  resulted  from
action taken in their official capacity. In the case of any criminal proceeding,
such persons must also have had no reasonable  cause to believe such conduct was
unlawful. Article 2.02-1 further provides that a corporation shall indemnify its
officers and directors against  reasonable  expenses incurred in connection with
proceedings  arising out of actions  taken in their  official  capacity in which
such persons have been wholly  successful,  on the merits or  otherwise,  in the
defense of such  actions.  The bylaws of the  Company,  as amended,  provide for
indemnification in favor of the Company's directors,  officers, and employees to
the  fullest  extent  permitted  by Article  2.02-1.  Additionally,  the Company
amended its Articles of  Incorporation,  with shareholder  approval,  to confirm
that  the  Company  has  the  power  to  indemnify   certain   persons  in  such
circumstances as are provided in its bylaws.  The amendment  further enables the
Company to enter into  additional  insurance and indemnity  arrangements  at the
discretion   of  the  board  of   directors.   The  Company  has  entered   into
Indemnification  Agreements with each of its officers and directors, the form of
which  was  approved  by the  shareholders  of  the  Company,  that  essentially
indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law.

         Article 7.06 of the Texas  Miscellaneous  Corporation Laws Act provides
that a corporation's  articles of incorporation  may provide for the elimination
or limitation of a director's liability. The Company's Articles of Incorporation
to eliminate the liability of directors to the  corporation or its  shareholders
for monetary damages for an act or omission in his capacity as a director,  with
certain specified  exceptions to the Company and its shareholders to the fullest
extent  permitted by Article 7.06 of the Texas  Miscellaneous  Corporation  Laws
Act.

         The Company  maintains  insurance,  the  general  effect of which is to
provide  coverage for the Company with respect to amounts that it is required to
pay officers and directors under the indemnity

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



provisions  described  above and coverage for  officers  and  directors  against
certain liabilities,  including certain liabilities under the federal securities
law.

Item 16.          Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Exhibit
              Number                                 Description of Exhibit
              -------               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                 <C>
                *1         --       Form of Underwriting Agreement

                *4         --       Indenture dated as of ______________________ 1996, between Swift
                                    Energy Company and Bank One, Texas, National Association

                *5         --       Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation, regarding
                                    legality

                *8         --       Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation, regarding tax
                                    matters

               ++12         --       Statement of ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the last
                                    five fiscal years.

             23(a)         --       Consent of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation (to be
                                    contained in its opinion filed as Exhibits 5 and 8)

            ++23(b)         --       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

            ++23(c)         --       Consent of H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc.

                24         --       Power of Attorney (a power of attorney pursuant to which amendments
                                    to the Registration Statement may be filed is included on the signature
                                    pages hereof)

              ++25         --       Statement of Eligibility of Bank One, Texas, National Association, as
                                    trustee

             99(a)         --       The summary report of H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc. dated February 19,
                                    1996 pertaining to the Company's proved oil and gas reserves as of 
                                    December 31, 1995 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99(a) to the
                                    Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).

             99(b)         --       Summary report of H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc. dated February 17,
                                    1995 pertaining to the Company's proved oil and gas reserves as of
                                    December 31, 1994 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99(a) to the
                                    Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                                    1994)

             99(c)         --       Summary report of Gruy Engineering Corporation dated February 14, 1994
                                    pertaining to the Company's proved oil and gas reserves as of
                                    December 31, 1993 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 28(a) to the
                                    Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                                    1993)
</TABLE>

* To be filed by amendment
++ Filed herewith


                                      II-2

<PAGE>



Item 17.          Undertakings.

         A.       The  undersigned   registrant   hereby  undertakes  that,  for
                  purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each
                  filing of the  registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section
                  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
                  (the "1934 Act")  (and,  where  applicable,  each filing of an
                  employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant to Section
                  15(d) of the 1934 Act) that is  incorporated  by  reference in
                  the  Registration  Statement  shall  be  deemed  to  be a  new
                  Registration  Statement  relating  to the  securities  offered
                  therein,  and the  offering  of such  securities  at that time
                  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         B.       Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the
                  1933  Act  may  be  permitted  to   directors,   officers  and
                  controlling   persons  of  the  registrant   pursuant  to  the
                  provisions  described under Item 15 above,  or otherwise,  the
                  registrant  has  been  advised  that  in  the  opinion  of the
                  Securities and Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is
                  against  public  policy as  expressed  in the 1933 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
                  such issue.

         C.       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

                  (1)  For  purposes  of  determining  any  liability  under the
                       Securities Act of 1933, the information  omitted from the
                       form of  prospectus  filed  as part of this  Registration
                       Statement in reliance  upon Rule 430A and  contained in a
                       form of prospectus  filed by the  registrant  pursuant to
                       Rule  424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
                       shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement
                       as of the time it was declared effective.

                  (2)  For the purposes of determining  any liability  under the
                       Securities  Act of 1993,  each  post-effective  amendment
                       that contains a form of prospectus  shall be deemed to be
                       a new registration  statement  relating to the securities
                       offered  therein,  and the offering of such securities at
                       that time  shall be deemed  to be the  initial  bona fide
                       offering thereof.

                                      II-3

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  1933  Act,  as  amended,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on October 22, 1996.

                                           SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY



                                           By:   /s/ A. Earl Swift
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              A. Earl Swift,
                                              Chairman of the Board, President
                                              and Chief Executive Officer,
                                              Swift Energy Company

         Each person  whose  signature  appears  below  hereby  constitutes  and
appoints A. Earl Swift,  John R. Alden and Alton D.  Heckaman,  Jr., and each of
them,  each  with full  power to act  without  the  other,  his true and  lawful
attorneys-in-fact   and  agents,  each  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for  him  and in his  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto each of said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite  and  necessary to be done in  connection  therewith,  as fully to all
intents and  purposes  as he might or could do in person  hereby  ratifying  and
confirming that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitutes may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  the  1933  Act,  as  amended,  this
Registration  Statement has been signed below in multiple  counterparts with the
effect of one original by the  following  persons in the  capacities  and on the
dates indicated.

      Signature                       Title                          Date
- --------------------------  --------------------------------    ----------------


  /s/ A. Earl Swift         Chairman of the Board, President    October 22, 1996
- --------------------------  and Chief Executive Officer,
   A. Earl Swift            Swift Energy Company


  /s/ John R. Alden         Senior Vice President -- Finance,   October 22, 1996
- --------------------------  Chief Financial Officer, Swift
    John R. Alden           Energy Company


/s/ Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.  Vice President and Controller,      October 22, 1996
- --------------------------  Swift Energy Company
   Alton D. Heckaman, Jr. 


   /s/ Virgil N. Swift      Director, Executive Vice            October 22, 1996
- --------------------------  President and Chief Operating
     Virgil N. Swift        Officer, Swift Energy Company


   /s/ G. Robert Evans      Director, Swift Energy Company      October 22, 1996
- --------------------------
     G. Robert Evans



                                      II-4

<PAGE>


      Signature                       Title                          Date
- --------------------------  --------------------------------    ----------------


   /s/ Ramond O. Loen       Director, Swift Energy Company      October 22, 1996
- --------------------------
     Raymond O. Loen


 /s/ Clyde W. Smith, Jr.    Director, Swift Energy Company      October 22, 1996
- --------------------------
   Clyde W. Smith, Jr.


 /s/ Henry C. Montgomery    Director, Swift Energy Company      October 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
    Henry C. Montgomery


   /s/ Harold J. Withrow    Director, Swift Energy Company      October 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
    Harold J. Withrow



                                      II-5

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
                                                                      ----------

                              SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Actual                                                                                  6 Mos.         6 Mos.
    Data         1995           1994           1993             1992          1991          1996           1995
- ------------ -------------  -------------  -------------   -------------- ------------- -------------  --------------
<S>             <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Gross G&A       16,603,884     16,773,066     15,655,093       13,838,302    14,747,482     8,542,091      8,635,888
Net G&A          5,256,184      5,197,899      5,065,323        4,977,440     4,655,996     2,851,734      2,752,062
Interest
Expense          1,115,361      1,795,133        597,465           76,477            --       293,907      1,090,324
Rent
Expense            869,191        965,389        961,280          922,001       884,397       485,053        422,761
N.I. Before
Taxes            6,894,537      4,837,829      6,628,608        4,687,519     3,748,741    10,042,467      1,641,882
Capitalized
Interest         1,442,022        766,572        389,352          466,460       280,907       797,934        665,498
Depl. Captl.
Interest            95,496         87,588         64,454           38,054        19,571        75,077         43,794

 Calculated
    Data
Unallocated
G&A (5)              31.66%         30.99%         32.36%           35.97%        31.57%        33.38%        31.875%
Non-Cap'l.
Rent Exp.          275,154        299,170        311,029          331,631       279,217       161,932        134,724
1/3 Non-
Cap'l. Rent         91,718         99,723        103,676          110,544        93,072        53,977         44,908
Exp.
Fixed
Charges          2,649,101      2,661,428      1,090,493          653,481       373,979     1,145,818      1,800,730
Earnings         8,197,112      6,820,273      7,394,203        4,912,594     3,861,384    10,465,358      2,820,908

Ratio of
Earnings to
Fixed Costs           3.09           2.56           6.78             7.52         10.33          9.13          1.57
             =============  =============  =============   ============== ============= =============  ============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(b)
                                                                   -------------

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As independent public accountants,  we hereby consent to the use of our
reports  and  all  references  to our  Firm  included  in or made a part of this
registration statement.


                                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





October 24, 1996



<PAGE>




                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(c)
                                                                   -------------
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

         H. J.  Gruy  and  Associates,  Inc.  ("Gruy")  hereby  consents  to all
references in the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 pertaining to an offering
of Common Stock by Swift Energy Company, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), to
the  following  letter  reports  prepared by Gruy  relating to Gruy's  audits of
Swift's  estimates of Swift's  proved oil and gas  reserves as of the  indicated
dates:

         o        Summary report of Gruy dated February 19, 1996,  pertaining to
                  the  Company's  proved oil and gas reserves as of December 31,
                  1995.

         o        Summary report of Gruy dated February 17, 1995,  pertaining to
                  certain of the  Company's  proved oil and gas  reserves  as of
                  December 31, 1994.

         o        Summary of report of Gruy dated February 14, 1994,  pertaining
                  to certain of the Company's  proved oil and gas reserves as of
                  December 31, 1993.


                                                Yours very truly,



                                                H. J. GRUY AND ASSOCIATES, INC.





Houston, Texas
October 18, 1996



<PAGE>




                                                                      EXHIBIT 25
                                                                      ----------
                                                                Registration No.


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF
1939 OF A CORPORATION  DESIGNATED TO  ACT AS TRUSTEE

                            BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, N.A.


                            Not Applicable 31-4148768
                    (State of Incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
                   if not a national bank) Identification No.)

                100 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43271-0181
          (Address of trustee's principal (Zip Code) executive offices)

                                   Ted Kravits
                         c/o Bank One Trust Company, NA
                              100 East Broad Street
                            Columbus, Ohio 43271-0181
                                 (614) 248-2566
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)


                              SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Texas                                                 74-2073055

(State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)


16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400
Houston, Texas                                        77060

(Address of principal executive                       (Zip Code)
offices)


                                       -1-

<PAGE>



     SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY ________% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2006

                       (Title of the Indenture securities)

                                     GENERAL

1.       General Information.
         Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)      Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
                  which it is subject.

                  Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

                  Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio

                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

                  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
                  Washington, D.C.

         (b)      Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                  The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

2.       Affiliations with Obligor and Underwriters.
         If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
         affiliation.

         The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

16.      List of Exhibits
         List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of
         eligibility and qualification.  (Exhibits identified in parentheses, on
         file with the  Commission,  are  incorporated  herein by  reference  as
         exhibits hereto.)

Exhibit 1 - (A copy of the  Articles  of  Association  of the  trustee as now in
effect;  incorporated  by  reference  from  Exhibit  7 to  Form  T-1,  filed  in
connection  with Form S-1 relating to Ocwen Financial  Corporation  11-7/8 Notes
due 2003, Registration No. 333-05153.)

Exhibit 2 - (A copy of the  Certificate  of Authority of the trustee to commence
business,  incorporated  by  reference  from  Exhibit  2 to Form  T-1,  filed in
connection  with Form S-3  relating to  Wheeling-Pittsburgh  Corporation  9 3/8%
Senior Notes due 2003, Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 33-50709.)

Exhibit 3 - (A copy of the  Authorization  of the trustee to exercise  corporate
trust powers,  incorporated  by reference  from\ Exhibit 3 to Form T-1, filed in
connection  with Form S-3  relating to  Wheeling-Pittsburgh  Corporation  9 3/8%
Senior Notes due 2003, Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 33-50709.

Exhibit 4 - (A copy of the Bylaws of the trustee as now in effect;  incorporated
by  reference  from  Exhibit 7 to Form T-1,  filed in  connection  with Form S-1
relating to Ocwen Financial  Corporation  11-7/8 Notes due 2003,  Regulation No.
333-05153.)

Exhibit 5 - Not applicable.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



Exhibit 6 - The consent of the trustee  required by Section  321(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Exhibit 7 - (Report of  Condition  of the trustee as of the close of business on
June 30, 1996,  published pursuant to the requirements of the Comptroller of the
Company;  incorporated  by  reference  from  Exhibit  7 to Form  T-1,  filed  in
connection  with Form S-1 relating to Ocwen Financial  Corporation  11-7/8 Notes
due 2003, Regulation No. 333-05153.)

Exhibit 8 - Not applicable.

Exhibit 9 - Not applicable.
Items 3 through 15 are not  answered  pursuant  to General  Instruction  B which
requires responses to Item 1, 2 and 16 only, if the obligor is not in default.


                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Trust  Indenture  Act of  1939,  as
amended,  the Trustee,  Bank One, Columbus,  NA, a national banking  association
organized  under the National  Banking  Act,  has duly caused this  statement of
eligibility  and  qualification  to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, all in Columbus, Ohio, on October 23, 1996.


                                                 Bank One, Columbus, NA


                                                 By: /s/ Ted Kravits
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                     Ted Kravits
                                                     Authorized Signer


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 6


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


                                     CONSENT


The  undersigned,  designated  to act as Trustee  under the  Indenture for Swift
Energy  Company,  Inc.  described in the attached  Statement of Eligibility  and
Qualification,  does hereby  consent  that reports of  examinations  by Federal,
State, Territorial, or District Authorities may be furnished by such authorities
to the Commission upon the request of the Commission.

This Consent is given  pursuant to the provision of Section  321(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.


                                                     Bank One, Columbus, NA

Dated: October 23, 1996

                                                     By: /s/ Ted Kravits
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        Ted Kravits
                                                        Authorized Signer

                                     - 21 -
1/18/94


<PAGE>




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