HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES INC
10-K, 1998-02-25
MISCELLANEOUS FURNITURE & FIXTURES
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<PAGE>
                                   UNITED STATES
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                          
                                     FORM 10-K
                                          
                   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997          COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-6651

                            HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 INDIANA                              35-1160484
     (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)

               700 STATE ROUTE 46 EAST
                 BATESVILLE, INDIANA                    47006-8835
     (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:  (812) 934-7000
            SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

       TITLE OF EACH CLASS            NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
- -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
  COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE            NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

         SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:  NONE

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS 
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE 
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO 
SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.

                 Yes     X                           No 
                      --------                          -------

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO 
ITEM 405 OF REGULATION S-K IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND WILL NOT BE 
CONTAINED, TO THE BEST OF REGISTRANT'S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE PROXY OR 
INFORMATION STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS FORM 
10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THIS FORM 10-K.  / /

     STATE THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY 
NON-AFFILIATES OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Common Stock, without par value - $2,695,971,284 as of February 16, 1998
(excluding stock held by persons deemed affiliates).

     INDICATE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF EACH OF THE REGISTRANT'S
CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK, AS OF THE LATEST PRACTICABLE DATE.

       Common Stock, without par value - 67,526,880 as of February 16, 1998.

     DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

     Portions of the 1998 Proxy Statement furnished to Shareholders - 
       Parts I, III and IV.
     Portions of the 1992 Proxy Statement furnished to Shareholders - 
       Part IV.


                                      
<PAGE>

                            HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                                 NOVEMBER 29, 1997
                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                          
                                          
                                                                          PAGE
                                       PART I

     Item 1.   Business                                                      1
     Item 2.   Properties                                                    7
     Item 3.   Legal Proceedings                                             7
     Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote                                
               of Security Holders                                           8

                                      PART II

     Item 5.   Market for Registrant's Common                                 
               Equity and Related Stockholder
               Matters                                                        8
     Item 6.   Selected Financial Data                                        9
     Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis                            
               of Financial Condition and Results
               of Operations                                                 10
     Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
               about Market Risk                                             17
     Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary                          
               Data                                                          19
     Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With                               
               Accountants on Accounting and
               Financial Disclosure                                          42

                                      PART III

     Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers
               of the Registrant                                             43
     Item 11.  Executive Compensation                                        43
     Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain                                   
               Beneficial Owners and Management                              43
     Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related                               
               Transactions                                                  43

                                      PART IV     
                                                  
     Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules,
               and Reports on Form 8-K                                       43

                               SIGNATURES                                    46
   
                                      
<PAGE>

                                       PART I


ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

     Hillenbrand Industries, Inc., an Indiana corporation headquartered in 
Batesville, Indiana, is a diversified, public holding company and the owner 
of 100% of the capital stock of its four major operating companies.  Unless 
the context otherwise requires, the terms "Hillenbrand" and the "Company" 
refer to Hillenbrand Industries, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries.  
Hillenbrand is organized into two business segments: the Funeral Service 
Group and the Health Care Group.  The Funeral Service Group consists of 
Batesville Casket Company, Inc., a manufacturer of caskets and other products 
for the funeral industry, and Forethought Financial Services, Inc., a 
provider of funeral planning financial products.  The Health Care Group 
consists of Hill-Rom, Inc., a manufacturer of equipment for the health care 
market and provider of wound care and pulmonary/trauma management services; 
and Medeco Security Locks, Inc., a manufacturer of high security locks and 
access control products for commercial and residential use.  (Medeco does not 
directly serve the health care industry but is included in the Health Care 
segment due to its relative size.)  The assets of Block Medical, Inc., a 
provider of home infusion therapy products, were sold to I-Flow Corporation 
on July 22, 1996.  Results for Block Medical, Inc. are included in the 
Company's financial statements within the Health Care Group through that date.

FUNERAL SERVICE

     Batesville Casket Company, Inc. ("Batesville"), an Indiana corporation
headquartered in Batesville, Indiana, was founded in 1884 and acquired by the
Hillenbrand family in 1906.  Batesville manufactures and sells several types of
steel, copper, bronze, hardwood and cloth-covered caskets, including caskets and
containers for the cremation market.  In addition to caskets, Batesville
manufactures and sells a line of urns used in cremations.  All Batesville metal
caskets are protective caskets which are electrically welded and made resistant
to the entry of air, water and gravesite substances through the use of rubber
gaskets and a locking bar mechanism.

     Batesville Monoseal-Registered Trademark- steel caskets also employ a 
magnesium alloy bar to cathodically protect the casket from rust and 
corrosion. The Company believes that this system of Cathodic Protection is 
featured only on Batesville caskets.

     Batesville hardwood caskets are made from walnut, mahogany, cherry, 
maple, pine, oak, pecan and poplar.  Except for a limited line of hardwood 
caskets with a protective copper liner, the majority of hardwood caskets are 
not protective. Batesville's cloth-covered caskets are constructed with a 
patent pending process using cellular fiberboard construction.

     The cremation line of caskets, containers, urns and memorialization 
items are marketed by Batesville under the name of Options-Registered 
Trademark-  The caskets and containers are manufactured primarily of 
hardwoods and fiberboard. The urns are made from bronze, hardwoods, marble 
and cast acrylic.  A line of cast bronze statuary art pieces used for 
memorialization are also marketed.

     Batesville offers several marketing programs to funeral directors for 
both casket and cremation products.  Batesville products are marketed by 
Batesville's direct sales force to licensed funeral directors operating 
licensed funeral homes throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, 
Mexico and Puerto Rico. Batesville maintains inventory at 70 company-operated 
Customer Service Centers in North America.  Batesville caskets are delivered 
in specially equipped vehicles owned by Batesville.

     Batesville has small manufacturing and distribution facilities in Canada 
and Mexico.

                                        -1-
<PAGE>

     Forethought Financial Services, Inc. ("Forethought", formerly Forecorp, 
Inc.), was founded in 1985.  It, along with its principal subsidiaries, 
Forethought Life Insurance Company, Forethought National TrustBank and The 
Forethought Group, Inc., are headquartered in Batesville, Indiana.  These 
companies serve the country's largest network of funeral planning 
professionals with marketing support for Forethought funeral plans funded by 
life insurance policies, trust products and other financial vehicles.  These 
specialized funeral planning products are offered through funeral homes.  
Customers choose the funeral home, type of service and merchandise they want. 
 The selected funeral home contracts to provide the funeral services and 
merchandise when needed.  With funds provided by one of Forethought's 
financial products, the program offers financial protection by enabling the 
funeral home to guarantee that the planned funeral will be available as 
specified.

     Forethought's life insurance policies are offered through a network of 
over 4,000 independent, licensed funeral homes.  Forethought Life Insurance 
Company is licensed in 48 states, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, 
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada, Puerto Rico and 
the District of Columbia.  Forethought signed a stock purchase agreement on 
December 11, 1997 to purchase Chrysler Life Insurance Company.

     Forethought entered the trust business in 1997 and currently has bank 
charters in six states.  Its trust products are offered through independent 
funeral homes and national chains.  It applied for a savings bank charter in 
November 1997, which was being reviewed by the Office of Thrift Supervision 
at the date of this report.

HEALTH CARE

     Hill-Rom, Inc., with its subsidiaries (collectively, "Hill-Rom"), is a 
leading producer of mechanically, electrically and hydraulically controlled 
adjustable hospital beds, hospital procedural stretchers, hospital patient 
room furniture and architectural systems specifically designed to meet the 
needs of medical-surgical, critical care, long-term care, home-care and 
perinatal providers.  It has been in the hospital equipment business since 
1929.  It has been engaged in the manufacture, rental and service of therapy 
beds and support surfaces in the wound care, pulmonary/trauma and 
incontinence management markets since 1985.

     The Hill-Rom line of electrically and manually adjustable hospital beds 
includes models which, through sideguard controls, can be raised and lowered, 
retracted and adjusted to varied orthopedic and therapeutic contours and 
positions.  Hill-Rom also produces beds for special departments such as 
intensive care, emergency, perinatal, recovery rooms and labor and delivery 
rooms.  Other Hill-Rom products include nurse call systems, sideguard 
communications, wood-finished bedside cabinets, adjustable-height overbed 
tables, mattresses and wood upholstered chairs.  Its architectural products 
include customized, prefabricated modules, either wall-mounted or on 
freestanding columns, enabling medical gases, communications and electrical 
services to be distributed in patient rooms.  Recently introduced products 
include the TotalCare-TM- bed, TransStar-TM- strectcher, Procedural Recliner, 
Stabilet-Registered Trademark- infant warmer and Versalet-TM- Care Center in 
the acute care market and the Resident-TM- LTC bed in the long-term care 
market. Hill-Rom also remanufactures hospital beds. Its process includes 
disassembly, washing, sanding, painting and reassembly with new components.  


     Hill-Rom products are sold directly to acute and long-term health care 
facilities throughout the United States and Canada by Hill-Rom account 
executives.  Most Hill-Rom products sold in the United States are delivered 
by trucks owned by Hill-Rom.  Hill-Rom also operates a Canadian division 
which distributes Hill-Rom products, principally in Canada.  Hill-Rom also 
sells its domestically produced products through distributorships throughout 
the world.

     Hill-Rom operates hospital bed, therapy bed and patient room 
manufacturing facilities in Germany and France. Their products are sold and 
leased directly to hospitals and nursing homes throughout Europe.

                                        -2-
<PAGE>

     Within the wound care and pulmonary/trauma management market, 
CLINITRON-Registered Trademark- Air Fluidized Therapy is provided as a 
therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of advanced pressure sores, flaps, 
grafts and burns.  The CLINITRON unit achieves its support characteristics 
from the fluid effect created by forcing air up and through medical-grade 
ceramic microspheres contained in the unit's fluidization chamber.  Various 
CLINITRON products are designed to meet the specific requirements of acute 
care, long-term care and home care settings.  Recent product introductions 
utilizing this technology include the Clinitron-Registered Trademark- 
Rite-Hite-Registered Trademark- Air Fluidized Therapy unit, designed to meet 
the requirements of long-term care facilities and the Clinitron-Registered 
Trademark- At-Home-Registered Trademark-, which was designed for delivery and 
use in the home.

     Hill-Rom's other wound care and pulmonary/trauma management technology, 
low airloss therapy, consists of a sleep surface with air-filled cushions 
separated into integrated zones.  Air pressure is automatically adjusted 
whenever the patient changes position.  Micro air vents on the cushions allow 
for the controlled release of air.  This technology is applied to either an 
integrated unit or as an overlay to an existing bed.  Recently introduced low 
airloss products include the Flexicair Eclipse-Registered Trademark-,  a 
portable, rental mattress replacement for the acute care market and the 
Silkair-TM-, a low airloss overlay product for the home care market.

     Clinical support for Hill-Rom's wound care and pulmonary/trauma 
management products is provided by a sales force composed of nurses and 
physician assistants.  Technical support is made available by technicians and 
service personnel who provide maintenance and technical assistance from 
Hill-Rom Service Centers.

     Hill-Rom therapy systems are made available to hospitals, long-term care 
facilities and homes on a rental basis through more than 150 Service Centers 
located in the United States, Canada and Western Europe.

     On December 18, 1997, Hill-Rom acquired the stock of Air-Shields, Inc., 
a manufacturer and supplier of infant incubators and warmers, and certain 
other businesses of Vickers PLC for a cash payment of $99 million.  On 
February 9, 1998, Hill-Rom acquired the stock of MEDAES Holdings, a 
manufacturer of medical architectural systems, for a cash payment of $62 
million.  These acquisitions will not have a material effect on the Company's 
results of operations in 1998.

     Medeco Security Locks, Inc. ("Medeco"), founded in 1968, was purchased 
by Hillenbrand in 1984.  Medeco develops, manufactures and sells a wide 
variety of deadbolts, padlocks, switch locks, camlocks, electro-mechanical 
and other special purpose locks for the high-security market.  Medeco's 
double locking mechanism provides a higher level of security than is 
achievable by more common, single-locking devices.  Medeco locks are 
primarily constructed of brass and hardened steel and are manufactured in its 
Salem, Virginia plant.

     Medeco also develops, manufactures and sells products for the electronic 
high-security market.  INSITE VLS-TM- replaces the thousands of mechanical 
keys used in pay telephone collection.  The DialGuard-TM- lock system fills 
the same role in the automatic teller machine collection market, and the 
DuraCam-TM-high-security lock serves the gaming industry.  The INSITE 
SITEKEY-TM- provides the state-of-the-art in electronic door security.  An 
electronic parking meter lock was introduced in 1997, and is presently in 
field trials.

     Beginning in the first quarter of 1997, Medeco converted to direct 
distribution of its door security products to retail locksmith customers. 
Medeco had previously sold through locksmith supply distributors.  This 
program has resulted in improved delivery times for both standard and 
specialty items. Medeco products are also sold domestically and 
internationally by its sales organization to original equipment manufacturers 
and government agencies. Original equipment applications include vending 
machines, pay telephones, safe and lock boxes, computer equipment, 
coin-operated laundry machines and communications security devices.

     Hill-Rom generates the predominant share of the Health Care segment's 
revenues and operating profit.  Medeco had an immaterial effect on the 
operating results of this segment in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

     The amounts of net revenues, operating profit and identifiable assets
attributable to each of the industry segments of the Company are set forth in
tables relating to operations by business segment in Note 8 to Consolidated
Financial Statements, which statements are included under Item 8.


                                         -3-
                                      
<PAGE>

RAW MATERIALS

FUNERAL SERVICE

     Batesville employs carbon and stainless steel, copper and bronze sheet,
wood, fabrics, finishing materials, rubber gaskets, zinc and magnesium alloy in
the manufacture of its caskets.  These materials are available from several
sources.


HEALTH CARE

     Principal materials used in Hill-Rom products include steel, aluminum, 
stainless steel, wood, high-pressure laminates, fabrics, silicone-coated 
soda-lime glass beads and other materials, substantially all of which are 
available from several sources.  Motors for electrically operated beds and 
certain other components are purchased from one or more manufacturers.

     Medeco uses brass, hardened steel, other metals and electronic components,
substantially all of which are available from several sources.

COMPETITION

FUNERAL SERVICE

     Batesville believes its dollar volume of sales of finished caskets is 
the largest in the United States.  Batesville competes on the basis of 
product quality, service to its customers and price, and believes that there 
are approximately two (2) other companies that also manufacture and/or sell 
caskets over a wide geographic area.  There are, however, throughout the 
United States many enterprises that manufacture, assemble, or distribute 
caskets for sale within a limited geographic area.  Forethought competes 
on the basis of service to its customers and products offered.  Forethought 
Life Insurance Company sells its products in competition with other life 
insurance companies.  Forethought Life believes it is the leading provider of 
insurance-funded pre-arranged funerals in the United States. Forethought 
National TrustBank competes with local banks and master trusts offered 
through state associations.

HEALTH CARE

     Hill-Rom believes it is the U.S. market share leader in the sale of
electrically operated hospital beds, competing with approximately ten (10) other
manufacturers.  In Europe, Hill-Rom competes with several other manufacturers
and believes that it is a market leader.  In both the United States and Europe
there are other companies which provide low airloss and other methods of patient
support and patient relief.

     Medeco competes on the basis of product quality and performance, and
service to its customers.  Medeco believes it is the market share leader in the
mechanical high security lock market; however, other lock manufacturers produce
a broader product line and have larger financial resources.  Medeco believes
that its patents are important to its business.

                                         -4-

<PAGE>

RESEARCH

     Each of the Company's operating subsidiaries devotes research efforts to 
develop and improve its products as well as its manufacturing and production 
methods.  All research and development expenses are Company sponsored. 
Expenditures in the most recent three fiscal years were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 1997        1996      1995
                                                 ----        ----      ----
                                                         (millions)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
New products and processes                        $40        $ 31      $28
Improvement of existing products and processes      9          11       11

</TABLE>

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

     The Company owns a number of patents on its products and manufacturing 
processes which are of importance to it, but it does not believe that any 
single patent or related group of patents are of material significance to the 
business of the Company as a whole.

     The Company also owns a number of trademarks and service marks relating 
to its products and product services which are of importance to it, but it 
does not believe that any single trademark or service mark is of material 
significance to the business of the Company as a whole.

EMPLOYEES

     As of February 16, 1998, the Company employed approximately 10,100 
persons in its operations in North America and Europe.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

     Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. is committed to operating all of its 
businesses in a way that protects the environment.  The Company has 
voluntarily entered into remediation agreements with environmental 
authorities, and has been issued Notices of Violation alleging violations of 
certain permit conditions. Accordingly, the Company is in the process of 
implementing plans of abatement in compliance with agreements and 
regulations.  The Company has also been notified as a potentially responsible 
party in investigations of certain offsite disposal facilities.  The cost of 
all plans of abatement and waste-site cleanups in which the Company is 
currently involved is not expected to exceed $10 million.  The Company has 
provided adequate reserves in its financial statements for these matters.  
These reserves have been determined without consideration of possible loss 
recoveries from third parties.  Compliance with other current governmental 
provisions relating to protection of the environment also does not materially 
affect the Company's capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. 
Recent changes in environmental law might affect the Company's future 
operations, capital expenditures and earnings.  The cost of complying with 
these provisions is not known.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

     Information about the Company's foreign operations is set forth in 
tables relating to geographic information in Note 8 to Consolidated Financial 
Statements, which statements are included under Item 8.

     The Company's export revenues constituted less than 10% of consolidated 
revenues in 1997 and prior years.

ORDER BACKLOG

     Order backlogs are immaterial to the Company and there was no material 
change in backlogs during 1997.

                                        -5-
<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The executive officers of the Company are elected each year by the Board 
of Directors at its first meeting following the Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to serve during the ensuing year and until their respective 
successors are elected and qualify.  There are no family relationships 
between any of the executive officers of the Company.  Following are the 
executive officers of the Company as of February 16, 1998.

     W August Hillenbrand, 57, was elected Chief Executive Officer of the 
Company on April 11, 1989, and has been President since October 21, 1981.  
Prior to that he had been a Vice President of the Company since 1972 and has 
been employed by the Company throughout his business career.

     Tom E. Brewer, 59, has been employed by the Company since May 16, 1983, 
and was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on May 23, 
1983. He had been employed by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for the 
prior 22 years, where he served as Corporate Vice President and Treasurer.

     George E. Brinkmoeller, 62, was elected Vice President, Corporate 
Services on December 2, 1979, had been Director of Corporate Services since 
January 1, 1975, and had been Manager of Affiliated Operations since January 
1, 1971.

     Michael L. Buettner, 40, has been employed by the Company since January 
9, 1995, and was elected Vice President, Corporate Development on January 9, 
1995. Prior to joining the Company, he was employed by Bausch & Lomb 
Incorporated for 10 years in various corporate development and finance roles, 
most recently as Staff Vice President, Corporate Development.  He has also 
served in various finance and marketing positions with Moog Automotive, Inc. 
and Carboline Company.

     Mark R. Lanning, 43, was elected Vice President and Treasurer on April 11,
1995.  Prior to that he had been Assistant Treasurer since June, 1991.  He
joined the Company on May 16, 1988, as Manager, Corporate Audit.  Prior to
joining the Company he served in various capacities with the public accounting
firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).  He has been a licensed Certified
Public Accountant since 1979.

     Mark R. Lindenmeyer, M.D., 51, was elected Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company on October 7, 1991.  He had been employed by the
Company since August 18, 1986, as Litigation Counsel.  Prior to joining the
Company, Dr. Lindenmeyer served in the U.S. Army as a military trial attorney
and judge and was a partner in a Batesville, Indiana law firm.  He has been a
licensed physician since 1986 and a practicing attorney since 1972.

     J. Cameron Moss, 41, was elected Vice President, Corporate Planning on
January 2, 1996, and has been employed by the Company since January 2, 1996. 
Prior to joining the Company, he was a senior manager with McKinsey & Company,
Inc., in its Cleveland, Ohio and Munich, Germany offices.

     Robert J. Tennison, 51, has been employed by the Company since February 28,
1996, and was elected Vice President, Continuous Improvement on March 1, 1996. 
Prior to joining the Company, he was Senior Vice President of Operations for
Donnelly Corporation, President of Hennessy Industries and Director of
Manufacturing for Sauer-Sundstrand.  He began his career with General Motors.

     James G. Thorne, 56, has been employed by the Company since June 14, 1993,
and was elected Vice President, Human Resources on April 5, 1994.  Prior to
joining the Company, he was employed by Monsanto Company for 27 years where he
served as Vice President, Human Resources for Fisher Controls International,
Inc.

     James D. Van De Velde, 51, was elected Vice President and Controller on May
13, 1991.  He joined the Company on September 1, 1980 as Director, Taxes.  Prior
to that he was employed by the public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse.
                                          
                                          
                                        -6-
<PAGE>
                                          
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

     The principal properties of the Company and its subsidiaries are listed
below, and are owned by the Company or its subsidiaries subject to no material
encumbrances except for those facilities (*) which were constructed with funds
obtained through government sponsored bonds (see Note 4 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements).  All facilities are suitable for their intended purpose,
are being efficiently utilized and are believed to provide adequate capacity to
meet demand for the next several years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


           LOCATION              DESCRIPTION                PRIMARY USE

<S>                             <C>                         <C>
HEALTH CARE AND OTHER:
     Batesville, IN            Manufacturing plant and      Manufacture of health care
                               distribution facility          equipment
                               Office facilities            Administration
     Charleston, SC            Office facility and          Administration and
                                assembly plant               assembly of therapy units
     Kempen, Germany           Manufacturing plant and      Manufacture of health care
                                office facilities            equipment
     Pluvigner, France         Manufacturing plant and      Manufacture of health care
                                office facility              equipment
     Salem, VA                 Manufacturing plant and      Manufacture of mechanical
                                office facility              and electronic locks

FUNERAL SERVICE:
     Batesville, IN            Manufacturing plants         Manufacture of metal caskets
                               Office facilities             Administration
     Manchester, TN            Manufacturing plants         Manufacture of metal caskets
     Campbellsville, KY        Manufacturing plant          Manufacture of metal caskets
     Vicksburg, MS             Kiln drying and lumber       Drying and dimensioning
                               cutting plant                 lumber
   * Batesville, MS            Manufacturing plant          Manufacture of hardwood caskets
     Nashua, NH                Manufacturing plant          Manufacture of hardwood caskets

</TABLE>

     In addition to the foregoing, the Company leases or owns a number of 
warehouse distribution centers, service centers and sales offices throughout 
the United States, Canada and Europe.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     On August 16, 1995, Kinetic Concepts, Inc., and Medical Retro Design, 
Inc. (collectively, the "plaintiffs"), filed suit against Hillenbrand 
Industries, Inc., and its subsidiary Hill-Rom Company, Inc., in the United 
States District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio 
Division.  The plaintiffs allege violation of various antitrust laws, 
including illegal bundling of products, predatory pricing, refusal to deal 
and attempting to monopolize the hospital bed industry.  They seek monetary 
damages totaling in excess of $269 million, trebling of any damages that may 
be allowed by the court, and injunctions to prevent further alleged unlawful 
activities.  The Company believes that the claims are without merit and is 
defending itself aggressively against all allegations.  Accordingly, it has 
not recorded any loss provision relative to damages sought by the plaintiffs.

                                          
                                        -7-
<PAGE>

     On November 20, 1996, the Company filed a Counterclaim to the above 
action against Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) in the U.S. District Court in San 
Antonio, Texas.  The Counterclaim alleges that KCI has attempted to 
monopolize the therapeutic bed market and to interfere with the Company's and 
Hill-Rom's business relationships by conducting a campaign of anticompetitive 
conduct.  It further alleges that KCI abused the legal process for its own 
advantage; interfered with existing Hill-Rom contractual relationships; 
interfered with Hill-Rom's prospective contractual and business 
relationships; commercially disparaged the Company and Hill-Rom by uttering 
and publishing false statements to customers and prospective customers urging 
them not to do business with the Company and Hill-Rom; and committed libel 
and slander in statements made both orally and published by KCI that the 
Company and Hill-Rom were providing illegal discounts.  The Company alleges 
that KCI's intent is to eliminate legal competitive marketplace activity.

     On December 24, 1996, the Company filed a patent infringement action 
against KCI in the U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, for 
alleged infringement of its Effica-TM- therapeutic bed by KCI.  Hill-Rom is 
seeking both monetary damages and injunctive relief in this action.

     There is no other pending litigation of a material nature in which the 
Company or its subsidiaries are involved.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the 
quarter ended November 29, 1997.

                                      PART II

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     From time to time, the Company makes oral and written statements that 
may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the PRIVATE 
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 (the "Act") or by the SEC in its 
rules, regulations and releases.  The Company desires to take advantage of 
the "safe harbor" provisions in the Act for forward-looking statements made 
from time to time, including, but not limited to, the forward-looking 
statements relating to the future performance of the Company contained in 
Management's Discussion and Analysis (under Items 7 and 7A on Form 10-K), and 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (under Item 8 on Form 10-K) and 
other statements made in this Form 10-K and in other filings with the SEC.

     The Company cautions readers that any such forward-looking statements 
are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but are 
subject to a wide range of risks, and there is no assurance that actual 
results may not differ materially.  Important factors that could cause actual 
results to differ include but are not limited to: differences in anticipated 
and actual product introduction dates, the ultimate success of those products 
in the marketplace, and the success of cost control and restructuring 
efforts, among other things. Realization of the Company's objectives and 
expected performance can also be adversely affected by the outcome of pending 
litigation and rulings by the Internal Revenue Service on certain tax 
positions taken by the Company.

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED 
          STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

MARKET INFORMATION

     Hillenbrand Industries' common stock is traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange under the ticker symbol "HB".  The following table reflects the 
range of high and low selling prices of the Company's common stock by quarter 
for 1997 and 1996.

                                        -8-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     1997             1996
                              -----------------   ----------------
                                HIGH      LOW       HIGH      LOW
                              -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                          <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
     First Quarter            $39 5/8   $33 7/8   $34 1/8   $31 7/8
     Second Quarter           $47 1/2   $37 1/4   $40 1/4   $33 1/4
     Third Quarter            $48 5/8   $43 1/2   $39       $32
     Fourth Quarter           $46 9/16  $42 3/16  $38 5/8   $32

</TABLE>

HOLDERS

     On February 16, 1998, there were approximately 24,000 holders of the 
Company's common stock.

DIVIDENDS

     The Company has paid cash dividends on its common stock every quarter 
since its first public offering in 1971, and those dividends have increased 
each year since 1972.  Dividends are paid near the end of February, May, 
August and November to shareholders of record near the end of January, April, 
July and October.  Cash dividends of $.66 ($.165 per quarter) in 1997 and 
$.62 ($.155 per quarter) in 1996 were paid on each share of common stock 
outstanding.  Cash dividends will be $.72 ($.18 per quarter) in 1998.

ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc., for fiscal years 1993 through 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                             1997           1996           1995         1994 (b)         1993
                                            ------        -------         ------        --------       -------
                                                             (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net revenues                                $1,776         $1,684         $1,625         $1,577         $1,448

Income from continuing
   operations  (a)                          $  157         $  140         $   90         $   90         $  132

Income from continuing
   operations per share  (a)                $ 2.28         $ 2.02         $ 1.27         $ 1.26         $ 1.86

Total assets                                $3,828         $3,396         $3,070         $2,714         $2,291

Long-term debt                              $  203         $  204         $  206         $  209         $  108

Cash dividends per share                    $  .66         $  .62         $  .60         $  .57         $  .45

</TABLE>

(a)  RESULTS IN 1996 REFLECT INCOME OF $8 MILLION ($.12 PER SHARE) RELATIVE TO
     THE SALE OF BLOCK MEDICAL.  RESULTS IN 1995 REFLECT UNUSUAL CHARGES
     TOTALING $26 MILLION ($.37 PER SHARE) FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF GOODWILL AND
     CERTAIN ASSETS OF A MANUFACTURING FACILITY SOLD IN 1996.  RESULTS IN 1994
     REFLECT AN UNUSUAL CHARGE OF $52 MILLION ($.74 PER SHARE), AFTER INCOME
     TAXES, FOR SETTLEMENT OF A PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUIT.  RESULTS IN 1993
     REFLECT AN UNUSUAL CHARGE OF $14 MILLION FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF GOODWILL.

(b)  FISCAL 1994 WAS A 53 WEEK YEAR. 


                                        -9-
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the 
Company's consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  
Hillenbrand Industries' four major operating companies are organized into two 
business segments.  The Health Care Group consists of Hill-Rom and Medeco 
Security Locks, which is included in this segment due to Medeco's relatively 
small size. Results for Block Medical, which was sold on July 22, 1996, are 
included in this segment through that date.  The Funeral Service Group 
consists of Batesville Casket Company and Forethought Financial Services 
(Forethought).

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1997 COMPARED WITH 1996

SUMMARY
Consolidated net revenues increased $92 million, or 5%, in 1997.  Operating
profit of $264 million was up 12%, net income of $157 million was up 12% and
earnings per share of $2.28 increased 13%.  Excluding the gain on the sale of
Block Medical ($8 million or $.12 per share) in the third quarter of 1996, net
income and earnings per share increased 19% and 20%, respectively, in 1997.

NET REVENUES
Health Care sales increased $20 million, or 4%, due to higher shipments of
Advance series beds, stretchers, architectural equipment and communications
products in Hill-Rom's U.S. acute care market and good market acceptance of the
Resident LTC bed in the long-term care market.  In Hill-Rom's European markets,
lower shipments in Germany and unfavorable currency adjustments were partially
offset by increased shipments in France.  The German market continues to be
negatively affected by health care reform and general economic conditions. 
Sales at Medeco were up due to higher shipments of door security products,
partially offset by lower demand in route management (primarily pay telephone
business).  Medeco and Block (for which eight months of sales were reflected in
1996 results) did not contribute significantly to the overall sales of the
Health Care Group.

   Health Care rental revenue grew $5 million, or 1%.  In the U.S. long-term 
care market, increased units in use and higher rates were partially offset by 
a shift toward greater use of lower cost products.  In the U.S. home care 
market, unit growth and increased rates generated from higher-featured new 
products were partially offset by lower Medicare reimbursement rates.  Acute 
care rental revenues were down year over year due to cost and competitive 
pressures and lower product mix, largely offset by increased units in use.  
Rental revenues in Europe were down due to softness in the German therapy 
market and unfavorable currency adjustments.

   Funeral Service sales increased $21 million, or 4%.  Unit volume growth of
traditional caskets and cremation products in an essentially flat death market
was partially offset by lower casket product mix.  The effect of price increases
was mostly offset by rebates and discounts.

   Insurance revenues were up $46 million, or 21%.  Earned premium revenue
increased $22 million due primarily to increased policies in force year over
year.  Interest income grew $16 million, reflecting a larger investment
portfolio, partially offset by marginally lower yields.  Policy sales were up
over 16% in 1997.  Since premium revenues are earned over the life of the policy
holder, current year sales will primarily affect revenues and earnings in future
years.  Realized net gains on the sale of investments was $8 million in 1997
compared with a net of zero in 1996.  The newly formed trust business did not
have a significant effect on Forethought's operations in 1997 and prior years.
                                          
                                          
                                        -10-
<PAGE>

GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit on Health Care sales of $266 million was up $32 million, or 14%,
reflecting the increased shipments in Hill-Rom's U.S. markets.  As a percentage
of sales, gross profit improved from 41% in 1996 to 45% in 1997 due to increased
shipments of higher margin products, continued improvements in direct material,
labor and overhead costs and leveraging of fixed manufacturing expense in the
United States.  Decreased shipments of lower margin European products also
contributed to the overall improvement in margins.

   Gross profit on Health Care rentals increased $3 million, or 2%, to $143
million and, as a percentage of revenues, was essentially unchanged at 38%. 
This comparison reflects the issues generating the year to year change in rental
revenues discussed above.  Field service costs continued to improve.

   Gross profit on Funeral Service sales of $264 million was up $18 million, or
7%, in 1997.  As a percentage of sales, it increased from 47% in 1996 to 48% in
1997, reflecting productivity improvements and leveraging of fixed manufacturing
costs, partially offset by lower casket product mix.

   Profit before other operating expenses in insurance operations increased 
$19 million, or 51%, due to higher investment income (with minimal 
corresponding direct cost), profits earned on the larger base of policies in 
force, net gains on the sale of investments and continued control of direct 
administrative expenses.  These items were partially offset by an increase in 
the crediting rate (the interest rate that Forethought uses to increase the 
face amount on insurance policies to have the benefit grow).

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
These expenses, consisting of selling, marketing, distribution and general
administrative costs, increased $40 million, or 9%, in 1997.  As a percentage of
consolidated revenues, they grew from 26% in 1996 to 27% in 1997.  This growth
primarily reflected higher incentive compensation and commissions on improved
operating performance and costs associated with product and market development
efforts.  Continued process improvements and cost control throughout the Company
mitigated the effect of these increases.


OPERATING PROFIT
Operating profit in the Health Care Group increased $23 million, or 21%, in 1997
due to higher shipments and profitability in Hill-Rom's U.S. markets, reduced
operating losses in Europe and marginal growth in rental revenue and profits.

   Operating profit in the Funeral Service Group of $160 million was up $16
million, or 11%, from 1996.  At Batesville Casket, growth in sales and gross
profit was partially offset by higher incentive compensation expense. 
Forethought's operating profit growth was driven primarily by higher investment
income.

   Consolidated operating profit of $264 million increased $28 million, or 12%. 
The growth in the Health Care and Funeral Service Groups was partially offset by
higher corporate expenses.


OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
Interest expense was down slightly due to lower debt associated with European
operations.  Interest income increased due to higher levels of cash and
equivalents, partially offset by lower interest earned on other investments. 
Other income, net, in 1996 included the $3 million pre-tax gain on the sale of
Block Medical.


INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate in 1997 declined marginally to 39.4% from 39.9% in
1996.  Excluding the tax benefit of $6 million on the book and tax differences
in the basis of Block, the effective rate was 42.5% in 1996.  The lower rate in
1997 was due primarily to reduced operating losses in Europe.

                                          
                                          
                                        -11-
<PAGE>


1996 COMPARED WITH 1995

SUMMARY

Consolidated net revenues increased $59 million, or 4%, in 1996.  Operating 
profit of $236 million was up 32%, net income of $140 million was up 56% and 
earnings per share of $2.02 increased 59%.

   Third quarter 1996 results reflect income of $8 million, or $.12 per share,
relative to the sale of Block Medical (see Note 3).  In the fourth quarter of
1995, the Company recorded charges totaling $26 million, or $.37 per share, to
reduce the carrying value of Block Medical goodwill and certain manufacturing
facilities in Europe held for disposal.  Excluding these items, operating profit
increased 15%, net income increased 14% and earnings per share increased 16% in
1996.


NET REVENUES
Health Care sales increased $12 million, or 2%, due to higher unit volume of
Advance series beds and architectural and communications products in Hill-Rom's
U.S. acute care and long-term care markets.  Order patterns for acute care
capital goods returned to a more normal pattern following two years of health
care provider restructuring and consolidation.  These improvements were
partially offset by lower volume in Europe (France and Germany).  Government
cost and price controls and general economic conditions hampered growth in
Europe.  Sales at Medeco were down year over year.  Route management (pay
telephone, vending, gaming and automatic teller machines) shipments were
negatively affected by the delay in obtaining contracts with other Bell
operating companies.  This was driven in part by passage of the comprehensive
telecommunications act in Congress, which caused most telecommunications
companies to "wait and see" what the economic and technological fallout of the
new law would be.  Door security shipments were up due to strong dealer demand
and institutional business.  Medeco and Block (for which eight months of sales
were reflected in 1996 results) did not contribute significantly to the overall
sales of the Health Care segment.

   Health Care rental revenue grew $5 million, or 1%.  In the U.S. long-term
care market, units in use were up on the strength of increased market
penetration and higher average rental rates were generated from the introduction
of new, higher value products.  In the U.S. home care market, unit growth
continued, but at a slower rate due primarily to Medicare's 1996 elimination of
reimbursement for low airloss therapy products used for the prevention of
pressure ulcers.  Average rental rates were up marginally.  Growth in these two
markets was largely offset by declining rental rates and units in use in the
U.S. acute care market.  Rates were depressed by cost management in the acute
care setting and competitive pressures.  Rental units in use were negatively
affected by increased sales of Hill-Rom beds providing low airloss therapy. 
Rental revenues in Europe were unchanged year over year.

   Funeral Service sales increased $9 million, or 2%, due to price increases,
growth in traditional casket unit volume and higher sales of Options cremation
products.  Unit volume growth was achieved despite an essentially flat market
for casketed deaths in 1996.

   Insurance revenues were up $33 million, or 18%.  Interest income accounted
for $12 million of this increase, reflecting a larger investment portfolio,
partially offset by slightly lower yields.  The growth in earned premium revenue
was due primarily to increased policies in force year over year.  Policy sales
were up over 20% in 1996.  Since premium revenues are earned over the life of
the policy holder, this increase will primarily affect revenues and earnings in
future years.


                                        -12-
<PAGE>

GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit on Health Care sales of $234 million was up $25 million, or 12%,
due primarily to higher shipments in Hill-Rom's U.S. acute care market.  As a
percentage of sales, gross profit improved from 38% in 1995 to 41% in 1996. 
Increased shipments of higher value products, improvements in direct material,
labor and overhead costs and leveraging of fixed manufacturing expenses in the
United States and decreased sales of lower margin European products were
responsible for this improvement.

   Gross profit on Health Care rentals increased $18 million, or 15%, to $140
million and, as a percentage of revenues, improved from 33% to 38%.  Increased
therapy unit utilization and the introduction of new, higher value products in
the long-term care and home care markets, improvements in field service costs
and lower acquisition related expenses were partially offset by higher therapy
unit depreciation and lower utilization and rental rates in the acute care
market.

   Gross profit on Funeral Service sales of $246 million was up $9 million, or
4%, in 1996.  As a percentage of sales, it increased from 46% in 1995 to 47% in
1996 due to improved material costs and leveraging of fixed manufacturing
expenses, partially offset by increased sales of lower margin caskets.

   Profit before other operating expenses in insurance operations increased $9
million, or 32%, in 1996 due to higher investment income (with minimal
corresponding direct cost), profits earned on the larger base of policies in
force and control of direct administrative expenses.  The crediting rate was
essentially unchanged year over year.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
These expenses, consisting of selling, marketing, distribution and general
administrative costs, increased $7 million, or 2%, in 1996.  Excluding unusual
charges of $26 million in 1995, they increased $33 million, or 8%, in 1996.  As
a percentage of consolidated revenues, they were up slightly from 25% in 1995
(excluding unusual charges) to 26% in 1996.  Higher incentive compensation and
commission expenses associated with improved performance and expenditures on
product and market development were partially offset by process improvements and
cost control throughout the Company.


OPERATING PROFIT
Operating profit in the Health Care Group, excluding unusual charges in 1995,
increased $23 million, or 26%, to $111 million in 1996.  Increased sales of
higher value products in the U.S. acute care capital market, improved therapy
unit utilization and reduced manufacturing and acquisition costs were partially
offset by higher incentive compensation and commission expenses.

   Operating profit in the Funeral Service Group of $144 million was up $10
million, or 7%, from 1995.  At Batesville Casket, operating profit was
essentially flat year over year as increased casket and cremation unit volume
and improved material and manufacturing cost performance were offset by
increased sales of lower margin caskets and higher product and market
development expenses.  At Forethought, higher investment income and policies in
force and control of fixed administrative expenses combined to generate a 71%
increase in operating profit.

   Excluding the unusual charges in 1995, consolidated operating profit of $236
million increased $31 million, or 15%, in 1996.  The increases in the operating
segments were partially offset by higher incentive compensation and legal
expenses at corporate.


OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
Interest expense increased $2 million, or 10%, due to increased debt associated
with Hill-Rom's European operations.  Investment income was up $2 million, or
13%, due primarily to higher average levels of interest earning assets.


INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate in 1996 was 39.9% compared with 47.1% in 1995. 
Excluding the tax benefit of approximately $6 million on the book and tax
differences in the basis of Block Medical recorded in 1996 and the $26 million
nondeductible unusual charge in 1995, the effective rate was 42.5% in 1996 and
40.9% in 1995.

                                          
                                        -13-
<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOWS
Net cash flows from operating activities and selected borrowings represent the
Company's primary sources of funds for growth of the business, including capital
expenditures and acquisitions.  Cash and cash equivalents (excluding the
investments of insurance operations) grew from $266 million at the end of 1996
to $364 million at the end of 1997.


OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net cash generated by operating activities of $246 million in 1997 compares with
$240 million in 1996.  Higher earnings and increased current liabilities were
partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable.

   The $46 million increase in accounts receivable was due primarily to strong
fourth quarter shipments at Hill-Rom and slower collections from Medicare
intermediaries, which was also responsible for an increase in days revenues
outstanding from 72 in 1996 to 80 in 1997.  Hill-Rom believes that this trend is
endemic to the industry in general and is very aggressively managing these
accounts.  In 1996, lower shipments in Europe reduced days outstanding to 72
from 80 in 1995.  Increased current liabilities reflect the high production
levels in the fourth quarter and higher incentive compensation, stock purchase
and income tax accruals.  Inventories declined $17 million in 1997 and $15
million in 1996 due to strong fourth quarter shipments in both years.


INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash used in investing activities increased from $317 million in 1996 to
$339 million in 1997.  Capital expenditures of $85 million were down $7 million
from $92 million in 1996 due to lower spending on therapy equipment at Hill-Rom
and various items at Batesville Casket.

   Forethought's insurance operation invests the cash proceeds on insurance
premiums predominantly in U.S. treasuries and agencies and high-grade corporate
bonds with fixed maturities.  The Company's objective is to purchase investment
securities with maturities that match the expected cash outflows of policy
benefit payments.  The investment portfolio is periodically realigned to better
meet this objective, as reflected in the relatively large amount of sales prior
to maturity.  Sales prior to maturity in 1997, 1996 and 1995 resulted in net
gains.

   On December 18, 1997, subsequent to the end of fiscal year 1997, Hill-Rom
acquired the stock of Air-Shields, Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of infant
incubators and warmers, and certain other businesses of Vickers PLC for a cash
payment of $99 million.  On February 9, 1998, Hill-Rom acquired the stock of
MEDAES Holdings, Inc., a manufacturer of medical architectural systems, for a
cash payment of $62 million.


FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The Company's long-term debt-to-equity ratio was 23% at year end 1997 compared
with 26% at year end 1996.  This decline was due primarily to the increase in
equity during 1997.  Payments on short-term debt were relative to European
operations including, in 1996, restructuring.  On December 8, 1997, subsequent
to the end of fiscal year 1997, the Company issued $100 million of 6 3/4 %
debentures due in 2027.  The proceeds will be used for general corporate
purposes.  Additional debt capacity, existing cash and other working capital
afford the Company considerable flexibility in the funding of internal and
external growth.

   Quarterly cash dividends per share were $.15 in 1995, $.155 in 1996 and $.165
in 1997.  An additional increase to $.18 per quarter was approved in January
1998.

   In 1997, the Company repurchased 290,395 shares of its common stock at a cost
of $13 million.  In December 1997, subsequent to the end of fiscal year 1997,
990,000 shares were purchased for $42 million.

                                        -14-
<PAGE>

INSURANCE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Insurance assets of $2,501 million grew 16% over the past year.  Cash and 
invested assets of $1,934 million constitute 77% of the assets.  The 
investments are concentrated in U.S. treasuries and agencies and high-grade 
corporate bonds. The invested assets are more than adequate to fund the 
insurance reserves and other liabilities of $1,693 million.  Statutory 
reserves represent 61% of the face value of insurance in force.  Forethought 
Life Insurance Company declared a $12 million dividend to Hillenbrand 
Industries in the fourth quarter of 1997, paid in December 1997, and made $11 
million and $10 million dividend payments in 1996 and 1995, respectively.  
The statutory capital and surplus as a percent of statutory liabilities of 
Forethought Life Insurance Company was 8.0% at December 31, 1997 compared 
with 8.3% at December 31, 1996.  This drop reflects the dividend payment.  
The non-current deferred tax benefit relative to insurance operations results 
from differences in recognition of insurance policy revenues and expenses for 
financial accounting and tax reporting purposes.  Financial accounting rules 
require ratable recognition of insurance product revenues over the lives of 
the respective policy holder.  These revenues are recognized in the year of 
policy issue for tax purposes.  This results in a deferred future tax 
benefit. Insurance policy acquisition expenses must be capitalized and 
amortized for both financial accounting and tax purposes.  Financial 
accounting rules require a greater amount to be capitalized and amortized 
than for tax reporting. This results in a deferred future tax cost, which 
partially offsets the deferred future tax benefit.  Excluding the tax effect 
of adjusting the investment portfolio to fair value, the net deferred future 
tax benefit increased $6 million in 1997, compared to a $4 million increase 
in 1996.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Cumulative treasury stock acquired in open market transactions increased to 
13,299,067 shares in 1997, up from 13,008,672 shares in 1996.  The Company 
currently has Board of Directors' authorization to repurchase up to a total 
of 19,200,000 shares, including 5,000,000 incremental shares approved on 
January 19, 1998.  Repurchased shares are to be used for general business 
purposes. From the cumulative shares acquired, 15,284 shares, net of shares 
converted to cash to pay withholding taxes, were reissued in 1997 to 
individuals under the provisions of the Company's various stock-based 
compensation plans.

OTHER ISSUES

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for 
Stock-Based Compensation," in October 1995.  SFAS No. 123 encourages 
companies to adopt a fair value approach to valuing stock-based compensation 
that would require compensation cost to be recognized based on the fair value 
of the stock-based instrument granted.  The Company has elected, as permitted 
by the standard, to continue to follow its intrinsic value based method of 
accounting for its stock-based compensation plans consistent with the 
provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25.  Under the 
intrinsic method, compensation cost for stock-based compensation is measured 
as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the instrument at the 
measurement date over the exercise price.  The Company has provided the pro 
forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 in Note 5 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

   SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," was issued in February 1997.  SFAS No.
128 requires disclosure of basic and diluted earnings per share in place of
primary and fully diluted earnings per share as required by APB 15.  The Company
is required to adopt this standard in the first quarter of 1998 and does not
believe it will materially affect either its previously reported or future
earnings per share.


                                          
                                        -15-
<PAGE>

    SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," was issued in June 1997.  
This standard requires that the Company disclose, either in the income 
statement or in a separate financial statement, net income as currently 
reported and other components of comprehensive income.  Comprehensive income 
is defined as the change in shareholders' equity during a period resulting 
from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  
The Company is required  to adopt this standard not later than the first 
quarter of 1999.  

    SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related 
Information," was issued in June 1997.  This standard defines segments of an 
enterprise as the components of the company whose operations are reviewed  
regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate 
resources and in assessing performance.  It requires disclosures about 
products and services, geographic areas and major customers.  The Company is 
required to  adopt this standard not later than the issuance of its fiscal 
1999 annual  report.
                                          
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Hillenbrand Industries is committed to operating all of its businesses in a 
way  that protects the environment.  The Company has voluntarily entered into 
remediation agreements with environmental authorities, and has been issued 
Notices of Violation alleging violations of certain permit conditions. 
Accordingly, the Company is in the process of implementing plans of abatement 
in compliance with agreements and regulations.  The Company has also been 
notified as a potentially responsible party in investigations of certain 
offsite disposal facilities.  The cost of all plans of abatement and waste 
site cleanups in which the Company is currently involved is not expected to 
exceed $10 million.  The Company has provided adequate reserves in its 
financial statements for these matters.  These reserves have been determined 
without consideration of possible loss recoveries from third parties.  
Compliance with other current governmental provisions relating to protection 
of the environment also does not materially affect the Company's capital 
expenditures, earnings or competitive position. Recent changes in 
environmental law might affect the Company's future operations, capital 
expenditures and earnings.  The cost of complying with these provisions is 
not known.
                                          
INFLATION

Inflation and changing prices had a negligible effect on results of 
operations in 1997, 1996 and 1995.  Improvements in manufacturing and 
administrative efficiencies continue to minimize the effect of price 
increases.
                                          
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS 

New legislation to be phased in beginning July 1, 1998 establishes Resource 
Utilization Groups for Medicare Part A patients.  Reimbursement will be on a 
prospective fee basis as opposed to the current cost plus basis.  This change 
will have a dampening effect on the Company's rental revenues in the 
long-term care market.  Restructuring and reform in the health care industry, 
including consolidation of providers and payers, growth of managed care and 
expansion of the home care and long-term care markets, continues.  Growth in 
the Company's acute care capital markets has improved dramatically over the 
past two years and  the order pattern entering the first quarter of 1998 
remains strong.  While continued growth is not a certainty, the Company 
believes that its innovative  products and services designed to improve 
patient outcomes and reduce total delivery cost, will enable it to maintain 
its leadership role in this and the other markets it serves.  Although 
operating losses in Europe declined in 1997  compared with 1996 and 
operations in France became profitable in the fourth quarter, it is expected 
that Europe will remain unprofitable overall in 1998. 

     The market for casketed deaths is expected to remain flat for the 
foreseeable future.  Batesville Casket has been able to increase its share of 
this market, as well as the growing cremation market, by providing innovative 
products and marketing programs for its funeral director customers.

     While Forethought's growth has slowed as its entry into targeted 
jurisdictions winds down, it will work to maintain and strengthen its 
leadership position in the life insurance-based funeral planning market 
through on-going product enhancements.  Its entry into the trust-based 
funeral planning market is not expected to have a material effect on the 
Company's financial results for the next several years.
                                          
                                        -16-
<PAGE>

     Many existing computer programs use only two digits to identify years.  
These  programs were designed without consideration for the affect of the 
upcoming change in century, and if not corrected, could fail or create 
erroneous results  by or at the year 2000.  While the Company does not 
believe that this issue is  material to its business, it has developed action 
plans to ensure that its  operations will not be adversely affected by "Year 
2000" software failures.  Steps taken under these plans are intended to 
identify, evaluate and implement  changes to computer systems and 
applications necessary to achieve a year 2000  date conversion with no effect 
on customers or disruption to business  operations.  Major areas of potential 
business impact have been identified and  conversion efforts are underway.  
The Company is communicating with suppliers,  dealers, financial institutions 
and others with which it does business to  coordinate Year 2000 conversion.  
The total cost of achieving Year 2000  compliance is not expected to exceed 
$10 million over the cost of normal  software upgrades and replacements and 
will be incurred through fiscal year 1999.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in
interest rates, mismatches in funding obligations and receipts and variability
in currency exchange rates.  The Company has established policies, procedures
and internal processes governing its management of market risks and the use of
financial instruments to manage its exposure to such risks.

   The Company's insurance operation is subject to fluctuations in interest 
rates on its investment portfolio and, to a lesser extent, prepayment and 
equity pricing risks.  The investment portfolio is concentrated in high-grade 
corporate bonds and U.S. agencies and treasuries with predominantly fixed 
interest rates. The portfolio is managed in accordance with the Company's 
objective to substantially match investment durations with policy liability 
durations and within applicable insurance industry regulations.  Investments 
may be liquidated prior to maturity in order to meet the matching objective 
and manage fluctuations in interest rates and prepayments.  They are, 
accordingly, classified as "available for sale" and are not purchased for 
trading purposes. The Company uses various techniques, including duration 
analysis, to assess the sensitivity of the investment portfolio to interest 
rate fluctuations, prepayment activity, equity price changes and other risks. 
 The insurance operation also performs and reports results for asset adequacy 
analysis as required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.  
Based on the duration of the investment portfolio at November 29, 1997, a 
hypothetical 10% increase in weighted average interest rates could reduce the 
market value of the investment portfolio approximately $76 million over a 
twelve-month period.  The Company believes its investment policy minimizes 
the risk of adverse fluctuation in surplus value.  In addition, the long-term 
fixed nature of portfolio assets reduces the effect of short-term interest 
rate fluctuations on earnings.

   The Company is subject to variability in foreign currency exchange rates 
primarily in its European operations.  Exposure to this variability is 
managed primarily through the use of natural hedges, whereby funding 
obligations and assets are both managed in the local currency.  The Company, 
from time to time, enters into currency exchange agreements to manage its 
exposure arising from fluctuating exchange rates related to specific 
transactions.  The sensitivity of earning and cash flows to variability in 
exchange rates is assessed by applying an appropriate range of potential rate 
fluctuations to the Company's assets, obligations and projected results of 
operations denominated in foreign currencies.  Based on the Company's overall 
currency rate exposure at November 29, 1997, movements in currency rates would 
not materially affect the financial position of the Company.

                                          
                                        -17-
<PAGE>
                                          
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY FINANCIAL DATA   (A)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1997          1996            1995           1994           1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME STATEMENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>
% Pretax, preinterest expense,
       income to revenues                       16             15             12             11             17
% Net income to revenues                         9              8              6              6             10
% Income taxes to pretax income                 39             40             47             38             40
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Long-term debt to total capital               19             21             22             23             14
% Total debt to total capital                   24             28             26             26             26
Current assets/current liabilities  (B)        2.3            2.2            2.1            2.2            1.9
Working capital turnover  (B)                  3.3            3.9            4.2            4.6            4.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROFITABILITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Return on total capital                       14             14              9             10             20
% Return on average shareholders' equity        20             19             13             13             25
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET TURNOVER
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues/inventories  (B)                     19.1           15.3           12.9           13.7           14.7
Revenues/receivables  (B)                      4.5            5.1            4.6            4.7            5.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK MARKET
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-end price/earnings (P/E)                   20             18             25             23             20
Year-end price/book value                      3.4            3.3            3.1            3.0            4.6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)   RESTATED, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO EXCLUDE THE RESULTS OF THE DISCONTINUED OPERATION.
(B)   EXCLUDES INSURANCE OPERATIONS.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT COMPARISON

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Fiscal Year                           Percent Change
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)                         1997        1996           1995      1997/96     1996/95   1995/94
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>             <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>
Net revenues:                                     
   Health Care sales                        $  588      $  568         $  556         4%          2%       (6%)
   Health Care rentals                         378         373            368         1%          1%       11%
   Funeral Service sales                       545         524            515         4%          2%        3%
   Insurance                                   265         219            186        21%         18%       21%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                              $1,776      $1,684         $1,625         5%          4%        3%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit:
   Health Care sales                        $  266      $  234         $  209        14%         12%      (18%)
   Health Care rentals                         143         140            122         2%         15%        8%
   Funeral Service sales                       264         246            237         7%          4%        3%
   Insurance                                    72          57             45        26%         27%       13%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross profit                             745         677            613        10%         10%       (4%)
Other operating expenses                       481         441            408         9%          8%        3%
Unusual charges                                  -           -             26        N/A         N/A       N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                               264         236            179        12%         32%       15%
Other expense, net                              (5)         (3)            (9)      67%         (67%)     (18%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                     259         233            170        11%         37%       17%
Income taxes                                   102          93             80        10%         16%       45%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                  $  157      $  140          $  90        12%         56%         -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                                      -18-

<PAGE>
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA




                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     PAGE
Financial Statements:
<S>                                                                                   <C>
     Report of Independent Accountants                                                20
     Statements of Consolidated Income for the three years ended
          November 29, 1997                                                           21
     Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996           22
     Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the three years ended 
          November 29, 1997                                                           24
     Statements of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity for the three years ended
          November 29, 1997                                                           25
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                       26
     Financial Statement Schedule for the three years ended November 29, 1997:
          Schedule II    -    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                       45

     All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required
     information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
</TABLE>












                                        -19-
<PAGE>


                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



To the Shareholders and
Board of Directors of
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.


In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying
index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries at November 29, 1997 and
November 30, 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended November 29, 1997, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.  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 of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which 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, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.




PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
January 12, 1998









                                          
                                        -20-

<PAGE>

HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,    December 2,
Year Ended                                              1997           1996           1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>             <C>
NET REVENUES
   Health Care sales                                  $  588         $  568         $  556
   Health Care rentals                                   378            373            368
   Funeral Service sales                                 545            524            515
   Insurance revenues                                    265            219            186
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                                         1,776          1,684          1,625
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COST OF REVENUES
   Health Care cost of goods sold                        322            334            347
   Health Care rental expenses                           235            233            246
   Funeral Service cost of goods sold                    281            278            278
   Insurance cost of revenues                            193            162            141
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost of revenues                                 1,031          1,007          1,012
Other operating expenses                                 481            441            408
Unusual charges                                            -              -             26
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING PROFIT                                         264            236            179
Other income (expense), net:
   Interest expense                                      (21)           (22)           (20)
   Investment income, net                                 18             17             15
   Other                                                  (2)             2             (4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                               259            233            170
Income taxes                                             102             93             80
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                            $  157         $  140          $  90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE                           $ 2.28         $ 2.02          $1.27
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE                            $  .66         $  .62          $ .60
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING       68,796,439     69,474,266     70,757,868
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</TABLE>









                                              -21-

<PAGE>

HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,
                                                        1997           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                             $  364         $  266
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of
   $25 in 1997 and $19 in 1996                           333            287
Inventories                                               79             96
Other                                                     45             45
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                                     821            694
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS                               280            278
  Less accumulated depreciation                          189            185
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment leased to others, net                           91             93
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY                                                 651            656
  Less accumulated depreciation                          413            403
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, net                                            238            253
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ASSETS
Intangible assets at amortized cost:
  Patents and trademarks                                  19             24
  Excess of cost over net asset values of
    acquired companies                                    96            112
  Other                                                   11             13
Deferred charges and other assets                         51             50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other assets                                       177            199
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSURANCE ASSETS (NOTE 11)
Investments                                            1,934          1,663
Deferred acquisition costs                               473            406
Deferred income taxes                                     43             44
Other                                                     51             44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total insurance assets                                 2,501          2,157
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                          $3,828         $3,396
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>












                                                                     
                                         -22-


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,
                                                        1997           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>
Short-term debt (Notes 4 and 7)                       $   60         $   74
Current portion of long-term debt (Notes 4 and 7)          1              1
Trade accounts payable                                    71             50
Income taxes payable (Note 9)                             27             21
Accrued compensation                                      63             58
Other (Note 13)                                          137            116
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                                359            320
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT (NOTES 4 AND 7)                           203            204
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (NOTES 5 AND 13)              75             74
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (NOTES 1 AND 9)                      7             13
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSURANCE LIABILITIES (NOTE 11)
Benefit reserves                                       1,667          1,449
Unearned revenue                                         605            528
General liabilities                                       26             21
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total insurance liabilities                            2,298          1,998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                      2,942          2,609
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 13)                                    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 5 and 6)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock - without par value:
  Authorized - 199,000,000 shares
  Issued - 80,323,912 shares in 1997 and 1996              4              4
Additional paid-in capital                                14             14
Retained earnings (Note 4)                             1,085            973
Accumulated unrealized gain on investments                34             21
Foreign currency translation adjustment                   (3)            10
Treasury stock, at cost: 1997 - 11,812,743 shares;
    1996 - 11,537,632 shares                            (248)          (235)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                               886            787
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY            $3,828         $3,396
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</TABLE>


                                                 -23-

<PAGE>

HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,    December 2,
Year Ended                                              1997           1996          1995 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   Net income                                           $157           $140            $90
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to 
      net cash flows from operating activities:
   Depreciation, amortization and write-down of goodwill 102             99            127
   Change in noncurrent deferred income taxes            (12)            (6)           (13) 
   Gain on sale of business                                -             (3)             -
   Change in working capital excluding cash, current
      debt, acquisitions and dispositions:
      Trade accounts receivable                          (46)            24            (13)
      Inventories                                         17             15             (6)
      Other current assets                                 -             (1)            (1)
      Trade accounts payable                              21            (21)            18
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities              32              5              7
   Change in insurance deferred policy acquisition costs (67)           (67)           (58)
   Change in other insurance items, net                   35             40             34
   Other, net                                              7             15             (7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                246            240            178
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Capital expenditures                                  (85)           (92)          (103)
   Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets and equipment
      leased to others                                     1              2              2
   Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired        -             (6)            (4)
   Other investments                                      (4)            (3)             -
   Proceeds on sale of business                            -             15              -
   Insurance investments:
      Purchases                                         (721)          (437)          (552)
      Proceeds on maturities                             112             78             65
      Proceeds on sales prior to maturity                358            126            290
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                   (339)          (317)          (302)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Additions to short-term debt                           10            119             23
   Reductions to short-term debt                         (15)           (81)            (8)
   Reductions to long-term debt                           (2)            (3)            (2)
   Payment of cash dividends                             (45)           (43)           (43)
   Treasury stock acquired                               (13)           (51)           (23)
   Insurance premiums received                           514            459            428
   Insurance benefits paid                              (256)          (227)          (201)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                193            173            174
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                   (2)            (1)             1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CASH FLOWS                                          98             95             51
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                   
   At beginning of year                                  266            171            120
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   At end of year                                       $364           $266           $171
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
                                                                     
</TABLE>
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                      -24-

<PAGE>

HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,    December 2,
Year Ended                                              1997           1996          1995 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
COMMON STOCK                                          $    4          $   4          $   4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
   Beginning of year                                      14             14             12
   Fair market value over cost on
      reissuance of treasury shares (1997 - 15,284;
      1996 - 33,996;   1995 - 14,537)                      -              -              -
   Other                                                   -              -              2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   End of year                                            14             14             14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
   Beginning of year                                     973            876            829
   Net income                                            157            140             90
   Dividends                                             (45)           (43)           (43)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   End of year                                         1,085            973            876
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
   Beginning of year                                      21             23              -
   Net unrealized holding gain (loss)                     13             (2)            23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   End of year                                            34             21             23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT
   Beginning of year                                      10             14             10
   Translation adjustment                                (13)            (4)             4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   End of year                                            (3)            10             14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TREASURY STOCK
   Beginning of year                                    (235)          (185)          (162)
   Shares acquired (1997 - 290,395;
   1996 - 1,425,100;   1995 - 760,000)                   (13)           (51)           (23)
   Shares reissued                                         -              1              -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   End of year                                          (248)          (235)          (185)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                            $  886          $ 787          $ 746
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</TABLE>







                                                       -25-

<PAGE>

HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting policies specific to insurance operations are summarized in Note 11.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly owned subsidiaries, except for several small subsidiaries which
provide ancillary services to the Company and the public.  These subsidiaries
are not consolidated because of their materiality and are accounted for by the
equity method.  Their results of operations appear in the income statement, net
of income taxes, under the caption "Other income (expense), net."  Material
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

     The Company's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the Saturday
nearest November 30.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," was issued in February 1997.  This standard
requires disclosure of basic and diluted earnings per share in place of primary
and fully diluted earnings per share as required by Accounting Principles Board
(APB) Opinion No. 15.  The Company is required to adopt this standard in the
first quarter of 1998 and does not believe it will materially affect either its
previously reported or future earnings per share.

     SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," was issued in June 1997. 
This standard requires that the Company disclose, either in the income statement
or in a separate financial statement, net income as currently reported and other
components of comprehensive income.  Comprehensive income is defined as the
change in shareholders' equity during a period resulting from transactions and
other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  The Company is required
to adopt this standard not later than the first quarter of 1999.

     SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information," was issued in June 1997.  This standard defines segments of an
enterprise as the components of the company whose operations are reviewed
regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate
resources and in assessing performance.  It requires disclosures about products
and services, geographic areas and major customers.  The Company is required to
adopt this standard not later than the issuance of its 1999 annual report.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Hillenbrand Industries is organized into two segments - the Health Care Group 
and the Funeral Service Group.  The Health Care Group consists of Hill-Rom 
Company and Medeco Security Locks (included in this segment for reporting 
purposes only).  Block Medical was included in this segment prior to its sale 
in 1996. Hill-Rom generates the predominant share of this segment's revenue 
and operating profit and is a leading manufacturer of patient care products 
and leading provider of specialized rental therapy products designed to 
assist in managing the complications of patient immobility.  Its products and 
services are marketed to acute and long-term health care facilities and home 
care patients primarily in North America and Europe.  The Health Care segment 
generated 54% of Hillenbrand's revenues in 1997.  The Funeral Service Group 
consists of Batesville Casket Company and Forethought Financial Services 
(Forethought). Batesville Casket Company is a leading producer of protective 
metal and hardwood burial caskets, cremation urns and caskets and marketing 
support services.  Its products are marketed to licensed funeral directors 
operating licensed funeral homes primarily in North America.  Batesville 
generated 31% of Hillenbrand's revenues in 1997.  Forethought provides 
funeral homes in 42 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 
six Canadian provinces with life insurance policies and marketing support for 
preneed, inflation-protected funeral planning.  It entered the preneed trust 
market in 1997.  Forethought generated 15% of Hillenbrand's revenues in 1997.

                                        -26-

<PAGE>

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 certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.  Actual
results could differ from those estimates.  Refer to Notes 9 and 13 for
discussion of certain significant estimates.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers investments in marketable securities and other highly
liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at date of purchase
to be cash equivalents.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using
the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method or first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for
the percentage of inventories indicated in the table below.  The LIFO reserve
approximates the excess of the current cost of inventories over the stated LIFO
values.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,   December 2,
                                         1997           1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
LIFO method                               71%            71%            65%
FIFO method                               29%            29%            35%
LIFO reserve                             $10            $11            $12
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS

Equipment leased to others represents therapy rental units, which are recorded
at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic
life.  These units are leased on a day-to-day basis.

PROPERTY

Property is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful life of
the assets using principally the straight-line method for financial reporting
purposes.  Generally, when property is retired from service or otherwise
disposed of, the cost and related amount of depreciation or amortization are
eliminated from the asset and reserve accounts, respectively.  The difference,
if any, between the net asset value and the proceeds is charged or credited to
income.  The major components of property at the end of 1997 and 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1997          1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>
Land                                              $ 22          $ 25
Buildings and building equipment                   144           146
Machinery and equipment                            485           485
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                             $651          $656
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                        -27-

<PAGE>

INTANGIBLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets are stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis 
over periods ranging from 3 to 40 years.  The Company reviews goodwill and 
other non-current assets for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  If 
the undiscounted expected future cash flows from use of the asset are less 
than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized.  The amount of the 
impairment loss is determined by comparing the discounted expected future 
cash flows (including terminal value) with the carrying value.  Goodwill 
related to Block Medical was written down $20 million in the fourth quarter 
of 1995.  Changes in market conditions, the performance of certain products 
and increased competitive pressures resulted in a significant reduction in 
management's expectations regarding Block's future cash flows.  Block was 
sold in 1996.

     Certain assets relative to the acquisition of Arnold in 1994 that were
being held for disposal, were written down $6 million in the fourth quarter of
1995 to their estimated fair value less cost of disposition.  These assets were
sold in 1996.

     Accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $156 million and $145
million as of November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996, respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES

Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and
which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. 
A reserve is established when it is probable that a liability has been incurred
and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  These reserves are
determined without consideration of possible loss recoveries from third parties.
More specifically, each quarter, financial management, in consultation with its
environmental engineer, estimates the range of liability based on current
interpretation of environmental laws and regulations.  For each site in which a
Company unit is involved, a determination is made of the specific measures that
are believed to be required to remediate the site, the estimated total cost to
carry out the remediation plan and the periods in which the Company will make
payments toward the remediation plan.  The Company does not make an estimate of
general or specific inflation for environmental matters since the number of
sites is small, the magnitude of costs to execute remediation plans are not
significant and the estimated time frames to remediate sites are not believed to
be lengthy.

     Specific costs included in environmental expense are site assessment,
development of a remediation plan, clean-up costs, post-remediation
expenditures, monitoring, fines, penalties and legal fees.  The reserve
represents the expected undiscounted future cash outflows.

     Expenditures that relate to current operations are charged to expense.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Sales are recognized upon shipment of products to customers.  Rental revenues
are recognized when services are rendered.

COST OF REVENUES

Health Care and Funeral Service cost of goods sold consist primarily of
purchased material costs, fixed manufacturing expense, and variable direct labor
and overhead costs.  Health Care rental expenses are those costs associated
directly with rental revenue, including depreciation and service of the
Company's therapy rental units, service center facility and personnel costs, and
regional sales expenses.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the average
number of shares outstanding during each year, including restricted shares
issued to employees.  Common equivalent shares arising from shares awarded under
the Company's stock-based compensation plans have been excluded from the
computation because of their insignificant dilutive effect.
                                          
                                        -28-

<PAGE>

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for 
Stock-Based Compensation" in October 1995.  SFAS No. 123 encourages companies 
to adopt a fair value approach to valuing stock-based compensation that would 
require compensation cost to be recognized based on the fair value of the 
stock-based instrument granted.  The Company has elected, as permitted by the 
standard, to continue to follow its intrinsic value based method of 
accounting for its stock-based compensation plans consistent with the 
provisions of APB No. 25.  Under the intrinsic method, compensation cost for 
stock-based compensation is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted 
market price of the instrument at the measurement date over the exercise 
price.  The Company has provided the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS 
No. 123 in Note 5.

RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company and its subsidiaries have several defined benefit retirement plans
covering the majority of employees, including certain employees in foreign
countries.  The Company contributes funds to trusts as necessary to provide for
current service and for any unfunded projected future benefit obligation over a
reasonable period.  The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of
service and the employee's level of compensation during specific periods of
employment.
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                        -29-

<PAGE>

The components of net pension expense are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1997      1996      1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>
Service expense-benefits earned during the year       $  8      $  7      $  6

Interest expense on projected benefit obligation         9         8         7

Actual return on plan assets                           (10)       (7)      (12)

Net amortization and deferral                            -        (1)        4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension expense                                   $  7      $  7      $  5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The funded status of the plans is shown in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             NOVEMBER 29,  November 30,
                                                                1997          1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
   Accumulated benefit obligation, including vested
      benefits of $85 in 1997 and $79 in 1996                  $ (91)         $ (84)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation for service rendered to date      $(135)         $(122)

Plan assets at fair value, primarily U.S. Government
   obligations, corporate bonds and notes, and common
   stock issued by the Company.  The value of this common
   stock at date of acquisition by the plans was $3
   and the current market value was $20 in 1997 and
   $17 in 1996.                                                  124            110
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation               (11)           (12)

Unrecognized net gain from past experience different
  from that assumed                                              (15)           (14)

Unrecognized prior service cost                                    2              2

Unrecognized net asset at year-end being recognized
  over 14 to 22 years from the initial compliance date
  of December 1, 1985                                             (1)            (1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfunded accrued expenses included in liabilities              $ (25)         $ (25)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The assumptions used in accounting for the plans are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1997      1996      1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>
Discount rate used to determine the 
  projected benefit obligation                        7.5%      7.5%      7.5%
Rate of increase in future compensation 
  levels used to determine the projected
  benefit obligation                                  5.5%      5.5%      5.5%
Expected long-term rate of return on
  assets used to determine net periodic
  pension cost                                        8.0%      8.0%      8.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     -30-

<PAGE>

     In addition to the above plans, the Company assumed the unfunded
liabilities of a defined benefit plan in the acquisition of Arnold in 1994.  The
unfunded accumulated benefit obligation of this plan, included in accrued
expenses, was $11 million on November 29, 1997, $13 million on November 30,
1996, and $14 million on December 2, 1995.  Pension expense was approximately 
$1 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995.

     The Company also sponsors several defined contribution plans covering
certain of its employees.  Employer contributions are made to these plans based
on a percentage of employee compensation.  The cost of these defined
contribution plans was $5 million each in 1997, 1996 and 1995.

INCOME TAXES

The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated income tax return.
Deferred income taxes are computed in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes."  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of
temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities and the income tax amounts.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are primarily translated into U.S.
dollars at year-end rates of exchange and the income statements are translated
at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.  Adjustments
resulting from translation of the financial statements of foreign operations
into U.S. dollars are excluded from the determination of net income and included
as a separate caption in shareholders' equity.  Foreign currency gains and
losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in results of
operations and are not material.

2.   ACQUISITIONS

In 1996, the Company's subsidiaries, Batesville Casket and Hill-Rom, each
acquired two small companies.  The combined purchase price was $6 million.

     Batesville Casket, purchased two regional casket distributors in 1995 and
Hill-Rom purchased the remaining minority interest in a subsidiary of Arnold,
which was initially acquired in 1994.  The total purchase price for these
businesses in 1995 was $4 million.

     Acquisitions occurring subsequent to November 29, 1997 are discussed in
Note 14.

3.   DISPOSITION

On July 22, 1996, the Company sold the assets of Block Medical for cash and
stock totaling $17 million.  The Company recorded a gain on the sale of $3
million ($2 million after income taxes) and a related income tax benefit of
approximately $6 million which will be realized from book and tax differences in
the basis of the business.

4.   FINANCING AGREEMENTS

The Company's various financing agreements contain no provisions or conditions
relating to dividend payments, working capital and additional indebtedness.
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                        -31-

<PAGE>

Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             NOVEMBER 29,  November 30,
                                                                1997          1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>
Unsecured 8 1/2% debentures due on December 1, 2011             $100          $100

Unsecured 7% debentures due on February 15, 2024                 100           100

Government sponsored bond with an interest rate of 5.0%
    and maturities to 2008                                         2             2

Other                                                              2             3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                            204           205

Less current portion                                               1             1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term debt                                            $203          $204
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The scheduled payments on the long-term debt as of November 29, 1997 total
less than $1 million in each of the years 1998 through 2002.

     Short-term debt consists of various lines of credit maintained for foreign
subsidiaries.  The weighted average interest rate on all short-term borrowings
outstanding as of November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996 was 3.9%.

     At November 29, 1997, the Company had uncommitted credit lines totaling
$118 million available for its operations.  These agreements have no commitment
fees, compensating balance requirements or fixed expiration dates.

     Debt issued subsequent to November 29, 1997 is described in Note 14.

5.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

At November 29, 1997, the Company has three active stock-based compensation
plans; the Senior Executive Compensation Program, the Performance Compensation
Plan, and the 1996 Stock Option Plan, which are described below.  These three
plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. 
All shares issued under these plans are valued at market trading prices.  The
Company's Senior Executive Compensation Program, initiated in fiscal year 1978,
provides long-term performance share compensation, which contemplates annual
payments of common stock of the Company to participants contingent on their
continued employment and upon achievement of pre-established financial
objectives of the Company over succeeding three-year periods.  A total of
1,104,899 shares of common stock of the Company remain reserved for issuance
under the program.  Total tentative performance shares payable through November
29, 1997, were 240,561.  In addition, the Senior Executive Compensation Program
provides for participants to defer payment of long-term performance share and
other compensation earned in prior years.  A total of 173,811 deferred shares
are payable as of November 29, 1997.

     On April 7, 1992, the shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of
the Performance Compensation Plan whereby key employees will be awarded
tentative performance shares based upon achievement of performance targets.  A
total of 1,290,028 shares of common stock remain reserved for issuance under
this plan as of November 29, 1997.  In 1993, 386,096 shares were earned based on
the Company's performance.  A total of 1,111 deferred shares are payable as of
November 29, 1997 under this plan.  The plan will terminate on November 30,
2001.







                                        -32-

<PAGE>

     On April 8, 1997, the shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of
the 1996 Stock Option Plan whereby key employees and directors will be granted
the opportunity to acquire common stock, without par value, of the Company. 
Under the terms of the plan, options may be either incentive or non-qualified. 
Stock appreciation rights may be awarded in conjunction with either an incentive
stock option or non-qualified stock option.  The exercise price per share shall
be the average fair market price of the common stock on the date of the grant. 
Options granted to employees vest one-third on each of the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant.  Options granted to directors vest entirely
on the first anniversary of the date of grant.  All options have a maximum term
of ten years.  Three million shares of common stock have been reserved for
issuance under this plan and options were initially granted in 1997.  The fair
value for each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The following weighted average assumptions
were used in 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          <S>                                     <C>
          Risk-free interest rate                 6.83%
          Dividend yield                          1.44%
          Volatility factor                      .1903
          Weighted average expected life          5.97 years
</TABLE>

The weighted average fair value of the options granted during 1997 was $13.22
per share.  The following table summarizes the transactions of the Company's
stock option plan in 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Weighted
                                                                  Average
                                                     Number of   Exercise
                                                      Shares      Price
                                                     ---------   --------
          <S>                                        <C>         <C>
          Unexercised options outstanding -
            November 30, 1996                             N/A         N/A
          Options granted                             290,500    $44.3125
          Options exercised                               N/A         N/A
          Options forfeited                             7,000    $44.3125
          Unexercised options outstanding -
            November 29, 1997                         283,500    $44.3125
          Exercisable options - November 29, 1997        None         N/A
</TABLE>

     On April 14, 1987, the shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of
a restricted stock plan whereby key employees may be granted restricted shares
of the Company's stock.  The restrictions lapse after six years; or earlier if
certain financial goals are exceeded.  A total of 2,000,000 shares of common
stock were designated for this plan.  A total of 324,600 shares were awarded,
268,132 shares were distributed and/or deferred, and 56,468 shares were
forfeited as of November 29, 1997.  No awards were made in fiscal 1997 and the
plan has been terminated.

     The amount charged to expense for all stock-based compensation plans was $4
million, $2 million and less than $1 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     The pro forma affect on net income for all stock-based compensation plans
if accounted for under SFAS No. 123 is less than $1 million each in 1997, 1996,
and 1995, respectively.  There is a corresponding negligible effect on earnings
per share in each of those years.

     Members of the Board of Directors may elect to defer fees earned and invest
them in common stock of the Company.  A total of 9,266 deferred shares are
payable as of November 29, 1997 under this program.




                                        -33-

<PAGE>

6.   SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

One million shares of preferred stock, without par value, have been authorized
and none have been issued.

     The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of
up to 19,200,000 shares of the Company's stock in the open market.  The
purchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes.  As of November
29, 1997, a total of 13,299,067 shares had been purchased at market trading
prices, of which 11,812,743 shares remain in treasury.

     See Note 14 for a discussion of significant changes in equity subsequent to
November 29, 1997.

7.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments (other than Insurance investments which are
described in Note 11) for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

     The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts
receivable, other current assets, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses
approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

     The fair value of the Company's debt is estimated based on the quoted
market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to
the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.  The estimated fair
values of the Company's debt instruments are as follows:
                                                                 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       NOVEMBER 29, 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Carrying        Fair
                                                       Amount        Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>
     Short-term debt                                    $ 60         $ 60
     Long-term debt                                     $204         $224
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes.  They are used to manage
well-defined foreign currency risks.  The Company occasionally enters into
foreign currency forward contracts to hedge exposure to adverse exchange risk
related to certain assets and obligations denominated in foreign currencies. 
The gains or losses arising from these contracts offset foreign exchange gains
or losses on the underlying assets or liabilities and are recognized as
offsetting adjustments to the carrying amounts.  The Company had no material
derivative financial instruments on November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996.

8.   SEGMENT INFORMATION

INDUSTRY INFORMATION

The Health Care Group consists of Hill-Rom and Medeco Security Locks, which is
included in this segment due to its relative size.  Block Medical was in this
segment prior to its sale in 1996.  Hill-Rom produces and sells electric
hospital beds, patient room furniture and patient handling equipment designed to
meet the needs of acute care, long-term care, home care and perinatal providers.
It also provides rental therapy units to health care facilities and the home
care market for wound therapy, the management of pulmonary complications
associated with critically ill patients and incontinence management.  Medeco
produces and sells high-security mechanical locks and lock cylinders and
electronic security systems for commercial, residential and government
applications.
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                        -34-
<PAGE>

     The Funeral Service Group consists of Batesville Casket Company and 
Forethought Financial Services.  Batesville manufactures and sells a variety 
of metal and hardwood caskets and a line of urns and caskets used in 
cremation. Batesville's products are sold to licensed funeral directors 
operating licensed funeral homes.  Forethought Financial Services' 
subsidiaries, Forethought Life Insurance Company, Forethought National 
TrustBank and The Forethought Group, Inc., provide funeral planning 
professionals with marketing support for Forethought-Registered Trademark- 
funeral plans funded by life insurance policies and trust products.  Note 11 
contains additional information regarding financial services.

     Product transfers between industry segments are not material.

Financial information regarding the Company's industry segments is presented
below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      NOVEMBER 29,   November 30,   December 2,
Year Ended                               1997            1996          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>
Net revenues:
   Health Care                            $966           $941           $924
   Funeral Service                         810            743            701
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Consolidated                         $1,776         $1,684         $1,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit:
   Health Care (a) (b)                    $134           $111            $62
   Funeral Service                         160            144            134
   Corporate and other                     (30)           (19)           (17)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Consolidated                            264            236            179
Interest expense                           (21)           (22)           (20)
Investment income                           18             17             15
Other income (expense), net (c)             (2)             2             (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                $259           $233           $170
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets:
   Health Care (a) (b)                    $679           $647           $713
   Funeral Service                       2,750          2,421          2,120
   Corporate and other                     399            328            237
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Consolidated                         $3,828         $3,396         $3,070
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures:
   Health Care                             $68            $69            $77
   Funeral Service                          15             21             24
   Corporate and other                       2              2              2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Consolidated                            $85            $92           $103
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization:            
   Health Care (a)                         $76            $72           $100
   Funeral Service                          23             24             24
   Corporate and other                       3              3              3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Consolidated                           $102            $99           $127
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  REFLECTS A $20 MILLION CHARGE IN 1995 FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF BLOCK MEDICAL
     GOODWILL.
(b)  REFLECTS A $6 MILLION CHARGE IN 1995 FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF CERTAIN ASSETS
     OF A MANUFACTURING FACILITY SOLD IN 1996.
(c)  REFLECTS A GAIN OF $3 MILLION IN 1996 ON THE SALE OF BLOCK MEDICAL.


                                        -35-
<PAGE>

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Sales between geographic area are at transfer prices, which are equivalent to
market value.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        United                       Other      Corporate
                                        States (a)   Europe (b)  International  and Other   Eliminations   Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>
1997:
Net revenues:
   To unaffiliated customers            $1,560         $157           $59        $ -           $ -           $1,776
   Transfers to other geographic areas      37            -             -          -             (37)             -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total net revenues                 $1,597         $157           $59        $ -           $ (37)        $1,776
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit (loss)                   $305         $(14)          $ 3        $(30)         $ -           $  264
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                     $3,261         $298           $30        $399          $(160)        $3,828
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1996:
Net revenues:
   To unaffiliated customers            $1,447         $188           $49        $ -           $ -          $1,684
   Transfers to other geographic areas      37            -             -          -             (37)            -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total net revenues                 $1,484         $188           $49        $ -           $ (37)       $1,684
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit (loss)                   $284         $(31)          $ 2        $(19)         $ -          $  236
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                     $2,869         $355           $24        $328          $(180)       $3,396
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1995:
Net revenues:
   To unaffiliated customers            $1,355         $221           $49        $ -           $ -          $1,625
   Transfers to other geographic areas      37            -             -          -             (37)            -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total net revenues                 $1,392         $221           $49        $ -           $ (37)       $1,625
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit (loss)                   $225         $(30)          $ -        $(17)         $   1        $  179
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                     $2,575         $377           $24        $237          $(143)       $3,070
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  REFLECTS A $20 MILLION CHARGE IN 1995 FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF BLOCK 
MEDICAL GOODWILL.

(b) REFLECTS A $6 MILLION CHARGE IN 1995 FOR THE WRITE-DOWN OF CERTAIN ASSETS 
OF A MANUFACTURING FACILITY SOLD IN 1996.

9. INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are computed in accordance with SFAS No. 109.  The significant 
components of the consolidated income tax provision are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997      1996      1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>       <C>
Income (loss) before income taxes:
  Domestic                                         $272      $267      $207
  Foreign                                           (13)      (34)      (37)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                              $259      $233      $170
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes:
Current items:
  Federal                                           $99       $85       $83
  State                                              13        13        12
  Foreign                                             3         1        (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current items                                 115        99        94
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred items:
  Federal                                           (11)       (6)      (11)
  State                                               -         -        (2)
  Foreign                                            (2)        -        (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred items                                (13)       (6)      (14)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes                         $102       $93       $80
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     -36-
<PAGE>

   The fiscal year differences between the amounts recorded for income taxes 
for financial statement purposes and the amounts computed by applying the 
Federal statutory tax rate to income before taxes are explained as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1997              1996              1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     % OF               % of              % of
                                    PRETAX             Pretax            Pretax
                            AMOUNT  INCOME    Amount   Income    Amount  Income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>    <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Federal income
   tax (A)                   $90     35.0      $81     35.0      $59      35.0
State income
   tax (B)                     9      3.5        9      3.8        7       4.0
Foreign income
   tax (C)                     6      2.3       12      5.1       11       6.5
Goodwill write-down (A)        -        -        -        -        7       4.1
Sale of Block Medical (A)      -        -       (6)    (2.6)       -         -
Other, net                    (3)    (1.4)      (3)    (1.4)      (4)     (2.5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for
   income taxes             $102      39.4      $93    39.9      $80      47.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(A)  AT STATUTORY RATE.
(B)  NET OF FEDERAL BENEFIT.
(C)  FEDERAL TAX RATE DIFFERENTIAL.

   The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant 
portions of the deferred tax balance sheet accounts were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    NOVEMBER 29, 1997             November 30, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 NON-INSURANCE  INSURANCE    Non-insurance    Insurance
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>
Deferred tax assets:
   Current:
    Inventories                       $2           $-             $4             $-
    Employee benefit accruals          3            -              3              -
    Self insurance accruals           10            -             10              -
    Litigation accruals                3            -              1              -
    Other, net                         7            4              7              3
   Long-term:
    Employee benefit accruals         21            1             18              -
    Deferred policy revenues           -          212              -            185
    Foreign loss carryforwards        67            -             66              -
    Foreign acquisition reserves       2            -              4              -
    Other, net                         7            -              6              -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets                      122          217            119            188
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Current:
    Inventories                        2            -              2              -
    Other, net                         2            -              2              -
   Long-term:
    Depreciation                      34            -             35              -
    Amortization                       -            -              2              -
    Unrealized gain on investments     -           18              -             12
    Benefit reserves                   -           11              -              9
    Deferred acquisition costs         -          140              -            119
    Foreign asset step up              4            -              4              -
    Other, net                         1            5              -              4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities                  43          174             45            144
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less valuation allowance for
   foreign loss carryforwards        (65)           -            (66)             -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset                            $14          $43             $8           $ 44
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                        -37-
<PAGE>

     Remaining unutilized foreign loss carryforwards were approximately $161
million and $162 million on November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996,
respectively.  There is not currently sufficient positive evidence as required
by SFAS No. 109 to substantiate recognition of net deferred tax assets in the
financial statements for those foreign subsidiaries in net operating loss
carryforward positions.  Accordingly, a valuation allowance of $65 million has
been recorded.  It is reasonably possible that sufficient positive evidence
could be generated in the near term at one or more of these foreign subsidiaries
to support a reduction in the valuation allowance and a resulting recognition of
net deferred tax assets.  Included in the deferred tax valuation allowance is $5
million related to acquired German loss carryforward benefits.  The future
reversal of this portion of the valuation allowance will not be recognized as an
adjustment in the income statement.

     Income tax benefits recorded in years 1990 through 1997 relative to certain
expenses associated with the Company's corporate-owned life insurance program
have been reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  At the date of this
report, the Company and the IRS are requesting technical advice from the IRS'
national office.  The Company strongly believes such benefits were recorded in
full compliance with existing and prior tax law.  However, it is reasonably
possible that the IRS may, in the near term, disallow the deductibility of some
of these expenses.  The Company believes that the ultimate amount of tax
deductions disallowed, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on
financial condition or cash flows.

10.  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The following amounts were (charged) or credited to income in the year
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1997           1996           1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>            <C>
Rental expense                     $(16)          $(16)          $(17)
Research and 
  development costs                $(49)          $(42)          $(39)
Investment income, net (A)         $ 18           $ 17           $ 15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(A)  EXCLUDES INSURANCE OPERATIONS.

     The table below indicates the minimum annual rental commitments (excluding
renewable periods) aggregating $38 million, primarily for warehouses, under
noncancellable operating leases.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
     1998                     $12
     1999                     $9
     2000                     $6
     2001                     $4
     2002                     $3
     2003 and beyond          $4
- --------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                          
                                          
                                        -38-
<PAGE>

The table below provides supplemental information to the statements of
consolidated cash flows.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1997      1996     1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash paid for:
  Income taxes                         $109       $92      $90
  Interest                             $ 23       $16      $20
Non-cash investing and
  financing activities:
  Liabilities assumed from/incurred
    for the acquisition of businesses  $  -       $ 1      $ 5
  Treasury stock issued under
    stock compensation plans           $  -       $ 1      $ -
  Accrued treasury stock acquisition   $ 13       $ -      $ -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

11.  FINANCIAL SERVICES

Forethought Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, Forethought Life
Insurance Company, Forethought National TrustBank and The Forethought
Group, Inc., serves funeral planning professionals with life insurance policies,
trust products and marketing support for Forethought-Registered Trademark-
funeral planning.  Forethought entered the preneed trust market in 1997.  This
business did not materially affect the financial results of Forethought or
Hillenbrand Industries in 1997.  The life insurance policies are limited to
long-duration, whole-life policies, and, as such, are accounted for under SFAS
No. 97.  The benefits under these policies increase based on external
inflationary indices.  Premiums received are recorded as an increase to benefit
reserves or as unearned revenue.  Unearned revenues are recognized over the
actuarial life of the contract.  Policy acquisition costs, consisting of
commissions, policy issue expense and premium taxes, are deferred and amortized
consistently with unearned revenues.  Liabilities equal to policy holder account
balances and amounts assessed against these balances for future insurance
charges are established on the insurance contracts issued by Forethought Life
Insurance Company.

     Investments are predominantly U.S. treasuries and agencies and 
high-grade corporate bonds with fixed maturities and are carried on the 
balance sheet at fair value.  The Company's objective is to purchase 
investment securities with maturities that match the expected cash outflows 
of policy benefit payments. The investment portfolio is periodically  
realigned to better meet this objective.  Securities are also sold in other 
carefully constrained circumstances such as concern about the credit quality 
of the issuer. Otherwise, it is management's intent that these investments be 
held to maturity. Cash (unrestricted as to use) is held for future investment.

     In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for 
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," the Company has 
classified the investments in debt and equity securities of its insurance 
subsidiary as "available for sale" and reported them at fair value on the 
balance sheet with unrealized gains and losses charged or credited to a 
separate component of shareholders' equity and the insurance deferred tax 
asset adjusted for the income tax effect.  The fair value of each security is 
based on the market value provided by brokers/dealers.

     The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for 
sale at November 29, 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Gross        Gross
                                    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized  Fair
                                       Cost       Gains        Losses    Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>           <C>     <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and
  obligations of U.S. government
  corporations and agencies          $  645        $11           $6     $  650
Corporate securities                  1,129         40            5      1,164
Mutual funds                             40         13            -         53
Preferred stocks                          4          -            -          4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total  (a)                           $1,818        $64          $11     $1,871
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     -39-

<PAGE>

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale 
at November 30, 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Gross         Gross
                                    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized  Fair
                                      Cost        Gains        Losses    Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>           <C>     <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and
  obligations of U.S. government
  corporations and agencies          $  553        $ 8          $ 9      $  552
Corporate securities                    991         27            2       1,016
Mutual funds                             56          9            -          65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (a)                            $1,600        $44          $11      $1,633
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(A) DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AMORTIZED COST OF OTHER INVESTMENTS CARRIED ON THE 
    BALANCE SHEET IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 63 MILLION AT    NOVEMBER 29, 1997, AND 
    $30 MILLION AT NOVEMBER 30, 1996, THE CARRYING VALUE OF WHICH APPROXIMATES 
    FAIR VALUE.

   The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for 
sale at November 29, 1997, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers 
may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or 
prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Amortized       Fair
                                       Cost          Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
Due in one year or less             $   52         $   52
Due after 1 year through 5 years       269            273
Due after 5 years through 10 years     281            284
Due after 10 years                     589            619
Mortgage-backed securities             583            586
Mutual funds                            40             53
Preferred stocks                         4              4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                               $1,818         $1,871
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   The cost used to compute realized gains and losses is determined by 
specific identification.  Proceeds and realized gains and losses from the 
sale of investment securities available for sale were as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1997           1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>             <C>
Proceeds                              $358           $126           $290
Realized gross gains                  $ 12           $  1           $  5
Realized gross losses                 $  4           $  1           $  4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Summarized financial information of insurance operations included in the 
statement of consolidated income is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1997           1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Investment income                     $120           $104            $92
Earned premium revenue                 137            115             93
Net gain on sale of investments          8              -              1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net revenues                     265            219            186
Benefits paid                           63             56             48
Credited interest                      111             97             86
Deferred acquisition costs amortized    35             29             24
Other operating expenses                21             13             14
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes             $35            $24            $14
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                     -40-
<PAGE>

Statutory data at December 31 includes:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              1997 (unaudited)          1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>            <C>
Net income                          $ 32                $ 29           $ 22
Capital and surplus                 $144                $129           $115
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

12.   UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          TOTAL
1997 QUARTER ENDED                3/01/97   5/31/97   8/30/97   11/29/97  YEAR
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>    <C>
Net revenues                      $  446    $  426    $  429      $475   $1,776
Gross profit                         184       177       179       205      745
Net income                            39        37        35        46      157
Net income per common share          .56       .54       .51       .67     2.28
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          TOTAL
1996 QUARTER ENDED                3/02/96   6/01/96   8/31/96   11/30/96  YEAR
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>    <C>
Net revenues                      $  434    $  424    $  404     $  422  $1,684
Gross profit                         170       169       163        175     677
Net income (A)                        33        34        34         39     140
Net income per common share (A)      .48       .48       .50        .56    2.02
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(A)  REFLECTS INCOME OF $8 MILLION, OR $.12 PER SHARE, RELATIVE TO THE SALE OF
     BLOCK MEDICAL IN THE THIRD QUARTER.


13.  CONTINGENCIES

On August 16, 1995, Kinetic Concepts, Inc., and Medical Retro Design, Inc.
(collectively, the "plaintiffs"), filed suit against Hillenbrand Industries,
Inc., and its subsidiary Hill-Rom Company, Inc., in the United States District
Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.  The plaintiffs
allege violation of various antitrust laws, including illegal bundling of
products, predatory pricing, refusal to deal and attempting to monopolize the
hospital bed industry.  They seek monetary damages totaling in excess of $269
million, trebling of any damages that may be allowed by the court, and
injunctions to prevent further alleged unlawful activities.  The Company
believes that the claims are without merit and is aggressively defending itself
against all allegations.  Accordingly, it has not recorded any loss provision
relative to damages sought by the plaintiffs.  On November 20, 1996, the Company
filed a Counterclaim to the above action against Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) in
the U.S. District Court in San Antonio, Texas.  The Counterclaim alleges, among
other things, that KCI has attempted to monopolize the therapeutic bed market,
interfere with the Company's and Hill-Rom's business relationships by conducting
a campaign of anticompetitive conduct, and abused the legal process for its own
advantage.


                                     -41-
<PAGE>

     The Company has voluntarily entered into remediation agreements with
environmental authorities, and has been issued Notices of Violation alleging
violations of certain permit conditions.  Accordingly, the Company is in the
process of implementing plans of abatement in compliance with agreements and
regulations.  The Company has also been notified as a potentially responsible
party in investigations of certain offsite disposal facilities.  The cost of all
plans of abatement and waste site cleanups in which the Company is currently
involved is not expected to exceed $10 million.  The Company has provided
adequate reserves in its financial statements for these matters.  These reserves
have been determined without consideration of possible loss recoveries from
third parties.  Changes in environmental law might affect the Company's future
operations, capital expenditures and earnings.  The cost of complying with these
provisions is not known.

     The Company is subject to various other claims and contingencies arising
out of the normal course of business, including those relating to commercial
transactions, product liability, safety, health, taxes, environmental and other
matters.  Management believes that the ultimate liability, if any, in excess of
amounts already provided or covered by insurance, is not likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows.

14.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On December 1, 1997, the Company purchased 990,000 shares of its common stock
from a trust established by a founder of the Company to facilitate the payment
of the trust's federal and state taxes upon the death of the founder's widow. 
The purchase, totaling $42 million, was a private transaction at a discount from
market determined by an investment bank to be fair to the Company.

     On December 8, 1997, the Company issued $100 million of 6 3/4% debentures
under a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in 1993.  The debentures are due December 15, 2027 and are
redeemable, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time. 
There are no sinking fund requirements.  The debentures were priced at 99.184%
to yield 6.814% to maturity.  Interest is payable semiannually on June 15 and
December 15 commencing June 15, 1998.  Net proceeds to the Company of $98.309
million will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital,
capital expenditures and possible future acquisitions.

     On December 18, 1997, Hill-Rom acquired the stock of Air-Shields, Inc., a
manufacturer and supplier of infant incubators and warmers, and certain other
businesses of Vickers PLC for a cash payment of $99 million.

(Unaudited)

On February 9, 1998, Hill-Rom acquired the stock of MEDAES Holdings, Inc., a 
manufacturer of medical architectural systems, for a cash payment of 
$62 million.  These acquisitions will not have a material effect on the 
Company's results of operations in 1998.

     On January 19, 1998, the Board of Directors increased by 5,000,000 shares
the Company's authorization to repurchase its stock under the Hillenbrand 
Industries Stock Repurchase Program.

ITEM 9.  DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     There were no disagreements with the independent accountants.


                                     -42-
<PAGE>

                                      PART III


ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     Information relating to executive officers is included in this report as
the last section of Item 1 under the caption "Executive Officers of the
Registrant."  Information relating to the directors will appear in the section
entitled "Election of Directors" in the definitive Proxy Statement to be dated
February 27, 1998, and to be filed with the Commission relating to the Company's
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which section is incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The section entitled "Executive Compensation" in the definitive Proxy
Statement dated February 27, 1998, and to be filed with the Commission relating
to the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
          MANAGEMENT

     The section entitled "Election of Directors" in the definitive Proxy
Statement to be dated February 27, 1998, and to be filed with the Commission
relating to the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated
herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The sections entitled "About the Board of Directors" and "Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the definitive Proxy
Statement to be dated February 27, 1998, and to be filed with the Commission
relating to the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, are incorporated
herein by reference.
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                      PART IV


ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS 
          ON FORM 8-K

     (a)  The following documents have been filed as a part of this report or,
          where noted, incorporated by reference:
          
         (1)  Financial Statements
          
              The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated
          subsidiaries listed on the index to Consolidated Financial Statements
          on page 19.
          
          (2)  Financial Statement Schedules
          
               The financial statement schedule filed in response to Item 8 and
               Item 14(d) of Form 10-K is listed on the index to Consolidated
               Financial Statements on page 19.


                                     -43-
<PAGE>


          (3)  Exhibits
          
               The following exhibits have been filed as part of this
          report in response to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K:
          
          3.1    Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                 Registrant (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 filed
                 with Form 10-K for the year ended November 28, 1992)
          
          3.2    Form of Amended Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated
                 herein by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with Form 10-K for the
                 year ended November 30, 1996)
          
          
          The following management contracts or compensatory plans or
          arrangements are required to be filed as exhibits to this form 
          pursuant to Item 14 (c) of this report:
          
          10.1  Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Senior Executive Compensation
                Program  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 filed
                with Form 10-K for the year ended December 3, 1994)
          
          10.2  Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Performance Compensation Plan
                (Incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy 
                Statement dated February 28, 1992, and filed with the Commission
                relative to the Company's 1992 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
          
          10.3  Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan
                (Incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy 
                Statement dated February 28, 1997, and filed with the Commission
                relative to the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
          
          
          Other Exhibits
          
          21   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
          
          
          
     (b)  There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended
          November 29, 1997.













                                     -44-
<PAGE>

                                                                    SCHEDULE II

                   HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
   FOR THE YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997, NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND DECEMBER 2, 1995
                               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   ADDITIONS
                                            -------------------------
                                BALANCE AT  CHARGED TO   CHARGED TO    DEDUCTIONS     BALANCE
                                BEGINNING   COSTS AND      OTHER         NET OF        AT END
       DESCRIPTION              OF PERIOD   EXPENSES     ACCOUNTS (A)  RECOVERIES(B)  OF PERIOD
- -----------------------------   ---------   ----------   ------------  -------------  ---------
<S>                             <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
Reserves deducted from assets
 to which they apply:

 Allowance for possible losses
   and discounts
   - accounts receivable:

   Year Ended:



     November 29, 1997          $19         $1           $8            $3          $25 
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
     November 30, 1996          $20         $1           $-            $2          $19
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
     December 2, 1995           $14         $4           $5            $3          $20
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
                                ---------   ----------   ------------  ----------  -------------
</TABLE>


(A)  REDUCTION OF GROSS REVENUES FOR CASH DISCOUNTS AND OTHER
     ADJUSTMENTS IN DETERMINING NET REVENUE.  ALSO INCLUDES THE EFFECT OF
     ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES.
     
(B)  INCLUDES THE SALE OF BLOCK MEDICAL OPERATION IN 1996.









                                     -45-
<PAGE>


                                     SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                    HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By:  /S/  W AUGUST HILLENBRAND 
                                         ------------------------------
                                              W August Hillenbrand
Dated: January 19, 1998                       Chief Executive Officer



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the date indicated.


/s/  Daniel A. Hillenbrand         /s/  Leonard Granoff     
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     Daniel A. Hillenbrand              Leonard Granoff
     Chairman of the Board              Director

/s/  Tom E. Brewer                 /s/  John C. Hancock          
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     Tom E. Brewer                      John C. Hancock
     Chief Financial Officer            Director

/s/  James D. Van De Velde         /s/  W August Hillenbrand          
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     James D. Van De Velde              W August Hillenbrand
     Controller                         Director

/s/  Lawrence R. Burtschy          /s/  George M. Hillenbrand II      
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     Lawrence R. Burtschy               George M. Hillenbrand II
     Director                           Director

/s/  Peter F. Coffaro              /s/  John A. Hillenbrand II        
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     Peter F. Coffaro                   John A. Hillenbrand II
     Director                           Director

/s/  Edward S. Davis               /s/  Ray J. Hillenbrand       
- --------------------------------   -------------------------------
     Edward S. Davis                    Ray J. Hillenbrand
     Director                           Director  


Dated:  January 19, 1998


                                     -46-
<PAGE>



               HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      INDEX TO EXHIBITS



3.1     Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant 
        (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with Form 10-K
        for the year ended November 28, 1992)


3.2     Form of Amended Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated herein by 
        reference to Exhibit 3 filed with Form 10-K for the year ended 
        November 30, 1996) 
 
 
10.1    Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Senior Executive Compensation Program
        (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 filed with Form 10-K
        for the year ended December 3, 1994)


10.2    Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Performance Compensation Plan (Incorporated
        herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement dated February 28,
        1992, and filed with the Commission relative to the Company's 1992 
        Annual Meeting of Shareholders)


10.3   Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein
       by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement dated February 28, 1997,
       and filed with the Commission relative to the Company's 1997 Annual 
       Meeting of Shareholders)


21     Subsidiaries of the Registrant


27     Financial Data Schedule
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                     -47-


<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21
                                          
                            HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
                           SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT


All subsidiaries of the Company are wholly-owned Indiana corporations, unless
otherwise noted.


     Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
     Hill-Rom, Inc.
     Forethought Financial Services, Inc.
     Hillenbrand Industries FSC (Barbados), Inc.,
          a Barbados corporation
     Hillenbrand Investment Advisory Corporation,
          a Delaware corporation
     Hillenbrand Properties, Inc.
     Medeco Security Locks, Incorporated, a Virginia corporation
     Sherman House Corporation
     Tudor Travel, Inc.
     Cutler Property, Inc.
     Old Brick Property, Inc.
     Memory Showcase, Inc.
     Sleep Options, Inc.
     The Acorn Development Group, Inc.

     Subsidiaries of Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
          Batesville International Corporation
          Batesville Casket de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation

     Subsidiary of Batesville Casket de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
          Industrias Arga, S.A. de C.V.

     Subsidiaries of Hill-Rom, Inc.
          Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
          Air-Shields Vickers, Inc., a Delaware corporation
          MEDAES Holdings, Inc., a Georgia corporation
     Subsidiaries of Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
          PaTMark Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation
          Support Systems International, Inc.
          Tron Business Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation
          APEX Information Services, Inc.
          Hill-Rom NETLINX, Inc., an Indiana corporation

     Jointly owned subsidiary of Hill-Rom, Inc. and Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
          Hill-Rom International, Inc., a Delaware corporation

     Subsidiaries of Hill-Rom International, Inc.
          Support Systems International B.V., a Netherlands corporation
          Hill-Rom SARL, a French corporation
          MIE Holdings, Limited, a United Kingdom corporation

     Subsidiary of MIE Holdings, Limited
          Medical Industrial Equipment, Limited, a United Kingdom corporation

                                         (1)
<PAGE>

     Subsidiaries of Air-Shields Vickers, Inc.
          Air-Shields Inc., a Delaware corporation
          NARCO Medical Services, Inc., a Georgia corporation

     Subsidiary of Air-Shields, Inc.
          NARCO Scientific, Limited, a Canadian corporation

     Subsidiaries of MEDAES Holdings, Inc.
          MEDAES, Inc., a Georgia corporation
          MEDAES, Limited, a United Kingdom corporation

     Subsidiaries of Support Systems International B.V.
          SSI Medical Services B.V., a Netherlands corporation
          Support Systems International Finance, Ltd., a United Kingdom
           corporation
          SSI Medical Services, Spa, an Italian corporation
          John Bukowansky A.G., an Austrian corporation
          Hillrom S.A., a Switzerland corporation

     Subsidiary of Support Systems International Finance, Ltd.
          SSI Medical Services, Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation

     Subsidiaries of Hill-Rom GmbH
          Hill-Rom Therapy GmbH, a German corporation
          L. & C. Arnold GmbH, a German corporation

     Jointly owned subsidiary of Support Systems International B.V. and Hill-Rom
       International, Inc.
          Hill-Rom Holdings GmbH, a German corporation

     Subsidiaries of Hill-Rom SARL
          SSI Industries SARL, a French corporation
          Le Couviour, S.A., a French corporation
          Hill-Rom B.V., a Netherlands corporation
          SCI LeCouviour Immoblier, a French corporation

     Subsidiaries of Forethought Financial Services, Inc.
          Forethought Life Insurance Company
          The Forethought Group, Inc.
          Forethought Florida, Inc.
          ForeLife Agency, Inc.
          Forethought National TrustBank, federally chartered
          Forethought Investment Management, Inc.

     Subsidiary of Forethought Life Insurance Company
          Forethought Properties, Inc.

     Jointly owned subsidiary of Batesville International Corporation,
     Hill-Rom Company, Inc., Hill-Rom, Inc. and Medeco Security Locks,
       Incorporated
          Hillenbrand Industries Canada, Ltd., an Ontario (Canada) corporation

                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                         (2)

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO INCLUDED UNDER ITEM 8
OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                             364
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      358
<ALLOWANCES>                                        25
<INVENTORY>                                         79
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   821
<PP&E>                                             931
<DEPRECIATION>                                     602
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,828
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              359
<BONDS>                                            203
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             4
<OTHER-SE>                                         882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       886
<SALES>                                          1,133
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,776
<CGS>                                              603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,031
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   481
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  21
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    259
<INCOME-TAX>                                       102
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                157
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       157
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.28
        

</TABLE>


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