CONSECO INC ET AL
8-K, 1996-10-01
ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

              Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                       Date of Report: September 25, 1996



                                  CONSECO, INC.

                             State of Incorporation:
                                     Indiana


   Commission File Number                              IRS Employer Id. Number
        No. 1-9250                                           No. 35-1468632

                     Address of Principal Executive Offices:
                         11825 North Pennsylvania Street
                              Carmel, Indiana 46032

                                  Telephone No.
                                 (317) 817-6100







J:\8KCNC.925\COVER


<PAGE>


                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES




ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

Conseco, Inc. ("Conseco") has recently announced the following:

     (a)  On  September  26, 1996,  Conseco  announced an agreement under  which
          Conseco will acquire Transport Holdings Inc. ("Transport"),  a leading
          provider of cancer insurance and other supplemental  health insurance,
          for $70 per share in Conseco common stock. In the merger,  each of the
          issued and outstanding  shares of Transport Class A common stock would
          be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Conseco
          common  stock  determined  by dividing  $70.00 by the average  closing
          price of Conseco  common stock during the 10 trading days  immediately
          preceding  the second  trading day prior to closing (such number to be
          not more than 1.8301 nor less than  1.4000).  Transport's  outstanding
          convertible  debt,  stock  options and  warrants,  when  converted  or
          exercised,  would receive the same ratio of Conseco common shares. The
          total value of the transaction would be $311 million,  including:  (i)
          $228 million to purchase  Transport's  3.2 million  common  shares and
          equivalents;  and (ii) $83 million to retire  bank debt and  preferred
          stock. Consummation of the Transport transaction,  which is subject to
          customary  terms  and  conditions,  including  approval  by  Transport
          shareholders and regulatory approvals, is expected by the end of 1996.
          Under the merger  agreement,  Transport  would be merged into Conseco,
          with  Conseco  being  the  surviving  corporation.  The  terms  of the
          agreement  also provide that to the extent  required by its  fiduciary
          duties to  Transport's  shareholders,  Transport's  Board may evaluate
          other  offers.  In  the  event  that  Transport  enters  into  another
          agreement or terminates the merger  agreement with Conseco  because of
          another  offer,  Transport  would be required to pay a break-up fee of
          $7.5 million.


     (b)  On  September 27,  1996,  Conseco  announced  the  completion  of  the
          redemption  of its Series D  Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
          ("Series  D").  A total of 6,358  Series D  shares  were  redeemed  at
          $52.916  per share in cash,  including  $0.641  per  share of  accrued
          dividends.   Holders  of  the  remaining  5,338,409  Series  D  shares
          previously  outstanding  elected  instead to convert their shares into
          Conseco  common  stock at the rate of 1.5686  common  shares  for each
          Series D share.  The 8.4 million common shares issued upon  conversion
          were  already   included  in  Conseco's   "weighted   average   shares
          outstanding"  for purposes of  computing  fully  diluted  earnings per
          share.  Conversion of the Series D shares  increases  Conseco's common
          shareholders'  equity and reduces  future cash flow  requirements  for
          dividends.

     (c)  On  October  1,  1996,   Conseco  announced  the  completion  of  the
          acquisition  of all of  the common shares of American  Life  Holdings,
          Inc.  ("ALH") not  already  owned by Conseco  for  approximately  $165
          million in cash. ALH, a provider of retirement savings annuities,  was
          originally acquired by Conseco Capital Partners II, L.P. ("Partnership
          II") in September 1994. Conseco previously  announced its intention to
          terminate  Partnership II. Conseco paid the other limited  partners in
          Partnership II, $23.00 for each of their shares of ALH.

     The  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements  of Conseco,
attached as Exhibit 99.2,  present Conseco's  financial  position and results of
operations  for the year  ended  December  31,  1995,  and as of and for the six
months ended June 30, 1996,  giving  effect to several  transactions  which have
already occurred, as described in the notes accompanying the pro forma financial
statements.  The pro forma consolidated financial statements are not necessarily
indicative  of what the financial  position or results of operations  would have
been if the transactions had occurred at the dates indicated.  Furthermore,  the
pro forma consolidated financial statements are not intended to be indicative of
Conseco's future  financial  position or future results of operations and should
be read in conjunction with the historical  consolidated financial statements of
Conseco.

                                                         2

<PAGE>


                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES




ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

                (c)   EXHIBITS

                      2.8     Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of September
                              25, 1996, by and between  Conseco, Inc. and
                              Transport Holdings Inc.

                      99.2    Pro  Forma  Consolidated  Financial Statements of
                              Conseco, Inc. and  Subsidiaries reflecting several
                              transactions which have already occurred.



                                                         3

<PAGE>



                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  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.



Date: October 1, 1996

                                        CONSECO, INC.




                                        By: /s/ ROLLIN M. DICK
                                           --------------------
                                           Rollin M. Dick
                                           Executive Vice President
                                             and Chief Financial Officer



















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                                                         4




                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1996


                                 By and Between



                                  CONSECO, INC.



                                       and



                             TRANSPORT HOLDINGS INC.





<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------
                                                                                                               Page
                                                                                                               ----

                                    ARTICLE I
                  <S>                                                                                             <C>
                  THE MERGER....................................................................................  1
                  1.1      The Merger...........................................................................  1
                  1.2      Closing..............................................................................  1
                  1.3      Effective Time.......................................................................  2
                  1.4      Articles of Incorporation............................................................  2
                  1.5      By-Laws..............................................................................  2
                  1.6      Directors............................................................................  2
                  1.7      Officers.............................................................................  2
                  1.8      Conversion of Shares.................................................................  2
                  1.9      Exchange of Certificates.............................................................  3
                  1.10     Redemption of Preferred Stock........................................................  6

                                   ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.................................................  6
                  2.1      Organization, Standing and Corporate Power...........................................  6
                  2.2      Capital Structure....................................................................  6
                  2.3      Authority; Noncontravention..........................................................  7
                  2.4      SEC Documents........................................................................  9
                  2.5      Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................................................  9
                  2.6      Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans..................................................  10
                  2.7      Benefit Plans........................................................................  10
                  2.8      Taxes................................................................................  11
                  2.9      No Excess Parachute Payments; Section 162(m) of the Code.............................  12
                  2.10     Voting Requirements..................................................................  12
                  2.11     Compliance with Applicable Laws......................................................  12
                  2.12     Opinion of Financial Advisor.........................................................  14
                  2.13     Brokers..............................................................................  14
                  2.14     Agreements with Travelers Group Inc..................................................  14

                                   ARTICLE III

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONSECO ....................................................  14
                  3.1      Organization, Standing and Corporate Power...........................................  14
                  3.2      Conseco Capital Structure............................................................  15
                  3.3      Authority; Noncontravention..........................................................  16
                  3.4      SEC Documents........................................................................  17
                  3.5      Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................................................  17
                  3.6      Compliance with Applicable Laws......................................................  18
                  3.7      Brokers..............................................................................  19
                  3.8      Voting Requirements..................................................................  20
</TABLE>

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                                                    i

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                   ARTICLE IV
                                
                 <S>                                                                                             <C>   
                  ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS......................................................................... 20
                  4.1      Preparation of Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement; Information Supplied................ 20
                  4.2      Meeting of Stockholders.............................................................. 21
                  4.3      Letter of the Company's Accountants.................................................. 21
                  4.4      Letter of Conseco's Accountants...................................................... 21
                  4.5      Access to Information; Confidentiality............................................... 22
                  4.6      Commercially Reasonable Efforts...................................................... 22
                  4.7      Public Announcements................................................................. 22
                  4.8      Acquisition Proposals................................................................ 23
                  4.9      Fiduciary Duties..................................................................... 23
                  4.10     Consents, Approvals and Filings...................................................... 24
                  4.11     Certain Fees......................................................................... 25
                  4.12     Affiliates and Certain Stockholders.................................................. 25
                  4.13     NYSE Listing......................................................................... 26
                  4.14     Stockholder Litigation............................................................... 26
                  4.15     Indemnification...................................................................... 26
                  4.16     Stock Options and Warrants........................................................... 27
                  4.17     Officers' Certificates Relating to Tax Treatment. ................................... 27
                  4.18     Severance and Other Payments ........................................................ 27
                  4.19     Convertible Debentures............................................................... 27
                  4.20     Warrants..............................................................................28
                  4.21     Letter Agreements.....................................................................28

                                    ARTICLE V
  
                 COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO MERGER...................................... 28
                  5.1      Conduct of Business by the Company................................................... 28
                  5.2      Conduct of Business by Conseco....................................................... 31
                  5.3      Other Actions ....................................................................... 32

                                   ARTICLE VI

                  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.......................................................................... 32
                  6.1      Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Merger........................... 32
                  6.2      Conditions to Obligations of Conseco ................................................ 33
                  6.3      Conditions to Obligation of the Company.............................................. 34

                                   ARTICLE VII

                  TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER............................................................. 35
                  7.1      Termination.......................................................................... 35
                  7.2      Effect of Termination................................................................ 36
                  7.3      Amendment............................................................................ 36
                  7.4      Extension; Waiver.................................................................... 36
                  7.5      Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver............................ 36

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                  SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS........................................................................ 37
                  8.1      Survival............................................................................. 37
</TABLE>

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                                                    ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                   ARTICLE IX
                  <S>                                                                                            <C>
                  NOTICES....................................................................................... 37
                  9.1      Notices.............................................................................. 37

                                    ARTICLE X

                  MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................. 38
                  10.1      Entire Agreement.................................................................... 38
                  10.2      Expenses............................................................................ 38
                  10.3      Counterparts ....................................................................... 38
                  10.4      No Third Party Beneficiary.......................................................... 38
                  10.5      Governing Law....................................................................... 39
                  10.6      Assignment; Binding Effect.......................................................... 39
                  10.7      Enforcement........................................................................  39
                  10.8      Headings, Gender, etc............................................................... 39
                  10.9      Invalid Provisions.................................................................. 39


</TABLE>

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                   iii

<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into  as of  September  25,  1996  by and  between  CONSECO,  INC.,  an  Indiana
corporation  ("Conseco"),  and TRANSPORT  HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware  corporation
(the "Company").

                                    PREAMBLE

         WHEREAS,  the respective Boards of Directors of Conseco and the Company
have  approved the merger of the Company with and into  Conseco,  upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

         WHEREAS,   Conseco   and   the   Company   desire   to   make   certain
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements in connection  with such
merger and also to prescribe various conditions to such merger;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the
receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the parties hereto
agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

         1.1 The Merger.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
at the  Effective  Time (as such term is  defined in Section  1.3  hereof),  the
Company shall be merged with and into Conseco (the  "Merger"),  in a transaction
intended to qualify as a tax-free  reorganization  under Section 368(a)(1)(A) of
the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  in accordance with
the Indiana  Business  Corporation  Law (the  "IBCL") and the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law (the  "DGCL"),  and the  separate  corporate  existence  of the
Company  shall cease and Conseco  shall  continue as the  surviving  corporation
under the laws of the State of Indiana (the  "Surviving  Corporation")  with all
the rights, privileges, immunities and powers, and subject to all the duties and
liabilities,  of a  corporation  organized  under the IBCL. At the option of the
Company or Conseco, the structure of the merger may be changed such that a newly
formed  subsidiary  of  Conseco  shall be  merged  with  and  into the  Company;
provided,  however,  that such  structure  change  does not (i) have any adverse
impact on  Conseco  or the  Company  or (ii)  prevent  delivery  of the  opinion
specified in Section 6.3(c).

         1.2 Closing.  Unless this Agreement  shall have been terminated and the
transactions  herein  contemplated shall have been abandoned pursuant to Section
7.1, and subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions set forth in
Article VI, the closing of the Merger  (the  "Closing")  will take place at 9:00
a.m. on the second business day following the date on which the

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                         1

<PAGE>



last to be fulfilled or waived of the  conditions  set forth in Article VI shall
be fulfilled or waived in accordance  with this Agreement (the "Closing  Date"),
at the office of Conseco in Carmel,  Indiana, unless another date, time or place
is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

         1.3 Effective  Time. The parties hereto will file with the Secretary of
State of the  State of  Indiana  (the  "Indiana  Secretary  of  State")  and the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware  Secretary of State")
on the Closing Date (or on such other date as Conseco and the Company may agree)
articles of merger  executed in accordance  with the relevant  provisions of the
IBCL and a  certificate  of merger  executed  in  accordance  with the  relevant
provisions of the DGCL, and make all other filings or recordings  required under
the IBCL and the DGCL in  connection  with the Merger.  The Merger  shall become
effective  upon the filing of the articles of merger with the Indiana  Secretary
of State and the certificate of merger with the Delaware  Secretary of State, or
at such later time as is specified in the articles of merger and the certificate
of merger (the "Effective Time").

         1.4  Articles  of  Incorporation.  The  Articles  of  Incorporation  of
Conseco,  as in effect  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  shall be the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation until thereafter amended
as provided by law.

         1.5  By-Laws. The By-Laws of Conseco, as in effect immediately prior to
the  Effective  Time,  shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving  Corporation  until
thereafter amended as provided by law.

         1.6  Directors.   The directors of Conseco at the Effective Time shall 
be the directors of the Surviving Corporation.

         1.7  Officers.  The officers of Conseco at the Effective Time shall be 
the officers of the Surviving Corporation.

         1.8 Conversion of Shares. (a) Outstanding Shares. Each of the shares of
Class A common stock,  $.01 par value, of the Company (the "Shares")  issued and
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares held as
treasury  shares by the Company)  shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holder  thereof,  be converted into a right to receive
the whole number and  fraction  (rounded to the nearest  ten-  thousandth)  of a
validly issued,  fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, without par
value, of Conseco ("Conseco Common Stock"), determined by dividing $70.00 by the
Conseco  Share Price.  The  "Conseco  Share Price" shall be equal to the Trading
Average (as defined below);  provided,  however,  that if the Trading Average is
less than  $38.25,  then the Conseco  Share  Price  shall be $38.25,  and if the
Trading  Average is greater than $50.00,  then the Conseco  Share Price shall be
$50.00.  The  "Trading  Average"  shall be equal to the  average of the  closing
prices of the  Conseco  Common  Stock on the New York  Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE")
Composite Transactions Reporting System, as reported in The Wall Street

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                                                         2

<PAGE>



Journal,  for the ten trading days immediately  preceding the second trading day
prior to the Effective Time. The Conseco Common Stock to be issued to holders of
Shares in  accordance  with this  Section and any cash to be paid in  accordance
with Section  1.9(f) in lieu of  fractional  shares of Conseco  Common Stock are
referred to collectively as the "Merger Consideration."

         (b)  Treasury  Shares.  Each Share issued and  outstanding  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time  which  is then  held as a  treasury  share by the
Company  immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of the  Company,  be canceled and retired and
cease to exist, without any conversion thereof.

         (c) Impact of Stock Splits,  etc. Subject to Section 5.2 hereof, in the
event of any change in Conseco  Common Stock between the date of this  Agreement
and the  Effective  Time of the  Merger  by reason  of any  stock  split,  stock
dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, combination, exchange
of shares or the like, the number and class of shares of Conseco Common Stock to
be issued and delivered in the Merger in exchange for each outstanding  Share as
provided in this Agreement and the  calculation of all share prices provided for
in this Agreement shall be proportionately adjusted.

         (d)  Treatment of Company  Stock Options and  Warrants.  (i) From  and 
after the Effective Time,  each  outstanding  unexpired  stock option  ("Company
Stock  Option")  to  purchase  Shares  which has been  granted  pursuant  to the
Company's  1995 Stock Plan,  as amended to the date hereof (the  "Company  Stock
Plan"), shall be exerciseable,  for the same aggregate  consideration payable to
exercise such Company Stock Option,  for the number of shares of Conseco  Common
Stock which the holder would have been entitled to receive at the Effective Time
if such  Company  Stock Option had been fully  vested and  exercised  for Shares
prior to the Effective  Time,  and otherwise on the same terms and conditions as
were  applicable  under the Company Stock Plan and the  underlying  stock option
agreement except as provided in subsection (ii).

                  (ii) Each Company Stock Option, if not then vested,  will vest
in full at the Effective Time in accordance with the Company Stock Plan.

                  (iii)  From and after the  Effective  Time,  each  outstanding
warrant  to  purchase  Shares  shall be  exerciseable,  for the  same  aggregate
consideration  payable to  exercise  such  warrant,  for the number of shares of
Conseco Common Stock which the holder would have been entitled to receive at the
Effective Time if such warrant had been exercised in full for Shares immediately
prior to the Effective  Time,  and otherwise on the same terms and conditions as
were applicable under such warrant.

         1.9  Exchange of Certificates. (a) Exchange Agent.  As of the Effective
Time, Conseco shall deposit with its transfer agent and registrar (the "Exchange
Agent"), for the benefit of the

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                                                         3

<PAGE>



holders of Shares,  certificates representing the shares of Conseco Common Stock
to be issued to holders of Shares pursuant to Section 1.8(a) (such certificates,
together with any dividends or distributions  with respect to such certificates,
being hereinafter referred to as the "Payment Fund").

         (b) Exchange  Procedures.  As soon as  practicable  after the Effective
Time,  each holder of an  outstanding  certificate or  certificates  which prior
thereto  represented  Shares shall, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of such
certificate or  certificates  and acceptance  thereof by the Exchange  Agent, be
entitled to a  certificate  representing  that number of whole shares of Conseco
Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional  shares of Conseco  Common Stock as
contemplated  by  this  Section  1.9)  which  the  aggregate  number  of  Shares
previously  represented by such  certificate or certificates  surrendered  shall
have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to Section 1.8(a) of this
Agreement.  The Exchange Agent shall accept such  certificates  upon  compliance
with such  reasonable  terms and  conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose to
effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices.
If the  consideration to be paid in the Merger (or any portion thereof) is to be
delivered  to any person  other  than the  person in whose name the  certificate
representing Shares surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be
a condition  to such  exchange  that the  certificate  so  surrendered  shall be
properly  endorsed  or  otherwise  be in proper form for  transfer  and that the
person  requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the payment of such  consideration to a person
other  than the  registered  holder  of the  certificate  surrendered,  or shall
establish to the  satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid
or is not  applicable.  After the  Effective  Time,  there  shall be no  further
transfer  on the records of the Company or its  transfer  agent of  certificates
representing  Shares and if such  certificates  are presented to the Company for
transfer, they shall be canceled against delivery of the Merger Consideration as
hereinabove provided.  Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 1.9(b),
each  certificate  representing  Shares  (other than  certificates  representing
Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 1.8(b)), shall be deemed at any
time after the Effective  Time to represent  only the right to receive upon such
surrender the Merger Consideration payable with respect to such Shares,  without
any interest  thereon,  as contemplated by Section 1.8. No interest will be paid
or will accrue on any cash payable as Merger Consideration.

         (c) Letter of Transmittal. Promptly after the Effective Time (but in no
event more than five business days thereafter),  the Surviving Corporation shall
require the Exchange  Agent to mail to each record holder of  certificates  that
immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time  represented  Shares  which have been
converted  pursuant  to  Section  1.8,  a form  of  letter  of  transmittal  and
instructions for use in surrendering such certificates and

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                                                         4

<PAGE>



receiving  the  consideration  to which such holder  shall be entitled  therefor
pursuant to Section 1.8.

         (d)  Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares.  No dividends or
other  distributions  with  respect to Conseco  Common  Stock with a record date
after the  Effective  Time shall be paid to the holder of any  certificate  that
immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time  represented  Shares  which have been
converted  pursuant to Section  1.8,  until the  surrender  for exchange of such
certificate in accordance with this Article I. Following  surrender for exchange
of any such certificate,  there shall be paid to the holder of such certificate,
without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender,  the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid
with  respect to the number of whole  shares of Conseco  Common Stock into which
the Shares  represented by such certificate  immediately  prior to the Effective
Time were converted pursuant to Section 1.8, and (ii) at the appropriate payment
date,  the amount of dividends or other  distributions  with a record date after
the  Effective  Time,  but  prior to such  surrender,  and with a  payment  date
subsequent  to such  surrender,  payable  with  respect to such whole  shares of
Conseco Common Stock.

         (e) No Further  Ownership  Rights in Shares.  The Merger  Consideration
paid upon the  surrender  for exchange of  certificates  representing  Shares in
accordance  with the terms of this Article I shall be deemed to have been issued
and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Shares theretofore
represented  by  such   certificates,   subject,   however,   to  the  Surviving
Corporation's  obligation  (if  any) to pay any  dividends  or  make  any  other
distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may have been
declared  by the  Company on such  Shares in  accordance  with the terms of this
Agreement or prior to the date of this  Agreement and which remain unpaid at the
Effective Time.

         (f) No Fractional  Shares.  (i) No certificates  or scrip  representing
fractional shares of Conseco Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for
exchange  of  certificates   that  immediately   prior  to  the  Effective  Time
represented  Shares which have been converted  pursuant to Section 1.8, and such
fractional  share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any
rights of a shareholder of Conseco.

         (ii)  Notwithstanding  any other  provisions  of this  Agreement,  each
holder of Shares who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of
a share of Conseco  Common  Stock (after  taking into  account all  certificates
delivered  by such  holder)  shall  receive,  in  lieu  thereof,  cash  (without
interest)  in an  amount  equal to such  fractional  part of a share of  Conseco
Common Stock multiplied by the Conseco Share Price.

         (g) Termination of Payment Fund.  Any portion of the Payment Fund which
remains undistributed to the holders of the certificates representing Shares for
120 days after the  Effective  Time shall be delivered to Conseco,  upon demand,
and any holders

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                                                         5

<PAGE>



of Shares who have not theretofore complied with this Article I shall thereafter
look only to Conseco and only as general  creditors thereof for payment of their
claim for the cash  portion of any Merger  Consideration  and any  dividends  or
distributions with respect to Conseco Common Stock.

         (h) No  Liability.  Neither  Conseco  nor the  Exchange  Agent shall be
liable to any person in respect of any cash, shares,  dividends or distributions
payable from the Payment Fund  delivered  to a public  official  pursuant to any
applicable  abandoned  property,  escheat or similar  law.  If any  certificates
representing  Shares shall not have been  surrendered  prior to five years after
the  Effective  Time (or  immediately  prior to such  earlier  date on which any
Merger  Consideration in respect of such certificate  would otherwise escheat to
or become the property of any Governmental  Entity (as defined in Section 2.3)),
any such cash,  shares,  dividends or  distributions  payable in respect of such
certificate  shall,  to the  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  become the
property of the Surviving Corporation,  free and clear of all claims or interest
of any person previously entitled thereto.

         1.10  Redemption of Preferred  Stock.  Before the Effective Time all of
the outstanding  shares of Series A Cumulative  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock of
the Company  (the  "Series A Preferred  Shares")  will be redeemed for an amount
equal to the  Redemption  Price (as such term is defined in the  Certificate  of
Designations of Series A Cumulative Exchangeable Preferred Stock of the Company)
of such shares.

                                   ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company hereby represents and warrants to Conseco as follows:

         2.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of the Company and
each subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  in  which  it is
incorporated and has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as now being conducted.  Each of the Company and each subsidiary of the
Company is duly  qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in
each  jurisdiction  in which the  nature of its  business  or the  ownership  or
leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing  necessary.  The
Company has delivered to Conseco  complete and correct copies of its Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended to the date of this Agreement.

         2.2 Capital  Structure.  The  authorized  capital  stock of the Company
consists of (i) 8,000,000 Shares, (ii) 2,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock,
$.01 par value ("Class B Common Stock"), and (iii) 2,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $.01 par value (the

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"Preferred  Stock").  At the  close of  business  on  September  23,  1996:  (i)
1,592,048 Shares were issued and  outstanding,  480,000 Shares were reserved for
issuance  pursuant  to  outstanding  Company  Stock  Options  and  warrants  and
1,517,805  Shares were reserved for issuance upon  conversion of the outstanding
Series A Subordinated  Convertible Notes due 2005 (the "Series A Notes") and the
outstanding Series B Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2005 ("Series B Notes");
(ii) no shares of Class B Common  Stock were issued and  outstanding;  and (iii)
91,030 Series A Preferred Shares were outstanding. Except as set forth above, at
the close of business on September 23, 1996, no shares of capital stock or other
equity  securities  of  the  Company  were  issued,  reserved  for  issuance  or
outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all
shares which may be issued pursuant to the Company Stock Plan or any outstanding
Company Stock Options or warrants will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  and not  subject to  preemptive  rights.
Except  for  $42,000,000  principal  amount  of  Series A Notes  and  $8,000,000
principal  amount  of  Series  B Notes,  no  bonds,  debentures,  notes or other
indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company having the right to
vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable  for,  securities having the right to
vote) on any matters on which the  stockholders of the Company or any subsidiary
of the  Company  may vote are  issued or  outstanding.  Except as  disclosed  in
Section 2.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  dated the date hereof and delivered by
the Company to Conseco concurrently  herewith (the "Disclosure  Schedule"),  all
the  outstanding  shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have
been validly  issued and are fully paid and  nonassessable  and are owned by the
Company, by one or more subsidiaries of the Company or by the Company and one or
more such subsidiaries,  free and clear of all pledges,  claims, liens, charges,
encumbrances   and  security   interests  of  any  kind  or  nature   whatsoever
(collectively,  "Liens")  except as may be provided by law.  Except as set forth
above or in Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule,  neither the Company nor any
subsidiary of the Company has any outstanding option,  warrant,  subscription or
other right,  agreement or commitment  which either (i) obligates the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company to issue, sell or transfer,  repurchase, redeem or
otherwise  acquire or vote any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company or (ii)  restricts  the transfer of Shares.  No issued
and outstanding Shares are owned by the Company's subsidiaries.

         2.3  Authority;   Noncontravention.   The  Company  has  the  requisite
corporate  power and authority to enter into this Agreement and,  subject to the
approval of its  stockholders as set forth in Section 6.1(a) with respect to the
consummation of the Merger, to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this  Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby have been
duly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of the Company,
subject,  in the case of the Merger,  to the approval of its stockholders as set
forth in Section 6.1(a). This Agreement has been duly executed and

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delivered by the Company and, assuming that this Agreement constitutes the valid
and binding agreement of Conseco,  constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
the  Company,  enforceable  against  the Company in  accordance  with its terms,
except  that  the  enforcement   thereof  may  be  limited  by  (a)  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or similar  laws now or  hereafter  in
effect  relating to creditor's  rights  generally and (b) general  principles of
equity  (regardless of whether  enforceability  is considered in a proceeding at
law or in  equity).  Except  as  disclosed  in  Section  2.3  of the  Disclosure
Schedule,  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  do  not,  and the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and compliance
with the provisions  hereof will not, (i) conflict with any of the provisions of
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of the Company or the  comparable
documents of any  subsidiary  of the Company,  (ii) subject to the  governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,  conflict with,
result in a breach of or default  (with or without  notice or lapse of time,  or
both)  under,  or  give  rise  to  a  right  of  termination,   cancellation  or
acceleration  of any obligation or loss of a material  benefit under, or require
the consent of any person  under,  any  indenture  or other  agreement,  permit,
concession, franchise, license or similar instrument or undertaking to which the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries or any of their assets is bound or affected,  or (iii) subject
to the  governmental  filings and other  matters  referred  to in the  following
sentence,  contravene  any law, rule or regulation of any state or of the United
States or any  political  subdivision  thereof or therein,  or any order,  writ,
judgment,  injunction,  decree,  determination or award currently in effect.  No
consent,  approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notice
to, any governmental  agency or regulatory  authority (a "Governmental  Entity")
which has not been  received  or made,  is  required  by or with  respect to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery
of this  Agreement  by the  Company or the  consummation  by the  Company of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  except  for (i)  the  filing  of  premerger
notification and report forms under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976,  as amended (the "HSR Act"),  with respect to the Merger,  (ii) the
filings  and/or notices  required under the insurance laws of the  jurisdictions
set forth in Section 2.3 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  (iii) the filing with the
SEC of (x) a proxy statement relating to the approval by the stockholders of the
Company of the Merger (such proxy  statement,  as amended or  supplemented  from
time to time, the "Proxy Statement"),  and (y) such reports under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  as may be required in
connection  with  this  Agreement  and  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  (iv) the filing of the  certificate  of merger or articles of merger
with the  Delaware  Secretary  of State and the Indiana  Secretary  of State and
appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the
Company  is  qualified  to do  business,  (v) such  other  consents,  approvals,
authorizations, filings or notices as are set forth in Section 2.3

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of the Disclosure Schedule and (vi) any applicable filings under state anti-take
over laws.

         2.4 SEC  Documents.  (i) The  Company has filed all  required  reports,
schedules,  forms,  statements and other documents with the SEC since January 1,
1995 (such reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents,  including
the  exhibits  thereto and  documents  incorporated  therein by  reference,  are
hereinafter  referred to as the "SEC  Documents");  (ii) as of their  respective
dates, the SEC Documents complied with the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"),  or the Exchange Act, as the case may
be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated  thereunder  applicable
to such SEC Documents,  and none of the SEC Documents as of such dates contained
any  untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omitted to state a material  fact
required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading;  and (iii) the  consolidated  financial  statements  of the  Company
included in the SEC  Documents  comply as to form in all material  respects with
applicable  accounting  requirements  and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect  thereto,  have been prepared in accordance  with generally
accepted accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved  (except as may be  indicated  in the notes  thereto or, in the case of
unaudited  statements,  as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X) and fairly
present,  in all material respects,  the consolidated  financial position of the
Company  and its  consolidated  subsidiaries  as of the  dates  thereof  and the
consolidated  results of their  operations  and cash flows for the periods  then
ended  (subject,  in the  case of  unaudited  quarterly  statements,  to  normal
year-end audit adjustments).

         2.5 Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as  disclosed in the
SEC Documents  filed and publicly  available prior to the date of this Agreement
(the "Filed SEC Documents") or in Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Schedule,  since
the date of the most recent audited financial  statements  included in the Filed
SEC Documents,  the Company and its  subsidiaries  have conducted their business
only in the ordinary  course,  and there has not been (i) any change which would
have a material adverse effect on the business,  financial  condition or results
of operations  of the Company and its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  (ii) any
declaration,  setting  aside or payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution
(whether  in cash,  stock or  property)  with  respect  to any of the  Company's
outstanding  capital stock, (iii) any split,  combination or reclassification of
any of its outstanding capital stock or any issuance or the authorization of any
issuance of any other  securities  in respect of, in lieu of or in  substitution
for  shares of its  outstanding  capital  stock,  (iv) (x) any  granting  by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries to any executive officer or other employee of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any increase in  compensation,  except
in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with prior  practice or as was
required under employment agreements in effect as of the date of the most recent

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<PAGE>



audited  financial  statements  included  in the  Filed SEC  Documents,  (y) any
granting by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any such executive officer
or other employee of any increase in severance or termination pay, except in the
ordinary  course of business  consistent  with prior practice or as was required
under any  employment,  severance or termination  agreements in effect as of the
date of the most recent audited financial  statements  included in the Filed SEC
Documents  or (z) any entry by the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  into any
employment,  severance or termination  agreement with any such executive officer
or other  employee  or (v) any  change  in  accounting  methods,  principles  or
practices by the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  materially  affecting  its
assets,  liability or business,  except  insofar as may have been  required by a
change in generally accepted accounting principles.

         2.6 Absence of Changes in Benefit  Plans.  Except as  disclosed  in the
Filed SEC Documents or in Section 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, since the date
of the most  recent  audited  financial  statements  included  in the  Filed SEC
Documents,  there has not been any adoption or amendment in any material respect
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any collective bargaining agreement
or any Benefit  Plan (as defined in Section  2.7).  Except as  disclosed  in the
Filed SEC Documents or in Section 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, there exist no
employment,  consulting,  severance,  termination or indemnification  agreements
between  the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  and any  current  or  former
employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

         2.7 Benefit Plans. (i) Each "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined
in Section  3(2) of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended  ("ERISA"))  (hereinafter a "Pension Plan"),  "employee  welfare benefit
plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA)  (hereinafter a "Welfare Plan"), and
each other  plan,  arrangement  or policy  (written  or oral)  relating to stock
options, stock purchases, bonus or incentive compensation, deferred compensation
or  severance,  in each case  maintained  or  contributed  to, or required to be
maintained  or  contributed  to, by the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  for the
benefit of any  present or former  officers,  employees,  agents,  directors  or
independent  contractors  of the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  (all the
foregoing  being  herein  called  "Benefit  Plans")  has  been  administered  in
accordance with its terms and all applicable laws and regulations.  All required
contributions to the Benefit Plans have been made. The Company, its subsidiaries
and all the Benefit Plans are in compliance  with the  applicable  provisions of
ERISA, the Code, all other  applicable laws applicable to the Company's  Benefit
Plans and all applicable collective bargaining agreements.

         (ii) None of the Company or any other  person or entity  that  together
with the Company is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b),  (c), (m)
or (o) of the Code  (each a  "Commonly  Controlled  Entity")  has  incurred  any
liability  to a  Pension  Plan  covered  by Title IV of  ERISA  (other  than for
contributions not yet

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<PAGE>



due) or to the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation (other than for the payment
of premiums not yet due) which  liability has not been fully paid as of the date
hereof.

         (iii) No Commonly  Controlled  Entity is required to  contribute to any
"multiemployer  plan"  (as  defined  in  Section  4001(a)(3)  of  ERISA)  or has
withdrawn  from any  multiemployer  plan where such  withdrawal  has resulted or
would result in any "withdrawal  liability"  (within the meaning of Section 4201
of ERISA) that has not been fully paid.

         2.8      Taxes.  Except as disclosed in Section 2.8 of the Disclosure
Schedule,

         (i) Each of the Company and its  subsidiaries has filed all tax returns
and reports  required to be filed by it or requests for  extensions to file such
returns or reports have been timely filed, granted and have not expired,  except
to the extent that such  failures  to file or to have  extensions  granted  that
remain in effect  individually  and in the  aggregate  would not have a material
adverse effect on the business,  financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries  taken as a whole. All tax returns filed by the
Company and each of its  subsidiaries  are complete  and accurate  except to the
extent that such failure to be complete  and accurate  would not have a material
adverse effect on the business,  financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries has paid (or the Company has paid on the subsidiaries'  behalf) all
taxes shown as due on such  returns,  and the most recent  financial  statements
contained in the Filed SEC Documents  reflect reserves which are adequate in all
material  respects for all taxes payable by the Company and its subsidiaries for
all  taxable  periods  and  portions  thereof  accrued  through the date of such
financial statements.

         (ii) No  deficiencies  for any taxes have been  proposed,  asserted  or
assessed against the Company or any of its subsidiaries  that are not adequately
reserved for,  except for  deficiencies  that  individually  or in the aggregate
would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and,
except as set forth on Section 2.8 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  no requests for
waivers of the time to assess any such taxes have been  granted or are  pending.
The  Federal  income tax  returns of the  Company  and each of its  subsidiaries
consolidated  in such returns have been  examined by and settled with the United
States Internal Revenue Service,  or the statute of limitations on assessment or
collection  of any  Federal  income  taxes  due from the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries has expired, through such taxable years as are set forth in Section
2.8 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         (iii) As used in this  Agreement,  "taxes"  shall  include all Federal,
state, local and foreign income, property,  premium, sales, excise,  employment,
payroll, withholding and other taxes,

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<PAGE>



tariffs  or  governmental  charges of any nature  whatsoever  and any  interest,
penalties and additions to taxes relating  thereto.  As used in this  Agreement,
"tax returns" shall include any return,  report,  information  return,  or other
document (including any related or supporting  information) filed or required to
be filed with any governmental agency, department, commission, board, bureau, or
instrumentality in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or
administration of any taxes.

         2.9 No Excess  Parachute  Payments;  Section  162(m)  of the Code.  (i)
Except as disclosed in Section 2.9 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  any amount that
could be received  (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a
result  of  any  of the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  by any
employee,  officer or director of the Company or any of its  affiliates who is a
"disqualified  individual"  (as  such  term  is  defined  in  proposed  Treasury
Regulation  Section  1.280G-1)  under any  employment,  severance or termination
agreement,  other  compensation  arrangement or Benefit Plan currently in effect
would not be  characterized  as an "excess  parachute  payment" (as such term is
defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

         (ii) Except as disclosed in Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
disallowance  of a  deduction  under  Section  162(m)  of the Code for  employee
remuneration  will not apply to any amount paid or payable by the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company under any contract, Benefit Plan, program, arrangement
or understanding currently in effect.

         2.10 Voting  Requirements.  The  affirmative  vote of a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of the Shares and Series A Preferred  Shares  entitled
to vote thereon at the Stockholders  Meeting with respect to the approval of the
Merger is the only vote of the  holders of any class or series of the  Company's
capital  stock  necessary  to  approve  this  Agreement  and  the   transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

         2.11 Compliance  with Applicable  Laws. (i) Each of the Company and its
subsidiaries has in effect all Federal,  state,  local and foreign  governmental
approvals, authorizations, certificates, filings, franchises, licenses, notices,
permits and rights  ("Permits")  necessary  for it to own,  lease or operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as now  conducted,  and there
has occurred no default under any such Permit.  Except as disclosed in the Filed
SEC Documents and except with respect to matters  covered by Section  2.11(iii),
the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances,  rules, orders and regulations of any
Governmental  Entity.  Except as disclosed in the Filed SEC Documents or Section
2.11 of the  Disclosure  Schedule and except for routine  examinations  by state
Governmental   Entities   charged  with   supervision  of  insurance   companies
("Insurance  Regulators")  and except with respect to matters covered by Section
2.11(iii), as of the date of this Agreement, to the knowledge of the Company, no
investigation by any Governmental Entity with

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<PAGE>



respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or threatened.

         (ii) The Annual  Statements  (including  without  limitation the Annual
Statements  of any  separate  accounts)  for the year ended  December  31, 1995,
together  with all exhibits and  schedules  thereto,  and  financial  statements
relating thereto, and any actuarial opinion,  affirmation or certification filed
in  connection  therewith,  and the Quarterly  Statements  for the periods ended
after January 1, 1996,  together with all exhibits and schedules  thereto,  with
respect to each subsidiary of the Company that is a regulated  insurance company
(an "Insurance  Company"),  in each case as filed with the applicable  Insurance
Regulator of its  jurisdiction  of domicile,  were prepared in  conformity  with
statutory  accounting  practices  prescribed  or  permitted  by  such  Insurance
Regulator applied on a consistent basis ("SAP"), present fairly, in all material
respects,  to the extent  required by and in conformity  with SAP, the statutory
financial  condition of such Insurance Company at their respective dates and the
results of  operations,  changes in capital  and  surplus  and cash flow of such
Insurance  Company for each of the periods  then ended,  and were correct in all
material respects when filed and there were no material omissions therefrom when
filed.  No  deficiencies  or violations  material to the financial  condition or
operations  of any  Insurance  Company  have been  asserted  in  writing  by any
Insurance  Regulator  which have not been  cured or  otherwise  resolved  to the
satisfaction  of such  Insurance  Regulator and which have not been disclosed in
writing to Conseco prior to the date of this Agreement.

         (iii)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  2.11(iii)  of the  Disclosure
Schedule, (a) the Company and its subsidiaries  (exclusive of their agents) and,
to the knowledge of the Company (without independent inquiry), their agents have
marketed,  sold and issued  Company  products  in  compliance,  in all  material
respects, with all statutes, laws, ordinances,  rules, orders and regulations of
any  Governmental  Entity  applicable  to the  business  of the  Company and its
subsidiaries  ("Laws") in the  respective  jurisdictions  in which such products
have been  sold,  except  where the  failure  to do so,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  has not had or would not  reasonably be expected to have, a material
adverse effect on the business,  financial condition or results of operations of
the Company  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  (b) there are (x) to the
knowledge  of  the  Company,  no  claims  asserted,   (y)  no  actions,   suits,
investigations  or  proceedings  by or before  any  court or other  Governmental
Entity  or (z) no  investigations  by or on behalf of the  Company  (other  than
routine  investigations in connection with the Company's hiring practices) ((x),
(y) and (z) being  collectively  referred  to as  "Actions")  pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company,  threatened,  against or involving the Company, any of
its  subsidiaries  or, to the  knowledge  of the  Company  (without  independent
inquiry),  any of its agents that include  allegations that the Company,  any of
its  subsidiaries  or any of its agents were in violation of or failed to comply
with such Laws, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no

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<PAGE>



facts  exist  which  would  reasonably  be  expected  to result in the filing or
commencement  of  any  such  Action,  which  Actions,  individually  or  in  the
aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business,  financial  condition or results of  operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, and (c) the Company and its subsidiaries are in
compliance,  in all material respects,  with and have performed, in all material
respects,  all  obligations  required to be  performed by each of them under any
cease-and-desist  or other  order  issued by any  Insurance  Regulator  or other
Governmental  Entity  to the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  or under any
written agreement, consent agreement,  memorandum of understanding or commitment
letter or similar  undertaking  entered into between any Insurance  Regulator or
other   Governmental   Entity  and  the  Company  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries
("Regulatory  Agreement"),  which Regulatory  Agreement remains in effect on the
date  hereof,  except  where  the  failure  to do  so,  individually  or in  the
aggregate,  has not had or would not  reasonably be expected to have, a material
adverse effect on the business,  financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.12 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received the opinion
of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. ("DLJ"), dated the date hereof,
to the effect that,  as of such date,  the  consideration  to be received in the
Merger by the Company's stockholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Company's stockholders.

         2.13 Brokers.  Except with respect to DLJ, all negotiations relative to
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried out by
the Company  directly with Conseco,  without the  intervention  of any person on
behalf of the  Company in such  manner as to give rise to any valid claim by any
person  against  Conseco,  the  Company or any  subsidiary  for a finder's  fee,
brokerage  commission,  transaction  fee,  investment  banking  fee,  or similar
payment.  The Company has provided  Conseco with a true and complete copy of the
agreement  between the Company and DLJ, and the Company has no other  agreements
or understandings (written or oral) with respect to such services.

        2.14   Agreements  with  Travelers  Group  Inc.   Section  2.14  of  the
               Disclosure Schedule sets forth all agreements between the Company
               and Travelers Group Inc. and its affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE III

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONSECO

         Conseco hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

         3.1 Organization, Standing  and Corporate Power.  Each  of Conseco and 
each Significant Subsidiary of Conseco (as hereinafter defined) is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in

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<PAGE>



good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and
has the requisite  corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
being conducted.  Each of Conseco and each Significant  Subsidiary of Conseco is
duly  qualified  or  licensed  to do  business  and is in good  standing in each
jurisdiction  in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
its properties  makes such  qualification  or licensing  necessary.  Conseco has
delivered  to the  Company  complete  and  correct  copies  of its  Articles  of
Incorporation  and  By-laws,  as  amended  to the  date of this  Agreement.  For
purposes of this  Agreement,  a  "Significant  Subsidiary"  of Conseco means any
subsidiary of Conseco that would constitute a Significant  Subsidiary within the
meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act.

         3.2 Conseco Capital Structure.  The authorized capital stock of Conseco
consists of 500,000,000  shares of Conseco Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of
preferred  stock,  without par value.  At the close of business on September 23,
1996,  (i)  66,821,974  shares of Conseco  Common Stock and 4,369,700  shares of
Preferred  Redeemable  Increased  Dividend  Equity  Securities  of Conseco  (the
"Conseco  PRIDES") were issued and outstanding (net of treasury shares or shares
held by  subsidiaries),  (ii)  13,587,418  shares of Conseco  Common  Stock were
reserved  for issuance  pursuant to  outstanding  options to purchase  shares of
Conseco Common Stock and other benefits  granted under  Conseco's  benefit plans
(the "Conseco Stock Plans") and (iii)  8,739,400  shares of Conseco Common Stock
were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Conseco PRIDES.  Except (x) as
set forth  above,  (y) for  outstanding  options to  purchase  an  aggregate  of
1,043,750 shares of Bankers Life Holding Corporation under its Stock Option Plan
and with respect to stock units awarded  under the Conseco  Stock Plans,  at the
close of  business  on  September  23,  1996,  and (z) as set forth in the Filed
Conseco SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.5), no shares of capital stock or
other  voting  securities  of Conseco  were  issued,  reserved  for  issuance or
outstanding.  All  outstanding  shares of capital  stock of Conseco are, and all
shares which may be issued pursuant to this Agreement will be, when issued, duly
authorized,  validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  and not subject to
preemptive rights. No bonds, debentures,  notes or other indebtedness of Conseco
or  any  Significant  Subsidiary  of  Conseco  having  the  right  to  vote  (or
convertible into, or exchangeable  for,  securities having the right to vote) on
any matters on which the  stockholders of Conseco or any Significant  Subsidiary
of Conseco may vote are issued or  outstanding.  All the  outstanding  shares of
capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary of Conseco have been validly issued
and are  fully  paid and  nonassessable  and,  except  as set forth in the Filed
Conseco SEC Documents, are owned by Conseco, free and clear of all Liens. Except
as set forth above or in the Filed Conseco SEC  Documents,  neither  Conseco nor
any  Significant  Subsidiary  of Conseco has any  outstanding  option,  warrant,
subscription or other right,  agreement or commitment which either (i) obligates
Conseco or any  Significant  Subsidiary  of Conseco to issue,  sell or transfer,
repurchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire or vote any shares of the capital stock
of

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<PAGE>



Conseco or any Significant  Subsidiary of Conseco or (ii) restricts the transfer
of Conseco Common Stock.

         3.3 Authority;  Noncontravention.  Conseco has all requisite  corporate
power  and  authority  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement  by  Conseco  and the  consummation  by  Conseco  of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  have been  duly  authorized  by all  necessary
corporate  action on the part of Conseco.  This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by and, assuming this Agreement  constitutes the valid and binding
agreement of the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Conseco,
enforceable  against  Conseco  in  accordance  with its  terms  except  that the
enforcement   thereof   may   be   limited   by  (a)   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws now or hereafter in effect  relating
to creditor's rights generally and (b) general  principles of equity (regardless
of whether  enforceability  is  considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
The execution and delivery of this Agreement do not, and the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and compliance with the provisions
of this  Agreement  will  not (i)  conflict  with any of the  provisions  of the
Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of Conseco, or the comparable  documents of
any Significant  Subsidiary of Conseco, (ii) subject to the governmental filings
and other matters referred to in the following  sentence,  conflict with, result
in a breach of or  default  (with or without  notice or lapse of time,  or both)
under, or give rise to a right of  termination,  cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or loss of a material  benefit  under,  or require the consent of
any  person  under,  any  indenture,  or other  agreement,  permit,  concession,
franchise,  license or similar instrument or undertaking to which Conseco or any
of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Conseco or any of its subsidiaries or
any of their assets is bound or affected,  or (iii) subject to the  governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,  contravene any
law,  rule or  regulation  of any state or of the United States or any political
subdivision  thereof or  therein,  or any  order,  writ,  judgment,  injunction,
decree,  determination  or award  currently in effect.  No consent,  approval or
authorization  of, or declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental
Entity  which has not been  received or made is  required by or with  respect to
Conseco in  connection  with the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement by
Conseco or the consummation by Conseco of any of the  transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement,  except for (i) the  filing of  premerger  notification  and
report  forms  under the HSR Act with  respect to the  Merger,  (ii) the filings
and/or notices required under the insurance laws of the  jurisdictions set forth
in Section 2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,  (iii) the filing with the SEC of the
registration  statement  on Form S-4 to be  filed  with  the SEC by  Conseco  in
connection  with the  issuance of Conseco  Common Stock in the Merger (the "Form
S-4") and such reports  under the Exchange Act as may be required in  connection
with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  (iv) the filing
with the SEC of a registration statement relating to the

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<PAGE>



Conseco  Debentures  (as defined in Section  4.19) and the Conseco  Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof,  (v) the filing of the articles of merger or a
certificate  of merger  with the  Indiana  Secretary  of State and the  Delaware
Secretary of State, and appropriate  documents with the relevant  authorities of
the other states in which the Company is  qualified  to do  business,  (vi) such
other consents, approvals,  authorizations,  filings or notices as are set forth
in Section 2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule and (vii) any applicable filings under
state anti-takeover laws.

         3.4 SEC Documents. Conseco and its subsidiaries have filed all required
reports,  schedules,  forms,  statements and other  documents with the SEC since
January  1,  1995  (such  documents  and  the  exhibits  thereto  and  documents
incorporated  therein by reference are  hereinafter  referred to as the "Conseco
SEC  Documents").  As of their  respective  dates,  the  Conseco  SEC  Documents
complied with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the
case may be, and the rules and  regulations  of the SEC  promulgated  thereunder
applicable to such Conseco SEC Documents,  and none of the Conseco SEC Documents
as of such dates contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not  misleading.  The  financial  statements  of Conseco  included in the
Conseco SEC Documents comply as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting  requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect  thereto,  have been  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be  indicated  in the notes  thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X) and fairly present, in
all material respects,  the consolidated financial statements of Conseco and its
consolidated  subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated  results
of their  operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject,  in the
case of unaudited quarterly statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

         3.5 Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as  disclosed in the
Conseco SEC  Documents  filed and publicly  available  prior to the date of this
Agreement (the "Filed Conseco SEC  Documents") or in Section 3.5 of a Disclosure
Schedule dated the date hereof and delivered concurrently herewith by Conseco to
the Company  (the  "Conseco  Disclosure  Schedule"),  since the date of the most
recent audited financial statements included in the Filed Conseco SEC Documents,
Conseco has conducted its business  only in the ordinary  course,  and there has
not been (i) any  change  which  would  have a  material  adverse  effect on the
business,  financial  condition  or results  of  operations  of Conseco  and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, (ii) any declaration,  setting aside or payment
of any  dividend or  distribution  (whether  in cash,  stock or  property)  with
respect to any of Conseco's outstanding capital stock (other than the payment of
cash dividends of $.02 per share on July 1, 1996, and the  declaration of a cash
dividend

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                                                        17

<PAGE>



payable October 1, 1996 of $.0625 per share, on Conseco Common Stock and regular
cash dividends on the Conseco Series D Preferred  Stock and the Conseco  PRIDES,
in each case in accordance with usual record and payment dates and in accordance
with Conseco's dividend policy and Articles of Incorporation at the date of such
payment),  (iii)  any  split,  combination  or  reclassification  of  any of its
outstanding  capital stock or any issuance or the  authorization of any issuance
of any other  securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares
of its capital stock,  or (iv) any change in accounting  methods,  principles or
practices by Conseco materially  affecting its assets,  liabilities or business,
except as may have been  required by a change in generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

         3.6  Compliance  with  Applicable  Laws.  (i) Each of  Conseco  and its
subsidiaries has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate
its  properties  and assets and to carry on its business as now  conducted,  and
there has occurred no default under any such Permit.  Except as disclosed in the
Filed  Conseco  SEC  Documents  and except  with  respect to matters  covered by
Section 3.6(iii), Conseco and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
respects with all  applicable  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders and
regulations of any Governmental Entity. Except as disclosed in the Filed Conseco
SEC Documents and except for routine  examinations  by Insurance  Regulators and
except with respect to matters  covered by Section  3.6(iii),  as of the date of
this  Agreement,   to  the  knowledge  of  Conseco,   no  investigation  by  any
Governmental  Entity  with  respect  to Conseco  or any of its  subsidiaries  is
pending or threatened.

         (ii) The Annual  Statements  (including  without  limitation the Annual
Statements  of any  separate  accounts)  for the year ended  December  31, 1995,
together with all exhibits and  schedules  thereto,  and any actuarial  opinion,
affirmation or certification  filed in connection  therewith,  and the Quarterly
Statements  for the  periods  ended  after  January 1, 1996,  together  with all
exhibits and schedules thereto,  with respect to each subsidiary of Conseco that
is an Insurance  Company,  in each case as filed with the  applicable  Insurance
Regulator of its  jurisdiction  of domicile,  were prepared in conformity  with,
present  fairly,  in all  material  respects,  to the extent  required by and in
conformity with SAP, the statutory financial condition of such Insurance Company
at their respective dates and the results of operations,  changes in capital and
surplus and cash flow of such  Insurance  Company  for each of the periods  then
ended,  and were correct in all material  respects  when filed and there were no
material omissions  therefrom when filed. No deficiencies or violations material
to the financial  condition or  operations  of any  Insurance  Company have been
asserted  in writing  by any  Insurance  Regulator  which have not been cured or
otherwise  resolved to the  satisfaction  of such Insurance  Regulator and which
have not been  disclosed  in  writing to the  Company  prior to the date of this
Agreement.


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<PAGE>



         (iii) Except as set forth in Section 3.6(iii) of the Conseco Disclosure
Schedule or in the Filed Conseco SEC Documents, (a) Conseco and its subsidiaries
(exclusive  of  their  agents)  and,  to  the  knowledge  of  Conseco   (without
independent  inquiry),  their  agents  have  marketed,  sold and issued  Conseco
products in  compliance,  in all material  respects,  with all  statutes,  laws,
ordinances,  rules, orders and regulations of any Governmental Entity applicable
to the  business  of  Conseco  and  its  subsidiaries  ("Conseco  Laws")  in the
respective jurisdictions in which such products have been sold, except where the
failure to do so,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  has not had or would not
reasonably  be  expected to have,  a material  adverse  effect on the  business,
financial  condition or results of operations  of Conseco and its  subsidiaries,
taken as a whole,  (b)  there are (x) to the  knowledge  of  Conseco,  no claims
asserted, (y) no actions, suits,  investigations or proceedings by or before any
court or other  Governmental  Entity or (z) no investigations by or on behalf of
Conseco (other than routine  investigations  in connection with Conseco's hiring
practices)  ((x),  (y)  and  (z)  being  collectively  referred  to as  "Conseco
Actions")  pending  or, to the  knowledge  of  Conseco,  threatened,  against or
involving  Conseco,  any of its  subsidiaries  or, to the  knowledge  of Conseco
(without independent  inquiry),  any of its agents that include allegations that
Conseco,  any of its  subsidiaries  or any of its agents were in violation of or
failed to comply with such Conseco Laws,  and, to the  knowledge of Conseco,  no
facts  exist  which  would  reasonably  be  expected  to result in the filing or
commencement of any such Conseco Action, which Conseco Actions,  individually or
in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Conseco and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  and (c)  Conseco and its  subsidiaries  are in
compliance,  in all material respects,  with and have performed, in all material
respects,  all  obligations  required to be  performed by each of them under any
cease-and-desist  or other  order  issued by any  Insurance  Regulator  or other
Governmental  Entity to Conseco or any of its  subsidiaries or under any written
agreement,  consent agreement,  memorandum of understanding or commitment letter
or similar  undertaking  entered into between any  Insurance  Regulator or other
Governmental Entity and Conseco or any of its subsidiaries  ("Conseco Regulatory
Agreement"),  which Conseco  Regulatory  Agreement remains in effect on the date
hereof, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, has
not had or would not  reasonably be expected to have, a material  adverse effect
on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Conseco and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.7  Brokers.  All  negotiations  relative  to this  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated hereby have been carried out by Conseco directly with
the Company, without the intervention of any person on behalf of Conseco in such
manner as to give rise to any valid  claim by any person  against the Company or
any of its subsidiaries for a finder's fee,  brokerage  commission,  transaction
fee, investment banking fee, or similar payment.


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<PAGE>



         3.8  Voting Requirements.   No authorization or approval by the holders
of any class or series of Conseco's  capital  stock is necessary to approve this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         4.1   Preparation  of Form  S-4 and the  Proxy  Statement;  Information
               Supplied.

         (a) As soon as practicable  following the date of this  Agreement,  the
Company and Conseco shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy  Statement and
Conseco  shall  prepare  and file with the SEC the Form S-4,  in which the Proxy
Statement  will be  included  as a  prospectus.  Each of the Company and Conseco
shall  use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to have  the  Form  S-4  declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing.
The  Company  will  use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to cause  the  Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the Company's  stockholders as promptly as practicable
after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. Conseco shall
also take any action (other than  qualifying to do business in any  jurisdiction
in which it is not now so qualified)  required to be taken under any  applicable
state securities laws in connection with the issuance of Conseco Common Stock in
the Merger and the Company shall furnish all information  concerning the Company
and the holders of the Common Stock as may be reasonably requested in connection
with any such action.

         (b) The Company agrees that none of the  information  supplied or to be
supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference
in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any
time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the
Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
statements  therein not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date
it is  first  mailed  to  the  Company's  stockholders  or at  the  time  of the
Stockholders  Meeting (as defined in Section 4.2),  contain any untrue statement
of a material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the  statements  therein,  in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Company agrees that
the Proxy  Statement  will comply as to form in all material  respects  with the
requirements  of the  Exchange  Act and the  rules and  regulations  thereunder,
except with respect to  statements  made or  incorporated  by reference  therein
based  on  information   supplied  by  Conseco  specifically  for  inclusion  or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

         (c)      Conseco agrees that none of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Conseco specifically for inclusion or

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<PAGE>



incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is
filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or  supplemented or at the time it
becomes  effective under the Securities Act,  contain any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or necessary to make the  statements  therein not  misleading  or (ii) the Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's  stockholders or
at the time of the Stockholders Meeting (as defined in Section 4.2), contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the  circumstances  under which they are made, not misleading.  Conseco
agrees that the Form S-4 will comply as to form in all  material  respects  with
the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder,  except with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference
based on  information  supplied by the Company  specifically  for  inclusion  or
incorporation by reference therein.

         4.2 Meeting of Stockholders. The Company will take all action necessary
in accordance  with  applicable  law and its  Certificate of  Incorporation  and
By-laws to convene a meeting of its stockholders (the "Stockholders Meeting") to
consider  and vote upon the  approval  of the  Merger.  Subject to  Section  4.9
hereof,  the Company  will,  through its Board of  Directors,  recommend  to its
stockholders  approval of this  Agreement and the Merger.  Without  limiting the
generality of the foregoing,  the Company  agrees that,  subject to its right to
terminate this Agreement  pursuant to Section 4.9, its  obligations  pursuant to
the  first  sentence  of this  Section  4.2  shall  not be  affected  by (i) the
commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or communication to the Company
of any  Acquisition  Proposal (as defined in Section 4.8) or (ii) the withdrawal
or  modification  by the Board of  Directors  of the Company of its  approval or
recommendation   of  this  Agreement  or  the  Merger.   The  Company  will  use
commercially reasonable efforts to hold the Stockholders Meeting and (subject to
Section 4.9 hereof) to obtain the favorable vote of its  stockholders as soon as
practicable after the date hereof.

         4.3 Letter of the Company's Accountants. The Company shall use its best
efforts to cause to be  delivered  to Conseco a letter of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
the Company's  independent public accountants,  dated a date within two business
days before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become  effective  and a letter
of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP,  dated a date  within two  business  days before the
Closing  Date,   addressed  to  Conseco,   in  form  and  substance   reasonably
satisfactory  to  Conseco  and  customary  in scope and  substance  for  letters
delivered by  independent  public  accountants in connection  with  registration
statements similar to the Form S-4.

         4.4 Letter of Conseco's Accountants. Conseco shall use its best efforts
to cause to be  delivered  to the Company a letter of Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,
Conseco's independent public accountants,  dated a date within two business days
before the date 

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<PAGE>



on which the Form S-4 shall become  effective  and a letter of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P.,  dated a date within two  business  days before the Closing  Date,  each
addressed to the Company, in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the
Company  and  customary  in  scope  and  substance  for  letters   delivered  by
independent  public  accountants  in  connection  with  registration  statements
similar to the Form S-4.

         4.5 Access to Information;  Confidentiality.  Upon  reasonable  notice,
each of the Company and Conseco  shall,  and shall cause each of its  respective
subsidiaries  to,  afford to the other  party  and to the  officers,  employees,
counsel,  financial  advisors  and other  representatives  of such  other  party
reasonable  access during normal  business  hours during the period prior to the
Effective Time to all its properties, books, contracts,  commitments,  personnel
and records and, during such period,  each of the Company and Conseco shall, and
shall  cause each of its  respective  subsidiaries  to,  furnish as  promptly as
practicable  to the  other  party  such  information  concerning  its  business,
properties,  financial  condition,  operations and personnel as such other party
may from time to time  reasonably  request.  Except as required by law,  Conseco
will  hold,  and  will  cause  its  respective  directors,  officers,  partners,
employees,  accountants,  counsel,  financial advisors and other representatives
and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic  information  obtained from the Company in
confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance  with, the provisions of
the letter  dated  September  12,  1996,  between  Conseco and the Company  (the
"Confidentiality Agreement").  Except as required by law, the Company will hold,
and will  cause  its  directors,  officers,  partners,  employees,  accountants,
counsel,  financial advisors and other  representatives  and affiliates to hold,
any  nonpublic  information  obtained  from Conseco in  confidence to the extent
required by, and in accordance with, the Confidentiality Agreement.

         4.6 Commercially  Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions and other agreements set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions,  and to do, or cause to be done,  and to assist and cooperate  with the
other parties in doing, all things necessary,  proper or advisable to consummate
and make effective,  in the most expeditious manner practicable,  the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         4.7 Public Announcements. Conseco and the Company will consult and make
a good faith  effort to agree with each other before  issuing,  and provide each
other the  opportunity  to review and comment  upon,  any press release or other
public  statements  with  respect  to  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  including the Merger,  and shall not issue any such press release or
make any such  public  statement  prior to such  consultation,  except as may be
required by  applicable  law,  court process or by  obligations  pursuant to any
listing agreement with any national securities exchange or NASDAQ.

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                                                        22

<PAGE>




         4.8 Acquisition  Proposals.  The Company shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its  subsidiaries  to,  nor shall it  authorize  or permit  any  officer,
director or employee of, or any investment banker,  attorney or other advisor or
representative  of,  the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  to,  directly  or
indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any Acquisition
Proposal (as  hereinafter  defined) or (ii)  participate  in any  discussions or
negotiations  regarding,  or furnish to any person any information  with respect
to, or take any other action to  facilitate  any  inquiries or the making of any
proposal  that  constitutes,  or may  reasonably  be  expected  to lead to,  any
Acquisition Proposal;  provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section
4.8 shall  prohibit  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  from  furnishing
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or
entity that makes an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal if, and only to the extent
that (A) the Board of  Directors  of the Company,  after  consultation  with and
based upon the advice of outside counsel, determines in good faith that in order
for the Board of Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary duties to
stockholders  under  applicable  law it should take such action and (B) prior to
taking such action, the Company (x) provides reasonable notice to Conseco to the
effect that it is taking such action and (y) receives from such person or entity
an  executed   confidentiality   agreement   in   reasonably   customary   form.
Notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement to the contrary,  the Company shall
(i) promptly  advise  Conseco orally and in writing of the (A) receipt by it (or
any of the other entities or persons referred to above) after the date hereof of
any  Acquisition  Proposal,  or any inquiry which could lead to any  Acquisition
Proposal,  (B) the material terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal or
inquiry, and (C) the identity of the person making any such Acquisition Proposal
or inquiry,  and (ii) keep Conseco  fully  informed of the status and details of
any such  Acquisition  Proposal  or  inquiry.  Notwithstanding  the  immediately
preceding  sentence,  the Company  may delay  providing  any of the  information
described  in clause (i) (B),  (i) (C) or (ii) of such  sentence  if, and for so
long as, the Board of Directors of the Company,  after consultation with outside
counsel,  determines  and  continues  to  believe in good faith that in order to
comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders  under applicable law it should
not provide  such  information.  For  purposes of this  Agreement,  "Acquisition
Proposal" means any bona fide proposal with respect to a merger,  consolidation,
share exchange or similar transaction involving the Company or any subsidiary of
the Company,  or any purchase of all or any significant portion of the assets of
the Company or any  subsidiary  of the  Company,  or any equity  interest in the
Company  or  any  subsidiary  of  the  Company,   other  than  the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

         4.9      Fiduciary Duties.  The Board of Directors of the Company shall
not (i)  withdraw or modify,  in a manner  materially  adverse to  Conseco,  the
approval or  recommendation  by such Board of Directors of this Agreement or the
Merger,  or (ii)  enter  into any  agreement  with  respect  to any  Acquisition
Proposal, unless the

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Company  receives an  Acquisition  Proposal  and the Board of  Directors  of the
Company determines in good faith,  following  consultation with outside counsel,
that in  order to  comply  with  its  fiduciary  duties  to  stockholders  under
applicable  law the Board of Directors  should  withdraw or modify,  in a manner
materially adverse to Conseco,  its approval or recommendation of this Agreement
or the  Merger,  or enter into an  agreement  with  respect to such  Acquisition
Proposal or terminate this Agreement. In the event the Board of Directors of the
Company takes any of the foregoing actions, the Company shall, concurrently with
the taking of any such  action,  pay to Conseco the Section 4.11 Fee pursuant to
Section 4.11.  Subject to the  provisions of the first  sentence of this Section
4.9,  nothing  contained  in this  Section 4.9 shall  prohibit  the Company from
taking  and  disclosing  to its  stockholders  a position  contemplated  by Rule
14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to the
Company's stockholders which, in the good faith reasonable judgment of the Board
of Directors of the Company after  consultation with outside counsel,  should be
made under applicable law.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement
to the  contrary,  (x) any action by the Board of  Directors  permitted  by this
Section 4.9 shall not  constitute a breach of this  Agreement by the Company and
(y) a  "stop-look-and-listen"  communication  with respect to the Merger or this
Agreement of the nature  contemplated  in Rule 14d-9 under the Exchange Act made
by the  Company  as a result  of an  Acquisition  Proposal  shall in no event be
deemed a withdrawal or  modification by the Board of Directors of the Company of
its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger.

         4.10 Consents, Approvals and Filings. The Company and Conseco will make
and cause their respective  subsidiaries to make all necessary filings,  as soon
as practicable, including, without limitation, those required under the HSR Act,
the  Securities  Act, the Exchange Act, and applicable  state  insurance laws in
order to facilitate prompt consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  In addition,  the Company and Conseco will each
use commercially  reasonable  efforts,  and will cooperate fully with each other
(i) to comply as  promptly as  practicable  with all  governmental  requirements
applicable  to the  Merger  and  the  other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement and (ii) to obtain as promptly as practicable  all necessary  permits,
orders or other  consents of  Governmental  Entities  and  consents of all third
parties necessary for the consummation of the Merger and the other  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement.  Each of the  Company  and  Conseco  shall use
commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  promptly  provide  such  information  and
communications  to  Governmental  Entities  as such  Governmental  Entities  may
reasonably request.  Each of the parties shall provide to the other party copies
of all  applications in advance of filing or submission of such  applications to
Governmental  Entities in  connection  with this  Agreement  and shall make such
revisions thereto as reasonably  requested by such other party. Each party shall
provide to the other party the

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opportunity  to  participate in all  meetings and  material  conversations  with
Governmental Entities.


         4.11  Certain  Fees.  (a) The Company  shall pay to Conseco upon demand
$7.5 million (the "Section 4.11 Fee"), payable in same-day funds, if a bona fide
Acquisition  Proposal is commenced,  publicly  proposed,  publicly  disclosed or
communicated  to the Company (or the  willingness  of any person to make such an
Acquisition  Proposal is publicly  disclosed or communicated to the Company) and
the Board of Directors of the Company, in accordance with Section 4.9, withdraws
or  modifies  in  a  manner  materially  adverse  to  Conseco  its  approval  or
recommendation  of this Agreement or the Merger or enters into an agreement with
respect to such Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality  agreement as
contemplated by Section 4.8), or terminates this Agreement;  provided,  however,
that no such fee shall be payable if this Agreement  shall have been  terminated
in  accordance  with any of the  provisions  of Section 7.1 (other than  Section
7.1(b)(iv)).

         (b) Unless  Conseco is  materially  in breach of this  Agreement  or is
unable to satisfy the condition of Section 6.3(a) hereof,  the Company shall pay
to Conseco upon demand an amount, not to exceed $2,000,000, to reimburse Conseco
for its  Expenses (as such term is defined in  subparagraph  (c) of this Section
4.11),  payable in same-day  funds,  if the requisite  approval of the Company's
stockholders  for the  Merger  is not  obtained  (other  than the  circumstances
specified  in Section  4.11(a)  hereof) and all other  conditions  contained  in
Section 6.1 of this  Agreement have been  satisfied,  waived or, with respect to
any condition not then satisfied, it is substantially likely that such condition
will be  satisfied  on or  before  March  31,  1997,  through  the  exercise  of
commercially reasonable efforts to procure the satisfaction thereof.

         (c) For  purposes  of this  Section  4.11,  "Expenses"  shall  mean all
documented, reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred or paid by or on
behalf  of  Conseco  to third  parties  in  connection  with the  Merger  or the
consummation  of  any  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,
including  all  printing  costs and  reasonable  fees and  expenses  of counsel,
investment banking firms, accountants, experts and consultants.

         4.12  Affiliates and Certain  Stockholders.  Prior to the Closing Date,
the Company shall deliver to Conseco a letter  identifying  all persons who are,
at the time the Merger is  submitted  for  approval to the  stockholders  of the
Company,  "affiliates"  of the  Company  for  purposes  of Rule  145  under  the
Securities Act. The Company shall use commercially  reasonable  efforts to cause
each such person to deliver to Conseco on or prior to the Closing Date a written
agreement  substantially  in the form  attached  as Exhibit A to the  Disclosure
Schedule.  Conseco  shall not be required to maintain the  effectiveness  of the
Form S- 4 or any other  registration  statement under the Securities Act for the
purposes  of  resale  of  Conseco  Common  Stock  by  such  affiliates  and  the
certificates representing Conseco Common Stock received by

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such affiliates in the Merger shall bear a customary legend regarding applicable
Securities Act restrictions and the provisions of this Section 4.12.

         4.13 NYSE Listing. Conseco shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause  the  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock to be  issued in the  Merger to be
approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance,  prior
to the Closing Date.

         4.14  Stockholder  Litigation.  The  Company  shall  give  Conseco  the
opportunity  to  participate  in the defense or  settlement  of any  stockholder
litigation  against the Company and its directors  relating to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no such settlement shall
be agreed to without Conseco's consent,  which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

         4.15 Indemnification.  (a) The certificate of incorporation and by-laws
of each of the Company's  subsidiaries shall contain the provisions with respect
to  indemnification  set forth therein on the date of this  Agreement,  and such
provisions shall not be amended,  repealed or otherwise modified for a period of
six years after the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the
rights  thereunder of  individuals  who at any time prior to the Effective  Time
were  directors  or  officers  of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  (the
"Indemnified  Parties") in respect of actions or omissions occurring at or prior
to  the  Effective  Time  (including,   without  limitation,   the  transactions
contemplated by this  Agreement),  unless such  modification is required by law.
Conseco agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Parties, but only to the extent that
the  Company  would  have  been  obligated  to do so had it been  the  Surviving
Corporation.

         (b) For a period of three years after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation  shall  maintain in effect the current  policies of  directors'  and
officers' liability insurance  maintained by the Company and its subsidiaries on
the date hereof (provided that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor
policies  with at  least as  favorable  coverage,  limits  and  deductibles  and
containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous as the policy for
which the  substitution  is made) with respect to claims arising out of facts or
events that occurred before the Effective Time;  provided,  however,  that in no
event shall the  Surviving  Corporation  be required to expend  pursuant to this
Section 4.15 on an annual basis more than an amount equal to 200% of the current
annual premiums paid by the Company and its subsidiaries for such insurance and,
in the event the cost of such coverage  shall exceed that amount,  the Surviving
Corporation shall purchase as much coverage as possible for such amount.

         (c) The  provisions  of this  Section 4.15 are  intended  to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable  by, each  Indemnified  Party and the heirs
and personal representatives of such

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<PAGE>



Indemnified Party and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of Conseco.

         4.16 Stock Options and Warrants.  (a) As soon as practicable  following
the date of this  Agreement,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  (or,  if
appropriate,  any committee administering a Company Stock Plan) shall adopt such
resolutions  or take such  actions as may be required to adjust the terms of all
outstanding  Company Stock Options in accordance  with Section  1.8(d) and shall
make such other  changes to the Company  Stock Plan as it deems  appropriate  to
give effect to the Merger  (subject to the approval of Conseco,  which shall not
be unreasonably withheld).  The parties agree that after the date hereof, except
for the Company  Stock Options and warrants  outstanding  on the date hereof and
any changes  thereto  described  in or  contemplated  by this  Agreement  or the
Disclosure  Schedule,  no  options,  warrants  or  other  rights  of any kind to
purchase  capital  stock of the  Company  shall be  granted  or made,  under the
Company Stock Plan or otherwise, and no amendment,  repricing or other change to
the outstanding  Company Stock Options shall be made,  without the prior written
consent of Conseco, and any such grant, issuance, amendment,  repricing or other
change without Conseco's  consent shall be null, void and unenforceable  against
Conseco.

         (b) Conseco  shall take all corporate  action  necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Conseco Common Stock for delivery upon
exercise of the Company Stock Options and warrants. Prior to the Effective Time,
Conseco shall have filed a registration  statement on Form S-8 (or any successor
form) or another  appropriate  form with respect to the shares of Conseco Common
Stock  subject to the Company  Stock  Options and shall use its best  efforts to
maintain  the  effectiveness  of such  registration  statement  or  registration
statements  (and maintain the current status of the  prospectus or  prospectuses
contained therein) for so long as Company Stock Options remain outstanding.

         4.17 Officers'  Certificates  Relating to Tax Treatment.  Conseco shall
provide to the Tax Opinion  Provider (as defined in Section  6.3(c)  hereof),  a
certificate  in the form  agreed to by  Conseco,  which  agreement  shall not be
unreasonably withheld, dated the Closing Date and signed on behalf of Conseco by
the chief  executive  officer and the chief  financial  officer of Conseco.  The
Company  shall  provide to the Tax Opinion  Provider a  certificate  in the form
agreed to by the Company,  which agreement  shall not be unreasonably  withheld,
dated  the  Closing  Date and  signed  on  behalf  of the  Company  by the chief
executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company.

         4.18  Severance  and Other  Payments.  Employees of the Company who are
terminated  by Conseco  within 18 months after the Closing Date will be entitled
to receive the  severance  payments set forth on Section 4.18 of the  Disclosure
Schedule.

         4.19  Convertible Debentures.   Conseco  shall offer to exchange, as of
the Effective Time, Conseco convertible debentures

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<PAGE>



(the "Conseco  Debentures") in an aggregate  principal amount of $50,000,000 and
otherwise  containing  the  terms set forth in  Section  4.19 of the  Disclosure
Schedule for the outstanding  Series A Notes and Series B Notes.  Conseco agrees
to take such  action as is  necessary  for the making and  consummation  of such
exchange and the issuance by it of the Conseco Debentures, including filing of a
registration  statement with the SEC with respect to the Conseco  Debentures and
the shares of Conseco Common Stock to be issuable upon conversion of the Conseco
Debentures.  At the Company's option, such registration shall be either included
in the Form S-4 or filed as a  separate  registration  statement.  If a separate
registration  statement is filed,  the provisions of this Agreement  relating to
the Form S-4 will apply to such separate  registration  statement.  In addition,
Conseco  agrees that if any of the shares of Conseco  Common  Stock  issued upon
conversion of Conseco  Debentures  shall not be immediately  freely tradeable by
the holder  thereof,  then,  at the request of the  holder,  Conseco  shall,  as
promptly as  practicable,  at Conseco's  option,  either (i) acquire such shares
directly  from such holder at the then current  market  price,  or (ii) file and
have  declared  effective  a  registration  statement  on  Form  S-3  (or  other
appropriate form) with the SEC to register such shares for resale by such holder
and use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to keep such  registration  statement
effective until such time as such shares become freely  tradeable.  For purposes
of the  preceding  sentence,  shares which may be sold at such time  pursuant to
Rule 144 (as  promulgated  by the SEC) shall be considered  "freely  tradeable."
Upon  the  exchange  of any  Series  A  Notes  or  Series  B Notes  for  Conseco
Debentures,  Conseco shall pay to the  exchanging  holder an amount equal to the
accrued  and  unpaid  interest  on such  Series  A Notes or  Series B Notes,  as
applicable, through and including the Closing Date.

         4.20 Warrants.  The Company's  outstanding warrants shall be amended as
soon as practicable after the Effective Time to include the provisions specified
in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         4.21 Letter Agreements.  At or prior  to the  Effective Time,  Conseco 
shall  enter  into  the  letter  agreements  described  in  Section  4.21 of the
Disclosure Schedule.

                                    ARTICLE V

               COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO
                                     MERGER

         5.1 Conduct of Business by the Company.  Except as contemplated by this
Agreement or as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Disclosure Schedule,  during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall,
and  shall  cause  its  subsidiaries  to,  act and  carry  on  their  respective
businesses  in the  ordinary  course of business  and, to the extent  consistent
therewith,  use  reasonable  efforts to preserve  intact their current  business
organizations, keep available the services

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<PAGE>



of their  current key officers and  employees and preserve the goodwill of those
engaged in material business  relationships with them. In addition,  the Company
agrees to allow  representatives of Conseco to have access to the management and
other  personnel  of the Company so that  Conseco  can be fully  informed at all
times  as to  significant  executive,  legal,  financial,  marketing  and  other
operational matters involving the Company, its subsidiaries or their businesses.
Without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  during the period from the
date of this  Agreement to the Effective  Time, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior consent of Conseco:

                  (i) (x) declare,  set aside or pay any  dividends  on, or make
         any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect
         of, any of the Company's  outstanding capital stock, (y) split, combine
         or  reclassify  any  of its  outstanding  capital  stock  or  issue  or
         authorize  the issuance of any other  securities in respect of, in lieu
         of or in substitution  for shares of its outstanding  capital stock, or
         (z)  purchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire any shares of  outstanding
         capital  stock or any  rights,  warrants or options to acquire any such
         shares;  provided,  however,  that the Company may pay dividends on the
         outstanding  Series A Preferred  Shares in accordance with the terms of
         such Series A  Preferred  Shares,  and may,  at its option,  redeem any
         outstanding  Series A Preferred  Shares in accordance with the terms of
         such Series A Preferred Shares;

                  (ii) issue,  sell,  grant,  pledge or  otherwise  encumber any
         shares  of its  capital  stock,  any  other  voting  securities  or any
         securities  convertible  into,  or any  rights,  warrants or options to
         acquire, any such shares,  voting securities or convertible  securities
         other than upon the exercise of Company  Stock Options  outstanding  on
         the date of this Agreement;

                  (iii) amend  its articles  of organization, By-laws  or other 
         comparable charter or organizational documents;

                  (iv) acquire,  form or commence the operations of any business
         or any corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  association or other
         business  organization or division thereof (including,  but not limited
         to, the entering  into of any  reinsurance  or  coinsurance  agreements
         involving Mid- America Reinsurance, Ltd.);

                  (v) sell,  mortgage  or  otherwise  encumber or subject to any
         Lien or otherwise  dispose of any of its  properties or assets that are
         material to the Company and its subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  except
         in the ordinary course of business;

                  (vi)(x) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee
         any such indebtedness of another person,  other than indebtedness owing
         to or guarantees of indebtedness  owing to the Company or any direct or
         indirect wholly-owned subsidiary

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<PAGE>



         of the Company or (y) make any loans or  advances to any other  person,
         other than to the  Company,  or to any direct or indirect  wholly-owned
         subsidiary of the Company and other than routine advances to agents and
         employees;

                  (vii) make any tax election or settle or compromise any income
         tax liability  that would  reasonably be expected to be material to the
         Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

                  (viii)   pay,   discharge,   settle  or  satisfy  any  claims,
         liabilities or obligations (absolute,  accrued, asserted or unasserted,
         contingent  or  otherwise),   other  than  the  payment,  discharge  or
         satisfaction,  in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
         practice or in accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or
         reserved against in, or contemplated  by, the most recent  consolidated
         financial  statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in
         the Filed SEC  Documents or incurred  since the date of such  financial
         statements  in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
         practice;

                  (ix)  invest its future cash flow,  any cash from  matured and
         maturing investments, any cash proceeds from the sale of its assets and
         properties, and any cash funds currently held by it, in any investments
         other  than  cash  equivalent  assets  or  in  short-term   investments
         (consisting   of  United   States   government   issued  or  guaranteed
         securities,  or  commercial  paper  rated  A-1 or P-1),  except  (i) as
         otherwise  required by law,  (ii) as  required to provide  cash (in the
         ordinary  course of business and consistent with past practice) to meet
         its  actual  or  anticipated   obligations  or  (iii)   publicly-traded
         corporate  bonds  that are  rated  investment  grade  by at  least  two
         nationally recognized statistical rating organizations;

                   (x)  except as may be required by law,

                           (i)  make  any  representation  or  promise,  oral or
                  written,  to any  employee  or  former  director,  officer  or
                  employee   of  the   Company  or  any   subsidiary   which  is
                  inconsistent with the terms of any Benefit Plan;

                           (ii) make any  change  to,  or amend in any way,  the
                  contracts,  salaries,  wages,  or  other  compensation  of any
                  employee  or any agent or  consultant  of the  Company  or any
                  subsidiary  other than changes or amendments that are required
                  under existing contracts;

                           (iii) adopt,  enter into, amend,  alter or terminate,
                  partially or completely, any Benefit Plan or any election made
                  pursuant to the  provisions of any Benefit Plan, to accelerate
                  any

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                                               30

<PAGE>



                  payments, obligations  or vesting schedules under any Benefit 
                  Plan; or

                          (iv) approve any general or company-wide payincreases
                  for employees;

                  (xi) except in the ordinary course of business,  modify, amend
         or terminate any material  agreement,  permit,  concession,  franchise,
         license or similar instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary is
         a party or waive,  release  or  assign  any  material  rights or claims
         thereunder;

                  (xii)  hold  any  meeting  of the  board of  directors  of the
         Company or any  subsidiary or any committee of any such board,  or take
         any action by written  consent of any such board or committee,  without
         providing  to Conseco (i) notice of any such  meeting no later than the
         date  notice is given to the board of  directors  or in  advance of the
         date of any  proposed  action  by  written  consent  and (ii) with such
         notice,  an agenda of the specific matters intended to be considered at
         such meeting or a copy of the proposed written consent,  unless, in the
         reasonable  good faith  judgment  of the  President  or Chairman of the
         Company,  providing prior notice of any agenda item or any item of such
         written consent will prejudice the ability of the board of directors or
         any  committee of the board of directors  to discharge  its duties,  in
         which case such item may be omitted from the agenda or written  consent
         provided to Conseco; or

                  (xiii) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take anyof, the
         foregoing actions.

         5.2 Conduct of Business by Conseco.  Except as described in Section 5.2
of the  Conseco  Disclosure  Schedule,  during the period  from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, Conseco shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries
to,  carry on their  respective  businesses  in the usual,  regular and ordinary
course in  substantially  the same manner as  heretofore  conducted  and, to the
extent consistent therewith, use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their
current  business  organizations,  keep  available the services of their current
officers  and  employees  and  preserve  their   relationships  with  customers,
suppliers,  licensors,  licensees,   distributors  and  others  having  business
dealings with them to the end that their goodwill and ongoing  businesses  shall
be unimpaired  at the Effective  Time.  Without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing  and except as  disclosed in Conseco SEC Filed  Documents,  during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Conseco shall not,
and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

                  (i) (x) declare,  set aside or pay any  dividends  on, or make
         any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect
         of, any  outstanding  capital  stock of  Conseco  (other  than  regular
         quarterly  cash  dividends of $.0625 per share of Conseco  Common Stock
         and regular cash

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<PAGE>



         dividends  on the Conseco  PRIDES,  in each case with usual  record and
         payment   dates  and  in   accordance   with   Conseco's   Articles  of
         Incorporation and its present dividend policy) or (y) split, combine or
         reclassify any of its  outstanding  capital stock or issue or authorize
         the  issuance of any other  securities  in respect of, in lieu of or in
         substitution for shares of Conseco's  outstanding  capital stock (other
         than under the Conseco Stock Plans);

                  (ii) issue,  sell,  grant,  pledge or  otherwise  encumber any
         shares  of its  capital  stock,  any  other  voting  securities  or any
         securities  convertible  into,  or any  rights,  warrants or options to
         acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible  securities,
         in each case if any such  action  could  reasonably  be expected to (a)
         delay  materially the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement or, (B) if
         it were to occur after such date of mailing,  require an  amendment  of
         the Proxy Statement;

                  (iii)  acquire any business or any  corporation,  partnership,
         joint venture,  association or other business  organization or division
         thereof,  in each case if any such action could  reasonably be expected
         to (A) delay  materially the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement or,
         (B) if it  were  to  occur  after  such  date of  mailing,  require  an
         amendment of the Proxy Statement; or

                  (iv)  authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the
         foregoing actions.

         5.3 Other  Actions.  The Company and Conseco  shall not,  and shall not
permit any of their  respective  subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or
that could  reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the  representations
and warranties of such party set forth in this Agreement  becoming untrue in any
material  respect  or (ii) any of the  conditions  of the  Merger  set  forth in
Article VI not being satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         6.1  Conditions to Each Party's  Obligation To  Effect the  Merger. The
respective  obligation  of each  party to effect  the  Merger is  subject to the
satisfaction  or  waiver  on or  prior  to the  Closing  Date  of the  following
conditions:

                (a)  Stockholder Approval.  This  Agreement and the Merger shall
         have  been approved  and adopted  by  the  affirmative  vote   of   the
         stockholders of the Company in the manner contemplated in Section  2.10
         hereof. 

                (b) Governmental and Regulatory Consents. All required consents,
         approvals,  permits and  authorizations to  the  consummation  of  the
         transactions contemplated hereby by the

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
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<PAGE>



         Company and Conseco shall be obtained from (i) the Insurance Regulators
         in the  jurisdictions  set forth in  Section  6.1(b) of the  Disclosure
         Schedule,  and  (ii)  any  other  Governmental  Entity  whose  consent,
         approval, permission or authorization is required by reason of a change
         in law after the date of this  Agreement,  unless the failure to obtain
         such  consent,   approval,   permission  or  authorization   would  not
         reasonably  be  expected  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
         business,  financial  condition or results of operations of the Company
         and  its  subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole,  or  on  the  validity  or
         enforceability of this Agreement.

                  (c) HSR Act. The waiting  period (and any  extension  thereof)
         applicable  to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been  terminated
         or shall have otherwise expired.

                  (d) No  Injunctions or  Restraints.  No temporary  restraining
         order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
         court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
         preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect; provided,
         however,   that  the  parties   invoking  this   condition   shall  use
         commercially  reasonable  efforts to have any such order or  injunction
         vacated.

                  (e) NYSE Listing.  The shares of Conseco Common Stock issuable
         to the Company's  stockholders  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall have
         been  approved for listing on the NYSE,  subject to official  notice of
         issuance.

                  (f) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become  effective  under
         the  Securities  Act and shall not be the  subject of any stop order or
         proceedings seeking a stop order.

         6.2  Conditions to Obligations of Conseco. The obligation of Conseco to
effect the Merger is further subject to the following conditions:

                  (a)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
         warranties of the Company  contained in this Agreement  shall have been
         true and  correct on the date of this  Agreement  and as of the Closing
         Date  (except  to the  extent  that they  expressly  relate  only to an
         earlier time, in which case they shall have been true and correct as of
         such  earlier  time  and  except  for  actions   contemplated  by  this
         Agreement),  other than such breaches of representations and warranties
         which in the  aggregate  would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
         material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results
         of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. The
         Company shall have  delivered to Conseco a certificate  dated as of the
         Closing  Date,  signed by its  Chief  Executive  Officer  and its Chief
         Financial Officer,  in their capacities as officers of the Company,  to
         the effect set forth in this Section 6.2(a).


G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        33

<PAGE>



                  (b) Performance  of Obligations  of the  Company. The Company 
         shall have performed  in all material respects all obligations required
         to be performed by  it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing 
         Date and shall not have willfully or  intentionally (i) breached any of
         its representations or  warranties  herein or (ii) failed to perform or
         satisfy  any  of  its obligations or covenants  hereunder, and Conseco 
         shall have  received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date  signed
         on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer  and its  Chief
         Financial Officer to such effect.

                  (c)  Convertible  Debentures.  Holders  of at least 90% of the
         aggregate  principal  amount of Series A and Series B Notes  shall have
         accepted the offer made by Conseco pursuant to Section 4.19 to exchange
         such  Series A and  Series B Notes  for  Conseco  Debentures  as of the
         Effective Time.

         6.3      Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The obligation of the
Company to effect the Merger is further subject to the following conditions:

                  (a)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
         warranties of Conseco  contained in this Agreement shall have been true
         and correct on the date of this  Agreement  and as of the Closing  Date
         (except to the extent  that they  expressly  relate  only to an earlier
         time,  in which case they  shall have been true and  correct as of such
         earlier  time),  other  than  such  breaches  of  representations   and
         warranties  which in the aggregate  would not reasonably be expected to
         have a material adverse effect on the business,  financial condition or
         results of operations of Conseco and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
         Conseco shall have  delivered to the Company a certificate  dated as of
         the Closing Date,  signed by its Chief Executive  Officer and its Chief
         Financial Officer,  in their capacities as officers of Conseco,  to the
         effect set forth in this Section 6.3(a).

                  (b) Performance of Obligations of Conseco.  Conseco shall have
         performed  in all  material  respects  all  obligations  required to be
         performed  by it under this  Agreement  at or prior to the Closing Date
         and shall not have willfully or  intentionally  (i) breached any of its
         representations  or  warranties  herein or (ii)  failed to  perform  or
         satisfy any of its obligations or covenants hereunder,  and the Company
         shall have received a  certificate  dated as of the Closing Date signed
         on  behalf of  Conseco  by its Chief  Executive  Officer  and its Chief
         Financial Officer to such effect.

                  (c) Opinion of Counsel.  The Company  shall have  received the
         opinion dated the Closing Date of Weil,  Gotshal & Manges LLP,  counsel
         to the Company,  or such other legal counsel  reasonably  acceptable to
         the Company and Conseco (the "Tax Opinion Provider") to the effect that
         the Merger will be treated as a reorganization  under Section 368(a)(1)
         of the

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        34

<PAGE>



         Code as a result of which the  stockholders  of the Company will not be
         subject  to  federal  income  tax on the  receipt  of shares of Conseco
         Common Stock in exchange for Shares pursuant to the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

         7.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any
time prior to the Effective  Time,  whether  before or after approval of matters
presented in connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company:

                  (a)   by mutual written consent of Conseco and the Company; or

                  (b)   by either Conseco or the Company:

                           (i)  if,  upon a vote  at a  duly  held  Stockholders
                  Meeting or any adjournment  thereof,  any required approval of
                  the stockholders of the Company shall not have been obtained;

                           (ii) at any  time  after  January  31,  1997,  if the
                  Merger shall not have been  consummated  by such date,  unless
                  the  failure  to  consummate  the  Merger  is the  result of a
                  willful and  material  breach of this  Agreement  by the party
                  seeking to terminate this Agreement;  provided,  however, that
                  either  party may by notice to the other  extend  such date to
                  March 31, 1997 if the only conditions to closing not satisfied
                  as of January 31, 1997 are those set forth in Sections 6.1(a),
                  (b) or (c) hereof;

                           (iii) if any Governmental Entity shall have issued an
                  order,  decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
                  enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and
                  such order,  decree,  ruling or other action shall have become
                  final and nonappealable;

                           (iv) if the Board  of Directors of the Company  shall
                  have  exercised  its rights set  forth  in Section 4.9 of this
                  Agreement; or

                           (v) if on the  scheduled  Closing  Date  the Five Day
                  Trading  Average is less than  $34.875.  The "Five Day Trading
                  Average"  shall be equal to the average of the closing  prices
                  of the Conseco Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions
                  Reporting System, as reported in The Wall Street Journal,  for
                  the five trading days immediately preceding the second trading
                  day prior to the scheduled Closing Date.


G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        35

<PAGE>



         7.2  Effect  of  Termination.  In the  event  of  termination  of  this
Agreement  by either the  Company or Conseco as provided  in Section  7.1,  this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect,  without any liability
or  obligation  on the part of Conseco or the  Company,  other than the last two
sentences of Section 4.5 and Sections 2.13,  3.7,  4.11,  7.2 and 10.2.  Nothing
contained in this Section shall  relieve any party from any liability  resulting
from any  material  breach  of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or
agreements set forth in this Agreement.

         7.3 Amendment. Subject to the applicable provisions of the IBCL and the
DGCL, at any time prior to the Effective  Time, the parties hereto may modify or
amend this  Agreement,  by written  agreement  executed  and  delivered  by duly
authorized officers of the respective  parties;  provided,  however,  that after
approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the Company, no amendment shall be
made which reduces the consideration  payable in the Merger or adversely affects
the rights of the Company's  stockholders hereunder without the approval of such
stockholders.  This  Agreement  may not be amended  except by an  instrument  in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

         7.4 Extension;  Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective  Time, each
party may (a) extend the time for the  performance of any of the  obligations or
other acts of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other party contained in this Agreement or in any document
delivered  pursuant  to this  Agreement  or (c)  subject to Section  7.3,  waive
compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other party contained
in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an  instrument  in writing  signed on
behalf of such party.  The failure of any party to this  Agreement to assert any
of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of
such rights.

         7.5  Procedure  for  Termination,  Amendment,  Extension  or Waiver.  A
termination  of this  Agreement  pursuant to Section  7.1, an  amendment of this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section
7.4  shall,  in order to be  effective,  require  in the case of  Conseco or the
Company, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized designee of its
Board of Directors.


G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        36

<PAGE>




                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS

         8.1 Survival. The representations and warranties  respectively required
to be made by the Company and Conseco in this Agreement,  or in any certificate,
respectively,  delivered  by the  Company or Conseco  pursuant to Section 6.2 or
Section 6.3 hereof will not survive the Closing.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     NOTICES

         9.1 Notices.  All notices and other communications under this Agreement
must be in  writing  and will be deemed to have  been duly  given if  delivered,
telecopied or mailed, by certified mail, return receipt  requested,  first-class
postage prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses:

         If to the Company, to:

                  Transport Holdings Inc.
                  714 Main Street
                  Fort Worth, Texas  76102-5252
                  Attention:  T. Gary Cole
                  Telephone:  (817) 390-8000
                  Telecopy:   (817) 347-3297

         with a copy to:

                  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
                  100 Crescent Court, Suite 1300
                  Dallas, Texas  75201-6950
                  Attention:  Thomas A. Roberts
                  Telephone:  (214) 746-7700
                  Telecopy:   (214) 746-7777

         If to Conseco, to:

                  Conseco, Inc.
                  11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
                  Carmel, Indiana  46032
                  Attention:  Lawrence W. Inlow
                  Telephone:  (317) 817-6163
                  Telecopy:   (317) 817-6327


G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        37

<PAGE>



All notices and other communications  required or permitted under this Agreement
that are addressed as provided in this Article IX will, if delivered personally,
be deemed  given upon  delivery,  will,  if  delivered  by  telecopy,  be deemed
delivered when confirmed and will, if delivered by mail in the manner  described
above,  be deemed given on the third  Business Day after the day it is deposited
in a regular  depository of the United States mail.  Any party from time to time
may  change  its  address  for the  purpose of notices to that party by giving a
similar  notice  specifying a new address,  but no such notice will be deemed to
have been given until it is actually  received by the party sought to be charged
with the contents thereof.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1 Entire Agreement. Except for documents executed by the Company and
Conseco pursuant  hereto,  this Agreement  supersedes all prior  discussions and
agreements  between  the  parties  with  respect to the  subject  matter of this
Agreement,  and this Agreement  (including the exhibits  hereto,  the Disclosure
Schedule,  the Conseco  Disclosure  Schedule  and other  documents  delivered in
connection  herewith)  and the  Confidentiality  Agreement  contain the sole and
entire  agreement  between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof.  The  parties  agree  that  any item  disclosed  in any  section  of the
Disclosure  Schedule or the Conseco  Disclosure  Schedule  shall be deemed to be
disclosed for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding the fact that such
item was not  disclosed in any other section of the  Disclosure  Schedule or the
Conseco Disclosure Schedule.

         10.2 Expenses.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.11,
whether or not the Merger is  consummated,  each of the Company and Conseco will
pay its own costs and expenses  incident to  preparing  for,  entering  into and
carrying  out  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby except that the expenses  incurred in  connection  with the
printing,  mailing and  distribution  of the Proxy Statement and the preparation
and filing of the Form S-4 shall be borne equally by Conseco and the Company.

         10.3  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
counterparts,  each of which will be deemed an  original,  but all of which will
constitute one and the same  instrument  and shall become  effective when one or
more  counterparts  have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the
other parties.

         10.4 No Third Party  Beneficiary.  Except as otherwise provided herein,
the terms and provisions of this  Agreement are intended  solely for the benefit
of the parties hereto, and their respective successors or assigns, and it is not
the intention of the parties to confer  third-party  beneficiary rights upon any
other person.

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        38

<PAGE>




         10.5 Governing  Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by and construed
in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless  of the laws
that might  otherwise  govern under  applicable  principles of conflicts of laws
thereof.

         10.6 Assignment;  Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights,  interests or  obligations  under this Agreement  shall be assigned,  in
whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without
the prior written consent of the other parties,  and any such assignment that is
not consented to shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement will be binding upon,  inure to the benefit of and be enforceable  by,
the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

         10.7 Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur
in the event that any of the  provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance  with  their  specific  terms  or  were  otherwise  breached.  It  is
accordingly  agreed that the  parties  shall be  entitled  to an  injunction  or
injunctions to prevent  breaches of this  Agreement and to enforce  specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement,  this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

         10.8  Headings,  Gender,  etc. The headings used in this Agreement have
been inserted for  convenience  and do not constitute  matter to be construed or
interpreted  in  connection  with this  Agreement.  Unless  the  context of this
Agreement otherwise requires, (a) words of any gender are deemed to include each
other  gender;  (b) words using the  singular or plural  number also include the
plural or  singular  number,  respectively;  (c) the terms  "hereof,"  "herein,"
"hereby,"  "hereto,"  and  derivative  or  similar  words  refer to this  entire
Agreement;  (d) the terms "Article" or "Section" refer to the specified  Article
or Section of this  Agreement;  (e) all  references to "dollars" or "$" refer to
currency  of the  United  States of  America;  and (f) the term  "person"  shall
include any natural person,  corporation,  limited  liability  company,  general
partnership,  limited  partnership,  or other entity,  enterprise,  authority or
business organization.

         10.9 Invalid Provisions.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal,  invalid,  or unenforceable  under any present or future law, and if
the rights or  obligations  of the Company or Conseco under this  Agreement will
not be materially  and adversely  affected  thereby,  (a) such provision will be
fully  severable;  (b) this  Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such
illegal,  invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof;
and (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect  and will not be  affected  by the  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable
provision or by its severance herefrom.


G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        39

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the duly authorized officers of Conseco and the Company,  effective as of the
date first written above.

                                  CONSECO, INC.


                                  By:    /s/Stephen C. Hilbert
                                         ---------------------
                                         Stephen C. Hilbert
                                         Chairman of the Board


                                  TRANSPORT HOLDINGS INC.


                                  By:    /s/Garland M. Lasater, Jr.
                                         --------------------------
                                         Garland M. Lasater, Jr.
                                         President

G:\LEGAL\AGREEMNT\MERGER\THI.3RD
                                                        40

        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONSECO

     The unaudited pro forma  consolidated  statements of operations of Conseco,
Inc.  ("Conseco")  for the year ended  December 31, 1995, and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996,  present the consolidated  operating results for Conseco as
if the  following  transactions,  which have already  occurred,  had occurred on
January 1, 1995: (1) the call of Conseco's Series D Convertible  Preferred Stock
(the "Series D Call")  completed on September 26, 1996; and (2) the  acquisition
of all of the outstanding common stock of American Life Holdings,  Inc. ("ALH"),
not  previously   owned  by  Conseco,   and  related   transactions   (the  "ALH
Transaction") completed on September 30, 1996.

     The pro forma consolidated statement of operations data for Conseco for the
year ended December 31, 1995, set forth in the unaudited pro forma  consolidated
statement of operations  under the column "Pro forma Conseco before the Series D
Call and the ALH Transaction" reflect the prior application of certain pro forma
adjustments for the following transactions,  all of which have already occurred,
as if such  transactions had occurred on January 1, 1995: (1) the acquisition of
Life Partners Group, Inc. (the "LPG Merger");  (2) the acquisition of all of the
outstanding common stock of CCP Insurance, Inc. ("CCP"), not previously owned by
Conseco,  and related  transactions  (including  the  repayment  of the existing
$250.0  million  revolving  credit  agreement);  (3) the  increase of  Conseco's
ownership in Bankers  Life Holding  Corporation  ("BLH") to 90.5  percent,  as a
result of purchases  of common  shares of BLH by Conseco and BLH during 1995 and
the first  three  months of 1996;  (4) the  issuance of 4.37  million  shares of
Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities  Convertible Preferred
Stock  ("PRIDES") of Conseco in January  1996;  (5) the BLH tender offer for and
repurchase  of its 13 percent  senior  subordinated  notes due 2002 and  related
financing transactions completed in March 1996 (the "BLH Tender Offer"); and (6)
the debt  restructuring  of ALH in the fourth  quarter  of 1995.  Such pro forma
adjustments  are set forth in Conseco's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated August
2, 1996 and in Exhibit  99.1  included in Conseco's  Current  Report on Form 8-K
dated April 10, 1996.

     The pro forma consolidated statement of operations data for Conseco for the
six  months  ended  June  30,  1996,  set  forth  in  the  unaudited  pro  forma
consolidated  statement of operations under the column "Pro forma Conseco before
the Series D Call and the ALH  Transaction"  reflect  the prior  application  of
certain pro forma adjustments for the following transactions,  all of which have
already  occurred,  as if such transactions had occurred on January 1, 1995: (1)
the LPG Merger;  (2) the  issuance of 4.37 million  shares of Conseco  PRIDES in
January 1996; and (3) the BLH Tender Offer.  Such pro forma  adjustments are set
forth in  Conseco's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K  dated  August  2, 1996 and in
Exhibit 99.1 included in Conseco's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
30, 1996.

     The  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet as of June 30, 1996,
gives  effect  to the  Series  D Call  and the ALH  Transaction  as if each  had
occurred on June 30, 1996.

     The  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  balance  sheet data as of June 30,
1996, set forth in the unaudited pro forma consolidated  balance sheet under the
column  "Pro forma  Conseco  before  the Series D Call and the ALH  Transaction"
reflect  the prior  application  of certain  pro forma  adjustments  for the LPG
Merger, which has already occurred.  Such pro forma adjustments are set forth in
Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 2, 1996.

     The pro forma consolidated financial statements are based on the historical
financial  statements  of  Conseco  and should be read in  conjunction  with the
historical  financial  statements  and notes included in Conseco's Form 10-Q for
the  quarterly  period ended June 30, 1996,  and in Conseco's  Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995. The pro forma data are not necessarily  indicative
of the  results of  operations  or  financial  condition  of  Conseco  had these
transactions  occurred on January 1, 1995, nor the results of future operations.
Conseco  anticipates  cost  savings and  additional  benefits as a result of the
transactions included in the pro forma financial  statements.  Such benefits and
any other changes that might have resulted  from  managements'  changes have not
been included as adjustments to the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
Certain amounts from the prior periods have been  reclassified to conform to the
current presentation.

     The ALH Transaction will be accounted for using the step acquisition method
of accounting. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements reflect
cost  allocations for the ALH Transaction  using estimated  values of the assets
and liabilities of ALH as of the assumed  acquisition  dates based on appraisals
and  other  studies,  which  are  not  yet  complete.   Accordingly,  the  final
allocations  will be different than the amounts included in the accompanying pro
forma  consolidated  financial  statements.  Although the final allocations will
differ, the pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements reflect  management's
best estimate based on currently available information as if the ALH Transaction
had occurred on the assumed dates of acquisition.

                                        1

<PAGE>

                                     CONSECO
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the year ended December 31, 1995
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Pro forma                                 
                                                                Conseco       Pro forma     Pro forma      Pro forma
                                                               before the     adjustments    Conseco      adjustments
                                                             Series D Call    relating to   before the    relating to   Pro forma
                                                                and the       the Series       ALH         the ALH       Conseco
                                                            ALH Transaction    D Call      Transaction    Transaction     totals
                                                            --------------      ------     -----------    -----------     ------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                                                                                                           

Revenues:                                                         
     Insurance policy income                                    $ 1,752.8                   $ 1,752.8      $     -        $ 1,752.8
     Investment activity:
         Net investment income                                    1,457.8                     1,457.8          3.8 (4)      1,461.1
                                                                                                              (0.5)(5)


         Net trading income                                           2.5                         2.5            -              2.5
         Net realized gains                                         203.9                       203.9         16.4 (4)        220.3
     Fee revenue                                                     33.9                        33.9            -             33.9
     Restructuring income                                            15.2                        15.2            -             15.2
     Other income                                                    12.6                        12.6            -             12.6
                                                                   ------                    --------       --------     ----------

            Total revenues                                        3,478.7                     3,478.7           19.7        3,498.4
                                                                  -------                    --------       --------     ----------

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy
        benefits                                                  1,261.4                     1,261.4            -          1,261.4
     Interest expense on annuities and financial products           758.5                       758.5            -            758.5
     Interest expense on notes payable                              132.9                       132.9          11.6 (5)       143.5
                                                                                                               (1.0)(6)

     Interest expense on investment borrowings                       30.2                        30.2                          30.2
     Amortization related to operations                             308.8                       308.8           1.5 (4)       307.3
                                                                                                              (21.1)(4)
                                                                                                               18.1 (4)
     Amortization related to realized gains                         133.6                       133.6          10.8 (4)       144.4
     Other operating costs and expenses                             356.4                       356.4                         356.4
                                                                   ------                    --------       ----------     --------

            Total benefits and expenses                           2,981.8                     2,981.8           19.9        3,001.7
                                                                 --------                    --------       ----------     --------

            Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest
                and extraordinary charge                            496.9                       496.9            (.2)         496.7
Income tax expense (benefit)                                        193.4                       193.4           (1.6)(7)      192.3
                                                                                                                 0.5 (7)
                                                                   ------                     -------       ----------     --------
            Income (loss) before  minority interest  and
                extraordinary charge                                303.5                       303.5            0.9          304.4

Minority interest                                                    72.5                        72.5          (51.2)(8)       21.3
                                                                   ------                     -------         -------     ---------

            Income (loss) before extraordinary charge             $ 231.0                     $ 231.0         $ 52.1      $   283.1
                                                                   ======                      ======          ======     =========


Earnings per common share and common equivalent share:
     Primary:
         Weighted average shares outstanding                         66.8       8.9 (1)          75.7                          75.7
                                                                   ======      ====          =========                     ========
         Income before extraordinary  charge                        $3.18                       $3.05 (2)                     $3.74
                                                                   ======                    ========                       =======

     Fully diluted:
         Weighted average shares outstanding                        76.0                        76.0                          76.0
                                                                   ======                   =========                      ========
         Income before extraordinary  charge                        $3.04                       $3.04                         $3.72
                                                                   ======                   =========                      ========

                                                                                                            

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
                                       2
                                          
<PAGE>                                                                      
                                     CONSECO
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the six months ended June 30, 1996
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                              Pro forma      
                                                               Conseco       Pro forma    Pro forma    Pro forma               
                                                              before the    adjustments    Conseco    adjustments 
                                                             Series D Call  relating to     before    relating to   Pro forma 
                                                                and the     the Series     the ALH      the ALH      Conseco
                                                           ALH Transaction    D Call     Transaction  Transaction     totals
                                                           --------------- -----------   -----------  -----------     ------
<S>                                                         <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
                                                                                                                  

Revenues:
     Insurance policy income                                   $  897.2                    $ 897.2   $  -            $ 897.2       
     Investment activity:
         Net investment income                                    719.0                      719.0       0.6 (4)       719.4
                                                                                                        (0.2)(5)


         Net trading losses                                        (7.3)                      (7.3)      -             (7.3)
         Net realized gains                                        14.4                       14.4       1.0 (4)       15.4
     Fee revenue                                                   20.1                       20.1       -             20.1
     Restructuring income                                          30.4                       30.4       -             30.4
     Other income                                                  10.2                       10.2       -             10.2
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----         -------

            Total revenues                                      1,684.0                    1,684.0       1.4        1,685.4
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----        -------

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy 
       benefits                                                   626.0                      626.0       -           626.0
     Interest expense on annuities and financial products         378.3                      378.3       -           378.3
     Interest expense on notes payable                             62.2                       62.2       5.8 (5)      67.6
                                                                                                        (0.4)(6)

     Interest expense on investment borrowings                     10.7                       10.7       -            10.7
     Amortization related to operations                           168.3                      168.3     (11.5)(4)     168.3
                                                                                                         0.7 (4)
                                                                                                        10.8 (4)
     Amortization related to realized gains                        14.2                       14.2       0.9 (4)      15.1
     Other operating costs and expenses                           157.9                      157.9                   157.9
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----       -------

            Total benefits and expenses                         1,417.6                    1,417.6       6.3       1,423.9
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----       -------

            Income (loss) before income taxes, minority 
                interest and extraordinary charge                 266.4                      266.4      (4.9)        261.5
Income tax expense (benefit)                                      102.4                      102.4      (0.6)(7)     100.3
                                                                                                        (1.5)(7)
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----       -------
            Income (loss) before  minority interest  and
                extraordinary charge                              164.0                      164.0      (2.8)        161.2
Minority interest                                                  23.5                       23.5     (11.2)(8)      12.3
                                                                -------                  ---------     -----       -------

            Income (loss) before extraordinary charge          $  140.5                      140.5    $  8.4       $ 148.9        
                                                                =======                  =========     =====       =======

Earnings per common share and common equivalent share:
     Primary:
         Weighted average shares outstanding                       68.3     8.7 (1)         77.0                     77.0
                                                                =======    =====          ========                =======
         Income before extraordinary  charge                      $1.93                    $1.82 (2)                $1.93
                                                                =======                   ========                =======

     Fully diluted:
         Weighted average shares outstanding                       77.8                       77.8                   77.8
                                                                =======                   ========                =======
         Income before extraordinary  charge                      $1.81                      $1.81                  $1.91
                                                                =======                   ========                =======


                                                                       
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
                                       3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     CONSECO
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                  June 30, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                                Pro forma                               
                                                                 Conseco     Pro forma     Pro forma    Pro forma
                                                                before the   adjustments    Conseco    adjustments
                                                              Series D Call  relating to   before the  relating to   Pro forma
                                                                 and the     the Series       ALH       the ALH       Conseco
                                                             ALH Transaction   D Call     Transaction  Transaction     totals
                                                             --------------    ------     -----------  -----------     ------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Assets
     Investments:
         Actively managed fixed maturity securities
            at fair value                                       $15,872.3      $    -        $15,872.3    $    -      $ 15,872.3


         Equity securities at fair value                             99.6                         99.6         -            99.6
         Mortgage loans                                             404.2                        404.2                     404.2
         Credit-tenant loans                                        309.7                        309.7         -           309.7
         Policy loans                                               528.7                        528.7         -           528.7
         Other invested assets                                      191.0                        191.0         -           191.0
         Trading account securities                                   0.7                          0.7                       0.7
         Short-term investments                                     217.3          (0.3)(3)      217.0      165.0 (9)      204.6
                                                                                                           (165.0)(9)
                                                                                                            (12.4)(9)

         Assets held in separate accounts                           271.6                        271.6        -            271.6
                                                                ---------      --------      ---------    -------      ---------

                Total investments                                17,895.1          (0.3)      17,894.8      (12.4)      17,882.4
                                                                                                                                   
     Accrued investment income                                      284.1            -           284.1         -           284.1
     Cost of policies purchased                                   1,794.8                      1,794.8     (178.4)(4)    1,893.6
                                                                                                            277.2 (4)

     Cost of policies produced                                      561.2                        561.2      (78.0)(4)      483.2
     Reinsurance receivables                                        374.6                        374.6         -           374.6
     Income taxes                                                   212.0                        212.0       (4.6)(7)      209.7
                                                                                                              2.3 (10)
     Goodwill                                                     1,508.0                      1,508.0       58.8 (4)    1,566.8

     Property and equipment                                          89.0                         89.0         -            89.0
     Securites segregated for future redemption                                                                                    
         of redeemable preferred stock of a
         Partnership II entity                                       40.7                         40.7         -            40.7
     Other assets                                                   234.2                        234.2         -           234.2
                                                                ---------      ---------     ---------    -------      ---------

                Total assets                                    $22,993.7      $    (0.3)    $22,993.4    $  64.9      $23,058.3
                                                                =========      =========     =========    =======      =========


 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>
                                       4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     CONSECO
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                  June 30, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                                Pro forma                               
                                                                 Conseco     Pro forma        Pro forma    Pro forma
                                                                before the   adjustments       Conseco    adjustments
                                                              Series D Call  relating to      before the  relating to   Pro forma
                                                                and the      the Series          ALH       the ALH       Conseco
                                                             ALH Transaction   D Call        Transaction  Transaction     totals
                                                            --------------     ------       -----------  -----------     ------
                                             
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>


Liabilities:
     Insurance liabilities                                     $18,133.2         $ -           $18,133.2   $    -      $18,133.2
     Income tax liabilities                                                        
     Investment borrowings                                         516.6                           516.6                   516.6
     Other liabilities                                             457.9                           457.9                   457.9
     Liabilities related to separate accounts                      271.6                           271.6                   271.6
     Notes payable of Conseco                                      888.7                           888.7       25.0 (9)  1,198.5
                                                                                                              284.8 (11)

     Notes payable of Bankers Life Holding
         Corporation, not direct obligations of Conseco            297.9                           297.9       140.0 (9)   437.9
     Notes payable of Partnership II entities, not
         direct obligations of Conseco                             277.1                           277.1         7.7 (4)     0.0
                                                                                                              (284.8)(11)

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

                Total liabilities                               20,843.0                        20,843.0       172.7     21,015.7
                                                               ---------         -------      ----------    --------     --------

Minority interest                                                  285.8                           285.8      (122.7)(12)   150.7
                                                                                                               (12.4)(12)

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

Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock                                               536.5           (269.1)(3)      267.1          -         267.1
                                                                                      (.3)(3)
     Common stock and additional paid-in capital                   771.8            269.1 (3)     1,040.9                 1,040.9

     Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities          (56.1)                          (56.1)                  (56.1)

     Retained earnings                                             612.7                           612.7        27.3 (13)   640.0

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

                Total shareholders' equity                       1,864.9             (0.3)       1,864.6        27.3       1,891.9
                                                               ---------         --------      ---------    --------      --------

                Total liabilities and shareholders' equity     $22,993.7         $   (0.3)     $22,993.4    $   64.9     $23,058.3
                                                               =========         ========      =========    ========     =========



 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>
                                        5
<PAGE>

                            CONSECO AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

     TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO THE SERIES D CALL

     On August 27, 1996, Conseco called for redemption all outstanding shares of
the Series D preferred  stock at a redemption  price plus  accrued  dividends of
$52.916.  At June 30,  1996,  Conseco had  approximately  5.7 million  shares of
Series D preferred  stock  outstanding  with a carrying value of $269.4 million.
Each Series D share is convertible  at any time into shares of Conseco's  common
stock at a conversion  price of $31.875 per common share  (equivalent to 1.56860
shares of  Conseco's  common  stock for each share of Series D  preferred  stock
outstanding). The Series D preferred stock was redeemable at Conseco's option at
any time  subsequent  to January 22, 1996, at a price of $52.275 per share (such
price  declines  to $50 per share over the period  through  January  15,  2003).
Dividends on the Series D preferred  stock were paid quarterly at an annual rate
of 6.5  percent.  All  outstanding  shares of the Series D preferred  stock were
converted into common stock other than preferred shares with a carrying value of
$.3 million which were redeemed in cash.

     Adjustments to give effect to the Series D Call are summarized below:

     (1) Primary weighted average shares outstanding are adjusted to reflect the
         issuance of common  stock that each share of Series D  preferred  stock
         was converted into based on the stock's conversion  provisions (1.56860
         shares of  Conseco's  common stock for each share of Series D preferred
         stock converted).  Such issuance had no effect on fully diluted average
         shares outstanding or fully diluted earnings per share since the Series
         D  preferred  stock was  considered  to have been  converted  for fully
         diluted calculations.

     (2) Primary  earnings per share are adjusted to reflect the  elimination of
         the Series D preferred  stock  dividend and the increase in the Conseco
         common shares outstanding.

     (3) Preferred  stock is reduced  and common  stock and  additional  paid-in
         capital is increased to reflect the conversion effected by the Series D
         Call.  In addition,  short-term  investments  and  preferred  stock are
         reduced for the Series D preferred shares that were redeemed in cash.

     TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO THE ALH TRANSACTION

     On September 30, 1996, Conseco acquired all of the common stock of ALH, not
previously owned by Conseco, for a purchase price of approximately $165 million.
ALH's former shareholders, other than Conseco, received $23.00 per common share.
In addition,  Conseco purchased all outstanding  payment-in-kind preferred stock
of ALH, not owned by Conseco.  These  transactions were financed using available
cash and additional  borrowings  under  Conseco's  credit facility (the "Conseco
Credit  Agreement")  and BLH's  credit  facility  (the "BLH Credit  Agreement").
Hereinafter ALH refers to ALH or the former subsidiaries of ALH.

     The sources and uses of the financing to complete the ALH  Transaction  are
summarized below (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     <S>                                                                                          <C>    

     Sources of funds:
         Available Cash........................................................................     $ 12.4
         Conseco Credit Agreement..............................................................       25.0
         BLH Credit Agreement..................................................................      140.0
                                                                                                    ------

            Total sources......................................................................     $177.4
                                                                                                    ======

     Uses of funds:

         Purchase of all outstanding common stock of ALH, not owned by Conseco*................     $165.0
         Purchase of all outstanding payment-in-kind preferred stock of ALH,
            not owned by Conseco...............................................................       12.4
                                                                                                    ------

            Total uses.........................................................................     $177.4
                                                                                                    ======

</TABLE>



                                        6

<PAGE>


                            CONSECO AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

- --------------------
     *Excludes  approximately  1.2 million shares of ALH common stock which were
distributed to Conseco,  the general partner of Conseco Capital Partners II, L.P
("Partnership  II"),  based on the returns earned by the limited partners on the
ALH investment as defined by Partnership  II's  Partnership  Agreement.  Conseco
recognized a gain of approximately  $25.0 million  representing the value of the
common  stock  distributed  to Conseco  from the  limited  partners  (other than
limited partners that are subsidiaries of Conseco).

     The pro  forma  adjustments  are  applied  to the  historical  consolidated
financial statements of Conseco using the step acquisition method of accounting.
Under this  method,  the total  purchase  cost of the common  stock of ALH,  not
already owned by Conseco,  is allocated to the assets and  liabilities  acquired
based on their  relative  fair  values as of the date of  acquisition,  with any
excess of the total  purchase  cost over the fair value of the  assets  acquired
less the fair value of the liabilities assumed recorded as goodwill.  The values
of  the  assets  and   liabilities  of  ALH  included  in  Conseco's  pro  forma
consolidated  financial  statements  represent the  combination of the following
values:  (1) the portion of ALH's net assets  acquired by Conseco in the initial
acquisition  made  by  Partnership  II is  valued  as of its  acquisition  date,
September 29, 1994;  (2) the portion  acquired in the fourth quarter of 1995, is
valued as of its  assumed  acquisition  date;  and (3) the  portion of ALH's net
assets  acquired in the ALH  Transaction  is valued as of the  assumed  dates of
acquisition.

     Adjustments to give effect to the ALH Transaction are summarized below:

     (4)   As described  above,  the ALH  Transaction is accounted for as a step
           acquisition.  The  accounts  of ALH are  adjusted to reflect the step
           acquisition  method  of  accounting  as if the  ALH  Transaction  was
           completed on the assumed dates of acquisition.

     (5)   Net  investment  income and interest  expense are adjusted to reflect
           the sources  of the  financing  to complete  the ALH Transaction (net
           investment  income is reduced for the lost investment  income on cash
           used in the ALH  Transaction and  interest  expense is  increased  to
           reflect the additional  borrowing  Transaction  and under the Conseco
           Credit Agreement and the BLH Credit Agreement).

           A change in interest rates of .5 percent on the additional borrowings
           under the Conseco Credit  Agreement and the BLH Credit Agreement used
           to complete the ALH Transaction  would result in: (1) an increase (or
           decrease)  in pro  forma  interest  expense  of $.8  million  and $.4
           million  for the year ended  December  31,  1995,  and the six months
           ended June 30, 1996,  respectively;  and (2) a decrease (or increase)
           in pro forma net income of $.5  million  and $.3 million for the same
           respective periods.

     (6)   Interest  expense is  adjusted  to  reflect  the fair  value of ALH's
           subordinated debentures.

     (7)   All pro forma  adjustments  are tax affected based on the appropriate
           rate for the specific  item. In addition,  tax expense is adjusted to
           reflect  the  reduction  in tax  expense  as a  result  of  Conseco's
           increased ownership of ALH.

     (8)   Minority interest is reduced to eliminate the income  attributable to
           the former  shareholders  of ALH and the  preferred  dividends on the
           payment-in-kind preferred stock of ALH, not owned by Conseco.

     (9)   The sources and uses of the  financing  to complete  the  purchase of
           additional  shares of ALH and  related  transactions  (as  summarized
           above) are recorded.

     (10)  A tax  benefit is  recognized  as a result of the release of deferred
           tax previously accrued on income related to ALH. Such deferred tax is
           no longer  required since Conseco is permitted to file a consolidated
           tax return  with ALH and the income to which this tax  relates can be
           distributed to Conseco without the payment of tax.

     (11)  Notes payable of Partnership II entities  are reclassified  as  notes
           payable  of Conseco since  ALH is  now a  wholly owned  subsidiary of
           Conseco.

     (12)  Minority  interest is reduced to eliminate the ownership  interest of
           the  former  shareholders  of ALH and the  payment-in-kind  preferred
           stock of ALH, not owned by Conseco prior to the ALH Transaction.



                                        7

<PAGE>


                            CONSECO AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

     (13)  The retained  earnings  account is adjusted to reflect:  (1) the gain
           representing  the value of the  common  stock of ALH  distributed  to
           Conseco from the limited  partners (other than limited partners which
           are subsidiaries of Conseco);  and (2) the tax benefit  recognized as
           described in entry (10) above.









J:\8KCNC.925\PROFORM.WPD

                                        8




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