CONSECO INC ET AL
S-4, 1997-01-31
ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE
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    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 31, 1997

 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 

                                


                                

 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                                 CONSECO, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                     <C>
      INDIANA               6719                          35-1468632
  (State or other     (Primary Standard                (I.R.S. Employer
  jurisdiction of         Industrial                  Identification No.)
  incorporation or    Classification Code               
   organization)            Number)
</TABLE>
 
        11825 N. PENNSYLVANIA ST., CARMEL, INDIANA 46032, (317) 817-6100
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                               LAWRENCE W. INLOW
                                 CONSECO, INC.
                           11825 N. PENNSYLVANIA ST.
                             CARMEL, INDIANA 46032
                                 (317) 817-6163
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                            ------------------------
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
            BILLY B. HILL, JR.                   STANLEY H. MEADOWS, P.C.
      PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.            MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY
          1750 EAST GOLF ROAD                     227 WEST MONROE STREET          
        SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS  60173              CHICAGO, ILLINOIS  60606
            (847) 413-7077                           (312) 984-7570
                                                               
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 

     APPROXIMATE  DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC:  As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  Registration  Statement  becomes
effective and all other conditions to the merger of Rock Acquisition  Company, a
wholly owned  subsidiary  of Conseco,  Inc.  ("Conseco"),  with and into Pioneer
Financial  Services,  Inc.  ("PFS")  pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
described  in the enclosed  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  have been  satisfied or
waived.

     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Proposed            Proposed
                                                                      Maximum             Maximum
                                            Amount                   Offering            Aggregate
       Title of Each Class of                to be                     Price             Offering                     Amount of
     Securities to be Registered           Registered                 Per Unit             Price                   Registration Fee
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                               <C>              <C>                      <C>    

Common Stock, no par value          (1)                               Not applicable   $410,121,503              $124,279.24       

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1) Conseco is hereby registering the number of shares of Conseco common stock, 
    no par value ("Conseco Common Stock"), issuable to holders of common stock
    of PFS, $1.00  par  value  per  share ("PFS  Common  Stock"), and upon the
    exercise or conversion of securities  exercisable  for or convertible into
    shares of PFS  Common Stock in the Merger.

(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(f), the registration fee was computed on the basis of
    the market value of the PFS Common Stock to be exchanged in the Merger,
    computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) on the basis of the average of the
    high and low prices per share of such stock on the New York Stock Exchange
    on January 27, 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                            ------------------------
 
     CONSECO HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL CONSECO SHALL FILE A FURTHER
AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL
THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH
DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

<PAGE>   



                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

    This    Registration    Statement    contains    two    forms    of    proxy
statement/prospectus:  one to be used in  connection  with the  solicitation  of
proxies pursuant to the Merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), and one to be
used in connection  with the resale of Conseco Common Stock by affiliates of PFS
(the  "Resale  Prospectus").  Each of the pages  included  herein for use in the
Resale Prospectus is labeled "Alternate Page for Resale Prospectus."
                                        


<PAGE>



 
                        PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                              1750 EAST GOLF ROAD
                           SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS 60173

 
Dear Stockholder:
 
     You are  cordially  invited  to  attend a  special  meeting  (the  "Special
Meeting") of stockholders of Pioneer Financial  Services,  Inc.  ("PFS"),  to be
held on _______________ 1997 at__________ at 10:00 a.m., local time.

     At the  Special  Meeting,  stockholders  of  record  of PFS at the close of
business  on______ , 1997 will be asked to consider  and vote upon a proposal to
authorize  and adopt an Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of December 15,
1996 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  by and among PFS,  Conseco,  Inc.,  an Indiana
corporation  ("Conseco"),  and Rock Acquisition  Company, a Delaware corporation
and  wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  Conseco   ("RAC"),   and  the  transactions
contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, among other
things,  (1) RAC will be  merged  with and  into  PFS (the  "Merger"),  with PFS
surviving  the Merger as a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Conseco,  and (2) each
outstanding  share of Common  Stock,  $1.00 par  value  per share  ("PFS  Common
Stock"),  of PFS (other than shares of PFS Common Stock held as treasury  shares
by PFS) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as
defined in the Merger Agreement).

     Details  of  the  proposed  Merger,  including  the  terms  of  the  Merger
Consideration and other important information concerning PFS and Conseco, appear
in the accompanying Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Please give this material your
careful  attention.  Details  regarding  the  background  of and reasons for the
proposed  Merger,  among other things,  may be found in the section of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus entitled "The Merger."
 
     YOUR  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  HAS  DETERMINED  THAT THE  MERGER IS IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF  PFS AND THE  STOCKHOLDERS  OF PFS, AND HAS APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED
THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREBY.  THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF PFS VOTE FOR THE AUTHORIZATION AND
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

     The Board of Directors has received a written opinion of Donaldson,  Lufkin
& Jenrette Securities  Corporation,  which has acted as financial advisor to PFS
in connection with the Merger, as to the fairness to PFS's stockholders,  from a
financial  point of view,  of the Merger  Consideration  to be received by PFS's
stockholders  pursuant to the terms of the Merger  Agreement.  Details regarding
such  opinion  may be found in the  section  of the  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
entitled "The Merger -- Opinion of Financial Advisor to PFS," and a copy of such
opinion is attached as an annex thereto.

    Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please complete, sign
and date the  accompanying  proxy and return it in the enclosed  postage prepaid
envelope as soon as possible  so that your  shares  will be  represented  at the
Special Meeting. If you attend the Special Meeting,  you may vote in person even
if you have previously  returned your proxy. If you have any questions regarding
the  proposed  transaction,  please call  Georgeson & Company,  Inc.,  our proxy
solicitation agent, toll free at (800) 223-2064.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 

                                          Peter W. Nauert
                                          Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
_________, 1997

<PAGE>   
 
                        PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                              1750 EAST GOLF ROAD
                           SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS 60173
 
                            ------------------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            ------------------------
 
To the Stockholders of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.:
 
     Notice is hereby given that a special  meeting (the  "Special  Meeting") of
the stockholders of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. ("PFS") will be held on ___
1997 at__________, at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

          1. To  consider  and vote upon a proposal to  authorize  and adopt the
     Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of December  15, 1996 (the "Merger
     Agreement"),  by and among  PFS,  Conseco,  Inc.,  an  Indiana  corporation
     ("Conseco"),  and Rock  Acquisition  Company,  a Delaware  corporation  and
     wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  Conseco   ("RAC"),   and  the  transactions
     contemplated  thereby,  pursuant to which, among other things, (1) RAC will
     be merged with and into PFS(the "Merger"), with PFS surviving the Merger as
     a wholly owned  subsidiary of Conseco,  and (2) each  outstanding  share of
     Common Stock,  $1.00 par value per share (the "PFS Common  Stock"),  of PFS
     (other than shares of PFS Common Stock held as treasury shares by PFS) will
     be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined
     in the Merger Agreement).

          2. To transact any and all  other  business  that  may  properly  come
     before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
 
     The  Merger  is  more  completely   described  in  the  accompanying  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus,  and a copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A
thereto.

     THE PFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS  HAS  DETERMINED  THAT THE MERGER IS IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF  PFS AND THE  STOCKHOLDERS  OF PFS, AND HAS APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED
THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. THE PFS BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF PFS VOTE FOR THE AUTHORIZATION AND
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

     The PFS Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on _____,  1997,
as the  record  date (the  "Record  Date")  for  determination  of  stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting and any  adjournments
and postponements  thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business
on the Record Date are  entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such  meeting.  A
complete list of  stockholders  entitled to vote at the Special  Meeting will be
available  for  examination  at the  offices  of PFS at  1750  East  Golf  Road,
Schaumburg, Illinois for ten days prior to such meeting. Questions regarding the
proposed transaction should be directed to Georgeson & Company, Inc., our proxy
solicitation agent, toll free at (800) 223-2064.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
 

                                          A. Clark Waid III
                                          Secretary
 

____________, 1997

 
     YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING.  HOWEVER,  WHETHER
OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND  THE  SPECIAL  MEETING  IN PERSON,  YOU ARE URGED TO
PROMPTLY  MARK,  SIGN,  DATE AND  RETURN THE  ACCOMPANYING  FORM OF PROXY IN THE
ENCLOSED  SELF-ADDRESSED,  STAMPED  ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR SHARES OF STOCK MAY BE
REPRESENTED  AND VOTED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH YOUR  WISHES  AND IN ORDER  THAT THE
PRESENCE  OF A QUORUM MAY BE ASSURED AT THE SPECIAL  MEETING.  IF YOU ATTEND THE
SPECIAL  MEETING,  YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN IF YOU HAVE  PREVIOUSLY  RETURNED
YOUR PROXY.
 
                                   IMPORTANT
 
     PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING PFS COMMON STOCK AT
THIS TIME. IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED, YOU WILL BE SENT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING
THE SURRENDER OF YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES.
<PAGE>   
 
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                                PROXY STATEMENT

 
                            ------------------------
 
                                 CONSECO, INC.
                                   PROSPECTUS
                             SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 
     This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to holders of shares of
Common  Stock,  $1.00 par  value per share  ("PFS  Common  Stock"),  of  Pioneer
Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PFS"), in connection with the
solicitation  of  proxies  by the PFS  Board of  Directors  for use at a special
meeting (the "Special Meeting") of PFS stockholders to be held on_____ , 1997 at
_____  commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time. The Special Meeting has been called
to consider and vote on a proposal to authorize  and adopt an Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of December 15, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"),  by and among
PFS, Conseco,  Inc., an Indiana  corporation  ("Conseco"),  and Rock Acquisition
Company, a Delaware  corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Conseco ("RAC"),
pursuant to which RAC will be merged with and into PFS (the  "Merger"), with PFS
surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Conseco.

     This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus also constitutes the Prospectus of Conseco
filed  as part of a  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-4  (together  with  all
amendments,  supplements,  exhibits and  schedules  thereto,  the  "Registration
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act"),  relating to the
shares of Common Stock,  no par value per share  ("Conseco  Common  Stock"),  of
Conseco  issuable in  connection  with the Merger.  All  information  concerning
Conseco   and  all   companies   other   than  PFS   contained   in  this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  has been furnished by Conseco. All information  concerning
PFS contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus has been furnished by PFS.

     The Conseco  Common  Stock is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange,  Inc.
(the "NYSE") under the symbol "CNC". On _______,  1997, the closing price of the
Conseco Common Stock as reported on the NYSE was $_____.

     The PFS  Common  Stock is listed on the NYSE  under the  symbol  "PFS".  On
______,  1997, the closing price of the PFS Common Stock as reported on the NYSE
was $____.
 
     This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and the  related  form of proxy are first
being mailed to stockholders of PFS on or about _______, 1997.

 
                            ------------------------
THE SHARES OF CONSECO COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE IN THE MERGER HAVE NOT BEEN
  APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
    STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
     COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
       ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
        THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS ______, 1997

     Information  contained  herein is subject to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration  statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of  an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

<PAGE>   
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Conseco and PFS are each subject to the  informational  requirements of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in
accordance   therewith  file  periodic  reports,   proxy  statements  and  other
information  with the Commission.  The periodic  reports,  proxy  statements and
other  information filed by Conseco and PFS with the Commission may be inspected
and copied at the public  reference  facilities  maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the regional
offices of the  Commission at 7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300,  New York,  New
York 10048 and Citicorp Center,  500 West Madison Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material also can be obtained, at prescribed
rates,  from the Public Reference  Section of the Commission,  450 Fifth Street,
N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web site
at http://www.sec.gov  that contains reports,  proxy and information  statements
and other  information  regarding  registrants,  including Conseco and PFS, that
file electronically with the Commission. The Conseco Common Stock and PFS Common
Stock are listed on the NYSE and such reports and other  information may also be
inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

     Conseco  has filed the  Registration  Statement  with the  Commission  with
respect to the Conseco Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to or as contemplated
by the Merger Agreement.  This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  does not contain all
the information set forth in the Registration Statement,  certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.  The
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, including exhibits filed as a
part thereof, are available for inspection and copying as set forth above.

                                       ii
<PAGE>   
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     THIS PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH
ARE NOT PRESENTED  HEREIN OR DELIVERED  HEREWITH.  COPIES OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS,
OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS  WHICH ARE  NOT SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE THEREIN, ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON,  INCLUDING ANY
BENEFICIAL  OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  IS DELIVERED,  UPON
WRITTEN  OR ORAL  REQUEST.  WRITTEN  REQUESTS  FOR SUCH  DOCUMENTS  RELATING  TO
CONSECO,   AMERICAN   TRAVELLERS   CORPORATION,   CAPITOL   AMERICAN   FINANCIAL
CORPORATION,  TRANSPORT  HOLDINGS  INC. AND LIFE PARTNERS  GROUP, INC. SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO JAMES W. ROSENSTEELE,  VICE PRESIDENT,  INVESTOR RELATIONS, CONSECO,
INC.,  11825 NORTH  PENNSYLVANIA  STREET,  CARMEL,  INDIANA 46032, AND TELEPHONE
REQUESTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO MR. ROSENSTEELE AT (317) 817-2893.  WRITTEN REQUESTS
FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS  RELATING TO PFS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO DIRECTOR OF INVESTMENT
RELATIONS,  PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES,  INC., 1750 EAST GOLF ROAD,  SCHAUMBURG,
ILLINOIS  60173 AND  TELEPHONE  REQUESTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO DIRECTOR OF INVESTOR
RELATIONS  AT (847)  995-0400.  IN  ORDER  TO  ENSURE  TIMELY  DELIVERY  OF SUCH
DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE ____________, 1997.

     The following  documents  previously filed with the Commission  pursuant to
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by this reference:

          1.  Conseco's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the  fiscal year ended
     December 31, 1995 (including  those  portions of Conseco's  proxy statement
     for  its  1996  annual  meeting  of  shareholders incorporated by reference
     therein)  ("Conseco's  Annual  Report");  Conseco's Quarterly   Reports  on
     Form  10-Q  for  the  quarters  ended  March  31,  1996,  June 30, 1996 and
     September 30, 1996; Conseco's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 17,
     1996, March 11, 1996,  March 14, 1996, April  10,  1996,  August  2,  1996,
     August 25, 1996, September 25, 1996, November 15, 1996, November 19,  1996,
     November 27, 1996, December 15, 1996, December 17, 1996,  December 23, 1996
     and December  31,  1996;  and the description  of Conseco  Common Stock  in
     Conseco's Registration   Statements   filed  pursuant to  Section 12 of the
     Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
     any such description.

          2. PFS's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     31, 1995  (including  those portions  of PFS's proxy statement for its 1996
     annual  meeting  of   stockholders  incorporated  by reference therein), as
     amended in  Form 10-K/A ("PFS's Annual Report");  PFS's  Quarterly  Reports
     on  Form 10-Q for  the  quarters  ended March 31, 1996,  June  30, 1996 and
     September 30, 1996;  PFS's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated  May 28, 1996,
     June 6, 1996, August 2, 1996, December  15,  1996, and January 2, 1997; and
     the description of PFS Common  Stock  in PFS's Registration Statement filed
     pursuant to  Section 12 of  the Exchange  Act, and  any amendment or report
     filed for the purpose of updating such description.

          3. Annual Report on Form 10-K of Transport Holdings Inc.  ("THI")  for
     the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (including those portions of  THI's
     proxy  statement for its annual  meeting  of  stockholders  incorporated by
     reference therein ("THI's Annual Report"); THI's  Quarterly Reports on Form
     10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30,
     1996; and THI's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 25, 1996.

          4. Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  of  American Travellers Corporation
     ("ATC") for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December 31,  1995  (including those
     portions of ATC's proxy statement for  its  annual  meeting of shareholders
     incorporated by reference therein) ("ATC's Annual Report"); ATC's Quarterly
     Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March  31,  1996, June 30, 1996
     and September 30, 1996; and ATC's Current Reports on Form 8-K  dated August
     25, 1996 and December 17, 1996.

          5. Annual Report on Form 10-K of Life Partners Group, Inc. ("LPG") for
     the fiscal year  ended  December 31,  1995 ("LPG's Annual Report");  LPG's
     Quarterly Reports on  Form  10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996 and
     June 30, 1996; and LPG's Current  Reports  on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1996
     and April 10, 1996.

          6. Annual   Report   on   Form   10-K  of  Capitol  American Financial
     Corporation  ("CAF") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (including
     those portions  of  CAF's  1995  Annual  Report  to Shareholders, including
     financial statement and accompanying information  and CAF's proxy statement
     for its 1996  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  which  are incorporated by
     reference therein) ("CAF's Annual Report"); CAF's Quarterly Reports on Form
     10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30,
     1996; and CAF's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 25, 1996.


 
                                       iii
<PAGE>   
 
     In addition, the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Annex A, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     All  documents  filed by Conseco,  PFS,  CAF   or LPG  pursuant to Sections
13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and
prior to the date of the Special  Meeting shall be deemed to be  incorporated by
reference  herein and to be a part  hereof  from the date any such  document  is
filed.

     Any  statement  contained  in a  document  incorporated  or  deemed  to  be
incorporated  by reference  herein shall be deemed to be modified or  superseded
for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement  contained  herein (or in any
other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein)
modifies or supersedes such  statement.  Any statement so modified or superseded
shall be deemed,  except as so  modified or  superseded,  to  constitute  a part
hereof.  All  information  appearing  in  this  Proxy   Statement/Prospectus  is
qualified in its entirety by the information and financial statements (including
notes  thereto)  appearing in the  documents  incorporated  herein by reference,
except to the extent set forth in the immediately preceding statement.

     State insurance holding company laws and regulations  applicable to Conseco
and PFS generally  provide that no person may acquire control of Conseco or PFS,
and thus indirect control of their  respective  insurance  subsidiaries,  unless
such person has provided certain  required  information to, and such acquisition
is  approved  (or not  disapproved)  by, the  appropriate  insurance  regulatory
authorities. Generally, any person acquiring beneficial ownership of ten percent
or more of the total  outstanding  shares of Conseco  Common Stock or PFS Common
Stock,  as the case may be,  would be presumed to have  acquired  such  control,
unless the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application
determine  otherwise.  Appropriate  applications with respect to the Merger have
been,  or  will  be,  made  and  it is  anticipated,  although  there  can be no
assurance, that the necessary approvals will be obtained.

     NO  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY   INFORMATION   OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS   WITH   RESPECT  TO  THE  MATTERS   DESCRIBED   IN  THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  OTHER  THAN  THOSE  CONTAINED  HEREIN OR IN THE  DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  HEREIN.  ANY  INFORMATION  OR  REPRESENTATIONS  WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH MATTERS NOT CONTAINED  HEREIN OR THEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED  BY CONSECO OR PFS.  THIS PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO SELL OR A  SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO BUY
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH  JURISDICTION.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF CONSECO
OR  PFS  SINCE  THE  DATE  HEREOF  OR  THAT  THE   INFORMATION   IN  THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  OR IN THE DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF.

     THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER
OF  INSURANCE  FOR THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA,  NOR HAS SUCH  COMMISSIONER  OF
INSURANCE RULED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.

                                       iv
<PAGE>   
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         -----
<S>                                                                                      <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.................................................................      ii  
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.......................................      iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.....................................................................      v
SUMMARY...............................................................................      1
  General.............................................................................      1
  The Companies.......................................................................      1
  The Special Meeting.................................................................      2  
  The Merger; The Merger Agreement....................................................      4 
  Selected Historical Financial Information of Conseco................................      10
  Selected Historical Financial Information of ATC....................................      12
  Selected Historical Financial Information of THI....................................      14
  Selected Historical Financial Information of PFS....................................      16
  Selected Historical Financial Information of CAF....................................      18
  Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information of Conseco...........      20
  Comparative Unaudited Per Share Data of Conseco and PFS.............................      23
  Market Price Information............................................................      24
INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSECO AND RAC................................................      25
  Background..........................................................................      25
  Insurance Operations................................................................      25
  Fee-Based Operations................................................................      26
  Recent Acquisitions by Conseco......................................................      27
  Pending Acquisition of CAF by Conseco...............................................      27
  General Information Concerning Conseco and RAC......................................      27
INFORMATION CONCERNING PFS............................................................      28
THE SPECIAL MEETING...................................................................      29
  General.............................................................................      29
  Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting.....................................      29
  Voting at the Special Meeting; Record Date; Quorum..................................      29
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......................      30
  Proxies; Revocation of Proxies......................................................      32
THE MERGER............................................................................      33
  Background of the Merger............................................................      33
  Conseco's Reasons for the Merger....................................................      36
  PFS's  Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the PFS Board of Directors.........      37
  Opinion of Financial Advisor to PFS.................................................      38
  Certain Consequences of the Merger..................................................      43
  Conduct of the Business of Conseco and PFS after the Merger.........................      43
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger..........................................      43
  Accounting Treatment................................................................      45
  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.............................................      45
  Regulatory Approvals................................................................      46
</TABLE>

 
                                        v
<PAGE>   
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         -----
<S>                                                                                        <C>
  NYSE Listing of Conseco Common Stock................................................      47
  Absence of Appraisal Rights.........................................................      47  
THE MERGER AGREEMENT..................................................................      47  
  The Merger..........................................................................      47
  Effective Time......................................................................      48
  Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Stock Certificates; No Fractional Amounts.........      48
  Treatment of PFS Stock Options......................................................      49
  Treatment of PFS Convertible Subordinated Notes.....................................      49
  PFS Employee Matters................................................................      50
  Representations and Warranties......................................................      50
  Certain Covenants...................................................................      50
  Conditions to the Merger............................................................      52
  Termination.........................................................................      53
  Right of PFS Board of Directors to Withdraw Its Recommendation......................      53
  Breakup Fee.........................................................................      53
  Expenses............................................................................      54
  Modification or Amendment...........................................................      54
  PFS Affiliate Registration Rights...................................................      54
  Stockholder Litigation..............................................................      54
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONSECO......................      55
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS....................................................      69
  Amendment of By-laws................................................................      69
  Certain Provisions Relating to Acquisitions.........................................      69
  Right to Bring Business Before a Special Meeting of Shareholders....................      70
  Shareholder Action by Written Consent...............................................      71
  Removal of Directors................................................................      71
  Director Liability..................................................................      71
  Indemnification.....................................................................      71
  Dividends and Repurchases...........................................................      72
  Dissenters' Rights..................................................................      72
  Director and Officer Discretion.....................................................      73
MANAGEMENT OF CONSECO AND PFS UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.........................      73
LEGAL MATTERS.........................................................................      73
EXPERTS...............................................................................      73
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS..................................................................      73
OTHER MATTERS.........................................................................      73
Annex A -- Agreement and Plan of Merger...............................................     A-1
Annex B -- Opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.............     B-1
</TABLE>

 
                                       vi
<PAGE>   
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following is a summary of certain  information  contained  elsewhere in
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. This summary is not intended to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed  information  and
financial  statements,  including the notes  thereto,  contained  elsewhere,  or
incorporated by reference,  in this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and the Annexes
hereto.  All share and per share information in this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
concerning Conseco has been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock split of the
Conseco Common Stock  effected  April 1, 1996, and a two-for-one  stock split of
the Conseco  Common  Stock  payable on February 11, 1997 to holders of record on
January 27, 1997, unless otherwise  stated.  Except as otherwise indicated,  all
financial  information  in  this  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is  presented  in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  Stockholders
are urged to read this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the Annexes  hereto and the
documents  incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  Unless otherwise
defined  herein,  capitalized  terms used in this  summary  have the  respective
meanings ascribed to them elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
                                    GENERAL
 
     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus  relates to the proposed Merger of RAC with
and into PFS pursuant to the Merger Agreement. See "The Merger."

                                 THE COMPANIES
 
CONSECO, INC. ................  Conseco is a financial  services holding company
                                engaged primarily in the development,  marketing
                                and administration of annuity, individual health
                                insurance   and   individual    life   insurance
                                products.  Conseco's  earnings result  primarily
                                from  operating  life  insurance  companies  and
                                providing investment management,  administrative
                                and other  fee-based  services to affiliated and
                                non-affiliated  businesses.  Conseco's operating
                                strategy  is  to   consolidate   and  streamline
                                management  and  administrative   functions,  to
                                realize  superior   investment  returns  through
                                active asset management,  and to focus resources
                                on the  development  and expansion of profitable
                                products and strong distribution channels.

                                On  August  2,  1996,   Conseco   completed  its
                                acquisition  of  LPG.  On  September  30,  1996,
                                Conseco  acquired  the  shares  of ALH (of which
                                Conseco   previously   owned  37  percent)  that
                                Conseco or  its  affiliates  did  not previously
                                own. On December 17, 1996,   Conseco   completed
                                its acquisition of ATC (the  "ATC  Merger").  On
                                December  23,  1996,   Conseco   completed   its
                                acquistion  of  THI  (the  "THI   Merger").   On
                                December 31, 1996,  Conseco  acquired the shares
                                of Bankers Life Holding Corportion ("BLH") which
                                Conseco did not previously own.

                                On August  25,  1996,  Conseco  entered  into an
                                Agreement  and Plan of Merger  (the "CAF  Merger
                                Agreement") with CAF pursuant to which CAF would
                                become a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Conseco,
                                with  each  share of  common  stock of CAF to be
                                converted  into the right to  receive  $30.50 in
                                cash (subject to adjustment) and a fraction of a
                                share of Conseco Common Stock
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   
 

                                having  a  value  of  $6.50.   Consummation   of
                                Conseco's  Merger  with  PFS is not  conditioned
                                upon   consummation  by  Conseco  of  any  other
                                pending acquisition.

                                See   "Incorporation  of  Certain  Documents  by
                                Reference,"  "-- Selected  Historical  Financial
                                Information of Conseco," "-- Selected Historical
                                Financial  Information  of  ATC,"  "--  Selected
                                Historical  Financial  Information of THI," " --
                                Selected  Historical  Financial  Information  of
                                CAF,"  "Information   Concerning   Conseco"  and
                                "Unaudited  Pro  Forma  Consolidated   Financial
                                Statements    of   Conseco"    for    additional
                                information  concerning  Conseco,  LPG, ATC, THI
                                and CAF. Conseco's executive offices are located
                                at  11825  North  Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,
                                Indiana  46032  and  the  telephone  number  for
                                Conseco is (317) 817-6100.

ROCK ACQUISITION COMPANY......  RAC, a wholly owned  subsidiary of Conseco,  was
                                formed for the purpose of  effecting  the Meger.
                                To date,  RAC has not engaged in any  activities
                                other than those  incident  to its  organization
                                and  the   consummation   of  the  Merger.   See
                                "Information Concerning Conseco and RAC."

PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES,
INC...........................  PFS,   through   its   insurance   subsidiaries,
                                underwrites  life  insurance  and  annuities and
                                health   insurance  in  selected  niche  markets
                                throughout the United States.  See  "Information
                                Concerning  PFS"  and  "--  Selected  Historical
                                Financial  Information  of PFS"  for  additional
                                information   concerning   PFS.  PFS's executive
                                offices  are  located  at 1750 East  Golf  Road,
                                Schaumburg,  Illinois  60173  and its  telephone
                                number is (847) 995-0400.

                              THE SPECIAL MEETING
 

TIME, DATE AND PLACE..........   The Special Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m.,
                                 local time, on ______, __________, 1997, at __.
                                  
 
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING........  The  purpose  of  the  Special   Meeting  is  to
                                consider   and  vote  upon  (1)  a  proposal  to
                                authorize and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
                                transactions  contemplated  thereby and (2) such
                                other  business as may properly  come before the
                                Special   Meeting   or   any   adjournments   or
                                postponements  thereof. See "The Special Meeting
                                --  Matters  to be  Considered  at  the  Special
                                Meeting."

RECORD DATE, SHARES ENTITLED
TO VOTE, QUORUM...............  Holders of record of shares of PFS Common  Stock
                                at the  close  of  business  on ___,  1997  (the
                                "Record  Date") are entitled to notice of and to
                                vote at the  Special  Meeting.  As of the Record
                                Date,  there  were  ______  shares of PFS Common
                                Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

                                        2
<PAGE>   
 

                                Each  holder of  record of shares of PFS  Common
                                Stock on the Record  Date is  entitled  to cast,
                                either in person or by properly  executed proxy,
                                one vote per share on the Merger  Agreement  and
                                the other matters,  if any,  properly  submitted
                                for  the  vote of the  PFS  stockholders  at the
                                Special  Meeting.  Each of the PFS directors has
                                agreed  to vote  his  shares  in  favors  of the
                                Merger, except in certain limited circumstances.

                                As of  the  Record  Date,  PFS's  directors  and
                                executive officers as a group beneficially owned
                                ____  shares (___  percent)  of the  outstanding
                                shares of PFS Common  Stock  entitled to vote at
                                the Special  Meeting. 

                                Each  PFS  director  has  agreed   to  vote  his
                                shares of PFS Common  Stock in favor of approval
                                of the Merger  unless,  as  permitted  under the
                                Merger Agreement,  the Board of Directors of PFS
                                withdraws    or   modifies   its   approval   or
                                recommendation  of the Merger  Agreement  or the
                                Merger or enters into an agreement  with respect
                                to an  "Acquisition  Proposal"  (as  hereinafter
                                defined) or the Merger  Agreement  is  otherwise
                                terminated  under  certain  circumstances.   See
                                "Right of PFS Board of Directors to Withdraw its
                                Recommendation;  Fees" and "The Merger Agreement
                                - Termination."

                                The presence,  in person or by properly executed
                                proxy,  of  the  holders  of a  majority  of the
                                shares  of  PFS  Common  Stock  outstanding  and
                                entitled  to vote at the  Special  Meeting  will
                                constitute a quorum. See "The Special Meeting --
                                Voting  at the  Special  Meeting;  Record  Date;
                                Quorum."

VOTE REQUIRED.................  The  authorization  and  adoption  by PFS of the
                                Merger  Agreement  will require the  affirmative
                                vote of the  holders of a majority of the voting
                                power of the outstanding  capital stock entitled
                                to vote thereon.  Thus, the affirmative  vote of
                                shares  of PFS  capital  stock  representing  at
                                least   _________  votes  will  be  required  to
                                authorize and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
                                Merger.  See "The  Special  Meeting -- Voting at
                                the Special Meeting; Record Date; Quorum."

                                        3
<PAGE>   
 

PROXIES; REVOCATION OF
PROXIES.......................  The   enclosed   proxy  card  permits  each  PFS
                                stockholder  to specify that shares held by such
                                PFS  stockholder be voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" (or
                                "ABSTAIN" from) the  authorization  and adoption
                                of the  Merger  Agreement  and  the  Merger.  If
                                properly executed and returned,  such proxy will
                                be  voted   in   accordance   with  the   choice
                                specified.   Where  a  signed   proxy   card  is
                                returned, but no choice is specified, the shares
                                held by such PFS  stockholder  will be voted for
                                authorization   and   adoption   of  the  Merger
                                Agreement and the Merger.  Abstentions will have
                                the same practical  effect as a vote against the
                                authorization   and   adoption   of  the  Merger
                                Agreement  and  the  Merger.  See  "The  Special
                                Meeting -- Voting at the Special Meeting; Record
                                Date; Quorum."

                                A  stockholder  may  revoke  a proxy at any time
                                prior to the vote on the  Merger  Agreement  and
                                the Merger by  submitting  a  later-dated  proxy
                                with  respect  to the  same  shares,  delivering
                                written notice of revocation to the Secretary of
                                PFS at any time prior to such vote or  attending
                                the Special  Meeting and voting in person.  Mere
                                attendance  at  the  Special  Meeting  will  not
                                itself  have the effect of  revoking  the proxy.
                                See "The Special Meeting -- Proxies;  Revocation
                                of Proxies."

                        THE MERGER; THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 

REASONS FOR THE MERGER;
  RECOMMENDATION OF THE PFS
  BOARD OF DIRECTORS..........  Conseco. The Conseco Board of Directors approved
                                the Merger  Agreement  and the Merger based on a
                                number of factors,  including  its belief  that:
                                (1) the addition of PFS's distribution  channels
                                would  further   diversify   Conseco's   current
                                distribution    system   and   provide   Conseco
                                additional  opportunities  to  cross-market  its
                                current products;  (2) the Merger offers Conseco
                                and  PFS  the   opportunity   to  improve  their
                                profitability   through  the   achievements   of
                                economies   of   scale,   the   elimination   of
                                redundancies   and  the  enhancement  of  market
                                position;  and (3) the Merger and other recently
                                completed and pending acquisitions would further
                                strengthen  Conseco's  position in its  targeted
                                markets.  See "The Merger --  Conseco's  Reasons
                                for the Merger."

                                PFS. After careful  consideration by the members
                                of the PFS  Board of  Directors  of the terms of
                                the Merger Agreement and  consultation  with its
                                advisors,  the  PFS  Board  of  Directors  voted
                                unanimously  to approve the Merger  Agreement in
                                the  form  presented  to it at the PFS  Board of
                                Directors  meeting on December  15,  1996,  with
                                such changes  thereto as  management  of PFS may
                                approve.   In  voting  to  approve   the  Merger
                                Agreement  and  the  Merger,  the PFS  Board  of
                                Directors  considered  many  different  factors,
                                including:  (1) the  return to PFS  stockholders
                                represented by the premium over the then current
                                market price of the PFS Common Stock  offered by
                                Conseco  as  compared  to the time that would be
                                required if the Merger were not  consummated  to
                                achieve an equivalent stockholder value; (2) the
                                increased  security for PFS's policyholders  and
                                the potential additional opportunities for PFS's
                                employees  and agents  expected  to result  from
                                Conseco's  financial  strength  and  competitive
                                position;   (3)  the  financial   condition  and
                                results of  operations  of  Conseco  and the PFS
                                Board  of  Directors'  perception  of  the  more
                                favorable overall business  prospects of Conseco
                                and PFS on a combined basis as compared to PFS's
                                prospects as an independent  entity; (4) the tax
                                deferred  nature  of the  transaction;  (5)  the
                                potential  increase  in  value  in  the  Conseco
                                Common Stock after the Merger based on Conseco's
                                financial strength and competitive position; (6)
                                the  highly  competitive  nature of the life and
                                health insurance business; (7) the difficulty of
                                maintaining  financial and claims-paying ratings
                                issued by rating agencies; (8) the current trend
                                of consolidation  within the insurance industry;
                                (9) the broader,  more active trading market for
                                Conseco  Common  Stock;  and  (10)  the  opinion
                                rendered  to   the  PFS  Board  of  Directors by
                                Donaldson,  Lufkin   &   Jenrette     Securities
                                Corporation  ("DLJ"), financial  advisor to PFS,
                                with regard  to  the  fairness to the holders of
                                PFS Common Stock from a financial point of view,
                                of  the Exchange Ratio (as  defined  below under
                                "Merger Consideration").

                                        4
<PAGE>   
 
                                The  PFS  Board  of  Directors  recommends  that
                                stockholders  of PFS  authorize  and  adopt  the
                                Merger    Agreement    and   the    transactions
                                contemplated    thereby.   In   evaluating   the
                                recommendation  of the PFS  Board of  Directors,
                                stockholders of PFS should  carefully  consider,
                                among other things,  the matters described under
                                "The  Merger -- PFS's  Reasons  for the  Merger;
                                Recommendation  of the PFS  Board of  Directors"
                                and "--  Interests  of  Certain  Persons  in the
                                Merger."

OPINION OF  FINANCIAL
ADVISOR TO PFS................  DLJ has delivered its written opinion to the PFS
                                Board of  Directors  that,  as of  December  15,
                                1996,   and  based  upon  and   subject  to  the
                                assumptions,  limitations and qualifications set
                                forth in such opinion,  the Exchange  Ratio,  as
                                defined below  under "Merger Consideration",  is
                                fair,  from a  financial  point of view,  to the
                                holders of PFS Common Stock.

                                The full  text of the  written  opinion  of DLJ,
                                which sets forth  assumptions  made,  procedures
                                followed, other matters considered and limits of
                                the review  undertaken  in  connection  with the
                                opinion,  is  attached  hereto as Annex B and is
                                incorporated herein by reference. Holders of PFS
                                Common  Stock  should  read such  opinion in its
                                entirety.  See  "The   Merger  --    Opinion  of
                                Financial Advisor to PFS."

EFFECT OF MERGER ON PFS COMMON
  STOCK.......................  Upon consummation of the Merger: (1) RAC will be
                                merged with and into PFS, with PFS surviving the
                                Merger as a wholly owned  subsidiary of Conseco;
                                and (2) each  outstanding  share  of PFS  Common
                                Stock  (other  than  shares of PFS Common  Stock
                                held  as   treasury   shares  by  PFS)  will  be
                                converted  into the right to receive  the Merger
                                Consideration  (as  defined  below).  Fractional
                                shares  of  Conseco  Common  Stock  will  not be
                                issuable  in  connection  with the  Merger.  PFS
                                stockholders  otherwise  entitled to  fractional
                                shares of Conseco  Common Stock will receive the
                                value  of  such   fractional   shares  in  cash,
                                determined as described herein under "The Merger
                                Agreement -- Conversion  of Shares;  Exchange of
                                Stock Certificates; No Fractional Amounts."

                                A copy of the Merger  Agreement  is  attached as
                                Annex A to this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and
                                is  incorporated by reference  herein.  See "The
                                Merger Agreement."


MERGER CONSIDERATION..........  Upon the consummation of the Merger,  each share
                                of  PFS  Common  Stock  issued  and  outstanding
                                immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time  (as
                                defined below) (other than shares of PFS

                                        5
<PAGE>   
 
                                Common  Stock  held as  treasury  shares by PFS)
                                will be converted  into the right to receive (i)
                                if the Conseco Share Price (as defined below) is
                                greater  than or equal to  $28.00  per share and
                                less than or equal to $31.36 per share, .8928 of
                                a validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable
                                share of common  stock,  without  par value,  of
                                Conseco  ("Conseco  Common Stock"),  (ii) if the
                                the Conseco  Share Price is less than $28.00 per
                                share,  the  fraction  (rounded  to the  nearest
                                ten-thousandth)  of a share  of  Conseco  Common
                                Stock  determined  by  dividing  $25.00  by  the
                                Conseco  Share  Price or  (iii)  if the  Conseco
                                Share  Price is greater  than  $31.36 per share,
                                the    fraction    (rounded   to   the   nearest
                                ten-thousandth)  of a share  of  Conseco  Common
                                Stock  determined  by  dividing  $28.00  by  the
                                Conseco Share Price (such fraction as set  forth
                                in   clauses  (i)   through   (iii)   above, the
                                "Exchange Ratio").  The  "Conseco  Share  Price"
                                shall  be equal to the  average  of the  closing
                                prices of the Conseco  Common  Stock on the NYSE
                                Composite  Transactions Reporting System for the
                                ten   consecutive   trading   days   immediately
                                preceding  the second  trading  day prior to the
                                Effective Time. Assuming that the Effective Time
                                for the Merger were to occur on _____, 1997, the
                                date of  this  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the
                                Conseco  Share  Price  would have been $__.  The
                                Conseco  Common Stock to be issued to holders of
                                shares of PFS Common  Stock in  accordance  with
                                the Merger  Agreement and any cash to be paid in
                                lieu of  fractional  shares  of  Conseco  Common
                                Stock  are  referred  to   collectively  as  the
                                "Merger  Consideration." No fractional shares of
                                Conseco  Common  Stock  will  be  issued  in the
                                Merger. Each PFS stockholder who otherwise would
                                have been  entitled  to a fraction of a share of
                                Conseco   Common  Stock  will  receive  in  lieu
                                thereof cash in accordance with the terms of the
                                Merger Agreement. Conseco will apply to have the
                                additional shares of Conseco Common Stock issued
                                pursuant to the Merger  Agreement  listed on the
                                NYSE. See "The Merger Agreement -- Conversion of
                                Shares;  Exchange  of  Stock  Certificates;   No
                                Fractional Amounts."

                                Promptly  after  consummation  of the Merger,  a
                                letter of transmittal  from First Union National
                                Bank of North  Carolina (the  "Exchange  Agent")
                                (including   instructions   setting   forth  the
                                procedures   for   exchanging    such   holder's
                                certificates   representing   PFS  Common  Stock
                                ("Certificates")  for the  Merger  Consideration
                                payable to such  holder  pursuant  to the Merger
                                Agreement)  will  be  sent  to  each  holder  of
                                record,  as of the Effective  Time, of shares of
                                PFS Common Stock. Upon surrender to the Exchange
                                Agent of such Certificates, together with a duly
                                completed  and executed  letter of  transmittal,
                                such  holder  will  promptly  receive the Merger
                                Consideration for each share of PFS Common Stock
                                previously  represented by the  Certificates  so
                                surrendered.   See  "The  Merger   Agreement  --
                                Conversion   of   Shares;   Exchange   of  Stock
                                Certificates; No Fractional Amounts."

EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE
MERGER........................  The Merger  will  become  effective  on the date
                                that a  Certificate  of Merger is filed with the
                                Secretary of State of Delaware (the "Certificate
                                of  Merger")  or at such time  thereafter  as is
                                provided  in  the  Certificate  of  Merger  (the
                                "Effective  Time"). See "The Merger Agreement --
                                Effective Time."
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   
 

TREATMENT OF PFS STOCK OPTIONS
 ..............................  From  and  after  the   Effective   Time,   each
                                outstanding  unexpired option to purchase shares
                                of PFS Common Stock (a "PFS Stock Option") which
                                has been granted pursuant to PFS's  Nonqualified
                                Stock  Option  Plan,  as amended to December 15,
                                1996, or  PFS's  1994  Omnibus  Stock  Incentive
                                Program,  as   amended   to  December  15,  1996
                                (collectively,  the  "Stock  Plans"),  shall  be
                                fully vested and shall be  exercisable,  for the
                                same aggregate consideration payable to exercise
                                such PFS Stock Option  immediately  prior to the
                                Effective  Time,  for the  number  of  shares of
                                Conseco Common Stock which the holder would have
                                been entitled to receive at the  Effective  Time
                                if such PFS Stock  Option had been fully  vested
                                and exercised  for PFS Common Stock  immediately
                                prior to the Effective Time and otherwise on the
                                same  terms and  conditions  as were  applicable
                                under the Stock Plans and the  underlying  stock
                                option  agreement.  See "The Merger Agreement --
                                Treatment of PFS Stock Options."

TREATMENT OF PFS CONVERTIBLE
  SUBORDINATED NOTES.........   Each  of  the 6  1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated
                                Notes  due  2003 of PFS  (the  "PFS  Convertible
                                Notes")  outstanding at the Effective Time shall
                                automatically become convertible into the number
                                of  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock  which the
                                holder of such PFS  Convertible  Note would have
                                been  entitled  to  receive in the Merger if the
                                holder had  converted the PFS  Convertible  Note
                                into  shares  of PFS  Common  Stock  immediately
                                before  the  Effective  Time.  See  "The  Merger
                                Agreement   -  Treatment   of  PFS   Convertible
                                Subordinated Notes."

CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES OF THE
MERGER........................  Upon consummation of the Merger,  holders of PFS
                                Common   Stock  will  become   shareholders   of
                                Conseco,  and  each  share of PFS  Common  Stock
                                issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the
                                consummation  of the  Merger  will be  converted
                                into   the   right   to   receive   the   Merger
                                Consideration. In addition, holders of PFS Stock
                                Options  will be entitled  to receive,  upon the
                                exercise of their PFS Stock Options, a number of
                                shares of Conseco  Common  Stock  determined  as
                                described   under  "The  Merger   Agreement   --
                                Conversion   of   Shares;   Exchange   of  Stock
                                Certificates;  No  Fractional  Amounts"  and "--
                                Treatment of PFS Stock Options."

                                After  consummation  of the Merger  and  without
                                giving effect to the proposed acquisition of CAF
                                the  current  Conseco   shareholders  would  own
                                approximately   __  percent  of  the  shares  of
                                Conseco Common Stock then  outstanding,  and the
                                current  holders of PFS Common  Stock  would own
                                approximately  __  percent of such  shares.  See
                                "The  Merger  --  Certain  Consequences  of  the
                                Merger."

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER;
  REGULATORY APPROVALS;
  TERMINATION OF THE MERGER
  AGREEMENT...................  The obligations of Conseco and PFS to consummate
                                the Merger are  subject to the  satisfaction  of
                                certain  conditions,  including  the  receipt of
                                requisite  PFS   stockholder   approval  and  of
                                certain  governmental   consents  and  approvals
                                which  may  include,  without  limitation,   the
                                approval  of  the  Insurance   Commissioners  of
                                Illinois,    Oklahoma,    and   Wisconsin   (the
                                jurisdictions  in which the insurance  companies
                                owned by PFS are domiciled),  and the expiration
                                (or earlier

                                        7
<PAGE>   
 

                                termination)  of  the  relevant  waiting  period
                                under    the     Hart-Scott-Rodino     Antitrust
                                Improvements  Act of 1976,  as amended (the "HSR
                                Act").  Such  waiting  period  is  scheduled  to
                                expire on ______,  1997,  unless the  government
                                requests  an  extension.   See  "The  Merger  --
                                Regulatory  Approvals" and "The Merger Agreement
                                -- Conditions to the Merger."

                                The Merger  Agreement is subject to  termination
                                by Conseco or PFS  (provided  that such party is
                                not in breach of the  Merger  Agreement)  if the
                                Merger is not  consummated by March 31, 1997 (or
                                May 31, 1997 under certain  circumstances),  and
                                prior  to  such  time  upon  the  occurrence  of
                                certain events,  including the failure to obtain
                                approval  of the Merger by the  stockholders  of
                                PFS at the  Special  Meeting.  See  "The  Merger
                                Agreement -- Termination."

RIGHT OF PFS BOARD OF
  DIRECTORS TO WITHDRAW ITS
  RECOMMENDATION; FEES........  Under  the  Merger  Agreement,  the PFS Board of
                                Directors shall not (1) withdraw or modify, in a
                                manner  materially   adverse  to  Conseco,   the
                                approval  or  recommendation  by  the  Board  of
                                Directors of the Merger  Agreement or the Merger
                                or (2) enter into any  agreement  (other  than a
                                confidentiality agreement as contemplated by the
                                Merger    Agreement)   with   respect   to   any
                                Acquisition  Proposal (as hereinafter  defined),
                                unless PFS receives an Acquisition  Proposal and
                                the PFS Board of  Directors  determines  in good
                                faith,   following   consultation  with  outside
                                counsel,  that  in  order  to  comply  with  its
                                fiduciary  duties  to  its  stockholders   under
                                applicable law it is necessary for the PFS Board
                                of Directors to withdraw or modify,  in a manner
                                materially  adverse to Conseco,  its approval or
                                recommendation  of the Merger  Agreement  or the
                                Merger,  enter into an agreement with respect to
                                such  Acquisition   Proposal  or  terminate  the
                                Merger Agreement.  An "Acquisition  Proposal" is
                                defined in the Merger Agreement as any bona fide
                                proposal    with    respect    to   a    merger,
                                consolidation,   share   exchange   or   similar
                                transaction  involving PFS or any  subsidiary of
                                PFS,  or any  purchase  of all or a  significant
                                portion of the  assets of PFS or any  subsidiary
                                of PFS,  or any  equity  interest  in PFS or any
                                subsidiary  of  PFS,  other  than   transactions
                                contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement.  In the
                                event  the PFS Board of  Directors  takes any of
                                the  foregoing  actions,  PFS  is  required  to,
                                concurrently with the taking of any such action,
                                pay to Conseco  upon  demand $8.0  million.  See
                                "The Merger Agreement -- Certain Covenants -- No
                                Solicitation,"   "--   Right  of  PFS  Board  of
                                Directors  to Withdraw its  Recommendation"  and
                                "-- Breakup  Fee." In  addition,  PFS has agreed
                                that,  subject to the exercise of its  fiduciary
                                duties, it 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,  PFS  or  any  of  its
                                subsidiaries  to,  directly or  indirectly,  (i)
                                solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of
                                any Acquisition  Proposal 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.
                                The Merger  Agreement  also  provides for PFS to
                                pay  Conseco  an  amount,  not  to  exceed  $1.0
                                million, to reimburse Conseco for its reasonable
                                out-of-pocket  fees and  expenses in  connection
                                with the  Merger if the  approval  of the Merger
                                Agreement  by  the  PFS   stockholders   is  not
                                obtained, unless Conseco is materially in breach
                                of  the  Merger   Agreement.   See  "The  Merger
                                Agreement    --   Certain    Covenants   --   No
                                Solicitation."


CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF
CONSECO AND PFS AFTER
THE MERGER..................    The  Board  of  Directors  and  the  officers of
                                Conseco immediately prior to

                                        8
<PAGE>   
 
                                the  consummation of the Merger will continue as
                                the directors and officers of Conseco  following
                                the consummation of the Merger and the directors
                                and  officers  of RAC  immediately  prior to the
                                consummation  of  the  Merger  will  become  the
                                directors  and  officers  of PFS  following  the
                                consummation  of the Merger.  See "Management of
                                Conseco  and  PFS  Upon   Consummation   of  the
                                Merger." In addition,  Peter W. Nauert, Chairman
                                of  the  Board  of  PFS,  has  entered  into  an
                                employment   agreement   with   Conseco,    such
                                agreement to be effective upon  consummation  of
                                the  Merger.  See "The  Merger --  Interests  of
                                Certain  Persons  in the  Merger  --  Employment
                                Arrangements."   Conseco  plans  to  consolidate
                                certain   operations   of  PFS  with   Conseco's
                                operations after consummation of the Merger. See
                                "The  Merger  --  Conduct  of  the  Business  of
                                Conseco and PFS After the Merger."

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
IN THE MERGER.................  Certain  directors  and  officers of PFS and its
                                subsidiaries  will  receive  benefits  from  the
                                Merger  in the  form  of an  enhanced  severance
                                program, acceleration of stock options and other
                                benefits. In addition, Peter W. Nauert, Chairman
                                of the Board of PFS,  has,  among other  things,
                                entered  into  an  employment   agreement   with
                                Conseco,  such  agreement to be  effective  upon
                                consummation  of the Merger.  See "The Merger --
                                Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS..................  Conseco  has  agreed to  maintain  the  existing
                                indemnification  provisions in the  certificates
                                of  incorporation  and  bylaws  of PFS  and  the
                                subsidiaries   of   PFS   and  to   enter   into
                                indemnification    agreements    with   existing
                                directors  and  officers of PFS. See "The Merger
                                -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger --
                                Indemnification"  and "The Merger  Agreement  --
                                Certain Covenants -- Indemnification of Officers
                                and Directors."

ABSENCE OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS...  Holders of PFS Common Stock will not be entitled
                                to appraisal  rights under the Delaware  General
                                Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). See "The Merger --
                                Absence of Appraisal  Rights" and "Comparison of
                                Shareholders' Rights -- Dissenters' Rights."
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
  CONSEQUENCES................  The   Merger  is   expected   to  qualify  as  a
                                reorganization  within  the  meaning  of Section
                                368(a)(2)(E)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of
                                1986, as amended (the "Code"). The obligation of
                                PFS to  consummate  the Merger is subject to the
                                condition that it shall have received an opinion
                                of counsel,  based upon certain  representations
                                and assumptions, that the Merger will be treated
                                for tax purposes as a reorganization within  the
                                meaning  of  Section  368(a)(2)(E)  of the Code.
                                Assuming    the    Merger    qualifies    as   a
                                reorganization  within  the  meaning  of Section
                                368(a)(2)(E)  of the Code,  no gain or loss will
                                be  recognized  by PFS  stockholders  upon their
                                exchange of PFS Common Stock for Conseco  Common
                                Stock,  except  that  any  PFS  stockholder  who
                                receives  cash  proceeds in lieu of a fractional
                                share  interest  in  Conseco  Common  Stock will
                                recognize  gain or loss equal to the  difference
                                between such cash  proceeds and the tax basis in
                                the fractional share interest,  and such gain or
                                loss  will  constitute  capital  gain or loss if
                                such stockholder's PFS Common Stock is held as a
                                capital  asset at the Effective  Time.  See "The
                                Merger   --   Certain    Federal    Income   Tax
                                Consequences."

 <PAGE>

 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT..........  The Merger will be accounted for as a "purchase"
                                under  GAAP.   See  "The  Merger  --  Accounting
                                Treatment."

COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS'
RIGHTS........................   Upon consummation of the Merger, the holders of
                                PFS Common  Stock will  become  shareholders  of
                                Conseco.   See   "Comparison  of   Shareholders'
                                Rights"   for  a   summary   of   the   material
                                differences  between  the  rights of  holders of
                                Conseco Common Stock and PFS Common Stock. These
                                differences arise from the distinctions  between
                                the laws of the  jurisdictions  in which Conseco
                                and PFS are incorporated  (Indiana and Delaware,
                                respectively)  and the distinctions  between the
                                respective  charters  and bylaws of Conseco  and
                                PFS.
                                       9
<PAGE>

              SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF CONSECO
 
     The selected historical  financial  information set forth below was derived
from the consolidated  financial statements of Conseco.  Conseco's  consolidated
balance sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
1993,  1994 and 1995 and notes thereto were audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent  accountants,  and are included in Conseco's  Annual Report which is
incorporated by reference herein. The selected historical financial  information
is  qualified  in its  entirety  by,  and  should be read in  conjunction  with,
Conseco's Annual Report. The selected historical financial information set forth
for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited; however, in
the opinion of Conseco's  management,  such financial  information  contains all
adjustments,  consisting only of normal  recurring  items,  necessary to present
fairly the financial information for such periods. The results of operations for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 may not be indicative of the results of
operations to be expected for a full year.
 
     The comparison of selected  historical  financial  information in the table
below is significantly affected by: (i) the acquisitions  consummated by Conseco
Capital Partners,  L.P.  ("Partnership I") and Conseco Capital Partners II, L.P.
("Partnership II"); (ii) the sale of Western National Corporation ("WNC"); (iii)
the  transactions   affecting  Conseco's  ownership  interest  in  BLH  and  CCP
Insurance,  Inc.  ("CCP");  and (iv) the LPG Merger.  For periods beginning with
their acquisitions by Partnership I and ending June 30, 1992,  Partnership I and
its subsidiaries  were  consolidated  with the financial  statements of Conseco.
Following  the  completion of the initial  public  offering by CCP in July 1992,
Conseco did not have unilateral  control to direct all of CCP's  activities and,
therefore,  did  not  consolidate  the  financial  statements  of CCP  with  the
financial  statements of Conseco.  As a result of the purchase by Conseco of all
the shares of common stock of CCP it did not already own on August 31, 1995 (the
"CCP Merger"),  the financial  statements of CCP's subsidiaries are consolidated
with the financial statements of Conseco, effective January 1, 1995. Conseco has
included  BLH in its  financial  statements  since  November  1,  1992.  Through
December 31, 1993, the financial  statements of WNC were  consolidated  with the
financial statements of Conseco.  Following the completion of the initial public
offering  of WNC (and  subsequent  disposition  of  Conseco's  remaining  equity
interest in WNC),  the financial  statements of WNC were no longer  consolidated
with the  financial  statements of Conseco.  As of September  29, 1994,  Conseco
began to include in its financial  statements the newly acquired  Partnership II
subsidiary,  ALH. As of July 1, 1996,  Conseco began to include in its financial
statements its newly acquired  subsidiary,  LPG. Such business  combinations are
described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in: (i)
Conseco's  Annual Report;  and (ii) Conseco's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the  quarter  ended  September  30,  1996,  both of which  are  incorporated  by
reference herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
                                                  1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                                 (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income......................... $   280.8  $   378.7   $ 1,293.8   $ 1,285.6   $ 1,465.0   $ 1,103.3   $ 1,193.2
Investment activity:
  Net investment income.........................     921.4      888.6       896.2       385.7     1,142.6       850.5       926.7
  Net trading income (losses)...................      50.7       35.9        93.1        (4.9)        2.5         2.8        (6.5)
  Net realized gains (losses)...................     123.3      124.3       149.5       (25.6)      186.4        77.8        16.3
Total revenues..................................   1,391.8    1,523.9     2,636.0     1,862.0     2,855.3     2,066.1     2,198.6
Interest expense on notes payable...............      69.9       46.2        58.0        59.3       119.4        83.9        84.6
Total benefits and expenses.....................   1,168.6    1,193.9     2,025.8     1,537.6     2,436.8     1,780.2     1,845.6
Income before income taxes, minority interest
  and extraordinary charge......................     223.2      330.0       610.2       324.4       418.5       285.9       353.0
Extraordinary charge on extinguishment of debt,
  net of tax....................................       5.0        5.3        11.9         4.0         2.1          --        18.6
Net income......................................     116.0      169.5       297.0       150.4       220.4       167.8       174.5
Preferred dividends.............................       6.8        5.5        20.6        18.6        18.4        13.8        22.7
Net income applicable to common stock...........     109.2      164.0       276.4       131.8       202.0       154.0       151.8
PER SHARE DATA(a)
Net income, primary............................. $    1.02  $    1.36   $    2.36   $    1.25   $    2.35   $    1.79   $    1.42
Net income, fully diluted.......................      1.00       1.35        2.19        1.22        2.11        1.61        1.29
Dividends declared per common share.............      .018       .021        .075        .125        .046        .041        .051
Book value per common share outstanding at
  period end....................................      3.87       5.46        8.45        5.22       10.22        8.92       12.61
Shares outstanding at period end................      98.7       99.6       101.2        88.7        81.0        80.9       133.9
Average fully diluted shares outstanding........     101.7      118.4       134.0       123.4       104.5       104.1       134.7
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
Total assets.................................... $11,832.4  $11,772.7   $13,749.3   $10,811.9   $17,297.5   $17,009.1   $23,176.0
Notes payable for which Conseco is directly
  liable........................................     177.6      163.2       413.0       191.8       871.4       920.8     1,169.0
Notes payable of BLH, not direct obligations of
  Conseco.......................................        --      392.0       290.3       280.0       301.5       272.6       418.1
Notes payable of ALH, not direct obligations of
  Conseco.......................................     319.3         --          --       331.1       283.2       308.5        13.0
Total liabilities...............................  11,321.3   11,154.4    12,382.9     9,743.2    15,782.5    15,646.7    21,072.3
Minority interest...............................      79.5       24.0       223.8       321.7       403.3       356.7       147.8
Shareholders' equity............................     431.6      594.3     1,142.6       747.0     1,111.7     1,005.7     1,955.9
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
                                                  1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                                 (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA(b)
Premiums collected(c)........................... $ 1,648.7  $ 1,464.9   $ 2,140.1   $ 1,879.1   $ 3,106.4   $ 2,390.2   $ 2,353.7
Operating earnings(d)...........................      61.5      114.8       162.0       151.7       131.3        89.3       181.8
Operating earnings per fully diluted common
  share(a)(d)...................................       .52        .90        1.19        1.23        1.26         .86        1.35
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
  appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
  securities(e).................................     431.6      560.3     1,055.2       884.7       999.1       945.4     2,002.6
Book value per common share outstanding,
  excluding unrealized appreciation
  (depreciation) of fixed maturity
  securities(a)(e)..............................      3.87       5.12        7.58        6.77        8.83        8.18       12.96
Ratio of debt (including debt of CCP guaranteed
  by Conseco until its retirement in 1993) for
  which Conseco is directly liable to total
  capital of Conseco only(f):
  As reported...................................       .29X       .22X        .27X        .20X        .44X        .48X        .36X
  Excluding unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation)(e)...........................       .29X       .23X        .28X        .18X        .47X        .49X        .36X
Adjusted statutory capital (at period end)(g)... $   617.1  $   603.1   $ 1,135.5   $   509.0   $ 1,021.0   $   928.2   $ 1,582.3
Adjusted statutory earnings(h)..................      90.0      153.4       273.8       248.6       321.7       223.6       283.6
Ratio of adjusted statutory earnings to
  interest(i)...................................      2.62X      5.75X       4.94X       5.06X       3.79X       3.86X       4.32X
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(a)  All share and per  share  amounts  have  been  restated to reflect: (1) the
     April 1, 1996 two-for-one stock split; and (2)  the  previously   announced
     two-for-one  stock split to be paid on February 11, 1997. 

(b)  Amounts under this  heading are  included to assist the reader in analyzing
     Conseco's  financial  position and results of operations.  Such amounts are
     not intended to, and do not, represent insurance policy income, net income,
     net income per share, shareholders' equity or book value per share prepared
     in accordance with GAAP.

(c)  Includes  premiums  received from  annuities and universal  life  policies,
     which are not reported as revenues under GAAP.
 
(d)  Represents income before extraordinary charge, excluding net trading income
     (losses)  (net of income  taxes),  net realized  gains  (losses)(less  that
     portion  of change  in  future  policy  benefits,  amortization  of cost of
     policies  purchased and cost of policies produced and income taxes relating
     to such gains (losses)) and restructuring activities (net of income taxes).

(e)  Excludes  the  effect  of  reporting  fixed  maturities  at fair  value and
     recording the unrealized  gain or loss on such securities as a component of
     shareholders' equity, net of tax and other adjustments, which Conseco began
     to do in  1992.  Such  adjustments  are in  accordance  with  Statement  of
     Financial  Accounting Standards No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments
     in Debt and Equity  Securities"  ("SFAS 115"), as described in the notes to
     the consolidated  financial  statements included in Conseco's Annual Report
     which is incorporated herein by reference.

(f)  Represents the ratio of notes payable for which Conseco is directly  liable
     to the sum of  shareholders'  equity and notes payable for which Conseco is
     directly liable.

(g)  Includes:  (1)  statutory  capital and surplus;  (2)  mandatory  securities
     valuation reserve ("MSVR") at periods ended prior to December 31, 1992; (3)
     asset valuation reserve ("AVR") and interest maintenance reserve ("IMR") at
     periods ended on or after December 31, 1992; and (4) the portion of surplus
     debentures  carried by the life  companies as a liability to Conseco.  Such
     statutory  data  reflect  the  combined  data  derived  from the annual and
     interim  statements  of Conseco's  and BLH's  wholly  owned life  insurance
     companies  as filed with  insurance  regulatory  agencies  and  prepared in
     accordance with statutory accounting practices.

(h)  Represents  gains from operations  before interest expense (except interest
     on annuities  and  financial  products)  and income taxes of Conseco's  and
     BLH's wholly  owned life  insurance  companies  as reported  for  statutory
     accounting purposes plus income before interest expense and income taxes of
     all non-life companies.

(i)  Represents the ratio of adjusted  statutory earnings to interest of Conseco
     and BLH,  excluding  interest  on  annuities  and  financial  products  and
     interest  expense that does not require a cash  payment.  Such interest was
     $34.3  million,  $26.7  million,  $55.4  million,  $49.2  million and $85.0
     million for the years ended December 31, 1991,  1992,  1993, 1994 and 1995,
     respectively, and $57.9 million and $65.7 million for the nine months ended
     September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

                                       11
<PAGE>  
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ATC
 
     The selected historical  financial  information set forth below was derived
from the  consolidated  financial  statements of ATC. The  consolidated  balance
sheets of ATC at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the consolidated  statements of
income,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the years ended  December  31,
1993,  1994 and 1995 and notes  thereto  were  audited by Arthur  Andersen  LLP,
independent public accountants,  and are included in ATC's Annual Report,  which
is  incorporated  by  reference  herein.  The  selected   historical   financial
information  is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in  conjunction
with, ATC's Annual Report.  The selected  historical  financial  information set
forth for the nine  months  ended  September  30, 1995 and 1996,  is  unaudited;
however,  in  the  opinion  of  ATC's  management,  the  accompanying  financial
information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items,
necessary to present  fairly the financial  information  for such  periods.  The
results of  operations  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 may not be
indicative of the results of operations to be expected for a full year.

     The comparison of the selected historical  financial  information set forth
below  is  significantly  affected  by the  acquisition  of the long  term  care
business  of the J.C.  Penney  Insurance  Companies  in 1994 and THI in 1995.  A
description  of the  acquisition of these blocks of business is contained in the
notes to the consolidated  financial statements included in ATC's Annual Report,
which is incorporated by reference herein.
 <TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                            ----------------------------------------------     -------------------
                                             1991      1992      1993      1994      1995       1995         1996
                                            ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     ------       ------
                                                       (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income...................  $117.0    $138.3    $166.4    $201.9    $274.0     $186.2       $283.3
Investment activity:
  Net investment income...................     8.1       8.7       9.4      11.0      23.2       12.7         33.2
  Net realized gains (losses).............     (.1)       .4        .2        --        .1         .2          1.3
Total revenues............................   125.0     147.4     176.0     212.9     297.3      199.1        317.8
Interest expense..........................      .2        .2        --       1.0       3.3        1.5          5.8
Total benefits and expenses...............   108.3     131.2     152.7     185.9     262.6      175.1        278.8
Income before income taxes................    16.7      16.2      23.3      27.0      34.7       24.0         39.0
Net income................................    11.0      10.7      14.6      18.4      23.7       16.5         26.0
PER SHARE DATA(a)
Net income, primary.......................  $  .71    $  .68    $  .92    $ 1.14    $ 1.45     $ 1.01       $ 1.55
Net income, fully diluted.................     .71       .68       .92      1.14      1.36       1.01         1.24
Book value per common share outstanding at
  period end..............................    5.95      6.66      7.51      8.65     10.77       9.68        11.11
Shares outstanding at period end..........    15.2      15.2      15.5      15.8      15.9       15.9         16.3
Average fully diluted shares
  outstanding.............................    15.5      15.6      15.8      16.1      18.4       16.5         23.8
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
Total assets..............................  $219.7    $240.9    $299.0    $400.8    $836.1     $538.3       $907.6
Notes payable (including convertible
  subordinated debentures)................     8.4        --      12.0      20.0     103.5      103.5        102.9
Total liabilities.........................   129.3     139.7     182.8     264.5     665.3      384.8        726.3
Shareholders' equity......................    90.4     101.2     116.2     136.3     170.8      153.5        181.3
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA(b)
Operating earnings(c).....................  $ 11.1    $ 10.4    $ 14.5    $ 18.4    $ 23.6     $ 16.3       $ 25.2
Operating earnings per fully diluted
  common share(a),(c).....................     .71       .67       .91      1.14      1.35       1.00         1.20
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
  appreciation (depreciation) of fixed
  maturity securities(d)..................    90.4     101.2     116.2     136.3     160.6      153.5        191.7
Book value per common share outstanding
  excluding unrealized appreciation of
  fixed maturity securities(a),(d)........    5.95      6.66      7.51      8.65     10.13       9.68        11.74
Adjusted statutory capital (at period
  end)(e).................................  $ 29.9    $ 30.5    $ 47.0    $ 58.0    $ 74.3     $118.9       $ 85.3
Adjusted statutory earnings (loss)(f).....    (3.3)     (1.1)      4.3      11.3     (29.6)      11.2          9.2
</TABLE>
 
                                               (See footnotes on following page)
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   
 
- -------------------------
(a)  All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the April 10,
     1996 three-for-two stock split.

(b)  Amounts  under this  heading are included to assist the reader in analyzing
     ATC's  financial  position and results of operations.  Such amounts are not
     intended  to,  and do not,  represent  net  income,  net  income per share,
     shareholders'  equity or book value per share  prepared in accordance  with
     GAAP.

(c) Represents net income excluding net realized gains (losses), net of income
    taxes.
 
(d)  Excludes  the  effects  of  reporting  fixed  maturities  at fair value and
     recording the unrealized  gain or loss on such securities as a component of
     shareholders' equity, net of tax and other adjustments,  which ATC began to
     do effective  December 31, 1995.  Such  adjustments  are in accordance with
     SFAS  115,  as  described  in  the  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial
     statements included in ATC's Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by
     reference.

(e)  Includes:  (1)  statutory  capital and surplus;  (2) MSVR at periods  ended
     prior to  December  31,  1992;  and (3) AVR and IMR at periods  ended on or
     after  December 31, 1992.  Such  statutory  data reflect the combined  data
     derived  from  the  annual  statements  of  ATC's  consolidated   insurance
     subsidiaries  as filed with insurance  regulatory  agencies and prepared in
     accordance with statutory accounting practices.
 
(f)  Represents  gains from operations  before interest expense and income taxes
     of ATC's  consolidated  insurance  subsidiaries  as reported for  statutory
     accounting purposes plus income before interest expense and income taxes of
     all non-life companies.
                                       13
<PAGE>   
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THI
 
     The selected  historical  financial  information set forth below reflects a
series of transactions  which occurred on September 29, 1995,  pursuant to which
previously  separate  companies (all of which were wholly owned  subsidiaries of
Travelers  Group Inc.  ("Travelers")  were combined with THI and the outstanding
common  stock of THI was  distributed  to the  shareholders  of  Travelers.  The
financial  statements  of THI  for  periods  prior  to the  September  29,  1995
transactions reflect the results of operations and the financial position of the
previously  separate  companies as if such  companies  had been  combined at the
beginning of the periods  presented using the pooling of interests  method.  The
selected  historical  financial  information  was derived from the  consolidated
financial  statements  of THI.  In  conjunction  with  the  September  29,  1995
transactions,  THI issued $50 million of Notes and  borrowed  $62 million from a
syndicate of banks. The proceeds of the borrowings were used, in part, to make a
distribution  of $96 million to the former  parent of THI and to pay expenses of
$6.5 million  associated  with the September 29, 1995  transactions.  During the
fourth  quarter  of 1995,  THI sold its long term care  business  to ATC.  These
transactions significantly affect the comparability of the results of operations
in 1996 with prior periods.  For a description of these transactions,  see THI's
Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein.
 

     The  consolidated  balance sheets of THI at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
the consolidated  statements of income,  shareholders' equity and cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 1993,  1994 and 1995 and notes thereto were audited
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,  independent public  accountants,  and are included in
THI's Annual Report,  which is  incorporated by reference  herein.  The selected
historical  financial  information  set forth below is qualified in its entirety
by, and should be read in conjunction  with,  THI's Annual Report.  The selected
historical financial information set forth below as of December 31, 1992, and as
of and for the year ended December 31, 1991, and the nine months ended September
30, 1995 and 1996 is  unaudited;  however,  in the opinion of THI's  management,
such financial  information contains all adjustments,  consisting only of normal
recurring items,  necessary to present fairly the financial information for such
periods.  The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
may not be  indicative  of the results of  operations  to be expected for a full
year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                           ENDED
                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                  -----------------------------------------------    ------------------
                                                   1991      1992      1993      1994      1995       1995        1996
                                                  ------    ------    ------    ------    -------    ------      ------
                                                  (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income.......................... $342.7    $289.0    $256.9    $227.7    $ 190.2    $160.1      $ 82.4
Investment activity:
  Net investment income..........................   42.1      43.7      44.0      46.6       49.7      39.7        29.6
  Net realized gains (losses)....................    2.8      19.7      26.8      (3.4)       6.7       (.1)         .3
Total revenues...................................  399.6     368.1     331.0     270.9      246.6     199.7       113.7
Interest expense.................................     --        --        --        --        2.3        --         6.8
Expenses of spin-off and related transactions....     --        --        --        --        2.2       2.2          --
Loss on sale of long term care business..........     --        --        --        --       68.5        --          --
Total benefits and expenses......................  356.5     305.3     281.0     234.9      287.7     171.4        91.5
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative
  effect of change in accounting principle.......   43.1      62.8      50.0      36.0      (41.1)     28.3        22.2
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
  principle......................................     --        --       (.3)       --         --        --          --
Net income (loss)................................   30.3      42.7      32.6      23.0      (26.8)     18.2        14.4
PER SHARE DATA
Net income (loss), primary(a)....................                                         $(17.75)   $11.42      $ 6.73
Net income (loss), fully diluted(a)..............                                          (17.75)     5.84        4.06
Book value per fully diluted common share(b).....                                           66.59     77.50       62.03
Shares outstanding at period end.................                                             1.6       1.6         1.6
Average fully diluted shares outstanding.........                                             2.0       3.1         3.2
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
Total assets..................................... $740.0    $813.3    $890.7    $885.2    $ 950.5    $972.4      $941.9
Notes payable (including Notes)..................     --        --        --        --      110.3     112.0       108.3
Total liabilities................................  502.1     548.3     587.6     595.8      746.4     736.0       767.7
Shareholders' equity.............................  237.9     265.0     303.1     289.4      204.1     236.4       174.2
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                           ENDED
                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                  -----------------------------------------------    ------------------
                                                   1991      1992      1993      1994      1995       1995        1996
                                                  ------    ------    ------    ------    -------    ------      ------
                                                  (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA(c)
Operating earnings(d)............................ $ 28.5    $ 29.7    $ 15.5    $ 25.2    $  15.4    $ 20.3      $ 14.2
Operating earnings per fully diluted common
  share(a), (d)..................................                                            7.50      6.53        3.99
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
  appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
  securities(e)..................................  237.9     265.0     303.1     312.2      180.9     225.4       170.1
Book value per common share outstanding excluding
  unrealized appreciation of fixed maturity
  securities(b), (e).............................                                           59.14     73.96       60.75
Adjusted statutory capital (at period end)(f).... $ 96.9    $122.2    $132.0    $130.7    $ 163.5    $127.6      $154.2
Adjusted statutory earnings (loss)(g)............   28.0      39.3       8.1      24.5       51.8      16.2        34.9
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(a)  Per share data for the nine months ended  September 30, 1995,  and the year
     ended  December  31,  1995,  is  presented  as  if  the  1,590,461   shares
     outstanding  after the September 29, 1995 distribution were outstanding for
     the entire periods. Operating earnings per fully diluted share data for the
     nine months ended  September 30, 1996 and the year ended  December 31, 1995
     also include the dilutive effect of the issuance of the Notes from the date
     of issuance,  September 29, 1995. Such equivalent shares were anti-dilutive
     for purposes of  computing  net loss per fully  diluted  share for the year
     ended December 31, 1995.

(b)  Book value per common share  reflects the dilution which would occur if the
     Notes were converted to THI Common Stock and  outstanding THI Stock Options
     were exercised.

(c)  Amounts  under this  heading are included to assist the reader in analyzing
     THI's  financial  position and results of operations.  Such amounts are not
     intended  to,  and do not,  represent  net  income,  net  income per share,
     shareholders'  equity or book value per share  prepared in accordance  with
     GAAP.

(d)  Represents   income  before  cumulative  effect  of  change  in  accounting
     principle, excluding: (i) net realized gains (losses), net of income taxes;
     (ii) the loss on the sale of long term care business,  net of income taxes;
     and (iii) expenses related to THI's September 29, 1995 spin-off and related
     transactions, net of income taxes.

(e)  Excludes  the  effects  of  reporting  fixed  maturities  at fair value and
     recording the unrealized  gain or loss on such securities as a component of
     shareholders' equity, net of tax and other adjustments,  which THI began to
     do effective  January 1, 1994. Such adjustments are in accordance with SFAS
     115, as described  in the notes to the  consolidated  financial  statements
     included in THI's Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(f)  Includes:  (1)  statutory  capital and surplus;  (2) MSVR at periods  ended
     prior to  December  31,  1992;  and (3) AVR and IMR at periods  ended on or
     after  December 31, 1992.  Such  statutory  data reflect the combined  data
     derived  from  the  annual  statements  of  THI's  consolidated   insurance
     subsidiaries  as filed with insurance  regulatory  agencies and prepared in
     accordance with statutory accounting practices.

(g)  Represents  gains from operations  before interest expense and income taxes
     of THI's  consolidated  insurance  subsidiaries  as reported for  statutory
     accounting  purposes plus income before interest expense,  expenses related
     to THI's  September  29, 1995  spin-off,  and income  taxes of all non-life
     companies.
                                       15

<PAGE>

                SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PFS

  The selected historical financial information set forth below was derived from
the consolidated financial statements of PFS. The consolidated balance sheets of
PFS at December 31, 1994 and 1995,  and the  consolidated  statements of income,
shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995 and  notes  thereto  were  audited  by Ernst & Young  LLP,  independent
auditors,  and are included  in PFS's Annual  Report  which is  incorporated  by
reference  herein.  The  consolidated  financial  information  should be read in
conjunction with PFS's Annual Report. The consolidated financial information set
forth for the nine  months  ended  September  30, 1995 and 1996,  is  unaudited;
however,  in  the  opinion  of  PFS's  management,  the  accompanying  financial
information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items,
necessary to present  fairly the financial  information  for such  periods.  The
results of operations  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996, may not be
indicative of the results of operations to be expected for a full year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Nine months ended
                                                               Years ended December 31,                       September 30,
                                                     ------------------------------------------------      ------------------
                                                     1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1995         1996
                                                     ----       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----         ----
                                                                  (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income..........................   $626.6    $595.1      $641.0    $704.1     $687.0      $507.0        $556.7
Investment activity:
   Net investment income.........................     48.0      43.6        40.2      42.8       71.0        52.6          55.2
   Net realized gains (losses)...................      7.9         -        (1.3)      (.4)       4.0         1.9           1.0
Total revenues...................................    708.7     656.0       699.1     774.2      800.1       586.0         643.9
Interest expense.................................      2.9       2.2         3.3       5.1        5.0         4.3           4.6
Total benefits and expenses......................    695.4     681.4       680.4     748.1      768.4       565.8         613.8
Income (loss) before income taxes................     13.3     (25.4)       18.8      26.0       31.7        20.3          30.1
Net income (loss)................................      8.9     (17.0)       12.1      17.1       21.0        13.6          20.0
Preferred dividends..............................      2.0       2.0         2.0       1.9        1.8         1.4            .6
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock.....      6.9     (19.0)       10.1      15.2       19.2        12.3          19.4

PER SHARE DATA
Net income (loss), primary.......................    $1.02    $(2.85)      $1.51     $2.36      $2.44       $1.74         $1.78
Net income (loss), fully diluted.................     1.02     (2.85)       1.26      1.58       1.85        1.25          1.48
Dividends declared per common share..............        -         -           -       .15        .18         .14           .17
Book value per common share outstanding
   at period end (a).............................    11.39      9.21       10.86     11.55      14.35       13.76         15.05
Shares outstanding at period end (a).............      6.6       6.8         6.3       5.9       10.1        10.0          11.5
Average fully diluted shares outstanding.........      8.2       8.2        10.7      12.7       12.6        12.6          15.2

BALANCE SHEET DATA - PERIOD END
Total assets.....................................   $969.2    $978.7    $1,108.3  $1,075.7   $1,558.9    $1,511.0      $1,659.0
Notes payable (including convertible
   subordinated debentures and notes) ...........     28.0      38.1        64.2      80.0       44.7        43.2         115.3
Total liabilities................................    869.7     892.0     1,015.7     985.7    1,393.1     1,352.0       1,485.8
Redeemable preferred stock.......................     24.0      24.0        23.7      21.7       21.2        21.2             -
Shareholders' equity.............................     75.5      62.7        68.9      68.3      144.6       137.8         173.2

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (b)
Premiums collected (c)...........................   $645.4    $610.6      $654.4    $732.0     $700.4      $522.6        $584.4
Operating earnings (loss) (d)....................      6.1     (16.9)       13.0      17.4       21.7        15.8          19.7
Operating earnings (loss) per fully diluted
   common share (a), (d)..........................     .61     (2.85)       1.34      1.60       1.91        1.42          1.46
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
   appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
   securities (e)................................     75.5      62.7        68.9      77.4      140.6       134.6         178.7
Book value per common share outstanding
   excluding unrealized appreciation
   (depreciation)of fixed maturity
   securities (a), (e)...........................    11.39      9.21       10.86     13.09      13.96       13.45         15.53
Ratio of debt and preferred stock to
   total capital (f):
      As reported................................     .41X      .50X        .56X      .60X       .31X        .32X          .40X
      Excluding unrealized appreciation
        (depreciation) (e).......................     .41X      .50X        .56X      .57X       .32X        .32X          .39X
Adjusted statutory capital (at period end) (g)...    $77.0     $90.4      $111.2    $128.8     $120.1      $118.0        $171.5
Adjusted statutory earnings (h)..................     29.9      11.1        20.0      23.2       19.4        16.6          12.4
Ratio of adjusted statutory earnings to
   interest (i)..................................    10.3X      5.1X        6.1X      4.6X       3.9X        3.8X          2.7X

                       (see footnotes on following page)

                                       16
<PAGE>

<FN>
(a)  Common shares outstanding  excludes shares owned by subsidiaries of PFS and
     classified as treasury shares. The number of shares held as treasury shares
     amounted to .5 million,  1.1 million and 1.1 million at December  31, 1993,
     1994,  and 1995,  respectively,  and 1.1 million at September  30, 1995 and
     1996.

(b)  Amounts  under this  heading are included to assist the reader in analyzing
     PFS's financial  position and results of  operations.  Such amounts are not
     intended  to,  and do not,  represent  net  income,  net  income per share,
     shareholders'  equity or book value per share  prepared in accordance  with
     GAAP.

(c)  Includes  premiums  received   from  annuities and universal life policies,
     which are not reported as revenues under GAAP.

(d)  Represents  income or loss  excluding  the effects of  realized  investment
     gains and losses.  The 1991 amount  excludes  $2.5  million (net of tax) of
     additional life and annuity deferred policy  acquisition cost  amortization
     caused by higher than  expected  investment  gains.  The 1995  amounts also
     exclude  $3.4  million  (net  of  tax)  in  payments   made  to  converting
     bondholders  and  other  expenses  relating  to  the  conversion  of the 8%
     Convertible  Subordinated   Debentures.   The  1996  amount  also  excludes
     approximately   $.3  million   (net  of  tax)  in  payments  to   redeeming
     stockholders relating to the redemption of PFS preferred stock.

(e)  Excludes  the  effect  of  reporting  fixed  maturities  at fair  value and
     recording the unrealized  gain or loss on such securities as a component of
     shareholders' equity, net of tax and other adjustments,  which PFS began to
     do in 1994. Such  adjustments are in accordance with SFAS 115, as described
     in the notes to the  consolidated  financial  statements included  in PFS's
     Annual Report.

(f)  Debt represents the aggregate of long-term notes payable,  short-term notes
     payable,  the  8%  Convertible  Subordinated   Debentures,   and   the  PFS
     Convertible Notes. Total capitalization  represents  debt,  preferred stock
     and shareholders' equity.

(g)  Includes: (1)  statutory  capital  and  surplus;  (2) MSVR at periods ended
     prior to December 31, 1992; and  (3)  AVR  and  IMR at  periods ended on or
     after December 31, 1992.

(h)  Represents  gains from operations  before interest expense (except interest
     on annuities  and financial  products)  and income taxes of PFS's insurance
     companies as reported for statutory  accounting purposes plus income before
     interest expense and income taxes of all non-life companies.

(i)  Represents  the  ratio  of adjusted statutory earnings to interest expense,
     excluding interest on annuities and financial products.

</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       17

<PAGE>   
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF CAF
 
  The selected historical financial information set forth below was derived from
the consolidated financial statements of CAF. The consolidated balance sheets of
CAF  at  December  31,  1994  and  1995,  and  the  consolidated  statements  of
operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
1993,  1994 and 1995 and notes  thereto  were  audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent  accountants,  and are  included in CAF's  Annual  Report,  which is
incorporated by reference herein. The selected historical financial  information
is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction  with,  CAF's
Annual Report. The selected historical financial information set forth below for
the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, is unaudited; however, in the
opinion of CAF's management, the accompanying financial information contains all
adjustments,  consisting only of normal  recurring  items,  necessary to present
fairly the financial information for such periods. The results of operations for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 may not be indicative of the results of
operations to be expected for a full year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              ----------------------------------------------    ------------------
                                               1991      1992      1993      1994      1995      1995       1996
                                              ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    --------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income....................   $188.4    $219.5    $244.8    $263.3    $282.1    $209.6    $  219.9
Investment activity:
  Net investment income....................     17.5      22.8      33.5      41.0      48.6      35.8        41.7
  Net realized gains.......................       --        --        .6        --        --        --          .3
Total revenues.............................    206.4     242.8     279.4     304.4     330.8     245.4       261.9
Interest expense...........................      1.2       1.6       1.5       2.3       2.4       1.9         1.6
Total benefits and expenses................    162.2     189.8     210.8     235.7     259.2     192.0       202.2
Income before income taxes and cumulative
  effect of change in accounting for income
  taxes....................................     44.2      53.0      68.6      68.7      71.6      53.4        59.7
Income from cumulative effect of change in
  accounting for income taxes..............      3.7        --        --        --        --        --          --
Net income.................................     32.6      35.0      43.5      44.8      46.0      34.2        38.8
PER SHARE DATA
Income before cumulative effect of change
  in accounting for income taxes, primary
  and fully diluted........................   $ 1.77    $ 2.19    $ 2.36    $ 2.50    $ 2.64    $ 1.96    $   2.22
Net income, primary and fully diluted......     2.00      2.19      2.36      2.50      2.64      1.96        2.22
Dividends declared per common share........     .050      .255      .280      .320      .360      .270        .300
Book value per common share outstanding at
  period end...............................     5.68      9.61     11.58     13.34     16.71     15.04       17.41
Shares outstanding at period end...........     16.0      18.5      18.2      17.5      17.5      17.5        17.5
Average fully diluted shares outstanding...     16.3      16.0      18.5      17.9      17.5      17.5        17.5
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
Total assets...............................   $397.7    $556.8    $668.5    $793.1    $948.3    $888.7    $1,017.9
Notes payable..............................     21.0      20.0      22.0      24.0      24.0      30.0        29.0
Total liabilities..........................    307.0     379.1     457.2     559.5     656.6     626.2       713.3
Shareholders' equity.......................     90.7     177.7     211.3     233.6     291.7     262.5       304.6
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA(a)
Operating earnings(b)......................   $ 28.9    $ 35.0    $ 43.1    $ 44.8    $ 46.0    $ 34.2    $   38.6
Operating earnings per primary and fully
  diluted common share(b)..................     1.77      2.19      2.33      2.50      2.64      1.96        2.21
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
  appreciation of fixed maturity
  securities(c)............................     90.7     177.7     211.3     233.6     272.9     262.5       307.7
Book value per common share outstanding,
  excluding unrealized appreciation of
  fixed maturity securities(c).............     5.68      9.61     11.58     13.34     15.63     15.04       17.59
Adjusted statutory capital (at period
  end)(d)..................................   $ 48.3    $108.7    $108.0    $ 93.9    $ 88.5    $ 94.6    $   97.9
Adjusted statutory earnings(e).............     20.1      25.6      33.5      29.4      30.9      21.9        29.9
</TABLE>
 
                                               (See footnotes on following page)
                                       18
<PAGE>   
 
- -------------------------
(a) Amounts under this heading are included to assist the reader in analyzing
    CAF's financial position and results of operations. Such amounts are not
    intended to, and do not, represent net income, net income per share,
    shareholders' equity or book value per share prepared in accordance with
    GAAP.
 
(b) Represents net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting for
    income taxes and net realized gains, net of income taxes.
 
(c) Excludes the effects of reporting available-for-sale fixed maturities at
    fair value and recording the unrealized gain or loss on such securities as a
    component of shareholders' equity, net of tax and other adjustments, which
    CAF began to do with respect to a portion of its portfolio effective
    December 31, 1995. Such adjustments are in accordance with SFAS 115, as
    described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in
    CAF's Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(d) Includes: (1) statutory capital and surplus; (2) MSVR at periods ended prior
    to December 31, 1992; and (3) AVR and IMR at periods ended on or after
    December 31, 1992. Such statutory data reflect the combined data derived
    from the annual statements of CAF's consolidated insurance subsidiaries as
    filed with insurance regulatory agencies and prepared in accordance with
    statutory accounting practices.
 
(e) Represents gains from operations before interest expense and income taxes of
    CAF's consolidated insurance subsidiaries as reported for statutory
    accounting purposes plus income before interest expense and income taxes of
    all non-life companies.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                          SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
                 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF CONSECO
 
     The summary  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  financial  information  of
Conseco set forth below was derived from the  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated
financial  statements  of Conseco  included  elsewhere  in this  Statement.  See
"Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated  Financial Statements of Conseco." The summary
unaudited  pro  forma  consolidated  financial  information  is  based  upon the
historical  and pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements and related notes
thereto of Conseco, LPG, PFS, THI, ATC and CAF incorporated by reference in this
Statement.  The summary unaudited pro forma consolidated  financial  information
set  forth  below  is  qualified  in its  entirety  by,  and  should  be read in
conjunction  with,  such  materials  and the  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Statement.

     The  summary  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  statement  of  operations
information  for the year ended  December  31,  1995,  and the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, in the columns  headed "Pro forma Conseco before the Merger"
reflects the following  transactions,  all of which have already occurred, as if
such  transactions  had occurred on January 1, 1995:  (1) the issuance of $275.0
million of Trust Originated Preferred Securities ("TOPrS") having a distribution
rate of 9.16 percent (the "TOPrS Offering")completed  November 19, 1996; (2) the
issuance of $325.0 million of Capital Trust  Pass-through  Securities  ("TruPS")
having a  distribution  rate of 8.70  percent (the "TruPS  Offering")  completed
November  27, 1996;  (3) the BLH  Transaction;  (4) the THI Merger;  (5) the ATC
Merger; (6) the call for redemption of Conseco's Series D Convertible  Preferred
Stock (the "Series D Call") completed September 26, 1996; (7) the acquisition of
all of the outstanding  common stock of ALH, not previously  owned by Conseco or
its  affiliates,  and related  transactions  (the "ALH  Transaction")  completed
September 30, 1996; (8) the  acquisition  and merger of LPG completed  effective
July 1, 1996 (the "LPG Merger");  (9) the  acquisition of all of the outstanding
common  stock of CCP not  previously  owned by Conseco and related  transactions
(including the repayment of borrowings  under Conseco's  existing $250.0 million
revolving  credit  agreement)  completed  August 31, 1996;  (10) the increase of
Conseco's  ownership in BLH to 90.4 percent,  as a result of purchases of common
shares of BLH by Conseco and BLH during 1995 and the first three months of 1996;
(11) the issuance of 4.37 million shares of Conseco PRIDES in January 1996; (12)
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  (13) the debt  restructuring  of ALH in the  fourth
quarter of 1995.  The summary  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  statement  of
operations information for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the nine months
ended  September  30,  1996,  in the  columns  headed "Pro forma for the Merger"
reflects further adjustments to the consolidated operating results of Conseco as
if the Merger had occurred on January 1, 1995.  The summary  unaudited pro forma
consolidated statement of operations information for the year ended December 31,
1995,  and the nine months ended  September 30, 1996, in the columns headed "Pro
forma for the Merger and the CAF Merger"  reflects  further  adjustments  to the
consolidated  operating  results of Conseco as if the CAF Merger had occurred on
January 1, 1995.

     The summary unaudited pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet information at
September 30, 1996,  in the column headed "Pro forma Conseco  before the Merger"
reflects the  application  of certain pro forma  adjustments  for the  following
transactions,  which have already occurred, as if such transactions had occurred
on September 30, 1996: (1) the TOPrS Offering;  (2) the TruPS Offering;  (3) the
BLH Transaction;  (4) the THI  Merger;  and (5)  the  ATC  Merger.  The  summary
unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet  information  at September 30,
1996,  in the  columns  headed  "Pro  forma  for the  Merger"  reflects  further
adjustments  to the financial  position of Conseco as if the Merger had occurred
on September  30, 1996.  The summary  unaudited pro forma  consolidated  balance
sheet  information  at September 30, 1996, in the columns  headed "Pro forma for
the Merger and the CAF Merger"  reflects  further  adjustments  to the financial
position of Conseco as if the CAF Merger had occurred on January 1, 1995.
 
     The summary unaudited pro forma consolidated  financial information for the
year ended December 31, 1995, and as of and for the nine months ended  September
30, 1996, is provided for  informational  purposes  only and is not  necessarily
indicative of the results of operations or financial  condition  that would have
been achieved had the transactions  set forth above actually  occurred as of the
dates  indicated or of  future  results of operations or financial  condition of
Conseco. Conseco anticipates cost savings and additional benefits as a result of
completing the transactions set forth above. Such benefits and any other changes
that might have resulted from management of the combined companies have not been
included as adjustments to the pro forma consolidated financial information. The
Merger and the CAF Merger will be  accounted  for under the  purchase  method of
accounting.
                                       20
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995        NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                    -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                                                    PRO FORMA               PRO FORMA FOR   PRO FORMA               PRO FORMA FOR
                                                     CONSECO                 THE MERGER      CONSECO                 THE MERGER
                                                     BEFORE     PRO FORMA      AND THE       BEFORE     PRO FORMA      AND THE 
                                                       THE       FOR THE         CAF           THE       FOR THE         CAF  
                                                     MERGER      MERGER        MERGER        MERGER      MERGER        MERGER   
                                                    ---------   ---------   -------------   ---------   ---------   -------------
                                                                   (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income............................ $2,216.6    $2,903.6      $ 3,185.7     $ 1,714.7   $ 2,271.3     $ 2,491.2
Investment activity:
  Net investment income............................  1,528.8     1,605.5        1,650.7       1,143.3     1,202.7       1,241.8
  Net trading income (losses)......................      2.5         2.5            2.5          (6.5)       (6.5)         (6.5)
  Net realized gains...............................    222.1       226.7          226.6          26.4        27.4          27.4
Total revenues.....................................  4,031.6     4,838.0        5,165.3       2,950.8     3,598.9       3,857.9
Interest expense on notes payable..................    108.1       111.4          148.8          76.7        79.4         107.4
Total benefits and expenses........................  3,448.0     4,214.3        4,521.8       2,485.8     3,100.2       3,336.4
Income before income taxes, minority interest and
  extraordinary charge.............................    583.6       623.7          643.5         465.0       498.7         521.5
Income before extraordinary charge.................    314.1       338.5          348.8         254.5       275.3         288.6
PER SHARE DATA (a)
Income before extraordinary charge, primary........ $   1.70    $   1.74      $    1.76     $    1.35   $    1.39     $    1.43
Income before extraordinary charge, fully
  diluted..........................................     1.62        1.64           1.66          1.29        1.31          1.35
Book value per common share outstanding at period
  end..............................................                                             15.83       16.94         17.26
Shares outstanding at period end...................    164.8       174.6          178.0         167.7       177.5         180.9
Average fully diluted shares outstanding...........    193.8       206.9          210.3         199.1       212.2         215.6
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
Total assets.......................................                                         $25,377.8   $27,320.7     $28,845.3
Notes payable for which Conseco is directly
  liable...........................................                                           1,287.8     1,452.6       2,050.5
Notes payable of ALH, not direct obligations of
  Conseco..........................................                                              13.0        13.0          13.0
Total liabilities..................................                                          21,763.4    23,354.6      24,763.5
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries:
  Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
    preferred securities of subsidiary trusts......                                             600.0       600.0         600.0
  Preferred stock..................................                                              92.5        92.5          92.5
Shareholders' equity...............................                                           2,921.9     3,273.6       3,389.3
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA(b)
Premiums collected(c).............................. $4,136.0    $4,836.4      $ 5,118.5     $ 2,999.5   $ 3,683.9     $ 3,903.8
Operating earnings(d)..............................    260.6       281.9          292.3         239.3       259.5         272.8
Operating earnings per fully diluted common
  share(d).........................................     1.34        1.36           1.39          1.21        1.23          1.27
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized
  appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
  securities(e)....................................                                           2,968.6     3,320.3       3,436.0
Book value per common share outstanding, excluding
  unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed
  maturity securities(e)...........................                                             16.11       17.20         17.52
Ratio of debt for which Conseco is directly liable
  to total capital of Conseco only(f):
  As reported......................................                                               .26X        .27X          .33X
  Excluding unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation)(e)..............................                                               .26X        .27X          .33X
  Excluding unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    and assuming conversion of ATC's Convertible
    Subordinated Debentures and PFS's Convertible
    Subordinated Notes into Conseco Common
    Stock(e), (g)..................................                                               .21X        .20X          .27X
Ratio of debt for which Conseco is directly liable
  and Company--obligated mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities of subsidiary trusts to
  total capital of Conseco only(h):
  As reported......................................                                               .39X        .38X          .43X
  Excluding unrealized appreciation 
    depreciation)(e)..............................                                                .38X        .38X          .43X
  Excluding unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    and assuming conversion of ATC's Convertible
    Subordinated Debentures and PFS's Convertible
    Subordinated Notes into Conseco Common
    Stock(e), (g)..................................                                               .33X        .31X          .37X
Adjusted statutory capital (at period end)(h)...... $1,746.3    $1,866.4      $ 1,954.9     $ 1,821.8   $ 1,993.3     $ 2,091.2
Adjusted statutory earnings(j).....................    502.9       522.3          553.2         453.5       465.9         495.8
Ratio of adjusted statutory earnings to
  interest(k)......................................     4.57X       4.42X          3.56X         5.52X       5.27X         4.26X
Ratio of adjusted statutory earnings to
  interest and dividends on Company-obligated
  mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of
  subsidiary trusts(l).............................     3.08X       3.04X          2.65X         3.71X       3.63X         3.17X
</TABLE>
                     
                       (see footnotes on following page)
                                       21
<PAGE>
- -------------------------
(a) All share and per share amounts reflect: (i) Conseco's April 1, 1996 two-for
    -one stock split; and (ii) Conseco's previously announced two-for-one  stock
    split to be paid on February 11, 1997.

(b) Amounts under this heading are included  to  assist  the reader in analyzing
    Conseco's pro  forma financial position and pro forma results of operations.
    Such  amounts are not intended to, and do not, represent pro forma insurance
    policy  income,  pro  forma  net income, pro forma net income per share, pro
    forma  shareholders'  equity  or  pro forma book value per share prepared in
    accordance with GAAP.
 
(c) Includes premiums received from annuities and universal life policies, which
    are not reported as revenues under GAAP.
 
(d) Represents  pro  forma  income  before  extraordinary  charge, excluding net
    trading income (net of income taxes), net realized  gains (less that portion
    of  change  in  future  policy  benefits,  amortization  of cost of policies
    purchased  and  cost  of policies produced and income taxes relating to such
    gains) and restructuring activities (net of income taxes).
 
(e) Excludes  the  effect  of  reporting  fixed  maturities  at  fair  value and
    recording the unrealized gain or loss  on  such securities as a component of
    shareholders' equity, net of tax and other  adjustments, which Conseco began
    to do in  1992. Such  adjustments  are  in  accordance  with  SFAS  115,  as
    described in the notes to the consolidated  financial statements included in
    Conseco's Annual Report which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(f) Represents  the ratio of pro  forma  notes  payable  for  which  Conseco  is
    directly  liable to the sum of pro  forma  shareholders'  equity,  pro forma
    notes  payable  for which  Conseco is  directly  liable,  minority  interest
    related   to   preferred   stock   issued  by  a   subsidiary   of  ALH  and
    Company-obligated  mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary
    trusts.

(g) Assumes  ATC's   Convertible   Subordinated   Debentures,   which  will  be
    convertible into an assumed 8.0 million  shares of Conseco Common Stock with
    a value of $238.6 million,  are converted.  ATC's  Convertible  Subordinated
    Debentures  are  callable  on  October  1,  1998.  It   also assumes the PFS
    Convertible    Notes, which will be convertible  into an assumed 3.3 million
    shares  of  Conseco  Common  Stock  with  a  value  of  $120.8  million, are
    converted.  The PFS Convertible  Notes are  callable on April 6, 1999.

(h) Represents  the ratio of pro  forma  notes  payable  for  which  Conseco  is
    directly liable and the Company-obligated  mandatorily  redeemable preferred
    securities  of  subsidiary  trusts  to the  sum of pro  forma  shareholders'
    equity,  pro forma  notes  payable  for which  Conseco is  directly  liable,
    minority  interest  related to preferred stock issued by a subsidiary of ALH
    and the  Company-obligated  mandatorily  redeemable  preferred securities of
    subsidiary trusts.

(i) Includes:  (1) statutory  capital and surplus;  (2) AVR and IMR; and (3) the
    portion of surplus  debentures  carried by the life companies as a liability
    to Conseco.  Such  statutory data reflect the combined data derived from the
    annual  statements of Conseco's  pro forma life  insurance  subsidiaries  as
    filed with  insurance  regulatory  agencies and prepared in accordance  with
    statutory accounting practices.

(j) Represents gains from operations before interest expense (except interest on
    annuities  and  financial  products) and income taxes of Conseco's pro forma
    life insurance  subsidiaries as reported for statutory  accounting  purposes
    plus income before interest  expense and income taxes of Conseco's pro forma
    non-life subsidiaries.

(k)  Represents the pro forma ratio of adjusted  statutory  earnings to interest
     of Conseco and its pro forma subsidiaries,  excluding interest on annuities
     and  financial  products and interest  expense that does not require a cash
     payment.
 
(l)  Represents the pro forma ratio of adjusted statutory earnings to the sum of
     interest and  dividends  on the  Company-obligated  mandatorily  redeemable
     preferred  securities of subsidiary  trusts.  Interest  includes  interest,
     except  interest on annuities and financial  products and interest  expense
     that  does  not  require  a cash  payment, of  Conseco  and its  pro  forma
     subsidiaries.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
            COMPARATIVE UNAUDITED PER SHARE DATA OF CONSECO AND PFS

     The  following  table  sets  forth  selected  historical  per share data of
Conseco,  PFS,  THI,  ATC and CAF and  corresponding  pro  forma  and pro  forma
equivalent per share amounts for the year ended December 31, 1995, and as of and
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996,  giving effect to the LPG Merger,
the Series D Call, the ALH Transaction,  the TOPrS Offering, the TruPS Offering,
the ATC Merger,  the THI  Merger,  the BLH  Transaction,  the Merger and the CAF
Merger.  Pro forma  equivalent  amounts are presented  assuming that the Conseco
Share Price will be $36.00,  so that each share of PFS Common Stock is exchanged
for .7778  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock in the  Merger.  Assuming  that the
Effective  Time for the Merger  were to occur on _______ __,  1997,  the date of
this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the Conseco Share Price would be $_____,  and
___ shares of Conseco  Common Stock would be issuable in the Merger with respect
to each share of PFS Common Stock. The information presented is derived from the
consolidated   financial  statements  and  related  notes  thereto  included  in
Conseco's Annual Report, PFS's Annual Report,  THI's Annual Report, ATC's Annual
Report,  CAF's Annual Report (all of which are incorporated by reference herein)
and the  unaudited  pro  forma  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Conseco
included  elsewhere  in this  Statement.  The  information  is  qualified in its
entirety  by,  and  should be read in  conjunction  with,  such  materials.  See
"Unaudited  Pro Forma  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of Conseco." The pro
forma financial  information is provided for informational  purposes only and is
not  necessarily  indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved
had the above  transactions  been  consummated  at the  beginning of the periods
presented, or of future results.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED     NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                1995              1996
                                                                            ------------    -----------------
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE PER FULLY DILUTED COMMON
  SHARE:
  Historical:
    Conseco.................................................................   $   2.13          $  1.43
    PFS.....................................................................       1.85             1.48
    THI.....................................................................     (17.75)(a)         4.06
    ATC.....................................................................       1.36             1.24
    CAF.....................................................................       2.64             2.22
  Pro forma:
    Conseco before the Merger...............................................   $   1.62          $  1.29
    Adjusted for the Merger.................................................       1.64             1.31
    Further adjusted for the CAF Merger.....................................       1.66             1.35
    Equivalent for one share of PFS Common Stock............................       1.29             1.05
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE:
  Historical:
    Conseco.................................................................   $   .046          $  .051
    PFS.....................................................................       .180             .165 
    THI.....................................................................         --               --
    ATC.....................................................................         --               --
    CAF.....................................................................       .360             .300
  Pro forma:
    Conseco before the Merger...............................................   $   .046          $  .051
    Adjusted for the Merger.................................................       .046             .051
    Further adjusted for the CAF Merger.....................................       .046             .051
    Equivalent for one share of PFS Common Stock............................       .036             .040
BOOK VALUE PER COMMON SHARE:
  Historical:
    Conseco.................................................................                     $ 12.61
    PFS.....................................................................                       15.05
    THI.....................................................................                       62.03(b)
    ATC.....................................................................                       11.11
    CAF.....................................................................                       17.41
  Pro forma:
    Conseco before the Merger...............................................                       15.83
    Adjusted for the Merger.................................................                       16.94
    Further adjusted for the CAF Merger.....................................                       17.26
    Equivalent for one share of PFS Common Stock............................                       13.42

</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(a) Per share data for the year ended  December 31, 1995 are presented as if the
    1,590,461 shares  outstanding after the September 29, 1995 distribution were
    outstanding  for the entire year.  

(b) Book value per common share  reflects the dilution  which would occur if the
    THI  Subordinated  Convertible  Notes were  converted  into common stock and
    outstanding options were exercised.

                                       23

<PAGE>

                            MARKET PRICE INFORMATION
 

     Market  prices for the shares of Conseco  Common Stock and PFS Common Stock
are reported on the NYSE.  The table below sets forth for the periods  indicated
the high and low sale prices and the dividends  paid per share of Conseco Common
Stock and PFS Common Stock.  For current price  information  with respect to the
Conseco  Common Stock and PFS Common  Stock,  stockholders  are urged to consult
publicly available sources.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          
                                                                 CONSECO COMMON STOCK                    PFS COMMON STOCK  
                                                       ---------------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                                       HIGH              LOW         DIVIDENDS      HIGH         LOW     DIVIDENDS
                                                     --------         ---------      ---------    --------     ------    ---------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>
1994
  First Quarter..................................... $16 1/16         $13 9/32        $0.03125     $14 3/4      $11 1/8   .0375
  Second Quarter....................................  14 17/32         11 19/32        0.03125      12           10       .0375
  Third Quarter.....................................  13 3/32          10 13/16        0.03125      10 1/2       8  3/4   .0375
  Fourth Quarter....................................  11 9/16           8 31/32        0.03125      10           8  3/4   .0375
1995
  First Quarter.....................................  12 5/32           8 1/8          0.03125      11 1/4       8  7/8   .045
  Second Quarter....................................  11 21/32          9 25/32        0.03125      15 1/2       10 3/4   .045
  Third Quarter.....................................  13 5/16          11 3/8          0.005        15 3/8       13 1/8   .045
  Fourth Quarter....................................  15 25/32         12 23/32        0.005        18 1/2       13 7/8   .045
1996
  First Quarter.....................................  18 5/32          14 15/16        0.005        18 3/8       15 1/8   .055
  Second Quarter....................................  19 15/16         18 1/4          0.01         17 1/4       15 3/8   .055
  Third Quarter.....................................  24 11/16         17 5/8          0.01         16 5/8       14 1/8   .055
  Fourth Quarter....................................  33 1/8           24 7/16         0.03125      25 1/8       16 1/4   .055
1997
  First Quarter (through January 30, 1997)........... 37 7/16          30 3/4          0.03125      25 7/8       24 3/4

</TABLE>

     The  information  set forth in the table  below  presents:  (1) the closing
price for shares of Conseco  Common  Stock and PFS Common  Stock on December 13,
1996, the last day on which trading occurred prior to the public announcement of
the Merger Agreement,  and on _______, 1997, the last full trading day for which
information was available prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and (2) the "Equivalent Per Share Price" (as hereinafter  defined) of PFS Common
Stock on December 13, 1996 and ______, 1997. The "Equivalent Per Share Price" of
PFS Common Stock  represents the closing price per share of Conseco Common Stock
reported on the NYSE, multiplied by .8928 and ___, assuming  consummation of the
Merger had  occurred on December  13,  1996 and ______,  1997,respectively.  The
Equivalent  Per Share  Price is not the same as the  Merger  Consideration.  The
amount and value of the Merger  Consideration  to be  received by holders of the
PFS Common Stock can be determined  only at the date the Merger is  consummated.
See  "The  Merger   Agreement  --  Conversion  of  Shares;   Exchange  of  Stock
Certificates; No Fractional Amounts."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PFS
                                                                                    COMMON STOCK
                                                                CONSECO    PFS       EQUIVALENT
                                                                COMMON    COMMON        PER
                       PER SHARE PRICE                          STOCK     STOCK     SHARE PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------   ------    ------    ------------
<S>                                                             <C>       <C>       <C>
December 13, 1996............................................   $30.125   $19.00     $26.90
________  , 1997.............................................   
</TABLE>

 
     Listing on the NYSE of the  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock  issuable  in
connection  with the Merger is a condition to  consummation  of the Merger.  See
"The Merger Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger."


     HOLDERS  ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT  MARKET  QUOTATION  FOR THE  CONSECO
COMMON  STOCK AND THE PFS  COMMON  STOCK.  NO  ASSURANCE  CAN BE GIVEN AS TO THE
FUTURE PRICES OF, OR MARKETS FOR, CONSECO COMMON STOCK OR PFS COMMON STOCK.

                                       24
<PAGE>   
 
                     INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSECO AND RAC
 
BACKGROUND

     Conseco is a financial  services  holding company engaged  primarily in the
development,   marketing  and  administration  of  annuity,   individual  health
insurance and individual  life insurance  products.  Conseco's  earnings  result
primarily  from  operating  life  insurance  companies and providing  investment
management,  administrative  and other  fee-based  services  to  affiliated  and
non-affiliated  businesses.  Conseco's  operating strategy is to consolidate and
streamline  management  and  administrative   functions,   to  realize  superior
investment returns through active asset management and to focus resources on the
development  and  expansion  of  profitable  products  and  strong  distribution
channels.

     On August 2,  1996,  Conseco  completed  the LPG  Merger  and LPG  became a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of Conseco.  A total of 32.2 million  shares of Conseco
Common Stock were issued in connection with the LPG Merger,  and Conseco assumed
notes payable of LPG of $249.5 million.  The  subsidiaries of LPG sell a diverse
portfolio of universal life insurance and, to a lesser extent,  annuity products
to individuals.

     On September  30, 1996,  Conseco  completed the  acquisition  of the common
shares of ALH not already owned by Conseco or its affiliates  for  approximately
$165 million in cash. ALH is a provider of retirement savings annuities. ALH has
been included in Conseco's  consolidated  financial  statements  since September
1994, when it was acquired by Partnership II.

     On December 17, 1996,  Conseco completed the ATC Merger and ATC merged into
Conseco. In the ATC Merger,  Conseco issued approximately 20.8 million shares of
Conseco Common Stock or common stock  equivalents to acquire ATC's common stock.
In addition, Conseco assumed ATC's convertible subordinated debentures which are
convertible into  approximately  8.0 million shares of Conseco Common Stock. ATC
is a provider of long-term care insurance.  Effective  December 31, 1996, ATC is
included in Conseco's consolidated financial statements.

     On December 23, 1996,  Conseco completed the THI Merger and THI merged into
Conseco. In the THI Merger,  Conseco issued  approximately 4.8 million shares of
Conseco Common Stock or common stock  equivalents to acquire THI's common stock.
In  addition,   pursuant  to  an  exchange  offer,  all  of  THI's  Subordinated
Convertible Notes were exchanged for approximately 4.2 million shares of Conseco
Common  Stock  plus a cash  premium of  approximately  $10.2  million.  THI is a
provider of cancer insurance and other supplemental  health insurance  products.
Effective December 31, 1996, THI is included in Conseco's consolidated financial
statements.

     Conseco currently owns the following life insurance businesses: (1) Bankers
Life and Casualty  Company  ("Bankers Life") which was a subsidiary of BLH prior
to December 31, 1996; (2) ALH, formerly The  Statesman  Group,  Inc.;  (3) Great
American Reserve  Insurance  Company ("Great  American  Reserve") and Beneficial
Standard Life Insurance Company  ("Beneficial  Standard"),  in which Conseco has
had an ownership  interest since their  acquisition by Partnership I in 1990 and
1991,  respectively,  and which became wholly owned  subsidiaries  of Conseco in
August  1995;  (4)  the   subsidiaries  of  LPG,  which  are  now  wholly  owned
subsidiaries  of  Conseco,   including   Philadelphia   Life  Insurance  Company
("Philadelphia   Life"),    Massachusetts   General   Life   Insurance   Company
("Massachusetts  General Life") and Lamar Life Insurance Company ("Lamar Life");
(5) Bankers  National Life  Insurance  Company  ("Bankers  National"),  National
Fidelity Life Insurance Company ("National  Fidelity") and Lincoln American Life
Insurance Company ("Lincoln American"), all of which are wholly owned by Conseco
and which have  profitable  blocks of in-force  business,  although  new product
sales are currently not being pursued; (6) the former subsidiaries of ATC, which
are now wholly owned subsidiaries of Conseco, including American Travellers Life
Insurance  Company,   United  General  Life  Insurance  Company,   and  American
Travellers  Insurance  Company of New York; and (7) the former  subsidiaries  of
THI, which are now wholly owned  subsidiaries  of Conseco,  including  Transport
Life Insurance Company and Continental Life Insurance Company.


INSURANCE OPERATIONS
 
     Conseco's insurance  operations have been conducted through three segments:
(1) senior market  operations,  consisting of the activities of BLH; (2) annuity
operations,  consisting of the activities of Great American Reserve,  Beneficial
Standard  and  ALH;  and  (3)  life  insurance  operations,  consisting  of  the
activities of Philadelphia Life,  Massachusetts  General Life and Lamar Life, as
well as National Fidelity, Bankers National and Lincoln American.
 
     SENIOR  MARKET  OPERATIONS.  BLH, with total assets of  approximately  $5.0
billion at September  30, 1996,  markets  health and life  insurance and annuity
products  primarily to senior citizens through  approximately 200 branch offices
and  approximately  3,200  career  agents.  Most of BLH's  agents  sell only BLH
policies. Approximately 56 percent of the $1,513.8 million of total premiums and
annuity deposits  collected by BLH in 1995 (and  approximately 58 percent of the
$1,136.5 million of total premiums and annuity  deposits  collected in the first
nine months of 1996) was from the sale of individual health insurance  products,
principally  Medicare  supplement and long-term care policies.  Conseco believes
that BLH's success in the individual  health insurance market is attributable in
large part to its career agency force,  which permits  one-on-one  contacts with
potential  policyholders and builds loyalty to BLH among existing policyholders.
Its  efficient  and highly  automated  claims  processing  system is designed to
complement its  personalized  marketing  strategy by stressing prompt payment of
claims and rapid response to policyholder inquiries.

                                       25
<PAGE>   


     ANNUITY OPERATIONS.  Great American Reserve and Beneficial  Standard,  with
total assets of approximately $5.6 billion at September 30, 1996, market,  issue
and administer  annuity,  life and employee  benefit-related  insurance products
through  two  cost-effective  distribution  channels:  (1)  approximately  3,000
educator  market  specialists,  who sell  tax-qualified  annuities  and  certain
employee  benefit-related  insurance  products  primarily to school teachers and
administrators;  and (2) approximately 9,000 professional independent producers,
who sell various  annuity and life  insurance  products  aimed  primarily at the
retirement  market.  Approximately  87 percent  of the  $709.8  million of total
premiums and annuity  deposits  collected by the annuity  companies in 1995 (and
approximately  88 percent of the $490.8  million of total  premiums  and annuity
deposits  collected  in the  first  nine  months  of 1996)  was from the sale of
annuity  products.  This segment has included ALH beginning with its acquisition
in the third  quarter of 1996.  ALH,  with total  assets of  approximately  $6.2
billion  at  September  30,  1996,  is  engaged  primarily  in the  development,
marketing,  underwriting,  issuance  and  administration  of  annuity  and  life
insurance  products.  ALH markets those  products  through a general  agency and
insurance  brokerage  system  comprised  of  approximately   25,000  independent
licensed  agents.  Approximately  91  percent  of the  $825.6  million  of total
premiums and annuity  deposits  collected by ALH in 1995 (and  approximately  92
percent of the $537.9 million of total premiums and annuity  deposits  collected
in the first nine months of 1996) was from the sale of deferred annuities.

     LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS. Life insurance operations include the activities
of Philadelphia Life,  Massachusetts General Life and Lamar Life, beginning with
their  acquisition  in the third  quarter of 1996.  These  companies  distribute
universal  life  insurance  products using two primary  marketing  systems,  the
client company system and the regional  director  system,  comprising a total of
approximately  25,000  professional  independent  producers.   Approximately  74
percent of the $497.3 million of total insurance  premiums and annuity  deposits
collected by LPG in 1995 (and  approximately 66 percent of the $453.6 million of
total insurance premiums and annuity deposits collected in the first nine months
of 1996) was from the sale of life insurance products,  primarily universal life
insurance.  Segment  activities  also include  Conseco's other wholly owned life
insurance  subsidiaries  -- Bankers  National Life,  National  Fidelity Life and
Lincoln  American Life -- which have  profitable  in-force blocks of annuity and
life  insurance  products,  but do not  currently  market their  products to new
customers.
 
FEE-BASED OPERATIONS
 
     Conseco's   subsidiaries   provide  various   services  to  affiliated  and
unaffiliated clients. Conseco Capital Management, Inc. managed approximately $29
billion of invested  assets at September  30, 1996,  including  $16.8 billion of
assets of affiliated companies. Marketing Distribution Systems Consulting Group,
Inc.  provides  marketing  services  to  financial  institutions  related to the
distribution of insurance and investment products. Conseco Risk Management, Inc.
distributes  property and casualty insurance products as an independent  agency.
Conseco Mortgage Capital,  Inc.  originates and services  mortgages.  Total fees
from affiliated and nonaffiliated  clients were $69.2 million for 1995 and $86.8
million for the first nine months of 1996. To the extent that these services are
provided  to  entities  that  are  included  in the  financial  statements  on a
consolidated  basis,  the  intercompany  fees are  eliminated in  consolidation.
Earnings  in this  segment  increase  when  Conseco  adds  new  clients  (either
affiliated  or  unaffiliated)  and  when  Conseco  increases  the  fee-producing
activities   conducted  for  clients.   Effective  January  1,  1996,  Conseco's
subsidiaries   entered  into  new  service  agreements  with  Conseco's  service
subsidiaries.  Such new  agreements  had the effect of increasing  revenues from
fee-based  operations by $34.4 million in the first nine months of 1996, but had
no effect on consolidated net income.

     In addition to Conseco's  fee-based  operations,  Conseco  Private  Capital
Group, Inc. makes direct strategic  investments in growing companies,  providing
these firms with the capital or financing  they need to continue  their  growth,
make acquisitions or realize the potential of their businesses.
                                       26
<PAGE>   
 

RECENT ACQUISITIONS BY CONSECO

     ATC. On  December  17,  1996,  Conseco  completed  its  acquisition  of ATC
pursuant  to an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  dated  August 25, 1996 (the "ATC
Merger  Agreement").  Under the ATC  Merger  Agreement,  each of the 18  million
issued and  outstanding  shares of ATC Common Stock was converted into the right
to  receive  1.1672  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock.  ATC is a  marketer  and
underwriter of long term care insurance.  ATC also markets and underwrites other
supplemental  accident and health insurance policies, as well as life insurance.
ATC had total  assets of $907.6  million at  September  30,  1996.  Policies are
marketed  primarily through a network of over 20,000  independent  agents. As of
December 31, 1995, 89.3 percent of ATC's $371.8 million of annualized premium in
force (and as of  September  30, 1996,  90.6 percent of ATC's $404.0  million of
annualized  premium  in force)  was  attributable  to long term care  insurance,
including  nursing  home care and home  health  care  policies.  For  additional
information  concerning  ATC, see ATC's Annual Report and other  documents filed
with the  Commission  and listed under  "Incorporation  of Certain  Documents by
Reference" and "Summary -- Selected Historical Financial Information of ATC."

     THI. On  December  23,  1996,  Conseco  completed  its  acquisition  of THI
pursuant to an Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated  September 25, 1996 (the "THI
Merger  Agreement").  Under the THI Merger  Agreement,  each of the 1.6  million
issued and  outstanding  shares of THI Common Stock was converted into the right
to receive  2.8 shares of Conseco  Common  Stock and the $50  million  principal
amount of outstanding  convertible notes of THI were exchanged for approximately
4.2  million  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock and $10.2  million in cash (plus
accrued  interest).  THI,  through its life  insurance  subsidiaries,  TLIC Life
Insurance  Company,  Transport  Life  Insurance  Company  and  Continental  Life
Insurance Company is principally engaged in the underwriting and distribution of
supplemental  health  insurance.  THI had  total  assets of  $941.9  million  at
September 30, 1996. THI's supplemental  health insurance products include cancer
insurance and  heart/stroke  insurance,  and generally  provide fixed or limited
benefits to the insureds.  These supplemental health products are primarily sold
by two independent  general agencies and accounted for  approximately 84 percent
of  premiums  collected  in the  first  nine  months  of  1996.  For  additional
information  concerning  THI, see THI's Annual Report and other  filings  listed
under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" and "Summary -- Selected
Historical Financial Information of THI."

PENDING ACQUISITION OF CAF BY CONSECO

     CAF.  On August  25,  1996,  Conseco  and CAF  entered  into the CAF Merger
Agreement pursuant to which CAF would be merged  with and become a wholly  owned
subsidiary of Conseco. Under the CAF Merger Agreement, each of the approximately
17.8  million  issued  and  outstanding  shares of common  stock of CAF would be
converted  into the right to receive (1) $30.00 in cash plus the Time Factor (as
defined  below),   if  any,  and  (2)  the  fraction  (rounded  to  the  nearest
ten-thousandth)  of a share of Conseco Common Stock determined by dividing $6.50
by the Trading  Value (as  hereinafter  defined).  The "Trading  Value" shall be
equal to the average of the closing  prices of the Conseco  Common  Stock on the
NYSE Composite Transactions Reporting System for the 20 consecutive trading days
immediately  preceding  the  second  trading  day  prior  to the date of the CAF
Merger.  The "Time  Factor"  will be equal to $0.25 if the CAF  Merger  does not
occur by December 10, 1996, which amount will increase by an additional $0.25 on
the tenth day of each month thereafter until the CAF Merger is consummated.  The
Arizona  Department  of  Insurance  issued an order in December  1996  approving
Conseco's   acquisition  of  CAF's  Capitol  American  Life  Insurance   Company
subsidiary  as a result  of the CAF  Merger.  The order  was  appealed  by a CAF
shareholder.  To date,  closing of the CAF Merger has been stayed by court order
pending disposition of the appeal.  Conseco and CAF are opposing such appeal and
expect to complete the CAF Merger  following  resolution,  satisfactory  to both
Conseco  and CAF,  of the legal  issues  surrounding  the appeal of the  Arizona
order.  CAF,  through  its  insurance  subsidiaries,  underwrites,  markets  and
distributes individual and group supplemental health and accident insurance. CAF
had total  assets of $1,017.9  million at September  30,  1996.  For the past 20
years, CAF's primary product has been cancer insurance. CAF's other products are
accident insurance,  intensive care insurance, heart care insurance and hospital
indemnity  insurance.  Approximately  66 percent of the $282.1  million of total
premiums  collected by CAF in 1995 (and  approximately  64 percent of the $219.9
million of total  premiums  collected in the first nine months of 1996) was from
the sale of cancer  insurance.  For additional  information  concerning CAF, see
CAF's Annual Report and other  documents  filed with the  Commission  and listed
under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" and "Summary -- Selected
Historical Financial Information of CAF."

     Consummation of the Merger is not conditioned upon  consummation by Conseco
of the CAF Merger. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements of
Conseco."

GENERAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSECO AND RAC
 
     Conseco's  and  RAC's   executive   offices  are  located  at  11825  North
Pennsylvania Street,  Carmel, Indiana 46032 and the telephone number for Conseco
and RAC is (317) 817-6100.

     RAC, a wholly owned  subsidiary  of Conseco,  was formed for the purpose of
effecting the Merger.  To date, RAC has not engaged in any activities other than
those incident to its organization and the consummation of the Merger.

     For  additional  information  concerning  Conseco,   including  information
concerning ALH and BLH, see Conseco's  Annual Report and other  documents  filed
with the  Commission  and listed under  "Incorporation  of Certain  Documents by
Reference"  and  "Summary  --  Selected  Historical  Financial   Information  of
Conseco." For additional information concerning LPG, see LPG's Annual Report and
other  documents  filed with the Commission and listed under  "Incorporation  of
Certain  Documents by Reference."
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   
 
                           INFORMATION CONCERNING PFS

     PFS,  through its insurance  subsidiaries,  underwrites  life insurance and
annuities and health  insurance in selected niche markets  throughout the United
States.  PFS had total assets of  approximately  $1.7  billion at September  30,
1996. PFS's life insurance, annuity and health insurance premiums collected were
$700.4 million in 1995 and $584.4 million in the first nine months of 1996.

     For additional  information  concerning  PFS, see PFS's  Annual  Report and
other  documents  filed with the Commission and listed under  "Incorporation  of
Certain  Documents by Reference" and "Summary -- Selected  Historical  Financial
Information of PFS."
 
     PFS's   executive  offices are  located at 1750 East Golf Road, Schaumburg,
Illinois 60173 and its telephone number is (847) 995-0400.

                                       28

<PAGE>   
 
                              THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
GENERAL
 
     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to holders of PFS Common
Stock in  connection  with  the  solicitation  of  proxies  by the PFS  Board of
Directors for use at the Special Meeting to be held on ______, 1997, ______at
______, commencing  at  10:00  a.m.,  local  time, and  at  any  adjournment  or
postponement thereof.
 
     This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus also constitutes the Prospectus of Conseco
filed  with the  Commission  as part of the  Registration  Statement  under  the
Securities  Act  relating  to the shares of Conseco  Common  Stock  issuable  in
connection with the Merger. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying
form of proxy are first being mailed to  stockholders of PFS on or about ______,
1997.
 
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
     At the Special Meeting, PFS stockholders will consider and vote upon (1) a
proposal to authorize and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby and (2) such other business as may properly come before the
Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

     THE PFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED THE MERGER  AGREEMENT
AND RECOMMENDS THAT PFS STOCKHOLDERS  VOTE FOR AUTHORIZATION AND ADOPTION OF THE
MERGER  AGREEMENT.  SEE "THE MERGER --  BACKGROUND  OF THE MERGER" AND "-- PFS's
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE PFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS."

VOTING AT THE SPECIAL MEETING; RECORD DATE; QUORUM
 
     The PFS Board of Directors has fixed ________,  1997 as the Record Date for
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special
Meeting and any  adjournments or  postponements  thereof.  Only  stockholders of
record on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special
Meeting.  As of the Record  Date,  there were  ___________  shares of PFS Common
Stock  outstanding  and entitled to vote. Each holder of record of shares of PFS
Common  Stock on the Record  Date is  entitled  to cast,  either in person or by
properly  executed  proxy,  one vote per share on the Merger  Agreement  and the
other matters,  if any, properly  submitted for the vote of the PFS stockholders
at the Special Meeting.  The presence,  in person or by properly executed proxy,
of the holders of shares of capital stock  representing a majority of the voting
power of outstanding  capital stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will
constitute a quorum.  Shares of PFS Common Stock held by subsidiaries of PFS are
not treated as outstanding for voting purposes or in determining a quorum at the
Special Meeting.

     The  authorization and adoption by PFS of the Merger Agreement will require
the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority  of the voting  power of the
outstanding  capital stock entitled to vote thereon.  Thus, the affirmative vote
of shares of PFS  capital  stock  representing  at least  _______  votes will be
required  to  authorize  and adopt the  Merger  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  thereby.  Shares subject to abstentions  will be treated as shares
that are present at the Special Meeting for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum but as unvoted  for  purposes  of  determining  the number of shares
voting on a particular  proposal.  If a broker or other nominee holder indicates
on the proxy  card  that it does not have  discretionary  authority  to vote the
shares  for which it is the  holder of record on a  particular  proposal,  those
shares will be treated as shares  that are  present at the  Special  Meeting for
purposes of  determining  the presence of a quorum but will not be considered as
voted for purposes of determining the number of PFS stockholders that have voted
for or against the proposal. Accordingly,  abstentions and broker non-votes will
have the same practical effect as a vote against the

                                       29
<PAGE>   
 
authorization  and  adoption  of the Merger  Agreement  and the Merger or on any
other matter  submitted to the PFS  stockholders  which requires a percentage of
the total number of outstanding shares for approval.

     As of the Record Date,  the directors  and executive  officers of PFS (as a
group,  ___ persons) and their affiliates were entitled to vote _____ shares (__
percent) of PFS Common  Stock.  Each of the PFS directors has agreed to vote his
shares  in  favor  of the  Merger,  except  in  certain  limited  circumstances.
Information  with  respect to the  beneficial  ownership of shares of PFS Common
Stock by each of PFS's  directors  and all  directors  and  officers of PFS as a
group, and each person known to PFS to be the beneficial owner of more than five
percent of the  outstanding  shares of PFS Common Stock is set forth below under
"-- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 

     The following  table sets forth, as of the Record Date (unless as otherwise
indicated),  the number and  percentage  of  outstanding  shares of any class of
voting  securities  of PFS  beneficially  owned  by  each  PFS  director,  each
executive  officer and all executive  officers and directors as a group,  and by
all  persons  known by PFS to own more than five  percent of any class of voting
securities of PFS as of the Record Date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Amount and
                                                                           Nature of
Title                             Name and Address                        Beneficial                  Percent
of Class                       of Beneficial Owner (1)                   Ownership (2)               of Class
- --------                       -----------------------                   -------------               --------
<S>                            <C>                                    <C>                              <C>   
PFS Common Stock               Peter W. Nauert                        1,949,550 (3), (4), (5)            15.8%
                                 Director
                                  & Chief Executive Officer

PFS Common Stock               William B. Van Vleet                      31,423 (4)                        *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Michael A. Cavataio                      224,264 (4), (6)                  1.9%
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               John Gardiner                             32,700 (4)                        *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Michael K. Keefe                          38,674 (4)                        *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Karl-Heinz Klaeser                        70,192 (4)                        *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Robert F. Nauert                          19,946 (4), (5)                   *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               R. Richard Bastian, III                   31,846                            *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Carl Hulbert                              33,000 (4)                        *
                                 Director

PFS Common Stock               Charles R. Scheper                       196,155 (4), (5)                 1.6%
                                 President - Life Division

PFS Common Stock               Thomas J. Brophy                         194,799 (4), (5)                 1.6%
                                 President - Health Division

PFS Common Stock               Mark S. Fischer                           43,417 (4), (5)                   *
                                 Executive Vice President
                                    & Chief Operating Officer

PFS Common Stock               Billy B. Hill, Jr.                        25,000 (4)                        * 
                                 Executive Vice President
                                    & General Counsel

PFS Common Stock               Phillip Fiskow                            48,010 (4), (5)                   *
                                 Senior Vice President
                                    & Chief Investment Officer


PFS Common Stock               David I. Vickers                          73,933 (4), (5)                   *
                                 Senior Vice President, Treasurer
                                    & Chief Financial Officer

</TABLE>
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                          Amount and
                                                                           Nature of
Title                             Name and Address                        Beneficial                  Percent
of Class                       of Beneficial Owner (1)                   Ownership (2)               of Class
- --------                       -----------------------                   -------------               --------
<S>                            <C>                                    <C>                              <C>   

PFS Common Stock               Ernest T. Giambra, Jr.                    30,022 (4), (7)                   *

PFS Common Stock               Anthony J. Pino                            9,500 (5), (8)                   *

PFS Common Stock               All directors and executive
                                 officers as group (17 persons)       3,052,431 (3), (4), (5), (6)     23.2%

PFS Common Stock               Peter W. Nauert                        1,949,550 (3), (4), (5)          15.8%
                                 Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
                                 1750 East Golf Road
                                 Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

PFS Common Stock               Neuberger & Berman                     1,103,000 (9)                    9.52%
                                 605 Third Avenue
                                 New York, NY 10158

PFS Common Stock               Heartland Advisors, Inc.                 669,700 (10)                   5.78%
                                 790 N. Milwaukee Street
                                 Milwaukee, WI 53207

PFS Common Stock              Heyman Investment Associates, et al.      672,200 (11)                   5.70%
                                 33 Post Road
                                 Westport, CT  06881
- --------------------
* Less than 1.0%
<FN>

(1)     Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person is in care of
        Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. at 1750 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL
        60173.

(2)     Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment
        power with respect to all such shares.

(3)     Includes: (i) 86,000 shares held by Mr. Nauert's  children or Mr. Nauert
        as  custodian  or as trustee for his  children  and 2,000 shares held of
        record by Mr.  Nauert's wife;  (ii) 155,000 shares which may be acquired
        pursuant to presently  exercisable stock options; and (iii) 4,373 shares
        of Common  Stock  held in  Employee  Savings  and Stock  Ownership  Plan
        accounts as of September 30, 1996.

(4)     Includes  shares of Common  Stock  which such  directors  and  executive
        officers have the right to acquire upon the exercise of   stock  options
        (pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement  all  stock  options will
        vest  and  be exercisable upon consummation of the Merger)  as  follows:
        Mr. Peter  Nauert,  548,479  shares;  Mr. Van Vleet, 27,154 shares;  Mr.
        Cavataio,  119,282  shares;  Mr.  Gardiner,  25,000;  Mr. Keefe,  33,000
        shares;  Mr. Klaeser, 40,500 shares;  Mr. Robert Nauert,  16,274 shares;
        Mr. Hulbert, 33,000  shares; Mr. Scheper, 175,556   shares;  Mr. Brophy,
        180,428 shares; Mr. Fischer, 36,698 shares; Mr. Hill, 25,000 shares; Mr.
        Fiskow, 36,698 shares; Mr.  Vickers,  67,131 shares;  and  Mr.  Giambra,
        22,487 shares.

(5)     Includes  shares of Common  Stock  held  in  Employee  Savings and Stock
        Ownership Plan accounts as of September 30, 1996.

(6)     Includes: (i)   95,729    shares  of  Common  Stock held directly by Mr.
        Cavataio;  and (ii) 9,253 shares of  Common Stock  held of record by, or
        in trust for  the benefit of members of Mr. Cavataio's immediate family.

(7)     Mr. Giambra retired from PFS effective as of September 30, 1996.

(8)     Mr. Pino's relationship with PFS terminated effective October 24, 1996.

(9)     This information is based upon an Institutional Holdings Report provided
        by Bloomberg as of September, 1996 and current disposition of the shares
        is not known at this time.

(10)    This information is based upon an Institutional Holdings Report provided
        by Bloomberg as of September, 1996 and current disposition of the shares
        is not known at this time.

(11)    This  information  is based upon a Schedule 13D dated January 16, 1997,
        provided to PFS by Heyman Investment Associates, et al.
</FN>
</TABLE>

 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
PROXIES; REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
     Shares  of PFS  Common  Stock  represented  by  properly  executed  proxies
received at or prior to the Special Meeting that have not been properly  revoked
will be  voted at the  Special  Meeting  in  accordance  with  the  instructions
contained  therein.  Shares of PFS Common Stock represented by properly executed
proxies for which no  instruction is given will be voted FOR  authorization  and
adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger.  PFS stockholders are requested
to  mark,  sign,  date  and  return  promptly  the  enclosed  proxy  card in the
postage-prepaid  envelope  provided for this purpose to ensure that their shares
are voted. A stockholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to the vote on the
Merger  Agreement and the Merger by submitting a later-dated  proxy with respect
to the same shares,  delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of
PFS at any time prior to such vote or attending  the Special  Meeting and voting
in person.  Mere  attendance  at the Special  Meeting  will not itself  revoke a
proxy.

     If the Special  Meeting is postponed or  adjourned  for any reason,  at any
subsequent  reconvening of the Special  Meeting all proxies will be voted in the
same manner as such proxies  would have been voted at the original  convening of
the Special Meeting (except for any proxies that have  theretofore been properly
revoked or withdrawn), notwithstanding that they may have been effectively voted
on the same or any other matter at a previous meeting.

                                       32
<PAGE>   
 
     At the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the PFS Board of Directors
does not know of any business to be presented at the Special Meeting other than
as set forth in the notice accompanying this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. If any
other matters are properly presented at the Special Meeting for consideration,
including among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the meeting
to another time and/or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of
soliciting additional proxies), the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy
and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance
with their best judgment.
 
     PROXY  SOLICITATION.  PFS will bear the cost of soliciting proxies from its
stockholders.  In addition to  solicitation  by mail,  directors,  officers  and
employees of PFS, as well as Georgeson & Company, Inc.,  the  proxy solicitation
agent retained by PFS (the "Proxy Solicitation  Agent"),  may solicit proxies by
telephone,  special letter, telegram or otherwise. Such directors,  officers and
employees of PFS will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation, but
may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket  expenses incurred in connection  therewith.
The Proxy  Solicitation  Agent will be paid a fee of $_____ for its services and
will be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses.  Brokerage firms, fiduciaries
and other custodians who forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of
shares of PFS Common Stock held of record by them will be  reimbursed  for their
reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding such material.

PFS STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS.
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER

     The terms and conditions of the Merger were determined through arm's-length
negotiations between the managements and Boards of Directors of PFS and Conseco.
In determining the form of the transaction and the form and amount of the Merger
Consideration,  numerous  factors were  considered by the Boards of Directors of
PFS and Conseco. See "-Conseco's Reasons for the Merger" and "-PFS's Reasons for
the Merger; Recommendation of the PFS Board of Directors."

     In early November  1996, DLJ indicated to Peter W. Nauert,  Chairman of the
Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of PFS, that based on Conseco's  acquisition
strategy,  interest in  strengthening  its position in the senior market and the
overall  complementary nature of PFS's business,  Conseco might be interested in
purchasing  PFS for a purchase  price at a premium over the current market price
of PFS's common stock which PFS's stockholders might find attractive. A few days
later,  DLJ organized a meeting  between Mr. Nauert and Stephen C. Hilbert,  the
Chairman of the Board,  President and Chief Executive Officer of Conseco.  Based
on such discussions,  Conseco and PFS entered into a confidentiality  agreement,
and PFS  furnished  Conseco with  certain  non-public  information  requested by
Conseco.

         On  November  15, 1996 the Board of  Directors  of PFS held a telephone
meeting in which the directors  were advised of Conseco's  interest in acquiring
PFS. The Board authorized PFS's management to pursue  discussions  with Conseco.
PFS retained DLJ to act as its financial advisor in connection with the possible
transaction. It also utilized  its  consulting actuaries  to  provide  valuation
advice and its usual outside counsel, McDermott, Will & Emery, to act as counsel
in connection with the potential transaction.

         During  November and December 1996,  Conseco and PFS each conducted its
due diligence of the other. Conseco provided PFS with an initial draft of a form
of merger  agreement  on December 4, 1996  setting  forth the terms of Conseco's
offer to acquire PFS by merger in exchange for Conseco Common Stock.

                                       33
<PAGE>

     On  December  6,  1996  representatives  of  PFS,  Conseco  and  DLJ met to
negotiate  the terms of the Merger  Agreement and  continued  such  negotiations
through  December  15, 1996.  Among the  proposals  discussed  was a proposal by
Conseco to acquire PFS by merger for between $24 and $27 per share of PFS Common
Stock (payable in Conseco Common Stock),  based upon the value of Conseco Common
Stock prior to the closing.  The proposal also provided that the PFS Notes would
become  convertible  into the number of shares of Conseco Common Stock which the
holder of such Note  would  have been  entitled  to receive in the Merger if the
holder had converted the Note into shares of PFS Common Stock  immediately prior
to the Merger.

     The Conseco  Board of  Directors  met on  December 9, 1996 to consider  the
proposed  merger.  At the  meeting,  Conseco  management  reported  on  the  due
diligence  review  undertaken  by Conseco and its advisors and on the results of
the discussions to date with  representatives of PFS and its legal and financial
advisors.  The Conseco Board  discussed the potential  benefits to Conseco of an
acquisition of PFS. Management outlined for the Conseco Board the proposed terms
and  conditions of the Merger  Agreement.  After  reviewing and  discussing  the
merger proposal, the Conseco Board of Directors authorized management of Conseco
to execute and deliver the Merger  Agreement as outlined to the Directors at the
meeting,  with such further  changes as management  approved.  See " - Conseco's
Reasons for the Merger."

     The PFS Board of Directors held a special  meeting,  recessed and continued
several  times,  beginning on December 12, 1996 and ending on December 15, 1996,
to consider the Conseco proposal. On December 12, 1996, PFS management described
to the Board in detail the terms of the Conseco  proposal.  PFS's legal advisors
reviewed  with the Board the  fiduciary  duties of the Board with respect to its
consideration  of the Conseco  proposal.  In  addition,  representatives  of DLJ
described in detail DLJ's  qualifications to evaluate the Conseco proposal,  the
process  utilized by DLJ in evaluating  proposals  such as the Conseco  proposal
generally  and the  process  utilized  by DLJ to  evaluate  the  fairness to the
holders  of PFS  Common  Stock of the  Exchange  Ratio in the  Conseco  proposal
specifically.  The Board discussed in detail and at length the Conseco proposal,
the information  concerning Conseco provided to it by management and the results
of the due diligence of Conseco conducted by PFS, as well as the  qualifications
of DLJ and the process they had described to evaluate the Conseco proposal.  The
meeting was adjourned until December 13, 1996.

     The meeting  reconvened on December 13, 1996;  and the Board  continued its
consideration of the Conseco proposal. Mr. Hilbert,  assisted by Rollin M. Dick,
Executive  Vice  President and Chief  Financial  Officer of Conseco,  joined the
meeting  and made a  presentation  to the Board  with  respect to  Conseco,  its
business  plan,  financial  condition  and  operations,   including  its  recent
acquisitions. Messrs. Hilbert and Dick responded to questions from the directors
as the meeting  continued.  The Board  continued  its  discussion of the Conseco
proposal and requested  updated  information from its consulting  actuaries with
respect to its 1996 actuarial analysis of PFS's business. 

                                       34

<PAGE>

     The 1996 actuarial analysis of PFS's business conducted by PFS's consulting
actuaries  was provided to  management  and members of the Board on December 14,
1996. After  deliberation,  the Board directed management and DLJ to provide the
updated 1996 actuarial  analysis to Conseco and to conduct further  negotiations
with Conseco with a view toward obtaining additional Merger Consideration.

     Over the course of the day on December 15, 1996, representatives of DLJ and
PFS continued to consider the information provided by its consulting  actuaries.
The Board reconvened in the evening on December 15, 1996 and discussed in detail
the proposed merger.  Representatives of PFS's consulting actuaries responded to
questions from the Board and provided  detailed  information with respect to the
actuarial analysis of PFS's business and other related matters.  Representatives
of DLJ informed the Board that Conseco had  increased  its offer by $1 per share
and that, as a result,  the revised Conseco offer would provide PFS stockholders
with a minimum  purchase  price  equivalent to $25 per share of PFS Common Stock
and a maximum  purchase  price  equivalent to $28 per share of PFS Common Stock.
DLJ then provided the Board with the written fairness opinion of DLJ relating to
the Merger. See " - Opinion of Financial Advisor to PFS."

    After  careful  consideration  by the PFS Board of the terms of the  Merger
Agreement  and  after  consultation  with  its  advisors,  the PFS  Board  voted
unanimously  to approve the Merger  Agreement in the form presented to it at the
meeting with such changes  thereto as management  might  approve.  See " - PFS's
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the PFS Board of Directors."

                                       35

<PAGE>   
 

CONSECO'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
     The Conseco Board of Directors approved the Merger Agreement by a unanimous
vote at its  December 9, 1996, meeting.  In reaching its decision,  the Conseco
Board considered  information  provided at the Board meeting,  including,  among
other  things,  (1)  information   concerning  the  financial   performance  and
condition,  business  operations and prospects of PFS,  including an analysis of
possible  cost  savings  and  synergies,  and  a  qualitative  overview  of  the
individual business segments,  (2) the potential long-term and short-term effect
of the  transaction  on Conseco's  earnings per share,  (3) the structure of the
proposed  transaction,  (4)  the  terms  of the  Merger  Agreement  and  (5) the
presentation and recommendation made by the management of Conseco.

     A principal strategic objective of Conseco since it commenced operations in
1982 has been to acquire  life and health  insurance  companies  and to increase
their value by  implementing  management  strategies to reduce costs and improve
administrative  efficiency,  centralize asset management,  improve marketing and
distribution,  eliminate  unprofitable  products  and  focus  resources  on  the
development  and  expansion  of  profitable  products.  In  furtherance  of this
strategy,  Conseco has  completed 15  acquisitions  of insurance  companies  and
related  businesses  since it commenced  operations.  Conseco  believes that the
value and profitability of its existing  insurance  subsidiaries can be enhanced
as a result of the  cross-marketing  opportunities  presented by a company which
complements Conseco's existing product lines and distribution channels.

                                       36
<PAGE>   
 
     Conseco's  operating  strategy is to target selected  markets which provide
significant  growth  potential  and to focus its  sales  efforts  on  profitable
products which will provide  predictable and diversified  earnings regardless of
interest rate changes or other changes in the economic environment. Conseco also
seeks to be a major  competitor  in each of its targeted  markets and to develop
strong, complementary distribution channels. Strategic acquisitions will be made
by Conseco which are  consistent  with this strategy and which enable Conseco to
maintain its targeted ratio of debt to total capital.

     The Conseco Board of Directors  believes  that the insurance  businesses of
Conseco and PFS  complement  each other.  The Merger  would  provide  Conseco an
opportunity  to expand its product  portfolio.  Completion of the Merger and the
CAF  Merger  would  enable  Conseco  to be a major  competitor  in its  targeted
markets,  with more  than  100,000  agents  selling  long  term care  insurance,
Medicare  supplement  insurance,  cancer insurance,  other  supplemental  health
insurance,  universal  life  insurance  and  retirement  annuity  products.  The
addition of PFS's  distribution  system  would also provide  Conseco  additional
opportunities  to  cross-market  its  current  products.  The  Conseco  Board of
Directors also believes that the Merger offers  Conseco and PFS the  opportunity
to improve their  profitability  and  capitalization  through the achievement of
economies of scale,  the  elimination  of  redundancies  and the  enhancement of
market position.  By consolidating  certain operations and eliminating expenses,
Conseco expects to achieve,  over time,  significant savings of operating costs.
See "-- Conduct of the Business of Conseco and PFS After the Merger."

PFS'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE PFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     After careful consideration by the members of the PFS Board of Directors of
the terms of the Merger  Agreement and consultation  with its advisors,  the PFS
Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the Merger Agreement in the form
presented to it at the PFS Board of Directors meeting on December 15, 1996, with
such changes thereto as management of PFS may approve.  In voting to approve the
Merger  Agreement  and the Merger,  the PFS Board of Directors  considered  many
different factors,  including: (1) the return to PFS stockholders represented by
the premium over the then current  market price of the PFS Common Stock  offered
by Conseco as compared to the time that would be required if the Merger were not
consummated  to achieve  an  equivalent  stockholder  value;  (2) the  increased
security for PFS's policyholders and the potential additional  opportunities for
PFS's employees and agents expected to result from Conseco's  financial strength
and competitive position;  (3) the financial condition and results of operations
in Conseco  and the PFS Board of  Directors'  perception  of the more  favorable
overall business prospects of Conseco and PFS on a combined basis as compared to
PFS's  prospects as an independent  entity;  (4) the tax deferred  nature of the
transaction;  (5) the  potential  increase in value in the Conseco  Common Stock
after the Merger based on Conseco's financial strength and competitive position;
(6) the highly competitive nature of the life and health insurance business; (7)
the  difficulty of  maintaining  financial and claims - paying ratings issued by
rating  agencies;  (8) the current trend of  consolidation  within the insurance
industry;  (9) the broader, more active trading market for Conseco Common Stock;
and (10) the opinion  rendered to the PFS Board of  Directors by DLJ with regard
to the fairness to the holders of PFS Common Stock, of the Exchange Ratio from a
financial point of view.

THE DIRECTORS OF PFS HAVE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AND THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREBY, AND RECOMMEND THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS
OF PFS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE AND ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, SET FORTH AS ITEM 1 ON THE PROXY CARD.

                                       37
<PAGE>

OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO PFS


     In its role as financial advisor to PFS, DLJ was asked by PFS to render its
opinion to the PFS Board of Directors, as to the fairness from a financial point
of view,  of the  consideration  to be received  by holders of  PFS Common Stock
pursuant  to the terms of the  Merger  Agreement.  On  December  15,  1996,  DLJ
delivered its written  opinion (the "DLJ Opinion") to the PFS Board of Directors
to the effect that as of the date of such  opinion and based upon and subject to
the assumptions,  limitations and qualifications set forth in such opinion,  the
Exchange Ratio was fair,  from a financial  point of view, to the holders of PFS
Common Stock.

     A copy of the DLJ  Opinion is  attached  hereto as Annex B.  Holders of PFS
Common Stock are urged to read the opinion in its entirety for assumptions made,
procedures followed, other matters considered and limits of the review by DLJ.

     The DLJ Opinion was prepared for the PFS Board of Directors and is directed
only to the fairness,  from a financial  point of view, of the Exchange Ratio to
the holders of PFS Common Stock, and does not constitute a recommendation to any
member of the PFS Board of Directors or any stockholder as to how to vote at the
Special Meeting.

     The DLJ  Opinion  does not  constitute  an opinion as to the price at which
Conseco  Common Stock will actually  trade at any time.  The Exchange  Ratio and
Merger  Consideration were determined in arm's-length  negotiations  between PFS
and  Conseco,  in  which  negotiations  DLJ  advised  PFS.  No  restrictions  or
limitations  were  imposed  by the  PFS  Board  upon  DLJ  with  respect  to the
investigations  made or the procedures followed by DLJ in rendering its opinion.
DLJ was not requested  to, nor did it,  solicit the interests of any other party
in acquiring PFS.

     In arriving at its opinion,  DLJ reviewed  the Merger  Agreement.  DLJ also
reviewed  financial  and  other  information  that  was  publicly  available  or
furnished  to DLJ by PFS and  Conseco,  including  information  provided  during
discussions  with their  respective  managements.  Included  in the  information
provided  during  discussions  with  the  respective  managements  were  certain
financial   projections  of  PFS  which  were  pro  forma  for  certain  pending
transactions of PFS for the years ending December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997
prepared by the  management  of PFS,  an  actuarial  analysis  of the  insurance
subsidiaries  of PFS  as of  September  30,  1995  prepared  for  PFS  by  PFS's
consulting actuaries,  certain pro forma financial statements of Conseco for the
year ended  December 31, 1995 and the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and
certain financial projections of Conseco which are pro forma for certain pending
and recently  completed  transactions of Conseco,  for the years ending December
31, 1996 through  December 31, 2005 prepared by the  management  of Conseco.  In
addition,  DLJ compared certain financial and securities data of PFS and Conseco
with various other  companies  whose  securities  are traded in public  markets,
reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of the PFS Common Stock
and Conseco  Common  Stock,  reviewed  prices and premiums paid in certain other
business  combinations and conducted such other financial studies,  analyses and
investigations as were deemed appropriate for purposes of rendering its opinion.

                                       38

<PAGE>


     In  rendering  its  opinion,  DLJ relied  upon and  assumed  the  accuracy,
completeness and fairness of all of the financial and other information that was
available  to DLJ  from  public  sources,  that was  provided  to DLJ by PFS and
Conseco or their  representatives,  or that was otherwise  reviewed by DLJ. With
respect to the pro forma  financial  projections of PFS supplied to DLJ, DLJ has
assumed  that they  were  reasonably  prepared  on a basis  reflecting  the best
currently  available  estimates and judgments of the management of PFS as to the
future operating and financial performance of PFS. With respect to the actuarial
analysis of the insurance  subsidiaries of PFS supplied to DLJ, DLJ assumed that
it was  reasonably  prepared  on a  basis  reflecting:  (i) the  best  available
estimates and judgments of the management of PFS as to the future  operating and
financial  performance of the insurance  subsidiaries of PFS as of September 30,
1995; and, (ii) the best judgment of PFS's consulting actuaries as to the proper
analysis to be applied based on the assumptions provided to it by the management
of PFS as to the future  operating and financial  performance  of such insurance
subsidiaries.  In addition, with respect to such actuarial analysis, DLJ assumed
that except for the then  pending  acquisitions  of PFS,  there were no material
changes to the business of PFS since such date that would materially affect such
actuarial analysis.  With respect to the pro forma financial  statements and pro
forma  financial  projections of Conseco  supplied to DLJ, DLJ assumed that they
were  reasonably  prepared on a basis  reflecting the best  currently  available
estimates and judgments of the  management of Conseco as to the  historical  pro
forma results of Conseco and the future  operating and financial  performance of
PFS and Conseco. DLJ did not assume any responsibility for making an independent
evaluation  of PFS's and  Conseco's  assets or  liabilities  or for  making  any
independent  verification of any of the information  reviewed by DLJ. DLJ relied
as to all legal matters on advice of counsel to PFS.

     The DLJ Opinion is  necessarily  based on economic,  market,  financial and
other  conditions as they existed on, and on the  information  made available to
DLJ as of, the date of the DLJ Opinion.  It should be understood  that, although
subsequent  developments  may  affect  the DLJ  Opinion,  DLJ  does not have any
obligation to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion.

     The DLJ Opinion was based on receipt by the holders of PFS Common  Stock of
Conseco Common Stock with a value of $25.00 per share of PFS Common Stock, based
on the collar provisions outlined in the Merger Agreement.

     The following is a summary of the presentation made by DLJ to the PFS Board
of Directors in connection with rendering its opinion.

     PFS  Public  Market  Valuation  Analysis.  To provide  contextual  data and
comparative market information,  DLJ compared selected share price and operating
and financial  data and ratios for PFS to the  corresponding  data and ratios of
certain publicly traded accident and health insurance companies which DLJ deemed
relevant.  Such comparable companies consisted of: Delphi Financial Group, Inc.,
Guarantee Life  Companies,  Inc.,  John Alden  Financial  Corporation,  PennCorp
Financial  Group,  Inc. and Penn Treaty  American Corp.  (the  "Publicly  Traded
Companies"). Such ratios included, among others, the multiples of stock price to
GAAP  operating  earnings per share ("EPS") for the latest twelve months ("LTM")
ended  September 30, 1996,  estimated  GAAP  operating EPS for 1996 and 1997 (as
estimated by research analysts and compiled by Institutional  Brokers Estimating
Service) and shareholders' equity per share as of September 30, 1996, as well as
the ratios of the aggregate equity market capitalization plus the amount of debt
and preferred stock outstanding  ("Enterprise  Value") to statutory earnings for
the LTM or the last  fiscal  year  ("LFY")  and  Enterprise  Value to  statutory
capital and surplus as of the end of the last fiscal quarter ("LFQ") or the LFY.
Closing prices as of December 6, 1996 were used in this  analysis.  The range of
stock  price as a multiple of LTM GAAP  operating  EPS for the  Publicly  Traded
Companies  was 10.1x to 14.6x.  The ranges of price as a multiple  of  estimated
GAAP operating  earnings for 1996 and 1997 were 9.5x to 13.9x and 7.1x to 12.1x,
respectively. The range of stock price as a multiple of LTM shareholders' equity
per share for the Publicly  Traded  Companies was 0.97x to 1.68x.  The ranges of
Enterprise Value as a multiple of LFY statutory earnings and Enterprise Value as
a multiple of LFY statutory capital and surplus were 26.3x to 41.5x and 1.66x to
5.48x, respectively.  The average multiples of stock price to LTM GAAP operating
EPS and estimated GAAP  operating EPS for 1996 and 1997 for the Publicly  Traded
Companies were 12.9x,  11.9x and 10.1x,  respectively.  The average multiples of
stock price to  shareholders'  equity per share,  Enterprise  Value to statutory
earnings and Enterprise Value to statutory  capital and surplus for the Publicly
Traded  Companies  were  1.38x,  33.9x and 2.91x,  respectively.  This  analysis
indicated  that the total  consideration  to be received by PFS would  result in
multiples of stock price to LTM GAAP operating EPS, estimated GAAP operating EPS
for 1996 and 1997 and shareholders' equity per share and multiples of Enterprise
Value to  statutory  earnings  and  Enterprise  Value to  statutory  capital and
surplus  within or above the  ranges  detailed  above.  The  $25.00 per share in
consideration  which  DLJ  assumed  would be paid by  Conseco  would  result  in
purchase  price  multiples  to PFS's  LTM GAAP  operating  EPS,  estimated  GAAP
operating  EPS for  1996  and  1997 and  shareholders'  equity  per  share as of
September 30, 1996 of 11.4x,  12.3x,  10.6x and 1.56x,  respectively.  This same
consideration  would result in Enterprise Value multiples to PFS's LFY statutory
earnings and LFY statutory capital and surplus of 45.2x and 3.35x, respectively.

                                       39
<PAGE>
    PFS Merger  Market  Valuation  Analysis.  DLJ  reviewed  publicly  available
information for selected transactions  involving the acquisition of accident and
health insurance companies since December 1992 (the "Selected Transactions"). In
reviewing these transactions,  several factors were considered,  including:  (i)
the lack of publicly  available  information  for subsidiary and private company
transactions  which  represent a significant  portion of merger and  acquisition
activity within the accident and health insurance  industry;  and, (ii) the lack
of directly comparable transactions. The Selected Transactions were not intended
to  represent  the  complete  list of  accident  and  health  insurance  company
transactions  which have occurred  over the period  contemplated.  Rather,  such
transactions  included only selected recent transactions  involving accident and
health insurance companies. Such transactions were used in this analysis because
the  companies  involved  were  broadly  deemed  by DLJ to  operate  in  similar
businesses or have similar financial characteristics to PFS.

     DLJ reviewed the consideration  paid in the Selected  Transactions in terms
of the price paid for the common stock as a multiple of LTM GAAP  operating  EPS
and  shareholders'  equity per share as of September 30, 1996. DLJ also reviewed
the  consideration  paid in such transactions in terms of the price paid for the
common  stock plus the amount of debt and  preferred  stock  assumed,  repaid or
redeemed  in such  transactions  (the  "Transaction  Value")  as a  multiple  of
statutory  earnings for the LTM or LFY ended prior to the  announcement  of such
transactions and as a multiple of statutory capital and surplus as of the end of
the  LFQ or LFY  ended  prior  to the  announcement  of  such  transactions.  In
analyzing acquisitions of accident and health insurance companies,  the purchase
price paid may be  expressed  as a  multiple  of equity  purchase  price to GAAP
operating EPS and to shareholders'  equity per share and of Transaction Value to
statutory earnings and to statutory capital and surplus.  Variances in multiples
for different  transactions may reflect such  considerations as the consistency,
quality and growth of earnings and the company's  capitalization,  asset quality
and return on  capital.  Since  statutory  earnings  and  statutory  capital and
surplus  do not  reflect  the  cost  of a  company's  debt  or  preferred  stock
financing,  which are  usually at the  holding  company  level  rather  than the
insurance company level,  multiples of statutory  earnings and statutory capital
and surplus are  appropriately  based on a Transaction  Value which includes the
cost of assuming,  repaying or redeeming such debt or preferred stock financing.
Since GAAP operating EPS and shareholders'  equity per share already reflect the
cost of a company's debt or preferred stock financing,  analyses of multiples of
GAAP operating EPS or  shareholders'  equity are based on the price paid for the
company's  common  stock,  which  excludes  the cost of  assuming,  repaying  or
redeeming  such debt or preferred  stock  financing.  Comparing the multiples of
equity  purchase  price to the GAAP operating EPS and  shareholders'  equity per
share of PFS and the multiples of  Transaction  Value to the statutory  earnings
and  statutory  capital  and  surplus  of PFS with the  multiples  paid in other
transactions  indicates  whether the valuation being placed on PFS is within the
range of values paid for other accident and health insurance companies.

     The range of price as a multiple of LTM GAAP operating EPS for the Selected
Transactions  was 10.8x to 23.9x.  The range of stock price as a multiple of LFQ
shareholders' equity per share for the Selected Transactions was 1.17x to 2.80x.
DLJ found ranges of  Transaction  Value as a multiple of LFY statutory  earnings
and of LFY or LFQ  statutory  capital  and surplus of 5.1x to 44.8x and 1.30x to
10.55x, respectively.  The average multiple of stock price to LTM GAAP operating
EPS for the Selected  Transactions  was 13.8x.  The average multiple of price to
LFQ shareholders' equity per share for the Selected  Transactions was 2.19x. The
average multiples of Transaction Value to LFY statutory earnings and Transaction
Value  to LFY or LFQ  statutory  capital  and  surplus  were  17.5x  and  3.05x,
respectively.  The total  consideration  to be received by holders of PFS Common
Stock would result in multiples of equity  purchase  price to LTM GAAP operating
EPS and equity  purchase price to LFQ  shareholders'  equity per share within or
above the  ranges  outlined  above.  This  consideration  would  also  result in
multiples of Transaction  Value to LFY statutory  earnings and Transaction Value
to LFY  statutory  capital and surplus  within the  applicable  ranges  outlined
above.  Based on the  consideration  which DLJ assumed would be paid by Conseco,
the  implied  multiple  of the  price  paid  for PFS  Common  Stock  to LTM GAAP
operating EPS was 11.4x.  Based on the consideration  which DLJ assumed would be
paid by Conseco,  the implied  multiple of the price  assumed to be paid for PFS
Common  Stock to PFS's  shareholders'  equity per share was 1.56x.  Based on the
consideration which DLJ assumed would be paid by Conseco,  the implied multiples
of Transaction  Value to PFS's LFY statutory  earnings and Transaction  Value to
PFS's LFY statutory capital and surplus were 45.2x and 3.35x, respectively.

     DLJ also determined the percentage premium of the offer prices (represented
by the  purchase  price  per  share in cash  transactions  and the  price of the
constituent  securities  multiplied  by  the  exchange  ratio  in  the  case  of
stock-for-stock mergers) over the public market trading prices one day, one week
and one month prior to the announcement date of the Selected  Transactions.  The
ranges of premiums of offer prices to public market  trading prices one day, one
week and one month prior to the announcement date for the Selected  Transactions
were  (10.4%)  to 54.8%,  1.0% to 56.7% and  (6.0%) to 71.9%  respectively.  The
average  premiums of offer prices to public market  trading  prices one day, one
week and one month prior to the announcement date for the Selected  Transactions
were 23.8%, 28.8% and 32.7%,  respectively.  The consideration which DLJ assumed
would be received  by holders of PFS Common  Stock  represented  premiums to the
trading  prices of PFS  Common  Stock one day,  one week and one month  prior to
December 6, 1996 of 35.1%,  35.1% and 49.3%,  respectively.  These  premiums lie
within the ranges outlined above.
                                       40
<PAGE>

     Analysis of PFS Common Stock Trading History. DLJ also examined the history
of the trading prices for PFS Common Stock and the historical  multiple of price
to estimated GAAP  operating EPS as represented by the historical  values of PFS
Common Stock.  Since  December 6, 1995,  the multiple of price to GAAP operating
EPS of PFS Common Stock has moved in a range from 5.5x to 10.7x, with an average
of 7.3x. The consideration which DLJ assumed would be paid by Conseco to holders
of PFS Common Stock  represents a multiple of estimated  1997 GAAP operating EPS
of 10.6x, which lies at the upper end of this range.

     Effect of the Acquisition on Conseco's  Historical and Projected  Financial
Position  and  Earnings.  DLJ  analyzed  certain  pro  forma  financial  effects
resulting  from the Merger.  DLJ  analyzed the pro forma effect of the Merger on
Conseco's  operating EPS and on Conseco's  leverage ratios. DLJ has incorporated
estimates  of expense  savings as  provided by the  managements  of both PFS and
Conseco  for the  years  1997 and  1998 in its  analysis  although  DLJ does not
express an opinion as to the likelihood of such expense  savings being realized.
The results of the pro forma merger analysis are not  necessarily  indicative of
future  operating  results  or  financial  position.  Based  on  this  analysis,
Conseco's shareholders' would realize EPS accretion of 5.1% and 5.2% in 1997 and
1998,  respectively,  versus PFS's projected results on a stand-alone basis. Pro
forma for the Merger,  Conseco's ratios of debt to total capitalization and debt
and preferred stock to total  capitalization as of September 30, 1996 would have
been 33.0% and 35.9%, respectively.

     Because  the Merger  Consideration  will be in the form of  Conseco  Common
Stock,  to  provide  comparative  market  information,   DLJ  compared  selected
historical  and  projected  operating  and  financial  ratios of  Conseco to the
corresponding  data and  ratios of  certain  selected  publicly  traded  annuity
companies and accident and health insurance companies which DLJ deemed relevant.
Such  comparable  companies  consisted  of: Equitable  of  Iowa  Cos.,  Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., Presidential Life Corp., SunAmerica Inc., and Western
National Corp. (the "Selected Annuity  Companies") and of AFLAC, Inc.,  PennCorp
Financial  Group,  Inc.,  Provident  Companies  and UNUM  Corp.  (the  "Selected
Accident and Health Companies").

     Such analysis included, among other things, the multiples of stock price to
GAAP  operating  EPS for 1996 and 1997 (as  estimated  by research  analysts and
compiled by Institutional  Brokers  Estimating  Service for the Selected Annuity
Companies  and the  Selected  Accident  and Health  Companies  and  management's
projections for Conseco) and shareholders'  equity per share as of September 30,
1996.  Comparing  the  multiples  of  Conseco's  stock price to  estimated  GAAP
operating EPS and shareholders' equity per share with the multiples at which the
Selected Annuity  Companies and the Selected Accident and Health Companies trade
indicates  whether  Conseco's stock price is within the range of values at which
the Selected  Annuity  Companies and the Selected  Accident and Health Companies
trade. Conseco's estimated GAAP operating EPS and shareholders' equity per share
used in this  analysis  were adjusted to give pro forma effect to: (1) the TOPrS
Offering  completed November 19, 1996; (2) the TruPS Offering completed November
27, 1996; (3) the ATC Merger completed  December 17, 1996; (4) the Series D Call
completed  September 26, 1996;  (5) the ALH Transaction completed  September 30,
1996; (6) the LPG Merger  completed  effective July 1, 1996; (7) the acquisition
of all of the  outstanding  common stock of CCP not previously  owned by Conseco
and related transactions  (including the repayment of borrowings under Conseco's
existing $250.0 million revolving credit  agreement)  completed August 31, 1995;
(8) the  increase of Conseco's  ownership  in Bankers  Life Holding  Corporation
("BLH") to 90.4%,  as a result of purchases  of common  shares of BLH by Conseco
and BLH  completed  during  1995 and the first  three  months  of 1996;  (9) the
issuance  of 4.37  million  shares of  Conseco  preferred  redeemable  increased
dividend  equity  securities  on January  23,  1996;  (10) the BLH Tender  Offer
completed on February 28, 1996;  (11) the debt  restructuring  of ALH  completed
during the fourth quarter of 1995; (12) the CAF Merger currently  pending;  (13)
the THI Merger  completed  December  23,  1996;  and,  (14) the BLH  Transaction
completed on December 31, 1996.

                                       41
<PAGE>

     The low, average and high multiples of public stock price to estimated 1996
GAAP operating EPS were 11.2x, 13.4x and 19.3x,  respectively,  for the Selected
Annuity  Companies and 13.1x,  15.7x and 17.2x,  respectively,  for the Selected
Accident and Health  Companies.  The multiple of public stock price to Conseco's
estimated 1996 GAAP  operating EPS was 17.0x.  This multiple is greater than the
average multiple of the Selected  Annuity  Companies and the average multiple of
the Selected Accident and Health Companies.  The low, average and high multiples
of public stock price to estimated 1997 GAAP operating EPS were 10.1x, 11.9x and
16.5x,  respectively,  for the Selected Annuity  Companies and 10.9x,  13.3x and
14.8x,  respectively,  for the  Selected  Accident  and  Health  Companies.  The
multiples of public stock price to Conseco's  estimated  1997 GAAP operating EPS
was 12.0x.  This  multiple is greater than the average  multiple of the Selected
Annuity  Companies and less than the average  multiple of the Selected  Accident
and Health Companies.  The low, average and high multiples of public stock price
to shareholders' equity per share as of September 30, 1996 were 1.00x, 1.56x and
2.12x,  respectively,  for the Selected Annuity  Companies and 1.41x,  2.04x and
2.82x,  respectively,  for the  Selected  Accident  and  Health  Companies.  The
multiple of public stock price to Conseco's shareholders' equity per share as of
September  30,  1996 was  1.93x.  This  multiple  is  greater  than the  average
multiple of the Selected  Annuity  Companies and  less than the average multiple
of the Selected Accident and Health Companies.

     Limitations of Opinion.  The summary set forth above does not purport to be
a complete  description of the analyses  performed by DLJ. The  preparation of a
fairness opinion involves various  determinations as to the most appropriate and
relevant  methods of financial  analysis and the application of these methods to
the  particular  circumstances  and,  therefore,  such  opinions are not readily
susceptible to summary  description.  Each of the analyses  conducted by DLJ was
carried out in order to provide a different perspective on the Merger and to add
to the total mix of information  available.  DLJ did not form a conclusion as to
whether any individual analysis, considered in isolation, supported or failed to
support an opinion as to  fairness.  Rather,  in reaching  its  conclusion,  DLJ
considered  the results of the  analyses  in light of each other and  ultimately
reached its opinion  based on the results of all analyses  take as a whole.  DLJ
did not place  particular  reliance or weight on any  individual  analysis,  but
instead  concluded  that  its  analyses,   taken  as  a  whole,   supported  its
determination.  Accordingly,  notwithstanding  the separate  factors  summarized
above,  DLJ believes  that its analyses  must be  considered as a whole and that
selecting  portions of its analyses and the factors  considered  by it,  without
considering  all  analyses  and factors,  may create an  incomplete  view of the
evaluation process underlying its opinion. In performing its analyses,  DLJ made
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic
conditions and other matters.  The analyses performed by DLJ are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or future results,  which may be significantly  more
or less favorable than those suggested by such analyses.

     Engagement  and Fees  Payable to DLJ.  PFS  selected  DLJ as its  financial
advisor because it is a nationally  recognized  investment banking firm that has
substantial  experience  in  transactions  similar to the Merger and is familiar
with PFS, its business and the insurance  industry.  Pursuant to the terms of an
engagement  letter dated  November,  26 1996,  PFS has paid DLJ $350,000 for its
services to date,  including the delivery of the DLJ Opinion.  In addition,  PFS
has agreed to pay DLJ 0.75% of the aggregate amount of consideration received by
PFS shareholders and including in such  consideration  the amount of any debt of
PFS assumed or repaid or preferred  stock  redeemed or remaining  outstanding in
connection with the Merger, less $350,000.  PFS also agreed to reimburse DLJ for
all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including the reasonable  fees and  out-of-pocket
expenses of counsel)  incurred by DLJ in connection  with its  engagement and to
indemnify  DLJ and  certain  related  persons  against  certain  liabilities  in
connection  with  its  engagement,   including  liabilities  under  the  federal
securities  laws. The terms of the fee  arrangement  with DLJ, which DLJ and PFS
believe are customary in transactions  of this nature,  were negotiated at arm's
length  between  PFS and DLJ and the PFS  Board of  Directors  was aware of such
arrangement,  including the fact that a significant portion of the aggregate fee
payable to DLJ is contingent upon consummation of the Merger.

     DLJ has performed  investment banking and other services for the Conseco in
the past, including  co-managing the TOPrS Offering completed November 19, 1996,
and  has  received   usual  and  customary   compensation   for  such  services.
Additionally,  DLJ has  delivered:  (i) an  opinion as to the  fairness,  from a
financial point of view to the  shareholders of CAF of the  consideration  to be
received by such shareholders in connection with the CAF Merger, (ii) an opinion
as to the fairness, from a financial point of view to the shareholders of ATC of
the  exchange  ratio  applicable  in  connection  with the ATC Merger,  (iii) an
opinion as to the fairness,  from a financial point of view to the  shareholders
of THI of the exchange  ratio  applicable in connection  with the THI Merger and
(iv) an  opinion  as to the  fairness,  from a  financial  point  of view to the
shareholders of LPG of the  consideration to be received by such shareholders in
connection with the LPG Merger.

                                       42
 
<PAGE>   

 

CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER

     As a result of the  Merger,  the  holders of PFS Common  Stock will  become
shareholders  of Conseco.  See  "Comparison of  Shareholders'  Rights." Upon the
consummation of the Merger,  each  outstanding  share of PFS Common Stock (other
than shares of PFS Common Stock held as treasury stock by PFS) will be converted
into the right to receive the Merger  Consideration.  Conseco will apply to have
the  additional  shares of Conseco  Common Stock  issued  pursuant to the Merger
listed on the NYSE,  and the  approval  of such  shares for  listing on the NYSE
(subject to official  notice of issuance) is a condition  to the  obligation  of
Conseco and PFS to effect the Merger. See "The Merger Agreement -- Conditions to
the Merger." After  consummation  of the Merger and without giving effect to the
proposed  acquisition  of  CAF,  the  current  Conseco  shareholders  would  own
approximately __ percent of the shares of Conseco Common Stock then outstanding,
and the current holders of PFS Common Stock would own  approximately ___ percent
of such shares.

     See  "The  Merger  Agreement  --  Treatment  of PFS  Stock  Options"  for a
description  of the  treatment of PFS Stock  Options in the Merger.  Conseco has
agreed  to take all  corporate  action  necessary  to  reserve  for  issuance  a
sufficient  number of shares of Conseco  Common Stock for delivery upon exercise
of PFS Stock Options assumed in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF CONSECO AND PFS AFTER THE MERGER
 
     Conseco's  Board of Directors  and  management  will not be affected by the
Merger. See "Management of Conseco and PFS Upon Consummation of the Merger."

     Following the Merger,  Conseco expects to achieve operating cost savings as
a result of  consolidation  of certain  Conseco and PFS  operations  through the
elimination of redundant  expenses,  reductions in staff and the  achievement of
certain  economies of scale.  There can be no  assurance  that such cost savings
will be realized as anticipated by Conseco.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 

     SEVERANCE  BENEFITS.  Pursuant  to the  Merger  Agreement,  if,  after  the
Effective  Time, the employment of employees of PFS is terminated,  the Employee
Severance  Pay Plan of Conseco  shall be  applicable  to such  employees  giving
credit for service to PFS or its  subsidiaries as service to Conseco;  provided,
however,  that employees of PFS or its  subsidiaries who as of December 15, 1996
either (i) had a contract with PFS or one of its subsidiaries which provides for
a greater payment upon termination of employment or (ii) were covered by the PFS
severance policy for officers  described below shall be entitled to the payments
specified by such  contract or policy in lieu of any amounts  under the Employee
Severance Pay Plan of Conseco. In addition,  an aggregate of up to $5 million of
additional  payments  may be paid within 12 months after the  Effective  Time to
employees of PFS in such manner and proportions as shall be determined from time
to time by the current chief executive  officer of PFS after  consultation  with
the Chief Operations Officer of Conseco or his designee.

     PFS has adopted a severance policy for officers of PFS and its subsidiaries
which  provides  generally  for severance  payments  equal to six months of base
salary to  officers  of PFS and for  payments  of one month base salary for each
year of service to officers of PFS's subsidiaries;  provided that such severance
payable to officers of PFS's  subsidiaries shall be equal to not less than three
months,  and not more than six months, of base salary.  In addition,  the Merger
Agreement provides for the termination of the existing employment  agreements of
Messrs. Nauert, Scheper and Brophy,  executive officers of PFS, at the Effective
Time. In  connection  therewith,  at the  Effective  Time (x) Mr. Nauert will be
entitled to receive  $4.5  million  from PFS and (y) Messrs.  Scheper and Brophy
will each be entitled to receive amounts equal to the present value,  discounted
at an annual rate of 8%, of an amount  equal to the salary which would have been
payable to such officer during the period from the Effective Time through August
31,  1998 based on rates of annual base  salary  payable to Messrs.  Scheper and
Brophy of $425,000 and $325,000,  respectively.  The agreements also provide for
the payment under certain  circumstances of certain health insurance benefits to
Messrs. Scheper and Brophy until the employee reaches the age of 65.

     In addition to other agreements between PFS or its subsidiaries and certain
of their  officers,  Billy B. Hill,  Jr., an executive  officer of PFS, will, in
addition to the severance pay to which he is entitled under the severance policy
for officers  described above, be engaged under a retainer for legal services of
$15,000 per month for the two years following termination of his employment.

                                       43
<PAGE>   
 
     VESTING OF PFS STOCK  OPTIONS.  In accordance  with the terms of the Merger
Agreement  and the Stock Plans,  all  outstanding  PFS Stock Options will become
immediately  exercisable  in full at the  Effective  Time.  As a result  of such
acceleration,  the  following  executive  officers and  directors of PFS will be
able, at and after the Effective  Time, to  exercise  their  PFS Stock   Options
relating to the following  number of additional  shares of PFS Common Stock that
would not yet  otherwise be  exercisable  but for the Merger:  Mr. Peter Nauert,
393,479 shares; Mr. Van Vleet,  2,154 shares;  Mr. Robert Nauert,  1,274 shares;
Mr. Scheper,  80,556 shares;  Mr. Brophy,  105,416 shares;  Mr. Fischer,  36,698
shares;  Mr. Fiskow,  38,536 shares;  and Mr. Vickers,  61,131 shares.  See "The
Special  Meeting  --  Security   Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and
Management."

     EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS.  Conseco  has  entered    into    an    Employment
Agreement with Peter W. Nauert which provides for an employment term of one year
commencing at the Effective  Time.  The Employment  Agreement  provides that Mr.
Nauert will provide  advice  concerning  the operation and management of PFS and
its integration  into the business of Conseco and such other executive  services
as the chief  executive  officer  of  Conseco or its  marketing  subsidiary  may
reasonably  request.  Mr.  Nauert  will be  entitled  to an annual  salary of $1
million plus such cash bonuses or other  incentive  compensation as the Board of
Directors  of  Conseco  may  approve  in its sole  discretion.  He will  also be
entitled  to  participate  in  employee  benefit  plans and  insurance  programs
currently  offered by Conseco,  or which it may adopt from time to time, for its
executive management or supervisory personnel. As an inducement to Mr. Nauert to
enter into the Employment  Agreement,  Conseco has agreed to grant Mr. Nauert at
the Effective Time an option to purchase  100,000 shares of Conseco Common Stock
at a purchase  price of $30.125 per share, a price equal to the closing price of
the Conseco Common Stock on December 13, 1996, the trading day immediately prior
to the signing of the Merger Agreement.  Such option,  whether or not Mr. Nauert
is then an employee of Conseco,  shall vest  automatically  on December 15, 1997
and may be exercised at any time prior to the third anniversary of the Effective
Time  (unless  Conseco  and Mr.  Nauert  shall  have  extended  the  term of his
employment  beyond one year,  in which event the option may be  exercised at any
time prior to the tenth  anniversary  of the  Effective  Time).  The  Employment
Agreement may be extended by mutual  agreement on the first  anniversary  of the
Effective  Time, at a salary and on such other terms as are mutually  acceptable
to Conseco and Mr. Nauert, which items shall include a grant to Mr. Nauert of an
option to  purchase  a minimum of 200,000  shares of Conseco  Common  Stock at a
purchase  price  of  $30.125.  Such  option  will  vest in  three  equal  annual
installments  beginning on the first  anniversary  of the Effective Time (if Mr.
Nauert is an employee on such dates) and generally will expire at the earlier of
(i) ten years after the date of grant or (ii)  termination of  employment.  Upon
consummation of the Merger, Mr. Nauert's existing employment  agreement with PFS
will be terminated. Conseco has agreed to pay Mr. Nauert the sum of $4.5 million
in consideration of the termination of the existing employment agreement, and he
has agreed to pay to PFS the principal balance (currently  $650,000) and accrued
interest on the Non-Negotiable Promissory Note from Mr. Nauert to PFS.

                                       44

<PAGE>   

 
     INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS;  INSURANCE. The Merger Agreement
provides that the  certificate of  incorporation  and by-laws of each of PFS and
PFS's subsidiaries  shall contain the provisions with respect to indemnification
PFS and  set  forth  therein  on the  date of the  Merger  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 PFS 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
the Merger Agreement), unless such modification is required by law. In addition,
Conseco  has  agreed  to enter  into  indemnification  agreements  covering  the
Indemnified  Parties with respect to claims  arising out of facts or events that
occurred prior to the Effective  Time. The foregoing  provisions are intended to
be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each  Indemnified  Party and
the heirs and personal  representatives  of such Indemnified  Party and shall be
binding on all successors and assigns of Conseco.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     Conseco  intends to account  for the Merger  under the  purchase  method of
accounting in accordance with APB Opinion No. 16, "Business Combinations." Under
this method of accounting,  the cost of acquiring all outstanding  shares of PFS
Common Stock and the  assumption  of all  outstanding  PFS Stock Options will be
determined by the value at the Effective  Time of the Merger  Consideration  and
the Conseco Common Stock (or cash) to be issued to holders of PFS Stock Options,
plus the direct costs  associated  with the Merger.  Conseco will  allocate such
cost in  establishing  new  accounting  and reporting  bases for the  underlying
acquired  assets and  liabilities  based on their  estimated  fair values at the
Effective Time.

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The  following  is a summary  description  of the  material  United  States
federal income tax  consequences of the Merger to PFS and the PFS  stockholders.
This summary is not a complete description of all of the tax consequences of the
Merger and, in particular,  does not address tax considerations which may affect
the  treatment  of  certain   special   status   taxpayers   such  as  financial
institutions,    broker-dealers,    life   insurance    companies,    tax-exempt
organizations,  investment  companies  and foreign  taxpayers.  In addition,  no
information  is provided  herein  with  respect to the tax  consequences  of the
Merger either under  applicable  foreign,  state or local laws or to persons who
acquire PFS Common  Stock  pursuant to employee  stock  options or  otherwise as
compensation.

                                       45
<PAGE>   
 

     The following  discussion is based on the Code, as in effect on the date of
this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  without consideration of the particular facts
or circumstances  of any particular  holder of PFS Common Stock. PFS and Conseco
have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the Internal  Revenue Service
with respect to any of the matters discussed herein.

     The  obligation of PFS to effect the Merger is  conditioned  on delivery to
PFS of an opinion dated the date the Merger is closed (the "Closing  Date") from
McDermott,  Will & Emery,  counsel to PFS,  or other  legal  counsel  reasonably
acceptable to PFS and Conseco,  based on certain  representations  to be made by
PFS and Conseco and on  assumptions  set forth in the opinion,  that for federal
income tax  purposes  the Merger will  constitute  a  reorganization  within the
meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368 (a)(2)(E) of the Code and, as a result,
the  stockholders  of PFS will not be  subject  to  federal  income tax on their
receipt,  pursuant to the Merger,  of shares of Conseco Common Stock in exchange
for PFS Common Stock. Such opinion, however, will not be binding on the Internal
Revenue Service.

     Assuming  that the Merger  qualifies  for federal  income tax purposes as a
reorganization  within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368 (a)(2)(E) of
the Code, the material federal income tax consequences of the Merger for the PFS
stockholders and PFS will be as follows:

          (i) No gain or loss will be recognized by PFS stockholders upon  their
     exchange of PFS Common Stock for Conseco Common Stock, except that  any PFS
     stockholder  who  receives  cash  proceeds  in  lieu  of a fractional share
     interest in Conseco Common Stock will recognize gain  or  loss equal to the
     difference between such cash proceeds and the stockholder's  tax  basis  in
     the fractional share interest, determined as provided below,  and such gain
     or loss will constitute a capital gain or  loss  if  such stockholder's PFS
     Common Stock is held as a capital asset at the Effective Time;
 
          (ii) The  tax  basis   in   the   Conseco  Common Stock (including any
     fractional share interest deemed received and exchanged for a cash payment)
     received by a PFS stockholder in exchange for PFS Common Stock will be the
     same as such stockholder's tax basis in the PFS Common Stock surrendered in
     exchange therefor; and
 
          (iii) The  holding  period  of the Conseco Common Stock (including any
     fractional share interest deemed received and exchanged for a cash payment)
     received by a PFS  stockholder will include the period during which the PFS
     Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor was held (provided that such
     PFS Common Stock was held by such PFS stockholder as a capital asset at the
     Effective Time).
 

     THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL  DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN  MATERIAL  FEDERAL INCOME
TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER FOR PFS AND PFS STOCKHOLDERS AND IS INCLUDED FOR
GENERAL  INFORMATION  ONLY. THE FOREGOING  DISCUSSION DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
THE PARTICULAR FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH PFS STOCKHOLDER'S  TAX STATUS AND
ATTRIBUTES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH PFS STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN
TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE
APPLICATION  AND  EFFECT  OF  FEDERAL,  STATE,  LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN SUCH TAX LAWS.

REGULATORY APPROVALS

     ANTITRUST.  Under the HSR Act and the rules  promulgated  thereunder by the
Federal Trade  Commission (the "FTC"),  the Merger may not be consummated  until
notifications have been given and certain  information has been furnished to the
FTC and the  Antitrust  Division of the  Department  of Justice (the  "Antitrust
Division")  and  specified  waiting  period  requirements  have been  satisfied.
Conseco and PFS filed  notification  and report forms under the HSR Act with the
FTC and the Antitrust  Division on ______,  1997.  The required  waiting  period
under the HSR Act is scheduled to expire on ______, 1997. At any
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   
 
time before or after the consummation of the Merger,  and  notwithstanding  that
the HSR Act waiting period has been  terminated,  the Antitrust  Division of the
FTC could take such action  under the  antitrust  laws as it deems  necessary or
desirable in the public interest,  including  seeking to enjoin the consummation
of the Merger or seeking  divestiture of substantial  assets of Conseco and PFS.
At any time before or after the consummation of the Merger, and  notwithstanding
that the HSR Act waiting period has been  terminated,  any state could take such
action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public
interest.  Such action could include  seeking to enjoin the  consummation of the
Merger or seeking  divestiture  of PFS or businesses of Conseco or PFS.  Private
parties  may also seek to take  legal  action  under the  antitrust  laws  under
certain circumstances.

     Conseco and PFS believe that the Merger can be effected in compliance  with
federal and state  antitrust  laws.  However,  there can be no assurance  that a
challenge to the  consummation of the Merger,  on antitrust  grounds will not be
made or that,  if such a challenge  were made,  Conseco and PFS would prevail or
would not be required to accept certain  conditions,  possibly including certain
divestitures, in order to consummate the Merger.

     INSURANCE.  The  consummation of the Merger may require the approval of the
Commissioners  of the  Departments  of  Insurance  of  Illinois,  Oklahoma,  and
Wisconsin (the  jurisdictions in which the insurance  companies owned by PFS are
domiciled).  The  Insurance  Codes  of  such  jurisdictions  contain  provisions
applicable to the  acquisition  of control of a domiciled  insurer,  including a
presumption  of control that arises from the ownership of ten percent or more of
the  voting  securities  of a  domiciled  insurer  or a person  that  controls a
domiciled  insurer.  Appropriate  filings with the Insurance  Commissioners have
been or will be made and it is anticipated,  although there can be no assurance,
that the approval of each of the Insurance Commissioners will be obtained.

NYSE LISTING OF CONSECO COMMON STOCK
 
     Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  Conseco is required to use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain listing on the NYSE of the shares of Conseco Common
Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger. Approval of the listing on the
NYSE of the  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock to be  issued in the  Merger is a
condition to the  respective  obligations  of PFS and Conseco to consummate  the
Merger.

ABSENCE OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
     Holders of PFS Common Stock will not be entitled to appraisal rights under
the DGCL in connection with the Merger. Holders of Conseco Common Stock will not
be entitled to appraisal rights under the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the
"IBCL") in connection with the Merger. See "Comparison of Shareholders'
Rights -- Dissenters' Rights."
 
                              THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
     The  following  is a brief  summary  of  certain  provisions  of the Merger
Agreement,  which is attached as Annex A to this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus and
is incorporated  herein by reference.  This summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Merger  Agreement.  All  stockholders  are urged to read the
Merger Agreement in its entirety.

THE MERGER
 
     The Merger  Agreement  provides that,  subject to satisfaction or waiver of
the terms and  conditions  contained  in the  Merger  Agreement,  including  the
approval of the Merger  Agreement and the Merger by the  stockholders of PFS and
the obtaining of required regulatory approvals, RAC will be merged with and into
PFS, with PFS being the surviving  corporation.  As a result of the Merger,  PFS
would become a wholly owned  subsidiary  of Conseco.  See "--  Conditions to the
Merger" and "-- Termination."

 
                                       47
<PAGE>   
 
EFFECTIVE TIME
 
     The Merger Agreement  provides that,  subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of certain conditions and the requisite approval of the stockholders of PFS, the
Merger  will be  consummated by, and  will  become  effective on the date of,the
filing of the  Certificate of Merger with  the Secretary of State of Delaware or
at such time thereafter as is provided in the Certificate of Merger.  The Merger
Agreement may be terminated  by either  Conseco or PFS if, among other  reasons,
the Merger has not been consummated on or before March 31, 1997 (or May 31, 1997
under  certain  circumstances).  See  "--  Conditions  to the  Merger"  and  "--
Termination."

CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES; NO FRACTIONAL AMOUNTS
 
     At the Effective Time, pursuant to the Merger Agreement,  each share of PFS
Common Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
(other than shares held as treasury shares by PFS) will, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,  be converted into the
right to receive  (i) if the  Conseco  Share  Price is greater  than or equal to
$28.00 per share and less than or equal to $31.36 per share, .8928 of a share of
Conseco  Common  Stock,  (ii) if the Conseco Share Price is less than $28.00 per
share,  the  fraction  (rounded  to the  nearest  ten-thousandth)  of a share of
Conseco Common Stock determined by dividing $25.00 by the Conseco Share Price or
(iii) if the Conseco Share Price is greater than $31.36 per share,  the fraction
(rounded  to the  nearest  ten-thousandth)  of a share of Conseco  Common  Stock
determined  by dividing  $28.00 by the Conseco Share Price.  The Conseco  Common
Stock to be issued to holders of shares of PFS Common Stock in  accordance  with
the  Merger  and any cash to be paid in lieu of  fractional  shares  of  Conseco
Common Stock are referred to collectively as the "Merger Consideration."

     In the event of any change in Conseco  Common Stock between the date of the
Merger  Agreement  and the  Effective  Time of the Merger by reason of any stock
split, 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  of  PFS  Common  Stock  as  provided  in the  Merger  Agreement  and  the
calculation of all share prices  provided for in the Merger  Agreement  shall be
proportionately adjusted.

     On ________ , 1997,  the last full  trading day for which  information  was
available prior to the mailing of this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the closing
prices  reported for shares of Conseco  Common Stock and PFS Common Stock on the
NYSE were $____ and $_____ per share, respectively. There can be no assurance or
prediction, and neither Conseco nor PFS hereby make any assurance or prediction,
as to the future prices of shares of Conseco Common Stock or PFS Common Stock.

     No fractional  shares of Conseco  Common Stock will be issued in connection
with the Merger.  Each PFS stockholder who otherwise would 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.
 
     Promptly  after the Effective  Time,  the Exchange  Agent will mail to each
record holder of Certificates, which prior thereto represented PFS Common Stock,
a form of letter of transmittal and  instructions  for use in surrendering  such
Certificates  and  receiving  the  consideration  to which such holder  shall be
entitled  pursuant to the Merger  Agreement.  After receipt of such  transmittal
form,  each holder of  Certificates  should  surrender such  Certificates to the
Exchange  Agent  together  with the  letter of  transmittal  duly  executed  and
completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and each such holder will
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor

                                       48
<PAGE>   
 
certificates for shares of Conseco Common Stock and a check for any cash which
may be payable in lieu of a fractional share of Conseco Common Stock.

     PFS  STOCKHOLDERS  SHOULD NOT FORWARD  THEIR  CERTIFICATES  TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND INSTRUCTIONS.
 
     After  the  Effective  Time,  each  outstanding   Certificate  (other  than
Certificates  evidencing  shares of PFS Common Stock held as treasury  shares by
PFS), which prior thereto represented PFS Common Stock, until so surrendered and
exchanged,  will be deemed,  for all  purposes,  to  evidence  only the right to
receive the Merger Consideration that the holder of such Certificate is entitled
to receive pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

TREATMENT OF PFS STOCK OPTIONS 
 
     From  and  after  the  Effective  Time,  each  PFS  Stock  Option  shall be
exercisable,  for the same aggregate  consideration payable to exercise such PFS
Stock Option  immediately  prior to the Effective Time, for the number of shares
of Conseco  Common Stock which the holder would have been entitled to receive at
the Effective  Time if such PFS Stock Option had been fully vested and exercised
for shares of PFS Common Stock  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time,  and
otherwise on the same terms and  conditions as were  applicable  under the Stock
Plans and the underlying stock option agreement;  provided,  that each PFS Stock
Option,  if not  then  vested,  will  vest  in  full  at the  Effective  Time in
accordance with the Stock Plans.

     Conseco has agreed to take all  corporate  action  necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Conseco Common Stock for delivery upon
exercise of PFS Stock Options  assumed in accordance  with the Merger  Agreement
and to register such shares of Conseco Common Stock with the Commission pursuant
to a Registration Statement on Form S-8.

TREATMENT OF PFS CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     At the Effective  Time, each PFS Convertible  Note shall  automatically  be
convertible  into the number of shares of Conseco  Common Stock which the holder
of such PFS  Convertible  Note would have been entitled to receive in the Merger
if the holder had converted the PFS  Convertible  Note into shares of PFS Common
Stock immediately before the Effective Time.

                                       49

<PAGE>
 
PFS EMPLOYEE MATTERS

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,  Conseco will provide severance  benefits
for  certain  persons  who  are  eligible  employees  of PFS  or  any  of  PFS's
subsidiaries  immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time.  See  "The  Merger  -
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger - Severance Benefits."

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
     The  Merger  Agreement  contains  certain  customary   representations  and
warranties  relating to, among other things,  (1) each of  Conseco's,  RAC's and
PFS's organization and similar corporate matters;  (2) each of Conseco's,  RAC's
and  PFS's capital  structure;  (3)  the  authorization,   execution,  delivery,
performance and  enforceability of the Merger Agreement with respect to Conseco,
RAC and PFS and related matters;  (4) documents filed by each of Conseco and PFS
with the Commission and the accuracy of information  contained therein;  (5) the
absence of material changes with respect to the business of Conseco and PFS; and
(6) compliance with applicable laws.

CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Merger Agreement  contains certain customary  covenants and agreements,
including, without limitation, the following:

     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,  Conseco has agreed
that during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective
Time,  Conseco shall,  and shall cause its  subsidiaries  to, 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.

     Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  PFS has agreed that,  during the period
from the date of the  Merger  Agreement  until  the  Effective  Time,  except as
permitted  by the Merger  Agreement,  as set forth on the  Disclosure  Schedules
thereto or as otherwise  consented to in writing by Conseco,  PFS will, and will
cause its subsidiaries  to, act and carry on their respective  businesses in the
ordinary course of business and not (without

 
                                       50
<PAGE>   
 
the prior consent of Conseco),  among other things (1)(A) declare,  set aside or
pay any dividends on, or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or
property)  in respect of, any of PFS's  outstanding  capital  stock  (other than
regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $0.055 per share of PFS Common
Stock, with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with PFS's dividend
policy);  (B) split,  combine or  reclassify  any of PFS's  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 PFS's outstanding  capital stock; or
(C)  purchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire  any  shares of PFS's  outstanding
capital  stock or any rights,  warrants or options to acquire such  shares;  (2)
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  other than upon the
exercise of PFS Stock Options  outstanding on the date of the Merger  Agreement;
(3) amend its Certificate of  Incorporation  or By-laws;  (4) acquire,  form, or
commence operations of any business; (5) sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber or
otherwise  dispose of any of its  properties  or assets that are material to PFS
and its  subsidiaries  taken  as a  whole,  except  in the  ordinary  course  of
business;  (6) incur any  indebtedness  for borrowed money or guarantee any such
indebtedness of another person,  other than  indebtedness  under existing credit
agreements or indebtedness  owing to or guarantees of indebtedness  owing to PFS
or any  subsidiary  of PFS, or make any loans or  advances  to any other  person
(other than PFS or any subsidiary  of PFS) other than routine advances to agents
and employees;  (7) make any tax election or settle or compromise any income tax
liability  that would  reasonably  be  expected  to be  material  to PFS and its
subsidiaries  taken as a whole;  (8)  pay,  discharge,  settle  or  satisfy  any
material claims, liabilities or obligations 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 of PFS
filed  with  the  Commission  or  incurred  since  the  date of  such  financial
statements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (9)
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, except (A) as otherwise required by law, (B) as required
to provide cash (in the ordinary  course of business  and  consistent  with past
practice)  to meet its  actual or  anticipated  obligations  or (C) in  publicly
traded  corporate  bonds  that  are  rated  investment  grade  by at  least  two
nationally recognized  statistical rating  organizations;  (10) except as may be
required  by law,  (A) make any  representation  or promise to any  employee  or
former  director,  officer,  or  employee  of PFS or its  subsidiaries  that  is
inconsistent  with the terms of any PFS benefit plan, (B) make any change to the
contracts,  salaries,  wages, or other compensation of any employee or any agent
or consultant of PFS or any subsidiary  other than (i) changes that are required
under  existing  contracts,  (ii) with respect to  employees,  changes which are
routine, in the ordinary course of business,  consistent with past practices and
not in excess of 6%, and (iii) with  respect to agents or  consultants,  changes
which are in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices,
(C) adopt,  enter into, amend,  alter or terminate any existing PFS benefit plan
or any  election  made  pursuant to the  provisions  of any existing PFS benefit
plan, to accelerate  any payments,  obligations or vesting  schedules  under any
existing  PFS benefit  plan,  or (D) approve  any  general or  company-wide  pay
increases  for  employees;  (11)  except in the  ordinary  course  of  business,
materially  modify,   amend  or  terminate  any  material   agreement,   permit,
concession,  franchise,  license  or  similar  instrument  to  which  PFS or any
subsidiary is a party or waive,  release or assign any material rights or claims
thereunder;  or (12) hold any meeting of the PFS Board of Directors or the board
of directors of 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 (A) 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 (B) with such  notice,  except as  provided  in the Merger
Agreement, an agenda of the specific matters to be considered at such meeting or
a copy of the proposed written consent.

     NO SOLICITATION. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, PFS 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, PFS or any of its  subsidiaries  to, directly or
indirectly,  (1) solicit,  initiate or encourage the submission of any bona fide
proposal  with  respect to a merger,  consolidation,  share  exchange or similar
transaction  involving  PFS or any  subsidiary of PFS, or any purchase of all or
any  significant  portion of the assets of PFS or any  subsidiary of PFS, or any
equity  interest in PFS or any  subsidiary of PFS,  other than the  transactions
contemplated by the Merger  Agreement (each an "Acquisition  Proposal"),  or (2)
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.  The  foregoing  shall not
prohibit the PFS Board of Directors from furnishing  information to, or entering
into discussions or
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   
 
negotiations with, any person or entity  that  makes an  unsolicited Acquisition
Proposal  if,  and  only  to  the  extent  that  (1) the PFS Board of Directors,
after  consultation  with   and  based  upon  the  advice  of  outside  counsel,
determines  in good faith that in order for the PFS Board of Directors to comply
with its fiduciary  duties to PFS  stockholders  under  applicable law it should
take  such  action  and (2)  prior  to  taking  such  action,  PFS (A)  provides
reasonable notice to Conseco to the effect that it is taking such action and (B)
receives  from such person or entity an executed  confidentiality  agreement  in
reasonably  customary  form.  The Merger  Agreement  provides that PFS shall (i)
promptly  advise  Conseco orally and in writing of (A) the receipt by it (or any
of the other entities or persons referred to above) after the date of the Merger
Agreement 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,  PFS  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 PFS, 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.

     INDEMNIFICATION   OF  DIRECTORS  AND  OFFICERS.   Pursuant  to  the  Merger
Agreement,  Conseco has agreed that the certificate of incorporation and by-laws
of PFS and each of PFS's subsidiaries  shall contain the provisions with respect
to  indemnification  set forth therein on the date of the Merger 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 Indemnified  Parties in respect of actions or omissions  occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time unless such  modification  is required by law. In
addition,  Conseco has agreed to enter into indemnification  agreements with the
Indemnified Parties.

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
 
     The  respective  obligations  of  Conseco  and PFS to effect the Merger are
subject to the following conditions,  among others: (1) the Merger Agreement and
the Merger shall have been approved and adopted by the  stockholders of PFS; (2)
all required consents, approvals, permits and authorizations to the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby by PFS and Conseco shall be obtained, if
necessary,  from (A) the Commissioner of the Illinois,  Oklahoma,  and Wisconsin
Departments  of Insurance and (B) any other  governmental  entity whose consent,
approval,  permission or  authorization is required by reason of a change in law
after the date of the  Merger  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 PFS and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or on the
validity or enforceability of the Merger Agreement;  (3) the waiting period (and
any  extension  thereof)  applicable  to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
been terminated or shall have otherwise  expired;  (4) 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;  (5) the shares of Conseco Common
Stock issuable to PFS's stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall have
been approved for listing on the NYSE,  subject to official  notice of issuance;
and (6) the  Registration  Statement  shall  have  become  effective  under  the
Securities  Act and shall not be the  subject of any stop  order or  proceedings
seeking a stop order.  If all  governmental  and  regulatory  consents have been
obtained  except  for  insurance  regulatory  approval  for any  life  insurance
subsidiary  which does not constitute a "significant  subsidiary" (as defined in
the Merger  Agreement),  then  Conseco has the option to cause  certain  actions
specified in the Merger Agreement to be taken in order to consummate the Merger.

     The  obligation  of Conseco to effect the Merger is subject to, among other
things,  the  following  additional  conditions:  (1)  the  representations  and
warranties  of PFS  contained in the Merger  Agreement  shall have been true and
correct on the date of the Merger  Agreement  and on 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 PFS and its subsidiaries  taken
as a whole;  and (2) PFS shall  have  performed  in all  material  respects  all
obligations  required to be  performed  by it under the Merger  Agreement  at or
prior to the Closing Date.

     The  obligation  of PFS to effect  the Merger is subject  to,  among  other
things,  the  following  additional  conditions:  (1)  the  representations  and
warranties of Conseco and RAC contained in the Merger  Agreement shall have been
true and correct on the date of the Merger  Agreement  and on 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; (2) Conseco and RAC shall have performed in  all
                                       52
<PAGE>   
 
material  respects  all  obligations  required to be performed by them under the
Merger  Agreement  at or prior to the  Effective  Time;  and (3) PFS shall  have
received the opinion dated the Closing Date of McDermott,  Will & Emery, counsel
to PFS, or such other legal counsel reasonably acceptable to PFS and Conseco, to
the effect that the Merger  will be treated as a  reorganization  under  Section
368(a)(2)(E)  of the Code as a result of which the  stockholders of PFS will not
be  subject to federal  income  tax on the  receipt of shares of Conseco  Common
Stock in exchange for shares of PFS Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.

TERMINATION

     The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time
prior to the  Effective  Time,  whether  before or after  approval of the Merger
Agreement and the Merger by PFS's  stockholders at the Special  Meeting:  (1) by
the mutual written consent of Conseco and PFS ; or (2) by Conseco or PFS (A) if,
upon a vote at a duly held meeting of the stockholders of PFS or any adjournment
thereof, any required approval of the stockholders of PFS shall not be obtained;
(B) at any time  after  March  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 the Merger  Agreement  by the party
seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement;  provided, however, that either party
may by notice to the other party  extend such date to May 31, 1997 unless  there
is then in  effect a  temporary  restraining  order,  preliminary  or  permanent
injunction or other order issued by a court of competent  jurisdiction  or other
legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger; (C) 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; or (D) if the PFS Board of Directors shall have exercised its
rights set forth in Section 4.9 of the Merger Agreement  (summarized below under
"-- Right of PFS Board of Directors to Withdraw its Recommendation").

     If the Merger  Agreement  is validly  terminated  as described  above,  the
Merger  Agreement  shall  become  void and have no effect,  except  for  certain
covenants regarding brokers,  confidentiality  and, as described below under "--
Expenses,"  payment  of  expenses,  and  except  that no party  thereto  will be
relieved  of any  liability  for  damages  that such party may have to the other
party by reason of such party's breach of the Merger Agreement.
 
RIGHT OF PFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO WITHDRAW ITS RECOMMENDATION
 
     Under  the  Merger  Agreement,  the PFS  Board of  Directors  shall not (1)
withdraw or modify, in a manner materially  adverse to Conseco,  the approval or
recommendation  by the PFS Board of  Directors  of the Merger  Agreement  or the
Merger or (2) enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal,
unless PFS  receives  an  Acquisition  Proposal  and the PFS Board of  Directors
determines in good faith,  following  consultation with outside counsel, that in
order to comply with its fiduciary  duties to stockholders  under applicable law
the PFS Board of Directors  should  withdraw or modify,  in a manner  materially
adverse to Conseco,  its approval or  recommendation  of the Merger Agreement or
the Merger, or enter into an agreement with respect to such Acquisition Proposal
or terminate the Merger Agreement. In the event the PFS Board of Directors takes
any of the foregoing  actions,  PFS shall,  concurrently  with the taking of any
such action, pay to Conseco the fee described in "-- Breakup Fee."

 BREAKUP FEE
 
     PFS has agreed to pay to  Conseco  upon  demand  $8.0  million (a  "Breakup
Fee"),  payable  in  same-day  funds,  if a bona fide  Acquisition  Proposal  is
commenced,  publicly proposed, publicly disclosed or communicated to PFS (or the
willingness  of any  person to make such an  Acquisition  Proposal  is  publicly
disclosed or

                                       53
<PAGE>   
 
communicated to PFS) and the PFS Board of Directors,  in accordance with Section
4.9 of the Merger  Agreement  (summarized  above under "-- Right of PFS Board of
Directors  to Withdraw its  Recommendation"),  withdraws or modifies in a manner
materially  adverse to Conseco  its  approval  or  recommendation  of the Merger
Agreement  or the  Merger,  or enters  into an  agreement  with  respect to such
Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality  agreement as contemplated by
the Merger  Agreement),  or terminates the Merger Agreement;  provided,  however
that no Breakup  Fee shall be payable  if the Merger  Agreement  shall have been
terminated in accordance with certain provisions of the Merger Agreement.

EXPENSES
 
     In the absence of a requirement to pay a Breakup Fee and except as provided
in the following  paragraph,  whether or not the Merger is consummated,  each of
PFS and Conseco will pay its own costs and expenses  incident to preparing  for,
entering into and carrying out the Merger  Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions   contemplated   thereby.

     Unless Conseco is materially in breach of the Merger Agreement or is unable
to satisfy certain closing conditions in the Merger Agreement, PFS has agreed to
pay to Conseco  upon  demand an amount  not to exceed $1  million  to  reimburse
Conseco for its reasonable  out-of-pocket  fees and expenses in connection  with
the Merger or the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger
Agreement,  payable  in  same-day  funds,  if the  requisite  approval  of PFS's
stockholders  for the Merger is not  obtained and all other  closing  conditions
contained in the Merger Agreement have been satisfied or waived or, with respect
to any  condition  not then  satisfied,  it is  substantially  likely  that such
condition  will be  satisfied  on or before May 31, 1997 through the exercise of
commercially  reasonable  efforts to procure the satisfaction  thereof.  See "--
Termination."

MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT
 
     Subject to the applicable  provisions of the DGCL, at any time prior to the
Effective  Time,  PFS and Conseco may modify or amend the Merger  Agreement,  by
written  agreement  executed and  delivered by their duly  authorized  officers;
provided, however, that after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of PFS,
no amendment may be made which reduces the  consideration  payable in the Merger
or  adversely  affects  the  rights of the PFS's  stockholders  under the Merger
Agreement without the approval of such stockholders.

PFS AFFILIATE REGISTRATION RIGHTS  

     Conseco  has  agreed to  maintain  the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
Statement  subsequent  to the  consummation  of the  Merger  for the  purpose of
resales  of  Conseco  Common  Stock by  persons  who,  at the time the Merger is
submitted to the shareholders of PFS for approval,  were "affiliates" of PFS for
purposes  of Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act,  but shall not  thereafter  be
required  to file  any  post-effective  amendment  thereto.  Conseco  shall  not
otherwise  be  required  to  maintain  the  effectiveness  of  the  Registration
Statement or any other  registration  statement under the Securities Act for the
purposes of resale of Conseco Common Stock by such affiliates.

     Conseco has agreed to indemnify such affiliates, each of their officers and
directors and partners,  and each person  controlling such affiliates within the
meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities  Act,  against  all  expenses,  claims,
losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), including any of
the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation, commenced or threatened,
arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of
a material fact contained in such registration  statement or prospectus,  or any
amendment or supplement thereto, incident to any such registration,  or based on
any omission (or alleged  omission) to state therein a material fact required to
be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements  therein,  in light of
circumstances  in which they were made,  not  misleading,  or any  violation  by
Conseco of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation in connection  with such
registration,  and  reimburse  each  such  person  for any  legal  and any other
expenses   reasonably  incurred  (as  they  are  incurred)  in  connection  with
investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action.

STOCKHOLDER LITIGATION

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


                                       54
<PAGE>

        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONSECO

     The  unaudited pro forma  consolidated  statement of operations of  Conseco
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996,  and for the year ended  December
31, 1995,  presents  the  consolidated  operating  results for Conseco as if the
following planned  transactions had occurred on January 1, 1995: (i) the Merger;
and (ii) the CAF Merger.

     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 Merger"
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:  (i) the TOPrS  Offering  (ii) the TruPS  Offering;
(iii) the BLH  Transaction;  (iv) the THI Merger;  (v) the ATC  Merger; (vi) the
Series  D Call  (vii)  the ALH  Transaction;  (viii)  the LPG  Merger;  (ix) the
acquisition of all of the outstanding  common stock of CCP not previously  owned
by Conseco, and related transactions  (including the repayment of the borrowings
under Conseco's  existing $250.0 million  revolving  credit  agreement) (x)  the
increase of Conseco's ownership in BLH to 90.4 percent, as a result of purchases
of common  shares of BLH by  Conseco  and BLH  during  1995 and the first  three
months of 1996;  (xi) the issuance of 4.37 million  shares of Conseco  PRIDES in
January 1996; (xii) the BLH Tender Offer;  and (xiii) the debt  restructuring of
ALH in the fourth quarter of 1995. Such pro forma  adjustments are set forth in:
(i) Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 1996; (ii) Conseco's
Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  December 23, 1996;  (iii)  Conseco's  Current
Report on Form 8-K dated  December  17,  1996;  (iv)  Exhibit  99.2  included in
Conseco's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  September 25, 1996;  (v) Conseco's
Current  Report on Form 8-K dated August 2, 1996; and (vi) 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
nine months ended  September  30,  1996,  set forth in the  unaudited  pro forma
consolidated  statement of operations under the column "Pro forma Conseco before
the Merger" 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: (i) the TOPrS Offering;  (ii) the
TruPs  Offering;  (iii) the BLH  Transaction;  (iv) the THI Merger;  (v) the ATC
Merger;  (vi) the  Series D Call;  (vii)  the ALH  Transaction;  (viii)  the LPG
Merger;  (ix) the issuance of 4.37 million  shares of Conseco  PRIDES in January
1996; and (x) the BLH Tender Offer. Such pro forma adjustments are set forth in:
(i) Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 1996; (ii) Conseco's
Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  December 23, 1996;  (iii)  Conseco's  Current
Report on Form 8-K dated  December 17, 1996;  and (iv) Exhibit 99.1  included in
Conseco's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996.

     The  unaudited  pro  forma  consolidated  balance  sheet of  Conseco  as of
September 30, 1996,  gives effect to the following  transactions  as if each had
occurred on September 30, 1996: (i) the Merger; and (ii) the CAF Merger.

     The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30,
1996,  set forth in the  unaudited pro forma balance sheet under the column "Pro
forma Conseco  before the Merger"  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 September 30, 1996: (i) the
TOPrS Offering; (ii) the TruPS Offering; (iii) the BLH Transaction; (iv) the THI
Merger; and (v) the ATC Merger. Such pro forma adjustments are set forth in: (i)
Conseco's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  December 31, 1996;  (ii) Conseco's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 1996; and (iii) Conseco's  Current
Report on Form 8-K dated December 17, 1996.

     The pro forma consolidated financial statements are based on the historical
financial statements of Conseco, LPG, ATC, THI, CAF and PFS and are qualified in
their  entirety  by, and should be read in  conjunction  with,  these  financial
statements  and the  notes  thereto.  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  certain  of  the  transactions  contemplated  in  the  pro  forma  financial
statements.  Such  benefits and any other  changes that might have resulted from
management of the combined  companies  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.

                                       55

<PAGE>


     The  unaudited pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements  reflect cost
allocations for the LPG Merger,  the ALH  Transaction,  the ATC Merger,  the THI
Merger,  the BLH  Transaction,  the CAF Merger and the  Merger  using  estimated
values of the assets and  liabilities of LPG, ALH, ATC, THI, BLH, CAF and PFS as
of the assumed merger 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 LPG Merger, the ALH Transaction,  the
ATC Merger, the THI Merger,  the BLH Transaction,  the Merger and the CAF Merger
had occurred on the assumed merger dates.


                                       56
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                   Pro forma     
                                                       Pro forma                  adjustments    
                                                        Conseco                     relating     Pro forma  
                                                       before the       PFS         to the        for the   
                                                         Merger      historical     Merger       Merger (a) 
                                                        --------     ----------     --------     ---------  
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>       
Revenues:
     Insurance policy income                           $1,714.7      $556.6         $  -           $2,271.3
     Investment activity:
         Net investment income                          1,143.3        55.2           4.2 (1)       1,202.7

         Net trading losses                                (6.5)                                       (6.5)
         Net realized gains                                26.4         1.0                            27.4 
     Fee revenue                                           29.7        25.9                            55.6     
     Restructuring income                                  30.4                                        30.4     
     Other income                                          12.8         5.2                            18.0
                                                       --------       ------       ------          --------
            Total revenues                              2,950.8       643.9           4.2           3,598.9
                                                       --------       -----        ------          --------     

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits and change in future
       policy benefits                                  1,202.0       365.9                         1,567.9
     Interest expense on annuities and financial
       products                                           549.5        25.9                           575.4
     Interest expense on notes payable                     76.7         4.6           1.7 (2)          79.4
                                                                                     (3.6)(3)

     Interest expense on investment borrowings             17.2                                        17.2
     Amortization related to operations                   284.3        55.3         (54.8)(4)         342.1
                                                                                     53.0 (4)
                                                                                      (.5)(5)
                                                                                      4.8 (5)
     Amortization related to realized gains                22.2                                        22.2
     Other operating costs and expenses                   333.9       162.1                           496.0
                                                       --------      ------        -------         --------
            Total benefits and expenses                 2,485.8       613.8            .6           3,100.2
                                                       --------      ------        ------          --------

            Income before income taxes, minority
                interest and extraordinary charge         465.0        30.1           3.6             498.7
Income tax expense                                        178.0        10.1           2.8 (7)         190.9
                                                       --------      -------       ------          --------
            Income before  minority interest
                and extraordinary charge                  287.0        20.0            .8             307.8

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries:
     Dividends on Company - obligated mandatorily
       redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary
       trusts                                              26.1                                        26.1
     Dividends on preferred  stock                          6.4                                         6.4
                                                       --------      ------         ------         --------

            Income before extraordinary charge         $  254.5     $  20.0         $  .8          $  275.3
                                                       ========     =======         ======         ========

Earnings per common share and common equivalent share:
     Primary:
         Weighted average shares outstanding              188.3                       9.8 (8)         198.1
                                                          =====                       ===             =====
         Income before extraordinary  charge              $1.35                                       $1.39    
                                                          =====                                       =====
                                                                                                      
     Fully diluted:
         Weighted average shares outstanding              199.1                      13.1 (8)         212.2
                                                          =====                      ====             =====

         Income before extraordinary  charge              $1.29                                       $1.31
                                                         ======                                       =====
<FN>
(a)  Amounts are carried forward to page 58.
</FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       57
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          CONSECO, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)



                                                            Pro forma      Pro forma
                                                           adjustments      for the
                                  Pro forma                  relating       Merger  
                                   Conseco        CAF        to the         and the  
                                 subtotal(a)   historical   CAF Merger     CAF Merger
                                  ---------   ------------  ----------     ----------
<S>                              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      
Revenues:
     Insurance policy income     $2,271.3       $ 219.9       $     -       $2,491.2 
       Investment activity:
         Net investment
           income                 1,202.7          41.7           (2.6)(21)  1,241.8 
                                           
       
           
         Net trading losses          (6.5)                                      (6.5)
         Net realized gains          27.4            .3            (.3)(21)     27.4 
     Fee revenue                     55.6                                       55.6 
     Restructuring income            30.4                                       30.4 
     Other income                    18.0                                       18.0 
                                ---------      --------       --------      -------- 
         Total revenues           3,598.9         261.9           (2.9)      3,857.9 
                                ---------      --------       --------      --------

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits
       and change in future
       policy benefits            1,567.9         124.4           (2.3)(22)  1,690.0
     Interest expense 
       on annuities and
       financial products           575.4                                      575.4
     Interest expense on
       notes payable                 79.4           1.6           (1.6)(23)    107.4
                                                                  28.0 (24)                               
                                                            
     Interest expense on
       investment borrowings         17.2                                       17.2
     Amortization related
       to operations                342.1          17.5          (17.5)(25)    369.5
                                                                  23.0 (25)                               
                                                                   4.4 (26)                                 
     Amortization related
       to realized gains             22.2                                       22.2
     Other operating 
       costs and expenses           496.0          58.7                        554.7
                                ---------      --------       --------      --------
        Total benefits
         and expenses             3,100.2         202.2           34.0       3,336.4
                                ---------      --------       --------      --------

        Income before income
            taxes, minority interest
            and extraordinary
            charge                  498.7          59.7          (36.9)        521.5
Income tax expense                  190.9          20.9          (11.4)(27)    200.4
                                ---------     ---------       --------      --------
        Income before 
            minority interest 
            and extraordinary
            charge                  307.8          38.8          (25.5)        321.1

Minority interest in consolidated
   subsidiaries:                                                                    
     Dividends on Company - obligated
       mandatorily redeemable
       preferred securities of  
       subsidiary trusts             26.1                                       26.1
   Dividends on preferred stock       6.4                                        6.4
                                 --------     ---------       --------       -------
        Income before 
            extraordinary
            charge               $  275.3      $   38.8       $  (25.5)      $ 288.6
                                 ========      ========       ========       =======







Earnings per common share and 
 common equivalent share:
 Primary:
     Weighted average 
       shares outstanding           198.1                          3.4 (28)   201.5
                                    =====                       ======        =====
     Income before 
       extraordinary  charge        $1.39                                     $1.43
                                    =====                                     =====

 Fully diluted:
     Weighted average shares
       outstanding                  212.2                          3.4 (28)   215.6
                                    =====                       ======        =====
     Income before  
       extraordinary charge         $1.31                                     $1.35
                                    =====                                     =====
<FN>
(a) Amounts have been carried forward from page 57.
</FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the year ended December 31, 1995
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                   Pro forma     
                                                       Pro forma                  adjustments    
                                                        Conseco                     relating     Pro forma  
                                                       before the      PFS         to the        for the   
                                                         Merger      historical     Merger       Merger (a) 
                                                        --------     ----------     --------     ---------  
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>       
Revenues:
     Insurance policy income                           $2,216.6      $687.0         $  -           $2,903.6
     Investment activity:
         Net investment income                          1,528.8        71.0           5.7 (1)       1,605.5

         Net trading income                                 2.5                                         2.5 
         Net realized gains                               222.1         4.0            .6 (1)         226.7  
     Fee revenue                                           33.9        31.7                            65.6      
     Restructuring income                                  15.2                                        15.2      
     Other income                                          12.5         6.4                            18.9 
                                                       --------      ------        ------          -------- 
            Total revenues                              4,031.6       800.1           6.3           4,838.0        
                                                       --------      ------        ------          --------      

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits and change in future
       policy benefits                                  1,564.5       441.5                         2,006.0             
     Interest expense on annuities and financial
       products                                           758.8        34.3                           793.1           
     Interest expense on notes payable                    108.1         5.0           3.3 (2)         111.4 
                                                                                     (5.0)(3)

     Interest expense on investment borrowings             30.2                                        30.2       
     Amortization related to operations                   358.3        69.6         (69.2)(4)         432.7 
                                                                                     68.0 (4)
                                                                                      (.4)(5)
                                                                                      6.4 (5)      
                                                                                                          
     Amortization related to realized gains               143.8                                       143.8         
     Other operating costs and expenses                   484.3       218.0          (5.2)(6)         697.1     
                                                       --------      -------       ------           -------      
            Total benefits and expenses                 3,448.0       768.4          (2.1)          4,214.3    
                                                       --------      ------        ------           -------

            Income before income taxes, minority
                interest and extraordinary charge         583.6        31.7           8.4             623.7  
Income tax expense                                        226.0        10.7           5.0 (7)         241.7
                                                       --------      -------       ------           -------  
            Income before  minority interest
                and extraordinary charge                  357.6        21.0           3.4             382.0

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries:
     Dividends on Company - obligated mandatorily
       redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary
       trusts                                              34.8                                        34.8
     Dividends on preferred  stock                          8.7                                         8.7      
                                                       --------      -------       ------           -------

            Income before extraordinary charge         $  314.1      $ 21.0        $  3.4           $ 338.5  
                                                       ========      =======       ======           =======

Earnings per common share and common equivalent share:
     Primary:
         Weighted average shares outstanding              185.2                       9.8 (8)         195.0
                                                          =====                       ===             =====
         Income before extraordinary  charge              $1.70                                       $1.74
                                                          =====                                       =====
     Fully diluted:
         Weighted average shares outstanding              193.8                      13.1 (8)         206.9
                                                          =====                      ====             =====
   
         Income before extraordinary charge               $1.62                                       $1.64
                                                         ======                                       =====
<FN>
(a)  Amounts are carried forward to page 60.
</FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       59
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          CONSECO, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     for the year ended December 31, 1995
                 (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)


                                                            Pro forma       Pro forma
                                                           adjustments        for the
                                  Pro forma                  relating         Merger  
                                   Conseco        CAF        to the           and the 
                                 subtotal(a)   historical   CAF Merger      CAF Merger
                                  ---------   ------------  ----------      ---------- 
<S>                              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      
Revenues:
     Insurance policy income     $2,903.6       $ 282.1       $     -       $3,185.7
         Investment activity:
            Net investment
              income              1,605.5          48.6           (3.4)(21)  1,650.7
                                           
       
           
            Net trading income        2.5                                        2.5
            Net realized gains      226.7                          (.1)(21)    226.6
     Fee revenue                     65.6                                       65.6
     Restructuring income            15.2                                       15.2
     Other income                    18.9            .1                         19.0
                                ---------      --------       --------      --------
         Total revenues           4,838.0         330.8           (3.5)      5,165.3
                                ---------      --------       --------      --------

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance policy benefits
       and change in future
       policy benefits            2,006.0         155.3           (3.0)(22)  2,158.3
     Interest expense 
       on annuities and
       financial products           793.1                                      793.1
     Interest expense on
       notes payable                111.4           2.4           (2.4)(23)    148.8
                                                                  37.4 (24)                               
                                                            
     Interest expense on
       investment borrowings         30.2                                       30.2
     Amortization related
       to operations                432.7          21.5          (21.5)(25)    470.5
                                                                  32.0 (25)                               
                                                                   5.8 (26)                                 
     Amortization related
       to realized gains            143.8                                      143.8
     Other operating 
       costs and expenses           697.1          80.0                        777.1
                                ---------      --------       --------       -------
        Total benefits
         and expenses             4,214.3         259.2           48.3       4,521.8
                                ---------      --------       --------       -------

        Income before income
            taxes, minority interest
            and extraordinary
            charge                  623.7          71.6          (51.8)        643.5
Income tax expense                  241.7          25.6          (16.1)(27)    251.2
                                ---------     ---------       --------       -------
        Income before 
            minority interest 
            and extraordinary
            charge                  382.0          46.0          (35.7)        392.3

Minority interest in consolidated
   subsidiaries:                                                                                                                
   Dividends on Company - obligated
     mandatorily redeemable
     preferred securities of  
     subsidiary trusts               34.8                                       34.8
   Dividends on preferred stock       8.7                                        8.7
                                 --------     ---------       --------       -------
        Income before 
            extraordinary
            charge               $  338.5      $   46.0       $  (35.7)      $ 348.8
                                 ========      ========       ========       =======







Earnings per common share and  
 common equivalent share:
 Primary:
     Weighted average 
       shares outstanding           195.0                          3.4 (28)   198.4
                                    =====                       ======        =====
     Income before 
       extraordinary  charge        $1.74                                     $1.76
                                    =====                                     =====

 Fully diluted:
     Weighted average shares
       outstanding                  206.9                          3.4 (28)   210.3
                                    =====                       ======        =====
     Income before  
       extraordinary charge         $1.64                                     $1.66
                                    =====                                     =====
<FN>
(a) Amounts have been carried forward from page 59.
</FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       60
<PAGE>
  

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               September 30, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (unaudited)
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                   Pro forma 
                                                       Pro forma                  adjustments  
                                                        Conseco                     relating    Pro forma
                                                       before the       PFS          to the       for the
                                                         Merger      historical      Merger       Merger (a) 
                                                      -----------    ----------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>          <C>           <C>       


Assets
     Investments:
         Actively managed fixed maturity          
           securities at fair value                  $17,048.6        $671.8       $ 258.0 (9)    $17,976.2
                                                                                      (2.2)(10)

         Held-to-maturity fixed maturity 
           securities                                       -          258.0        (258.0) (9)          -
         Equity securities at fair value                 105.3          29.7                          135.0
         Mortgage loans                                  381.2           6.9                          388.1
         Credit-tenant loans                             393.8                                        393.8
         Policy loans                                    542.9          81.4                          624.3
         Other invested assets                           217.5          17.5                          235.0
         Short-term investments                          259.1          56.1         (44.1)(11)       315.2
                                                                                      44.1 (12)
         Assets held in separate accounts                300.4                                        300.4
                                                     ---------        ------       -------        ---------   

                Total investments                     19,248.8       1,121.4          (2.2)        20,368.0
                                                     
     Accrued investment income                           290.1          15.1                          305.2
     Cost of policies purchased                        2,294.6          22.4         265.0 (13)     2,559.6
                                                                                     (22.4)(13)
     Cost of policies produced                           490.3         206.3        (206.3)(14)       490.3    
     Reinsurance receivables                             469.2         199.7                          668.9    
     Income taxes                                         37.0                         9.6 (15)        41.0     
                                                                                      (5.6)(15)
                                                                                              
     Goodwill                                          2,144.8           9.0          (9.0)(16)     2,399.6
                                                                                     254.8 (16)

     Property and equipment                              110.5          24.1                          134.6
     Securities segregated for future redemption      
         of redeemable preferred stock of a
         subsidiary                                       45.0                                         45.0
     Other assets                                        247.5          61.0                          308.5        
                                                     ---------      --------       -------        ---------

                Total assets                         $25,377.8      $1,659.0       $ 283.9        $27,320.7
                                                     =========      ========       =======        =========    


<FN>
(a) Amounts are carried forward to page 62.
</FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the pro forma consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
                                       61
                                   
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               September 30, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (unaudited)


                                                             Pro forma   Pro forma
                                                           adjustments    for the
                                  Pro forma                   relating     Merger  
                                   Conseco        CAF         to the      and the 
                                  subtotal(a)  historical   CAF Merger   CAF Merger
                                  ---------   ------------  ----------- -----------
<S>                               <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>       
     

Assets
 Investments:
     Actively managed fixed    
      maturity securities
      at fair value               $17,976.2     $  308.5     $358.3 (29)  $18,737.2
                                                               94.2 (30)                             

     Held-to-maturity 
      fixed maturity 
      securities                         -         358.3     (358.3)(29)         - 
     Equity securities at 
      fair value                      135.0         10.2                      145.2
     Mortgage loans                   388.1                                   388.1
     Credit-tenant loans              393.8                                   393.8
     Policy loans                     624.3                                   624.3
     Other invested assets            235.0                                   235.0
     Short-term investments           315.2         29.4     (542.9)(31)      344.6
                                                              (26.0)(31)                    
                                                              (29.0)(31)
                                                              597.9 (32)
                                                                                                    
     Assets held in separate
       accounts                       300.4                                   300.4
                                   --------     --------     ------       ---------

            Total investments      20,368.0        706.4       94.2        21,168.6
                                                            
 Accrued investment income            305.2          6.9                      312.1
 Cost of policies purchased         2,559.6                   492.2 (33)    3,051.8
                                                                                                                     
 Cost of policies produced            490.3        271.3     (271.3)(34)      490.3
 Reinsurance receivables              668.9                                   668.9
 Income taxes                          41.0                   (41.0)(35)         - 
                                                                                                 
 Goodwill                           2,399.6                   232.6 (36)    2,632.2

 Property and equipment               134.6          4.4                      139.0
 Securities segregated for 
     future redemption of                    
     redeemable preferred
     stock of a
     subsidiary                        45.0                                    45.0
 Other assets                         308.5         28.9                      337.4
                                  ---------     --------  ---------       ---------

            Total assets          $27,320.7     $1,017.9  $   506.7       $28,845.3
                                  =========     ========  =========       =========


<FN>
(a)  Amounts have been carried forward from page 61.
</FN>

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

                                       62
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               September 30, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                                                                                                    
                                                             Pro forma                              Pro forma       Pro forma
                                  Pro forma                 adjustments                             adjustments      for the
                                   Conseco                    relating       Pro forma               relating         Merger  
                                  before the       PFS         to the          for the    CAF         to the         and the  
                                    Merger      historical     Merger          Merger   historical   CAF Merger     CAF Merger
                                  ----------    ----------    --------        --------- ----------   ----------     ----------
<S>                               <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>         
     

Liabilities:
     Insurance liabilities        $19,100.4    $1,250.6      $    -         $20,351.0     $611.4    $ 88.4 (37)    $21,050.8
     Income tax liabilities              -          5.6         (5.6)(15)          -        52.2      79.3 (35)         90.5
                                                                                                     (41.0)(35)
     Investment borrowings            539.4                                     539.4                                  539.4
     Amounts due to reinsurers           -         64.3                          64.3                                   64.3
     Other liabilities                522.7        50.0         49.5 (17)       634.2       20.7                       654.9
                                                                12.0 (19)
     Liabilities related 
       to separate accounts           300.1                                     300.1                                  300.1
     Notes payable of Conseco       1,287.8       115.3        (29.1)(18)     1,452.6       29.0     (29.0)(38)      2,050.5
                                                                34.5 (19)                            597.9 (32)
                                                                44.1 (12) 
           
     Notes payable of American
       Life Holdings, Inc., not
       direct obligations of 
       Conseco                         13.0                                      13.0                                   13.0
                                   --------    --------      -------        ---------    -------   -------         ---------

            Total liabilities      21,763.4     1,485.8        105.4         23,354.6      713.3     695.6          24,763.5
                                   --------    --------      -------        ---------    -------    ------         ---------

Minority interest in consolidated
   subsidiaries:                                                                  
   Company - obligated mandatorily
     redeemable preferred securities
     of subsidiary trusts             600.0                                     600.0                                  600.0
   Preferred stock                     92.5                                      92.5                                   92.5

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

Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock                  267.1                                     267.1                                  267.1

     Common stock and additional
       paid-in capital              2,020.5        91.3        (91.3)(20)     2,372.2       35.5     (35.5)(39)      2,487.9
                                                               351.7 (20)                            115.7 (39)
                                                                            
                                                                               
     Unrealized appreciation 
       (depreciation) of securities   (47.0)       (2.6)         2.6 (20)       (47.0)      (1.8)      1.8 (39)        (47.0)

     Retained earnings                681.3        84.5        (84.5)(20)       681.3      270.9    (270.9)(39)        681.3

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

        Total shareholders' equity  2,921.9       173.2        178.5          3,273.6      304.6    (188.9)          3,389.3
                                    -------    --------      -------        ---------    -------   -------          --------

          Total liabilities and
            shareholders' equity  $25,377.8    $1,659.0      $ 283.9        $27,320.7   $1,017.9    $506.7         $28,845.3
                                  =========    ========      =======        =========   ========    ======         =========

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

</TABLE>

                                       63

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

PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

     TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO THE MERGER

     The Merger will be accounted for under the purchase  method of  accounting.
Under this method, the total cost to acquire PFS will be allocated to the assets
and  liabilities  acquired  based on  their  fair  values  as of the date of the
Merger,  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. Conseco believes the Merger will not qualify to be accounted for under
the  pooling  of  interests  method in  accordance  with APB No. 16  because  an
affiliate  of PFS  intends  to sell a portion  of the  Conseco  Common  Stock it
receives  in the PFS  Merger  shortly  after  the  PFS  Merger  is  consummated.
In the  Merger,  each  outstanding  share of PFS  Common  Stock is assumed to be
exchanged  for a fraction of a share of Conseco  Common  Stock to be  determined
based on an average  price of Conseco  Common  Stock prior to its closing (it is
assumed Conseco's share price will be $36.00,  resulting in an exchange ratio of
 .7778 shares valued at $28.00). Conseco will issue an assumed 9.8 million shares
of Conseco Common Stock with a value of approximately  $351.7 million to acquire
the PFS Common Stock. In addition, Conseco will assume: (i) notes payable of PFS
of $29.1 million;  and (ii) the PFS Convertible Notes, which will be convertible
into an  assumed  3.3  million  shares of Conseco  Common  Stock with a value of
approximately  $120.8 million.  In addition,  Conseco is expected to incur costs
related  to the  Merger  (including  contract  termination,  relocation,  legal,
accounting and other costs) of approximately $15.0 million.

The cost to acquire PFS is allocated as follows (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                        <C>
Book value of assets acquired based on the assumed date of the
     Merger (September 30, 1996) ...................................................    $173.2
PFS Convertible  Notes assumed by Conseco at the
     assumed date of the Merger.....................................................      86.2
Notes payable assumed by Conseco at the assumed date of the Merger..................      29.1

Increase (decrease) in PFS's net asset value to reflect estimated fair value and
     asset reclassifications at the assumed date of the Merger:
        Actively managed fixed maturity securities..................................     255.8
        Held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities..................................    (258.0)  
        Cost of policies purchased (related to the Merger)..........................     265.0
        Cost of policies produced and cost of policies purchased (historical).......    (228.7)
        Goodwill (related to the Merger)............................................     254.8
        Goodwill (historical).......................................................      (9.0)
        Income taxes................................................................       9.6 
        Other liabilities...........................................................     (61.5)
                                                                                        ------

             Total estimated fair value adjustments.................................     228.0
                                                                                        ------

     Total cost to acquire PFS......................................................    $516.5
                                                                                        ======
</TABLE>

     Adjustments to the pro forma  consolidated  statement of operations to give
effect to the Merger as of January 1, 1995, are summarized below.

     (1)   Net  investment  income and net realized gains of PFS are adjusted to
           include the effect of adjustments to restate the amortized cost basis
           of fixed maturity securities to their estimated fair value.

     (2)  Interest  expense is increased  to reflect the increase in  borrowings
          under Conseco's bank credit facilities used to complete the Merger and
          the issuance of the PFS Convertible  Notes  in  March 1996;  partially
          offset by the repayment of $29.1 million  of  notes  payable of PFS by
          Conseco at the assumed date of the Merger.
           
          A change in interest rates of .5 percent on the additional  borrowings
          under  Conseco's  bank credit  facilities  used to complete the Merger
          would result in: (1) an increase (or  decrease) in pro forma  interest
          expense of $.2 million and $.2 million for the year ended December 31,
          1995, and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively;  and
          (2) a decrease  (or  increase)  in pro forma net income of $.1 million
          and $.1 million for the same respective periods.

     (3)  Interest  expense  is  reduced  to  reflect  the  amortization  of the
          liability  established at the assumed date of the Merger  representing
          the  present  value of the  interest  payable  on  the PFS Convertible
          Notes to April 6, 1999 (the earliest  call  date),  less  the  present
          value of the  dividends  that  would  be paid on the  Conseco   Common
          Stock that  such  notes  would  be  convertible  into  during the same
          period.
                                       64
<PAGE>


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

     (4)  Amortization of the cost of policies produced and the cost of policies
          purchased prior to the Merger is replaced with the amortization of the
          cost  of  policies  purchased  (amortized  in  relation  to  estimated
          premiums  on  the  policies  purchased  with  interest  equal  to  the
          liability  rate which  averages  5.5  percent).  

     (5)  Amortization  of  goodwill  prior  to the  Merger  is  eliminated  and
          replaced with amortization of goodwill acquired in the Merger which is
          recognized  over a 40-year  period on a  straight-line  basis.  

     (6)  In August 1995, PFS  accepted  the  conversion of $46.9 million of its
          outstanding 8% Debentures.  An adjustment is made to remove the charge
          to income for  payments to  converting  bondholders  of PFS  and other
          expenses relating to the conversion.

     (7)  Reflects  the tax  adjustment  for the pro  forma  adjustments  at the
          appropriate rate for the specific item.

     (8)  Common shares  outstanding are increased to reflect the Conseco shares
          issued in the Merger. Fully diluted shares also include Conseco shares
          which  will be issued  when the PFS Convertible Notes are   converted.

     Adjustments to the pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet to give effect to
the Merger as of September 30, 1996, are summarized below.

     (9)  After the Merger,  all held-to-maturity  securities  are classified as
          actively  managed  fixed  maturity  securities   consistent  with  the
          intention of the new management.

     (10) PFS's fixed maturity securities are restated to estimated fair value.

     (11) Cash is reduced for payments made to complete the Merger.

     (12) Short-term  investments and notes payable of Conseco are increased for
          additional borrowings by Conseco to complete the Merger.

     (13) PFS's historical cost of policies purchased is eliminated and replaced
          with the cost of policies purchased  recognized in the Merger. Cost of
          policies purchased reflects the estimated fair value of PFS's business
          in force and represents the portion of the cost to acquire PFS that is
          allocated to the value of the right to receive  future cash flows from
          the acquired policies.

          The 18 percent discount rate used to determine  such value is the rate
          of  return  required  by  Conseco  to invest  in  the  business  being
          acquired.  In determining such rate of return,  the  following factors
          are considered:

           -    The magnitude of the risks associated with each of the actuarial
                assumptions used in determining the expected cash flows.

           -    Cost of capital available to fund the acquisition.

           -    The perceived likelihood of changes in insurance regulations and
                tax laws.

           -    Complexity of the acquired company.

           -    Prices paid (i.e., discount rates used in determining
                valuations) on similar blocks of business sold recently.

          The value  allocated to the cost of  policies  purchased is based on a
          preliminary valuation;  accordingly,  this  allocation may be adjusted
          upon final  determination of such value.  Expected  gross amortization
          of such value using  current  assumptions  and  accretion  of interest
          based on an  interest  rate  equal to  the  liability  rate (such rate
          averages 5.5 percent) for each of the  years in the  five-year  period
          ending September 30, 2001, are as follows (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Year ending                 Beginning          Gross           Accretion           Net             Ending
                September 30,                 balance       amortization       of interest     amortization         balance
                -------------                 -------       ------------       -----------     -------------        -------
                    <S>                       <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>               <C>    
                    1997                      $265.0            $54.6             $14.6           $40.0             $225.0
                    1998                       225.0             48.9              12.4            36.5              188.5
                    1999                       188.5             41.4              10.4            31.0              157.5
                    2000                       157.5             32.2               8.7            23.5              134.0
                    2001                       134.0             24.9               7.4            17.5              116.5
</TABLE>
                                       65
<PAGE>
                            CONSECO AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

     (14) PFS's cost of policies produced is  eliminated since such  amounts are
          reflected in the determination of the cost of policies purchased.

     (15) All of the  applicable  pro forma  balance sheet  adjustments  are tax
          affected at the appropriate rate.  Deferred tax liabilities of PFS are
          netted against deferred tax assets of Conseco.

     (16) PFS's historical goodwill is eliminated and replaced with the goodwill
          recognized in the Merger.

     (17) A  liability  is  established  for  various   expenses   incurred  and
          liabilities assumed  in  conjunction  with the Merger  including:  (i)
          liabilities assumed related  to unfavorable contracts and leases; (ii)
          direct  acquisition  costs;  (iii) involuntary  termination costs; and
          (iv) relocation costs.

     (18) Notes payable  are reduced to reflect the repayment of  notes  payable
          of PFS by Conseco at the assumed date of the Merger.

     (19) Notes payable are  increased to  reflect  the  fair  value  of the PFS
          Convertible  Notes  at  the  date  of  the  Merger.    Such fair value
          represents   the value  of the   Conseco  Common   Stock which the PFS
          Convertible   Notes  will be  convertible  into after the  Merger.  It
          is assumed  that the holders of such notes do not convert into Conseco
          Common Stock at the time of the Merger.

          In addition,  a liability  is  established  representing  the  present
          value of the  interest  payable on such notes  to  April 6, 1999  (the
          earliest call date),  less the present  value of  the  dividends  that
          would be  paid on the  Conseco  Common Stock that  such notes would be
          convertible into during the same period.

     (20) The prior  shareholders'  equity of PFS is eliminated  in  conjunction
          with the  Merger.  Common  stock and  additional  paid-in  capital  is
          increased  by the  value of the  Conseco  Common  Stock  issued in the
          Merger.

     Transactions relating to the CAF Merger

     The CAF  Merger  will  be  accounted  for  under  the  purchase  method  of
accounting.  Under this method,  the total cost to acquire CAF will be allocated
to the assets and liabilities acquired based on their fair values as of the date
of the CAF  Merger,  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.  In the CAF Merger,  each outstanding  share of CAF common
stock is assumed to be  exchanged  for $30.50 in cash and the right to receive a
fraction  of a share  of  Conseco  Common  Stock to be  determined  based on the
average  price of Conseco  Common Stock prior to its closing (it is assumed that
such average price per share of Conseco  Common Stock will be $34.50,  resulting
in an exchange ratio of .1884). Conseco will pay approximately $542.9 million in
cash and issue an assumed  3.4  million  shares of Conseco  Common  Stock with a
value of  approximately  $115.7  million to acquire  the CAF  common  stock.  In
addition,  Conseco is expected to assume a note payable of CAF of $29.0  million
and  estimates  that it will incur  costs  related to the CAF Merger  (including
contract  termination,   relocation,  legal,  accounting  and  other  costs)  of
approximately $26 million.

The cost to acquire CAF is allocated as follows (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                         <C>
Book value of assets acquired based on the assumed date of the
     CAF Merger (September 30, 1996) ...................................................    $304.6
Notes payable of CAF assumed by Conseco at the assumed date
     of the CAF Merger..................................................................      29.0

Increase (decrease) in CAF's net asset value to reflect estimated fair value and
     asset reclassifications at the assumed date of the CAF Merger:
        Actively managed fixed maturity securities......................................     452.5
        Held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities......................................    (358.3)
        Cost of policies purchased (related to the CAF Merger)..........................     492.2
        Cost of policies produced.......................................................    (271.3)
        Goodwill (related to the CAF Merger)............................................     232.6
        Insurance liabilities ..........................................................     (88.4)
        Income taxes....................................................................     (79.3)
                                                                                            ------

             Total estimated fair value adjustments.....................................     380.0
                                                                                           -------
             Total cost to acquire CAF..................................................    $713.6
                                                                                           ======
</TABLE>
                                       66
<PAGE>
                            CONSECO AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

     Adjustments to the pro forma  consolidated  statement of operations to give
effect to the CAF Merger as of January 1, 1995, are summarized below.

     (21) Net  investment  income and  net realized gains of CAF are adjusted to
          include the effect of adjustments  to restate the amortized cost basis
          of fixed maturity securities to their estimated fair value.

     (22) Change  in  policy   benefits  is  reduced  to  reflect  the  purchase
          accounting adjustment made at the assumed date of the CAF Merger. Such
          adjustment  reflects the lower discount rate used to discount  amounts
          of expected  future benefit  payments to correspond to the adjustments
          to restate the amortized cost of fixed  maturity  investments to their
          estimated fair value.

     (23) Interest expense is  reduced to reflect the repayment of notes payable
          of CAF by Conseco at the assumed date of the CAF Merger.

     (24) Interest  expense is increased  to reflect the increase in  borrowings
          under  Conseco's  bank  credit  facilities  used to  complete  the CAF
          Merger.

          A change in interest rates of .5 percent on the additional  borrowings
          under Conseco's bank credit facilities used to complete the CAF Merger
          would result in: (1) an increase (or  decrease) in pro forma  interest
          expense of $3.0 million and $2.2  million for the year ended  December
          31, 1995, and the nine months ended September 30, 1996,  respectively;
          and (2) a  decrease  (or  increase)  in pro forma  net  income of $1.9
          million and $1.4 million for the same respective periods.

     (25) Amortization of the cost of policies produced for policies sold by CAF
          prior to January 1, 1995,  is replaced  with the  amortization  of the
          cost  of  policies  purchased  (amortized  in  relation  to  estimated
          premiums  on  the  policies  purchased  with  interest  equal  to  the
          liability rate which averages 5.5 percent).

     (26) Amortization of goodwill acquired in the CAF Merger is recognized over
          a 40-year period on a straight-line basis.

     (27) Reflects  the tax  adjustment for  the pro  forma  adjustments  at the
          appropriate rate for the specific item. 

     (28) Common  shares outstanding are increased to reflect the  shares issued
          in the CAF Merger.

     Adjustments to the pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet to give effect to
the CAF Merger as of September 30, 1996, are summarized below.

     (29) After the  CAF Merger, all held-to-maturity  securities are classified
          as actively  managed  fixed maturity  securities  consistent  with the
          intention of the new management.

     (30) CAF's fixed maturity securities are restated to estimated fair value.

     (31) Cash is reduced for payments made to complete the CAF Merger.

     (32) Short-term investments and  notes payable of Conseco are increased for
          additional borrowings by Conseco to complete the CAF Merger.

     (33) Cost of policies purchased  reflects the estimated fair value of CAF's
          business in force and  represents  the  portion of the cost to acquire
          CAF that is  allocated  to the value of  the right to  receive  future
          cash flows from the acquired policies.

                                       67

<PAGE>

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


          The 18 percent discount  rate used to determine such value is the rate
          of  return  required  by  Conseco  to invest  in  the  business  being
          acquired.  In determining such rate of return,  the  following factors
          are considered:

          -    The  magnitude of the risks associated with each of the actuarial
               assumptions used in determining the expected cash flows.

          -    Cost of capital available to fund the acquisition.

          -    The perceived  likelihood of changes in insurance regulations and
               tax laws.

          -    Complexity of the acquired company.

          -    Prices paid (i.e., discount rates used in determining
               valuations) on similar blocks of business sold recently.

          The value  allocated to  the cost of policies  purchased is based on a
          preliminary valuation;  accordingly,  this  allocation may be adjusted
          upon final  determination of such value.  Expected  gross amortization
          of such value using  current  assumptions  and  accretion  of interest
          based on an  interest  rate  equal to the  liability  rate  (such rate
          averages 5.5 percent) for each of the  years in the  five-year  period
          ending September 30, 2001, are as follows (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 Year ending                 Beginning          Gross           Accretion           Net             Ending
                September 30,                 balance       amortization       of interest     amortization         balance
                --------------                -------       ------------       -----------     -------------        -------
                    <S>                       <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>               <C>   
                    1997                      $492.2            $60.4             $27.1           $33.3             $458.9
                    1998                       458.9             55.2              25.2            30.0              428.9
                    1999                       428.9             52.2              23.6            28.6              400.3
                    2000                       400.3             49.5              22.1            27.4              372.9
                    2001                       372.9             46.9              20.5            26.4              346.5
</TABLE>

     (34) CAF's cost of policies  produced is eliminated  since such amounts are
          reflected in the determination of the cost of policies purchased.

     (35) All of the  applicable  pro forma  balance sheet  adjustments  are tax
          affected  at  the   appropriate   rate.  In  addition,   deferred  tax
          liabilities of CAF are netted against deferred tax assets of Conseco.

     (36) Goodwill acquired in the CAF Merger is recognized.

     (37) Additional  insurance  liabilities are recognized to reflect the lower
          discount   rates  used  to  determine  the  present  value  of  future
          obligations, consistent with the lower yields to be earned on invested
          assets as a result of  recognizing  the fair  value of fixed  maturity
          securities.

     (38) Notes payable are reduced to reflect the repayment of notes payable of
          CAF by Conseco at the assumed date of the CAF Merger.

     (39) The prior  shareholders'  equity of CAF is eliminated  in  conjunction
          with the CAF Merger.  Common stock and additional  paid-in  capital is
          increased  by the  value of  Conseco  Common  Stock  issued in the CAF
          Merger.

                                       68



<PAGE>   
 
                       COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
 
     The rights of Conseco  shareholders  are governed by Conseco's  Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation  (the "Conseco  Articles of  Incorporation"),
its Amended and Restated Code of By-laws (the  "Conseco  By-laws") and the IBCL.
The rights of PFS  stockholders are governed by its Certificate of Incorporation
(the "PFS  Certificate of  Incorporation"),  its By-Laws (the "PFS By-laws") and
the DGCL.  After the Effective Time, the rights of PFS  stockholders  who become
Conseco  shareholders will be governed by the Conseco Articles of Incorporation,
the Conseco  By-laws and the IBCL.  The  following  is a summary of the material
differences  between  the rights of Conseco  shareholders  and the rights of PFS
stockholders.
 
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
 
     Both the  Conseco  By-laws  and the PFS  By-laws may be amended by majority
vote of their respective boards of directors.  The stockholders of PFS may amend
the By-laws of PFS by majority vote, and the stockholders may prescribe that any
By-law made by them may not be altered,  amended or repealed by the PFS Board of
Directors.
 

CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO ACQUISITIONS

     The  IBCL and the  DGCL  contain  certain  provisions,  including  the ones
described below,  which purport to apply to certain types of share  acquisitions
or corporate transactions.

     BUSINESS  COMBINATIONS.  The Conseco Articles of Incorporation provide that
Conseco may not enter into a "Special Business Combination Transaction" (defined
as a merger  or other  business  combination  transaction  with or  involving  a
beneficial  owner of more than ten percent of Conseco  Common  Stock (a "Related
Person"))  unless (1) the  consideration  to be received per share by holders of
Conseco  Common Stock in such  transaction  is at least equal to the highest per
share  price  paid in order to  acquire  any  shares  of  Conseco  Common  Stock
beneficially  owned by the Related Person or (2) the transaction shall have been
approved  by  two-thirds  of the  Continuing  Directors  (defined to include the
directors  of  Conseco  in office  prior to the date on which a  Related  Person
became such).

     In 1990, PFS  distributed  one Right to Acquire  Series A Junior  Preferred
Stock (a "Right") to each holder of its Common Stock. In addition, each share of
PFS Common  Stock  subsequently  issued  automatically  carries with it a Right.
Subject to certain  exceptions,  the Rights  generally  become  exercisable  and
separately  tradeable if a person or group (an "Acquiring  Person") acquires 20%
or more of PFS Common  Stock.  An Acquiring  Person is not deemed to include any
stockholder who, on December 14, 1990,  already owned 20% of the outstanding PFS
Common  Stock.  Upon such an event,  each  holder of Right will be  entitled  to
purchase  one-tenth of a share of Series A Junior  Preferred Stock at a purchase
price of $4.50, subject to certain adjustments.  Such preferred shares, of which
2,000,000 are authorized, would be voting and would be entitled to distributions
that are ten  times  the  distributions  on the PFS  Common  Stock.  Subject  to
exercise of the Rights, in the event of certain business combinations  involving
PFS, a holder of a Right would have the right to receive PFS Common Stock with a
value  of ten  times  the  exercise  price of the  Right.  The  Merger  is not a
transaction  which will result in the Rights becoming  exercisable or a business
combination pursuant to which the holder of a Right would be entitled to receive
Common Stock.

     PFS is  governed  by  Section  203 of the  DGCL.  Section  203 of the  DGCL
provides that a corporation shall not engage in any "business  combination" with
any "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the time that
such  stockholder  became an  interested  stockholder,  unless (i) prior to such
time,  the board of directors of the  corporation  approved  either the business
combination or the  transaction  which resulted in the  stockholder  becoming an
interested stockholder, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted
in  the  stockholder   becoming  an  interested   stockholder,   the  interested
stockholder  owned at least 85 percent of the  voting  stock of the  corporation
outstanding  at the time the  transaction  commenced,  excluding for purposes of
determining the number of shares  outstanding  those shares owned (a) by persons
who are  directors  and also  officers  and (b)  employee  stock  plans in which
employee participants do not have the right to determine  confidentially whether
shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange  offer,
or (iii) at or subsequent to such time, the business  combination is approved by
the  board of  directors  and  authorized  at an annual or  special  meeting  of
stockholders,  and not by written  consent,  by the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds  (2/3) of the  outstanding  voting  stock  which is not  owned by the
interested  stockholder.  A "business  combination"  under the DGCL is generally
defined as any of the following  transactions  involving the  corporation and an
interested  stockholder  thereof:  (i) a merger or  consolidation,  (ii) a sale,
lease, exchange,  mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of ten percent
or more of the  corporation's  assets,  (iii) an  issuance  or  transfer  of the
corporation's  stock,  (iv) a  transaction  having  the  effect of  directly  or
indirectly increasing the proportionate share of the corporation's stock held by
such interested stockholder or (v) any receipt by such interested stockholder of
the benefit of any loans,  guarantees,  pledges or other financial benefits.  An
"interested  stockholder"  under the DGCL is  generally  defined  as any  person
owning 15 percent or more of the corporation's outstanding voting stock.

     Section  23-1-43-18 of the IBCL provides that a corporation  may not engage
in any "business combination" with any "interested  shareholder" for a period of
five years following the interested  shareholder's share acquisition date unless
the business combination or the purchase of shares made by the interested

 
                                       69
<PAGE>   
 

shareholder is approved by the board of directors of the corporation  before the
interested  shareholder's share acquisition date. A "business combination" under
the IBCL is generally defined as any of the following transactions involving the
corporation   and  an   interested   stockholder   thereof:   (i)  a  merger  or
consolidation,  (ii) a sale, lease,  exchange,  mortgage,  pledge,  transfer, or
other disposition of ten percent or more of corporation's assets or representing
10% or more of the  earning  power or net  income of the  corporation,  (iii) an
issuance or transfer of shares of the  corporation's  stock  representing  5% or
more of the  aggregate  market  value of all of such  corporation's  outstanding
stock, (iv) the adoption of a plan of liquidation or dissolution  proposed by or
under agreement with such interested  shareholder,  (v) a transaction having the
effect of directly  or  indirectly  increasing  the  proportionate  share of the
corporation's stock held by such interested stockholder,  or (vi) any receipt by
such interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans,  advances,  guarantees,
pledges,  or  other  financial  assistance  or any  tax  credits  or  other  tax
advantages.  An "interested  shareholder" under the IBCL is generally defined as
any person  owning 10 percent  or more of the  voting  power of the  outstanding
voting shares of the corporation.

     CONTROL SHARE  ACQUISITIONS.  Chapter  23-1-42 of the IBCL  requires  that,
unless the articles or by-laws of a corporation exempt the corporation therefrom
(which Conseco's  Articles of Incorporation  and By-laws do not), any person who
proposes to acquire or has acquired (a "control share acquisition") ownership of
(or the power to direct the voting of) shares representing one-fifth, one-third,
or a  majority  of the  voting  power of an issuing  public  corporation  in the
election of directors must provide the corporation  with a statement  describing
such acquisition (an "acquiring person  statement").  If the acquiring person so
requests at the time of delivery of such  statement  (and  undertakes to pay the
expenses relating thereto), the corporation shall cause a special meeting of its
shareholders to be called for the purpose of considering the voting rights to be
accorded the shares  acquired in the control  share  acquisition.  The shares so
acquired  shall be accorded the same voting  rights as were accorded such shares
before the control share acquisition only to the extent granted by resolution of
the  shareholders  of such  corporation.  Shares  acquired  in a  control  share
acquisition  as to which no  acquiring  person  statement  has been filed may be
redeemed  by  the   corporation   at  the  fair  value   thereof  under  certain
circumstances.  In the event that shares acquired in a control share acquisition
are accorded  full voting rights and the  acquiring  person has acquired  shares
representing a majority or more of all voting power, the other shareholders will
be  entitled  to  appraisal  rights.  The DGCL  does not  contain  a  comparable
provision.

     TAKEOVER OFFERS.  Chapter 23-2-3.1 of the IBCL provides that a person shall
not make a takeover offer unless the following  conditions are satisfied:  (1) a
statement  which  consists  of each  document  required  to be  filed  with  the
Commission is filed with the Indiana  securities  commissioner  and delivered to
the  president of the target  company  before making the takeover  offer;  (2) a
consent to  service of process  and the  requisite  filing fee  accompanies  the
statement filed with the Indiana securities commissioner; (3) the takeover offer
is made  to all  offerees  holding  the  same  class  of  equity  securities  on
substantially  equivalent  terms;  (4) a hearing is held within 20 business days
after the statement  described in clause (1) above is filed; and (5) the Indiana
securities  commissioner  shall have approved the takeover  offer.  In addition,
such  section  provides  that no offeror may acquire any equity  security of any
class of a target  company  within  two  years  following  the  conclusion  of a
takeover  offer with  respect to that  class,  unless the holder of such  equity
security is afforded, at the time of that acquisition,  a reasonable opportunity
to dispose of such  securities  to the  offeror  upon  substantially  equivalent
terms.  A "takeover  offer" means an offer to acquire or an  acquisition  of any
equity  security of a target  company  pursuant to a tender  offer or request or
invitation  for tenders if,  after the  acquisition,  the offeror is directly or
indirectly a record or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of any class of
the  outstanding  equity  securities of the target company.  A "target  company"
means an issuer of securities which is organized under the laws of Indiana,  has
its  principal  place of  business  in  Indiana  and has  substantial  assets in
Indiana. The DGCL does not contain a comparable provision.

 

RIGHT TO BRING BUSINESS BEFORE A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 
     The  Conseco  Articles  of  Incorporation  and the  Conseco  By-laws do not
contain any  restriction on the ability of shareholders to bring business before
a special meeting of shareholders.

     Holders of the PFS Common Stock representing a majority of the voting power
of all issued  and  outstanding  shares of PFS  Common  Stock may call a special
meeting of  stockholders.  Notice of such meeting must be mailed or delivered to
each stockholder not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to such meeting.

                                       70
<PAGE>   
 
The notice  must state the  purpose or  purposes  for which the meeting is to be
held.

SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
 

     The  Conseco  By-laws and PFS By-laws  specifically  authorize  stockholder
action by  written  consent  of all the  stockholders  entitled  to vote on such
action.

REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Conseco Articles of  Incorporation  provides for the board of directors
to be divided into three classes.  Under the Conseco By-laws,  a director may be
removed,  either for or without cause,  at any special  meeting of  shareholders
called for that  purpose,  by the  affirmative  vote of a majority  in number of
shares of the  shareholders  present in person or by proxy and  entitled to vote
for the election of such director.  The PFS  Certificate of  Incorporation  also
provides for the board of directors to be divided into three classes.  Under the
DGCL,  a director  of PFS may be  removed, only for cause,  by the  holders of a
majority of the outstanding PFS Common Stock.
 
DIRECTOR LIABILITY
 
     The  Conseco  Articles  of  Incorporation  and the  Conseco  By-laws do not
contain a specific exculpatory provision regarding director liability. The IBCL,
however,  provides  that a director  is not  liable  for any  action  taken as a
director,  or any  failure  to take any  action,  unless  (1) the  director  has
breached or failed to perform the duties of the director's  office in compliance
with Section 23-1-35-1 of the IBCL (which requires,  among other things,  that a
director  discharge his or her duties as a director in good faith, with the care
an ordinarily  prudent  person in a like position  would  exercise under similar
circumstances and in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best
interests  of the  corporation),  and (2)  the  breach  or  failure  to  perform
constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness.
 
     The PFS Certificate of Incorporation  provides that a director of PFS shall
not be personally  liable to PFS or its  stockholders  for monetary  damages for
breach of fiduciary  duty as a director to the fullest  extent  permitted by the
DGCL.  Under the DGCL, such  provisions may not limit a directors  liability (i)
for any breach of the  director's  duty of  loyalty to PFS or its  stockholders,
(ii) for acts or  omissions  not in good  faith  or  which  involve  intentional
misconduct  or knowing  violation  of law,  (iii) under  Section 174 of the DGCL
(unlawful  payment of  dividends),  or (iv) for any  transaction  from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit.

INDEMNIFICATION
 

     The IBCL grants authorization to Indiana corporations to indemnify officers
and directors  made a party to a proceeding  against  liability  incurred in the
proceeding  if:  (A)  the  individual's  conduct  was in  good  faith;  (B)  the
individual  reasonably believed:  (i) in the case of conduct in the individual's
official capacity with the corporation, that the individual's conduct was in the
corporation's best interests; and (ii) in all other cases, that the individual's
conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's best interests; and (C) in
the case of any criminal  proceeding,  the individual either: (i) had reasonable
cause to  believe  that the  individual's  conduct  was  lawful;  or (ii) had no
reasonable cause to believe that the individual's conduct was unlawful.
 
     The Conseco  By-laws provide for the  indemnification  of any person made a
party to any action,  suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is
a  director,  officer or  employee  of  Conseco,  unless it is  adjudged in such
action,  suit or  proceeding  that  such  person  is liable  for  negligence  or
misconduct in the performance of his or her duties. Such  indemnification  shall
be against the reasonable expenses,  including attorneys' fees, incurred by such
person in connection  with the defense of such action,  suit or  proceeding.  In
some  circumstances,  Conseco may reimburse  any such person for the  reasonable
costs of settlement of any such action,  suit or proceeding if a majority of the
members  of the  Board  of  Directors  not  involved  in the  controversy  shall
determine  that it was in the interests of Conseco that such  settlement be made
and that such person was not guilty of negligence or misconduct.

                                       71
<PAGE>   
 
     The PFS Certificate of Incorporation  provides that PFS shall indemnify any
person  who  was or is a  party  or is  threatened  to be  made a  party  to any
threatened,  pending or completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether civil,
criminal,  administrative  or  investigative  (other than an action by or in the
right of PFS) by  reason  of the  fact  that he is or was a  director,  officer,
employee  or agent  of PFS,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of PFS as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership, joint
venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  against  expenses  (including  attorneys'
fees),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection  with such action,  suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to
the  best  interests  of PFS  and,  with  respect  to  any  criminal  action  or
proceeding,  had no reasonable  cause to believe this conduct was unlawful.  PFS
shall also indemnify any such person with respect to any threatened,  pending or
completed  action or suit by or in the right of PFS to procure a judgment in its
favor by reason of the fact of his status against expenses (including attorneys'
fees) actually and reasonably  incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement  of such  action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably  believed  to be in or not opposed to the best  interests  of PFS and
except that no  indemnification  shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which  such  person  shall have been  adjudged  to be liable to PFS
unless  and only to the  extent  that  the  Court of  Chancery  of the  State of
Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought  shall  determine
upon  application  that despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably  entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
or such other  court shall deem  proper.  To the extent that any such person has
been  successful  on the merits or otherwise  in defense of any action,  suit or
proceeding  referred  to therein  or in  defense  of any claim,  issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified  against expenses  (including  attorney's fees)
actually  and  reasonably   incurred  by  him  in  connection   therewith.   Any
indemnification to be made pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be
made by PFS only as authorized in the specific  case upon a  determination  that
indemnification  of the  director,  officer,  employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation.  Such  determination  shall be made (i) by the
Board of Directors by a majority  vote of a quorum  consisting  of the directors
who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,  or (ii) if such quorum
is not obtainable,  or, even if obtainable,  a quorum of disinterested directors
so directs,  by independent legal counsel in a written opinion,  or (iii) by the
stockholders. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding  may be paid  by PFS in  advance  of the  final  disposition  of such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined  that he is not entitled to be  indemnified  by PFS as provided in
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation.  The  indemnification  and  advancement  of
expenses  provided by, or granted  pursuant to, the Certificate of Incorporation
shall  not be  deemed  exclusive  of any other  rights  to which  those  seeking
indemnification  or  advancement  of expenses may be entitled under any statute,
bylaw, agreement,  vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
both as to action in his official  capacity and as to action in another capacity
and  as  to  action  in  another   capacity  while  holding  such  office.   The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation   shall,   unless  otherwise  provided  when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer,  employee  or agent  and  shall  inure  to the  benefit  of the  heirs,
executors and  administrators  of such a person. To the fullest extent permitted
by DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended,  a director of PFS shall
not be liable to PFS or its  stockholders  for  monetary  damages  for breach of
fiduciary as a director.

     PFS's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  provides  that PFS may  purchase and
maintain  insurance  on behalf of any person who is or was a director,  officer,
employee  or agent  of PFS,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of PFS as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership, joint
venture,  trust or other enterprise,  against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in any such capacity,  or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not PFS would have the power to indemnify him against such  liability
under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

     The Conseco  Articles of  Incorporation  and Conseco By-laws do not provide
for the  advancement  of expenses.  However,  under the IBCL a  corporation  may
advance  expenses  if (1) the  director  furnishes  the  corporation  a  written
affirmation  of the  director's  good faith belief that the director has met the
standard of conduct  called for by Section  23-1-37-8 of the IBCL (which  states
that a  corporation  may  indemnify an  individual  made a party to a proceeding
against  liability  incurred in the proceeding if: (A) the individual's  conduct
was in good faith; and (B) the individual  reasonably believed:  (i) in the case
of conduct in the individual's official capacity with the corporation,  that the
individual's  conduct was in its best  interests;  and (ii) in all other  cases,
that the  individual's  conduct was at least not opposed to its best  interests;
and (C) in the case of any criminal  proceeding,  the individual either: (i) had
reasonable cause to believe the individual's  conduct was lawful; or (ii) had no
reasonable  cause to believe the  individual's  conduct was  unlawful),  (2) the
director  furnishes  a  written  undertaking  to  repay  the  advance  if  it is
ultimately  determined  that he or she did not meet such standard of conduct and
(3) a  determination  is made  that the facts  then  known  would  not  preclude
indemnification under Indiana laws.
 
DIVIDENDS AND REPURCHASES

     Under the IBCL, a corporation may make distributions to its shareholders as
long as the corporation's  debts may be paid as they come due, the corporation's
total  assets  exceed the sum of its  liabilities  plus the amount that would be
needed  if the  corporation  were to be  dissolved  and  the  payment  of  these
distributions is consistent with the  corporation's  articles of  incorporation.
Under the DGCL, a  corporation  may pay dividends  and  repurchase  stock out of
surplus or, if there is no  surplus,  out of any net profits for the fiscal year
in which the dividend was declared and/or for the preceding  fiscal year as long
as no payment  reduces  capital below the amount of capital  represented  by all
classes of shares having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     The  DGCL  provides  that  a   stockholder   is  entitled,   under  certain
circumstances,  to receive payment of the fair value of the stockholder's common
stock if the stockholder dissents from a merger or consolidation.  The DGCL also
permits a corporation  to grant (by inclusion of a provision in its  certificate
of incorporation)

 
                                       72
<PAGE>   
 

appraisal rights in connection with certain other corporate transactions. PFS's
Certificate of Incorporation currently contains no such provision.

      Under the DGCL,  dissenters' rights are not available if the shares of the
Delaware  corporation are (i) listed on a national  securities exchange (such as
the NYSE) or designated as a national  market system  security on an interdealer
quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc. (e.g.,
quoted on the Nasdaq National  Market) or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000
holders.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  dissenters' rights under the DGCL are
available if the stockholders of the Delaware  corporation are to receive in the
merger or consolidation anything other than (i) shares of stock of the surviving
or resulting  corporation,  (ii) shares of stock of any other  corporation which
are listed on a national  securities  exchange or are  designated  as a national
market system security on an interdealer  quotation  system (as described above)
or held of record by more  than  2,000  holders,  and/or  (iii)  cash in lieu of
fractional  shares.  Based  on the  foregoing,  dissenters'  rights  will not be
available to PFS stockholders in connection with the Merger.

     The  IBCL  provides  that  a   shareholder   is  entitled,   under  certain
circumstances,  to receive payment of the fair value of the shareholder's common
stock  if the  shareholder  dissents  from a  merger,  share  exchange,  sale or
exchange of all or substantially all of the  corporation's  property and certain
control share acquisitions (as described under "-- Certain  Provisions  Relating
to  Acquisitions  --  Control  Share  Acquisitions").  The IBCL  also  permits a
corporation   to  grant  (by  inclusion  of  a  provision  in  its  articles  of
incorporation,  bylaws or resolution of the board of directors) appraisal rights
in connection with other corporate actions. Conseco's Articles of Incorporation,
By-laws and resolutions currently contain no such provision.

     Under the IBCL,  dissenters'  rights are not available if the shares of the
Indiana  corporation are (i) registered on a United States  securities  exchange
registered  under the  Exchange  Act  (such as the  NYSE) or (ii)  traded on the
National  Association of Securities  Dealers,  Inc. Automated  Quotations System
Over-the-Counter  Markets -- National Market Issues (such as the Nasdaq National
Market) or a similar market.

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER DISCRETION

     Under Sections  23-1-35-1(d),  (f), and (g) of the IBCL, in discharging his
or her duties to the corporation  and in determining  what he or she believes to
be in the best  interests  of the  corporation,  a director  or officer  may, in
addition to considering the effects of any action on shareholders,  consider the
effects of the action on employees,  suppliers,  customers,  the  communities in
which the  corporation  operates  and any other  factors  that the  director  or
officer considers pertinent.  The DGCL does not contain a comparable  provision,
and,  under  Delaware  law,  the   consideration   that  a  board  may  give  to
nonstockholder  constituencies  is less clear. In considering the best interests
of a corporation,  under Delaware law, directors and officers can generally take
into  consideration  the  interest of  nonstockholders.  However,  the  Delaware
Supreme Court has held that the consideration of  nonstockholder  constituencies
is inappropriate when an active "auction" is in process to sell a company.

     The foregoing  discussion of certain  similarities and material differences
between the rights of Conseco shareholders and the rights of PFS stockholders is
only a summary  of  certain  provisions  and does not  purport  to be a complete
description  of such  similarities  and  differences,  and is  qualified  in its
entirety by  reference to the IBCL and the common law  thereunder,  the DGCL and
the  common  law  thereunder,  and the  full  text of the  Conseco  Articles  of
Incorporation, the Conseco By-laws, the PFS Certificate of Incorporation and the
PFS By-laws.
 
                          MANAGEMENT OF CONSECO AND PFS
                        UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
     The directors and executive officers of RAC are Stephen C. Hilbert,  Ngaire
E. Cuneo,  Rollin M. Dick,  Donald F. Gongaware and Lawrence W. Inlow,  and such
individuals will be directors and executive officers of PFS upon consummation of
the Merger. Such individuals are also the executive officers of Conseco and will
have the same titles with PFS as they currently have with Conseco. The directors
and  executive  officers of Conseco will continue as the directors and executive
officers of Conseco  upon  consummation  of the  Merger.  For  information  with
respect to the directors and executive officers of Conseco, see Items 10 - 13 of
Conseco's  Annual  Report  (which  incorporates   portions  of  Conseco's  proxy
statement dated April 24, 1996), which is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       73
<PAGE>   
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Conseco  Common Stock to be issued in  connection  with
the Merger will be passed upon for Conseco by Lawrence W. Inlow,  Executive Vice
President,  General  Counsel and Secretary of Conseco.  Mr. Inlow is a full-time
employee  and officer of Conseco  and owns  1,616,348  shares of Conseco  Common
Stock and holds options to purchase 2,813,800 shares of Conseco Common Stock.

                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated  financial  statements of Conseco at December 31, 1995 and
1994,  and for each of the three years in the period  ended  December  31, 1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/ Prospectus, have been audited
by  Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,  independent  accountants,  as set forth in their
report  thereon  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  and are  incorporated  by
reference in reliance  upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

     The consolidated financial statements of LPG at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and  for  each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  have been audited
by  Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,  independent  accountants,  as set forth in their
report  thereon  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  and are  incorporated  by
reference  in reliance  upon such report,  given upon  authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

     The consolidated financial statements of ATC at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and  for  each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent public  accountants,  as set forth in their
report with respect  thereto and are  incorporated by reference in reliance upon
the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

     The consolidated financial statements of THI at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and  for  each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  have been audited
by KPMG Peat Marwick  LLP,  independent  auditors,  as set forth in their report
thereon  incorporated by reference herein,  and are incorporated by reference in
reliance  upon such report  given upon the  authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.

     The consolidated financial statements of PFS at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and  for  each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/ Prospectus, have been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
incorporated by reference herein,  and are incorporated by reference in reliance
upon such report given upon the  authority of such firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.

     The consolidated financial statements of CAF at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and  for  each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  have been audited
by KPMG Peat Marwick  LLP,  independent  auditors,  as set forth in their report
thereon  incorporated by reference herein,  and are incorporated by reference in
reliance  upon such report  given upon the  authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.

 
                            INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Special Meeting
and  will be  available  to  respond  to  appropriate  questions  and  have  the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire.

                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     As of the  date of  this  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the  PFS  Board  of
Directors  does not intend to present,  and has not been informed that any other
person intends to present,  any matter for action at the Special Meeting,  other
than as discussed herein.
 
 
                                       74

<PAGE>


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

                                    ANNEX A


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 1996


                                  By and Among


                                 CONSECO, INC.,


                            ROCK ACQUISITION COMPANY


                                       and


                        PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
                                                                                                               ----


                                    ARTICLE I
                <S>       <C>                                                                                  <C>    

                  THE MERGER....................................................................................  1
                  1.1      The Merger...........................................................................  1
                  1.2      Closing............................................................................... 1
                  1.3      Effective Time.......................................................................  2
                  1.4      Certificate of Incorporation.........................................................  2
                  1.5      By-Laws..............................................................................  2
                  1.6      Directors............................................................................  2
                  1.7      Officers.............................................................................  2
                  1.8      Conversion of RAC Shares.............................................................  2
                  1.9      Conversion of Shares ................................................................  2
                  1.10     Exchange of Certificates.............................................................  3
                  1.11     Treatment of Convertible Subordinated Notes..........................................  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........................................................................  8
                  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

                                   ARTICLE III

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONSECO AND RAC............................................. 14
                  3.1      Organization, Standing and Corporate Power........................................... 14
                  3.2      Conseco Capital Structure............................................................ 15
                  3.3      Authority; Noncontravention.......................................................... 15
                  3.4      SEC Documents........................................................................ 17
                  3.5      Absence of Certain Changes or Events................................................. 17
                  3.6      Compliance with Applicable Laws...................................................... 18
                  3.7      No Prior Activities.................................................................. 19
                  3.8      Brokers.............................................................................. 19
                  3.9      Voting Requirements.................................................................. 19


                                                    i

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                  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................................................................ 22
                  4.9      Fiduciary Duties..................................................................... 23
                  4.10     Consents, Approvals and Filings...................................................... 24
                  4.11     Certain Fees......................................................................... 24
                  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 ....................................................................... 27
                  4.17     Officers' Certificates Relating to Tax Treatment. ................................... 27
                  4.18     Severance and Other Payments ........................................................ 28
                  4.19     Employment Agreement................................................................. 28
                  4.20     Existing Employment 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 ....................................................................... 31
                  5.4      Conduct of Business of RAC........................................................... 31

                                   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 and RAC......................................... 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................................................................ 35
                  7.3      Amendment............................................................................ 36
                  7.4      Extension; Waiver.................................................................... 36
                  7.5      Procedure for Termination, Amendment,   Extension
                           or Waiver............................................................................ 36

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                  SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS........................................................................ 36
                  8.1      Survival............................................................................. 36


                                                    ii

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IX

                  NOTICES....................................................................................... 36
                  9.1      Notices.............................................................................. 36

                                    ARTICLE X

                  MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................. 37
                  10.1      Entire Agreement.................................................................... 37
                  10.2      Expenses............................................................................ 38
                  10.3      Counterparts ....................................................................... 38
                  10.4      No Third Party Beneficiary.......................................................... 38
                  10.5      Governing Law....................................................................... 38
                  10.6      Assignment; Binding Effect.......................................................... 38
                  10.7      Enforcement..........................................................................38
                  10.8      Headings, Gender, etc............................................................... 38
                  10.9      Invalid Provisions.................................................................. 39


</TABLE>


                                                   iii

<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of December 15, 1996 by and among CONSECO,  INC., an Indiana corporation
("Conseco"),  ROCK ACQUISITION  COMPANY, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Conseco ("RAC"), and PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES,  INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").

                                    PREAMBLE

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

         WHEREAS,   Conseco,   RAC  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), RAC shall
be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"), in a transaction intended to
qualify as a tax-free  reorganization under Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  in accordance  with the Delaware
General  Corporation Law (the "DGCL"),  and the separate corporate  existence of
RAC shall cease and the Company  shall  continue  as the  surviving  corporation
under the laws of the State of Delaware (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 DGCL.

         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 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.


                                       A-1

<PAGE>




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

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

         1.5 By-Laws. The By-Laws of the Company, 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 RAC at the Effective Time
shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation.

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

         1.8 Conversion of RAC Shares.  Each share of common stock of RAC issued
and outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder  thereof,  be  converted
into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common
stock of the Surviving Corporation.

         1.9 Conversion of Shares. (a) Outstanding Shares. Each of the shares of
common  stock,  $1.00 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
(i) if the Conseco  Share Price (as defined  below) is greater  than or equal to
$56.00 per share and less than or equal to $62.72 per share, 0.4464 of a validly
issued,  fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock,  without par value,
of Conseco  ("Conseco  Common  Stock"),  (ii) if the Conseco Share Price is less
than $56.00 per share, the fraction  (rounded to the nearest ten- thousandth) of
a share of Conseco  Common Stock  determined  by dividing  $25.00 by the Conseco
Share  Price or (iii) if the  Conseco  Share  Price is greater  than  $62.72 per
share,  the  fraction  (rounded  to the  nearest  ten-thousandth)  of a share of
Conseco Common Stock  determined by dividing  $28.00 by the Conseco Share Price.
The "Conseco Share Price" 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,


                                       A-2

<PAGE>



as reported  in The Wall Street  Journal,  for the 10 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 1.10 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. 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.  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  Nonqualified
Stock Option Plan, as amended to the date hereof,  or the Company's 1994 Omnibus
Stock  Incentive  Program,  as amended  to the date  hereof  (collectively,  the
"Company  Stock  Plans"),  shall be fully vested and  exercisable,  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
Plans and the underlying stock option agreement.

         1.10 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 holders of Shares, certificates representing the
shares of Conseco  Common  Stock to be issued to holders of Shares  pursuant  to
Section 1.9(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


                                       A-3

<PAGE>



of Conseco Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares of Conseco Common
Stock as contemplated by this Section 1.10) 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 1.9(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 1.10(b),
each  certificate  representing  Shares  (other than  certificates  representing
Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 1.9(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 1.9. 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  1.9,  a form  of  letter  of  transmittal  and
instructions  for  use in  surrendering  such  certificates  and  receiving  the
consideration  to which such  holder  shall be  entitled  therefor  pursuant  to
Section 1.9.

         (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  1.9,  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

                                       A-4

<PAGE>



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  1.9, 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 1.9, 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 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


                                       A-5

<PAGE>



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.

         1.11 Treatment of Convertible  Subordinated  Notes.  In accordance with
Section  10.9 of the  Indenture  dated as of March 27, 1996 with  respect to the
Company's  6-1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated  Notes due 2003  (the  "Convertible
Notes"), at the Effective Time each Convertible Note shall automatically  become
convertible  into the number of shares of Conseco  Common Stock which the holder
of such  Convertible  Note would have been  entitled to receive in the Merger if
the holder had converted the Convertible Note into Shares immediately before the
Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The  Company  hereby  represents  and  warrants  to Conseco  and RAC as
follows:

         2.1  Organization,  Standing and Corporate  Power. 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.  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) 30,000,000  Shares and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
no par value (the "Preferred  Stock").  At the close of business on December 13,
1996: (i) 12,733,467  Shares were issued and outstanding,  1,863,190 Shares were
reserved  for  issuance  pursuant to  outstanding  Company  Stock  Options,  and
4,312,500  Shares were reserved for issuance upon  conversion of the outstanding
Convertible  Notes and (ii) no shares of Preferred  Stock were  outstanding  and
18,909,157  shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance
under the Rights Agreement dated as of December 12, 1990 between the Company and
First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement").  Except as set
forth above, at the close of business on December 13, 1996, no shares of capital
stock or other equity securities of


                                       A-6

<PAGE>



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 will
be, when issued, duly authorized,  validly issued,  fully paid and nonassessable
and not subject to preemptive rights. Except for $86,250,000 principal amount of
Convertible  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.  Except as
disclosed in Section 2.2 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  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 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


                                       A-7

<PAGE>



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, (iii) give rise to
any rights under the Rights  Agreement or entitle any holder of rights under the
Rights  Agreement to exercise  such rights or (iv)  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 to be made by the Company 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
with the Delaware 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 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  and (vi) any  applicable
filings under state anti-takeover 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


                                       A-8

<PAGE>



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  or employee,  director or agent benefit
plans in effect as of the date of the most recent 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


                                       A-9

<PAGE>



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 all
material  respects  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 in all
material  respects 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 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.



                                      A-10

<PAGE>



         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,  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.



                                      A-11

<PAGE>



         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  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 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


                                      A-12

<PAGE>



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 directly 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 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


                                      A-13

<PAGE>



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 on behalf of
the Company 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.

                                   ARTICLE III

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONSECO AND RAC

         Conseco and RAC hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

         3.1 Organization,  Standing and Corporate Power.  Each of Conseco,  RAC
and each  Significant  Subsidiary  of  Conseco  (as  hereinafter  defined)  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
Conseco,  RAC 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.


                                      A-14

<PAGE>




         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 December  13,
1996,  (i)  67,001,181  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)  13,403,557  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
1,039,690 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  December  13,  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. The authorized capital stock of RAC consists of 1,000 shares
of capital stock,  $.001 par value,  all of which have been validly issued,  are
fully  paid and  nonassessable  and are owned by  Conseco  free and clear of any
Lien. As of the date of this  Agreement,  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 as of the date of this  Agreement.  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 Conseco or any
Significant  Subsidiary  of Conseco or (ii)  restricts  the  transfer of Conseco
Common Stock.

         3.3  Authority;  Noncontravention.  Conseco and RAC have 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 RAC and the  consummation  by Conseco  and RAC of the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  have been duly  authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of


                                      A-15

<PAGE>



Conseco and RAC.  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  and  RAC,
enforceable  against  such party 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 Bylaws of Conseco, the Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws of RAC, 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 or RAC in
connection  with the execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Conseco or RAC
or the  consummation  by  Conseco  or RAC,  as the  case  may be,  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 of the certificate of merger with 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,  (v) such  other
consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  filings  or  notices as are set forth in
Section 2.3 of the  Disclosure  Schedule and (vi) any  applicable  filings under
state anti-takeover laws.



                                      A-16

<PAGE>



         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"), 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
declaration  of a cash dividend  payable  January 2, 1997 of $.0625 per share on
Conseco  Common  Stock and regular  cash  dividends  on the Conseco  PRIDES,  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.



                                      A-17

<PAGE>



         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.

         (iii)  Except as set  forth 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


                                      A-18

<PAGE>



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 No Prior  Activities.  RAC has not  incurred,  and will not  incur,
directly or through any subsidiary,  any liabilities or obligations for borrowed
money  or  otherwise,  except  incidental  liabilities  or  obligations  not for
borrowed  money  incurred  in  connection  with its  organization  and except in
connection  with obtaining  financing in connection  with the Merger.  Except as
contemplated by this Agreement, RAC (i) has not engaged, directly or through any
subsidiary, in any business activities of any type or kind whatsoever,  (ii) has
not entered into any agreements or arrangements  with any person or entity,  and
(iii) is not subject to or bound by any obligation or undertaking.

         3.8 Brokers.  All  negotiations  on behalf of Conseco  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.

         3.9 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.


                                      A-19

<PAGE>



                                   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, as then amended or supplemented, 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 or
RAC  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 or RAC  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


                                      A-20

<PAGE>



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
commercially  reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Conseco a letter of
Ernst & Young 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 Ernst & Young 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  commercially
reasonable 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 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.


                                      A-21
<PAGE>




         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  November  14,  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.

         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


                                      A-22

<PAGE>



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 (A) the 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 or RAC, 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 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 or RAC,  its  approval  or
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, or enter into an


                                      A-23

<PAGE>



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

         4.11  Certain  Fees.  (a) The Company  shall pay to Conseco upon demand
$8.0 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


                                      A-24

<PAGE>



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 $1,000,000, 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  May  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 maintain the effectiveness of the Form S-4 subsequent to
the  Closing  Date for the  purpose of resales of Conseco  Common  Stock by such
affiliates,  but shall not  thereafter  be required  to file any  post-effective
amendment  thereto in accordance  with Item 512(a) of  Regulation  S-K under the
Securities Act. Subject to the remainder of this Section 4.12, Conseco shall not
otherwise 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 such  affiliates  in the Merger shall bear a
customary  legend  regarding  applicable  Securities  Act  restrictions  and the
provisions of this Section 4.12.



                                      A-25

<PAGE>



         In the case of the Form S-4 to be  maintained  effective  following the
Closing  Date with  respect to affiliate  resales in  accordance  with the third
sentence of this Section 4.12,  Conseco shall (i) provide to such affiliate such
reasonable number of copies of the registration statement,  the prospectus,  and
such  other  documents  as the  affiliates  may  reasonably  request in order to
facilitate the public offering of such securities; (ii) pay all expenses of such
registration other than underwriting or sales  commissions;  and (iii) indemnify
such  affiliates,  each of their  officers and directors and partners,  and each
person  controlling  such  affiliates  within  the  meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or
actions  in  respect  thereof),  including  any of  the  foregoing  incurred  in
settlement of any litigation,  commenced or threatened,  arising out of or based
on any untrue  statement  (or  alleged  untrue  statement)  of a  material  fact
contained in such  registration  statement or  prospectus,  or any  amendment or
supplement thereto, incident to any such registration,  or based on any omission
(or alleged  omission) to state  therein a material  fact  required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of circumstances
in which they were made,  not  misleading,  or any  violation  by Conseco of the
Securities Act or any rule or regulation in connection  with such  registration,
and reimburse each such person for any legal and any other  expenses  reasonably
incurred (as they are incurred) in connection with  investigating,  preparing or
defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action.

         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 the  Company  and  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.



                                      A-26

<PAGE>



         (b)  On  or  before  the  Effective  Time,  Conseco  shall  enter  into
indemnification  agreements  as set  forth  in  Section  4.15 of the  Disclosure
Schedule.

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

         4.16 Stock Options.  (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  1.9(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 outstanding on the date hereof and any changes thereto
described  in or  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and  except  as set forth in
Section 4.16 of 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 and
maintain  as  reserved  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.


                                      A-27

<PAGE>




         4.18 Severance and Other  Payments.  If, after the Effective  Time, the
employment of employees of the Company is terminated, the Employee Severance Pay
Plan of Conseco shall be applicable to such employees  giving credit for service
to the Company as service to Conseco;  provided,  however, that employees who as
of the date of this Agreement either (i) have a contract with the Company or one
of its  subsidiaries  which provides for a greater  payment upon  termination of
employment  or (ii) are covered by the Company's  severance  policy for officers
shall be entitled to the payments  specified by such  contract or policy in lieu
of any amounts under the Employee Severance Pay Plan of Conseco. Section 4.18 of
the  Disclosure  Schedule  identifies  all  contracts  and Benefit  Plans of the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries  which obligate the Company to make payments
to any employee upon termination of employment.  In addition, an aggregate of up
to $5 million of additional  payments may be paid within twelve months after the
Closing Date to employees of the Company in such manner and in such  proportions
as  shall  be  determined  from  time  to time by the  Company's  present  chief
executive  officer  after  consultation  with the Chief  Operations  Officer  of
Conseco or his designee.

         4.19 Employment Agreement.  The Company shall enter into the employment
agreement  with Peter W.  Nauert  described  in Section  4.19 of the  Disclosure
Schedule. Such employment agreement shall be subject to the approval of Conseco,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         4.20 Existing Employment Agreements. The existing employment agreements
between the Company and Thomas J. Brophy and Charles R.  Scheper,  respectively,
will be terminated at the Effective Time and such  individuals  will be entitled
to receive from the Company on the Closing Date an amount equal to the aggregate
of  the  remaining  amounts  payable  under  such  employment  agreements.   The
employment  agreement between the Company and Peter W. Nauert will be terminated
at the  Effective  Time and Mr.  Nauert will be entitled to receive $4.5 million
from the Company on the Closing Date.

                                    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 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


                                      A-28

<PAGE>



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 (other than regular
         quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $0.055 per Share,  with usual
         record and payment dates and in accordance  with the Company's  present
         dividend  policy),   (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;

                  (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  or as set  forth in  Section  4.16 of the
         Disclosure Schedule;

                  (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, 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;

                  (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 under
         any  credit  agreement  in  effect  on the  date of this  Agreement  or
         indebtedness  owing  to or  guarantees  of  indebtedness  owing  to the
         Company  or any  direct  or  indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  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;



                                      A-29

<PAGE>



                  (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 material 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 (a)  changes  or  amendments  that are
                  required under existing  contracts,  (b)  individual,  routine
                  changes  with  respect  to  employees  that  are  made  in the
                  ordinary  course of business and consistent with past practice
                  and do not exceed 6% or (c) changes  with respect to agents or
                  consultants  that are made in the ordinary  course of business
                  and consistent with past practice;

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


                                      A-30

<PAGE>





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

                  (xi) except in the  ordinary  course of  business,  materially
         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 any
         of, the foregoing actions.

         5.2 Conduct of Business by Conseco.  During the period from the date of
this  Agreement  to the  Effective  Time,  Conseco  shall,  and shall  cause its
subsidiaries  to, 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.

         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.

         5.4 Conduct of Business of RAC. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective  Time,  RAC shall not engage in any activities of any
nature except as provided in or contemplated by this Agreement.



                                      A- 31

<PAGE>



                                   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 Company,  Conseco and RAC
         shall be  obtained,  in each case without the  material  abrogation  or
         diminishment  of the  authority  or  license of any  Insurance  Company
         subsidiary of the Company or the imposition of significant restrictions
         upon the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
         event that all governmental and regulatory  consents required hereunder
         shall have been obtained except the approval of the Insurance Regulator
         of  any  life  insurance  subsidiary  of the  Company  which  does  not
         constitute a "significant  subsidiary" (within the meaning of Rule 1-02
         of Regulation S-X of the SEC) of the Company (a  "Non-Significant  Life
         Subsidiary")  to the transfer of control of such  Non-Significant  Life
         Subsidiary, then, subject to Article VII hereof, at any time thereafter
         at the option of Conseco,  the parties  shall take one of the following
         actions  with  respect  to such  Non-Significant  Life  Subsidiary  and
         otherwise  proceed to  consummate  the Merger in  accordance  with this
         Agreement:  (a) place  into  escrow,  pursuant  to an escrow  agreement
         reasonably acceptable to the parties, the outstanding shares of capital
         stock of such  Non-Significant  Life Subsidiary;  such escrow agreement
         shall   contain    customary    provisions    concerning   duties   and
         responsibilities  of the  escrow  agent  and  payment  of the  fees and
         expenses  of the  escrow  agent  and  shall  provide  that (i)  pending
         transfer of control of the Non-Significant  Life Subsidiary to Conseco,
         its  current  Board of  Directors  shall  retain  all power to vote its
         shares of capital  stock and to direct its  business  not  inconsistent
         with this Agreement, (ii) promptly following


                                      A-32

<PAGE>



         receipt of the  approval  of the  Insurance  Regulator,  control of the
         capital  stock  of  such   Non-Significant  Life  Subsidiary  shall  be
         transferred  to Conseco and (iii) at any time  following  June 30, 1997
         and prior to receipt of the Insurance Regulator's approval, Conseco may
         elect  to  terminate  the  escrow   agreement,   in  which  event  such
         Non-Significant  Life Subsidiary  shall be liquidated and dissolved and
         the  proceeds  thereof  shall be paid to  Conseco;  (b) cause such Non-
         Significant  Life  Subsidiary to surrender its certificate of authority
         to do business in its state of domicile; (c) cause such Non-Significant
         Life  Subsidiary  to  commence  proceedings  for  its  liquidation  and
         dissolution;  (d) enter into an agreement  for the sale and transfer of
         the Non-significant  Life Subsidiary to a third party; or (e) take such
         other action as may be mutually agreeable to the Company and Conseco.

                  (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 and RAC.  The
obligations  of Conseco and RAC to effect the Merger are 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


                                      A-33

<PAGE>



         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).

                  (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.

           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 and RAC 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 and RAC
         shall have performed in all material respects all obligations  required
         to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
         Date and shall not have willfully or intentionally  (i) breached any of
         their representations or warranties herein or (ii) failed to perform or
         satisfy  any of  their  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 McDermott,  Will & Emery,  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)(2)(E)
         of the


                                      A-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 March 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 May 31,  1997
                  unless the condition to closing set forth in Section 6.1(d) is
                  not satisfied as of March 31, 1997;

                           (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; or

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

         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,  RAC or the Company,  other than the last
two sentences of Section 4.5 and Sections 2.13, 3.8, 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.



                                      A-35

<PAGE>



         7.3 Amendment. Subject to the applicable provisions of 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, RAC or the
Company, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized designee of its
Board of Directors.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS

         8.1 Survival. The representations and warranties  respectively required
to be  made  by the  Company,  Conseco  and  RAC 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:


                                      A-36

<PAGE>




         If to the Company, to:

                  Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
                  1750 East Golf Road
                  Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

                  Attention:  Billy B. Hill, Jr.
                  Telephone:  (847) 413-7077
                  Telecopy:   (847) 413-7194

         with a copy to:

                  McDermott, Will & Emery
                  227 West Monroe Street
                  Chicago, Illinois  60606

                  Attention:  Stanley H. Meadows, P.C.
                  Telephone:  (312) 984-7570
                  Telecopy:   (312) 984-3669

         If to Conseco or RAC, to:

                  Conseco, Inc.
                  11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
                  Carmel, Indiana  46032

                  Attention:  Lawrence W. Inlow
                  Telephone:  (317) 817-6163
                  Telecopy:   (317) 817-6327

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,
Conseco and RAC 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


                                      A-37

<PAGE>



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,  Conseco and RAC
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.

         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.

         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


                                      A-38

<PAGE>


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.

         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


                                          ROCK ACQUISITION COMPANY



                                          By:    /s/ STEPHEN C. HILBERT
                                                 -----------------------
                                                 Stephen C. Hilbert, President


                                          PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.



                                          By:    /s/ PETER W. NAUERT
                                                 ----------------------
                                                 Peter W. Nauert,
                                                 Chairman of the Board


                                      A-39

<PAGE>

                                    ANNEX B


                          Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
            277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172, (212) 892-3000


                                                          December 15, 1996
Board of Directors
Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
1750 Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173


Dear Sirs:

       You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial  point
of view to the shareholders of Pioneer Financial Services,  Inc. (the "Company")
of the consideration to be received by such  shareholders  pursuant to the terms
of the  Agreement  and  Plan of  Merger,  dated as of  December  15,  1996  (the
"Agreement"),  by and among Conseco, Inc. ("Conseco"),  Rock Acquisition Company
("Acquisition  Sub"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Conseco,  and the Company,
pursuant to which the  Acquisition  Sub will be merged (the  "Merger")  with and
into the Company,  whereby the Company will become a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
Conseco.

       Pursuant to the  Agreement,  each share of common stock,  par value $1.00
per share,  of the Company  ("Company  Common Stock") will be converted into the
right to receive, subject to certain exceptions, shares of common stock, without
par value, of Conseco ("Conseco Common Stock"),  as follows:  (i) if the Conseco
Share Price (as defined  below) is greater than or equal to $56.00 per share and
less than or equal to $62.72  per  share,  0.4464 of a share of  Conseco  Common
Stock;  (ii) if the  Conseco  Share  Price is less than  $56.00 per  share,  the
fraction of a share of Conseco Common Stock determined by dividing $25.00 by the
Conseco Share Price; or, (iii) if the Conseco Share Price is greater than $62.72
per  share,  the  fraction  of a share of Conseco  Common  Stock  determined  by
dividing  $28.00 by the  Conseco  Share  Price  (such  fraction  as set forth in
clauses (i) through (iii) above, the "Exchange Ratio").  The Conseco Share Price
is defined as the average of the closing  prices of Conseco Common Stock for the
ten  trading  days  immediately  preceding  the second  trading day prior to the
consummation of the Merger.

       In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement dated December
15, 1996 and the exhibits  thereto.  We have also  reviewed  financial and other
information  that was  publicly  available or furnished to us by the Company and
Conseco, including information provided during discussions with their respective
managements.  Included in the information  provided during  discussions with the
respective  managements were certain financial  projections of the Company which
were pro forma for  certain  pending  transactions  of the Company for the years
ending December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997 prepared by the management of
the Company, an actuarial analysis of the insurance  subsidiaries of the Company
as of September 30, 1995 prepared for the Company by a consulting actuarial firm
and  certain  pro forma  financial  statements  of  Conseco  for the year  ended
December

                                      B-1

<PAGE>


Board of Directors
Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
PAGE 2
                                             December 15, 1996



31,  1995 and the nine months  ended  September  30, 1996 and certain  financial
projections  of Conseco  which are pro forma for certain  pending  and  recently
completed  transactions  of  Conseco,  for the years  ending  December  31, 1996
through December 31, 2005 prepared by the management of Conseco. In addition, we
have compared  certain  financial and securities data of the Company and Conseco
with various other  companies  whose  securities  are traded in public  markets,
reviewed the historical  stock prices and trading  volumes of the Company Common
Stock and Conseco  Common  Stock,  reviewed  prices and premiums paid in certain
other business combinations and conducted such other financial studies, analyses
and  investigations  as we deemed  appropriate for purposes of this opinion.  We
were not  requested  to, nor did we,  solicit the interest of any other party in
acquiring the Company.

       In rendering  our opinion,  we have relied upon and assumed the accuracy,
completeness and fairness of all of the financial and other information that was
available to us from public sources,  that was provided to us by the Company and
Conseco or their  representatives,  or that was  otherwise  reviewed by us. With
respect to the pro forma financial projections of the Company supplied to us, we
have assumed that they have been reasonably  prepared on a basis  reflecting the
best  currently  available  estimates  and  judgments of the  management  of the
Company as to the future  operating  and financial  performance  of the Company.
With respect to the  actuarial  analysis of the  insurance  subsidiaries  of the
Company  supplied to us, we have  assumed that it was  reasonably  prepared on a
basis  reflecting:  (i)  the  best  available  estimates  and  judgments  of the
management of the Company as to the future  operating and financial  performance
of the insurance subsidiaries of the Company as of September 30, 1995; and, (ii)
the best judgment of the consulting  actuarial firm as to the proper analysis to
be applied  based on the  assumptions  provided to it by the  management  of the
Company as to the future  operating and financial  performance of such insurance
subsidiaries.  In addition,  with respect to such  actuarial  analysis,  we have
assumed that,  except for the pending  acquisitions  of the Company,  there have
been no material  changes to the  business  of the Company  since such date that
would materially affect such actuarial  analysis.  With respect to the pro forma
financial statements and pro forma financial  projections of Conseco supplied to
us,  we  have  assumed  that  they  have  been  reasonably  prepared  on a basis
reflecting  the  best  currently   available  estimates  and  judgments  of  the
management of Conseco as to the  historical pro forma results of Conseco and the
future operating and financial  performance of the Company and Conseco.  We have
not assumed  any  responsibility  for making an  independent  evaluation  of the
Company's  and Conseco's  assets or  liabilities  or for making any  independent
verification of any of the information  reviewed by us. We have relied as to all
legal matters on advice of counsel to the Company.

                                      
                                      B-2


<PAGE>

Board of Directors
Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
Page 3
                                          December 15, 1996


       Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial and other
conditions as they exist on, and on the information  made available to us as of,
the date of this  letter.  It should be  understood  that,  although  subsequent
developments  may affect this opinion,  we do not have any obligation to update,
revise or reaffirm this opinion.  We are  expressing no opinion herein as to the
prices at which  Conseco  Common  Stock  will  actually  trade at any time.  Our
opinion  does not  constitute  a  recommendation  to any  member of the Board of
Directors  of the Company or  shareholder  as to how such member or  shareholder
should vote on the proposed transaction.

       Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette Securities  Corporation ("DLJ"), as part of
its  investment  banking  services,  is  regularly  engaged in the  valuation of
businesses   and   securities   in  connection   with   mergers,   acquisitions,
underwritings,  sales and  distributions  of  listed  and  unlisted  securities,
private placements and valuations for estate,  corporate and other purposes. DLJ
has performed investment banking and other services for the Conseco in the past,
including  co-managing  Conseco's offering of tax-deductible  preferred stock in
November  1996,  and has  received  usual and  customary  compensation  for such
services.  Additionally,  DLJ has delivered:  (i) an opinion as to the fairness,
from a financial point of view to the shareholders of Capitol American Financial
Corporation  ("Capitol  American") of the  consideration  to be received by such
shareholders in connection  with the merger of Capitol  American with and into a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of Conseco, (ii) an opinion as to the fairness,  from a
financial point of view to the shareholders of American  Travellers  Corporation
("American Travellers") of the consideration to be received by such shareholders
in  connection  with the merger of American  Travellers  with and into  Conseco,
(iii) an  opinion  as to the  fairness,  from a  financial  point of view to the
shareholders of Transport Holdings Inc. ("Transport") of the consideration to be
received by such  shareholders  in connection  with the merger of Transport with
and into Conseco, and (iv) an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view to the  shareholders of Life Partners Group,  Inc. ("Life  Partners") of
the  consideration  to be received by such  shareholders  in connection with the
merger of Life Partners with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Conseco.

       Based upon the foregoing and such other factors as we deem  relevant,  we
are of the  opinion  that the  Exchange  Ratio is fair to the holders of Company
Common Stock from a financial point of view.

                                             Very truly yours,
                                             DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                                             SECURITIES CORPORATION

                                          By:/S/MARK K. GORMLEY
                                             -----------------------
                                             Mark K. Gormley
                                             Managing Director



                                      B-3

<PAGE>
                    (Alternative Page for Resale Prospectus)

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         -----
<S>                                                                                      <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.................................................................      ii  
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.......................................      iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.....................................................................      v
SUMMARY...............................................................................      1
  General.............................................................................      1
  The Companies.......................................................................      1
  The Special Meeting.................................................................      2  
  The Merger; The Merger Agreement....................................................      4 
  Selected Historical Financial Information of Conseco................................      10
  Selected Historical Financial Information of ATC....................................      12
  Selected Historical Financial Information of THI....................................      14
  Selected Historical Financial Information of PFS....................................      16
  Selected Historical Financial Information of CAF....................................      18
  Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information of Conseco...........      20
  Comparative Unaudited Per Share Data of Conseco and PFS.............................      23
  Market Price Information............................................................      24
INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSECO AND RAC................................................      25
  Background..........................................................................      25
  Insurance Operations................................................................      25
  Fee-Based Operations................................................................      26
  Recent Acquisitions by Conseco......................................................      27   
  Pending Acquisition of CAF by Conseco...............................................      27
  General Information Concerning Conseco and RAC......................................      27
INFORMATION CONCERNING PFS............................................................      28
THE SPECIAL MEETING...................................................................      29
  General.............................................................................      29
  Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting.....................................      29
  Voting at the Special Meeting; Record Date; Quorum..................................      29
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......................      30
  Proxies; Revocation of Proxies......................................................      32
THE MERGER............................................................................      33
  Background of the Merger............................................................      33
  Conseco's Reasons for the Merger....................................................      36
  PFS's  Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the PFS Board of Directors.........      37
  Opinion of Financial Advisor to PFS.................................................      38
  Certain Consequences of the Merger..................................................      43
  Conduct of the Business of Conseco and PFS after the Merger.........................      43
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger..........................................      43
  Accounting Treatment................................................................      45
  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.............................................      45
  Regulatory Approvals................................................................      46
</TABLE>

 
                                        ALT - v
<PAGE>   
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         -----
<S>                                                                                        <C>
  NYSE Listing of Conseco Common Stock................................................      47
  Absence of Appraisal Rights.........................................................      47  
THE MERGER AGREEMENT..................................................................      47  
  The Merger..........................................................................      47
  Effective Time......................................................................      48
  Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Stock Certificates; No Fractional Amounts.........      48
  Treatment of PFS Stock Options......................................................      49
  Treatment of PFS Convertible Subordinated Notes.....................................      49
  PFS Employee Matters................................................................      50
  Representations and Warranties......................................................      50
  Certain Covenants...................................................................      50
  Conditions to the Merger............................................................      52
  Termination.........................................................................      53
  Right of PFS Board of Directors to Withdraw Its Recommendation......................      53
  Breakup Fee.........................................................................      53
  Expenses............................................................................      54
  Modification or Amendment...........................................................      54
  PFS Affiliate Registration Rights...................................................      54
  Stockholder Litigation..............................................................      54
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONSECO......................      55
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS....................................................      69
  Amendment of By-laws................................................................      69
  Certain Provisions Relating to Acquisitions.........................................      69
  Right to Bring Business Before a Special Meeting of Shareholders....................      70
  Shareholder Action by Written Consent...............................................      71
  Removal of Directors................................................................      71
  Director Liability..................................................................      71
  Indemnification.....................................................................      71
  Dividends and Repurchases...........................................................      72
  Dissenters' Rights..................................................................      72
  Director and Officer Discretion.....................................................      73
MANAGEMENT OF CONSECO AND PFS UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.........................      73
LEGAL MATTERS.........................................................................      73
EXPERTS...............................................................................      73
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS..................................................................      73
OTHER MATTERS.........................................................................      73
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS..................................................................      75
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION..................................................................      76
Annex A -- Agreement and Plan of Merger...............................................     A-1
Annex B -- Opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.............     B-1
</TABLE>

 
                                       ALT - vi
<PAGE>



                     [Alternate Page for Resale Prospectus]

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         The  following  table sets forth the names of persons  who, at the time
the  Merger  is  submitted  to  the  stockholders  of  PFS  for  approval,  were
"affiliates"  of PFS for  purposes  of Rule 145  under the  Securities  Act (the
"Affiliates"),  the aggregate number of shares of PFS Common Stock  beneficially
owned by each  Affiliate  as of the date  hereof,  and the  aggregate  number of
shares  of  Conseco   Common  Stock  that  each  Affiliate  may  (following  the
consummation   of  the   Merger)   offer  and  sell   pursuant   to  this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

                     Number of Shares          Number of
Name of Affiliate   Beneficially Owned     Shares Registered
- -----------------   ------------------     -----------------
























                                       75

                                  
<PAGE>



                     [Alternate Page for Resale Prospectus]

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         Following  consummation  of the  Merger,  the shares of Conseco  Common
Stock  received by the Affiliates in the Merger may be sold from time to time to
purchasers directly by any of the Affiliates.  Alternatively, the Affiliates may
sell the shares of Conseco Common Stock in one or more  transactions  (which may
involve one or more block  transactions)  on the NYSE, in separately  negotiated
transactions,  or in a combination of such  transactions.  Each sale may be made
either at market  prices  prevailing  at the time of such sale or at  negotiated
prices;  some or all of the shares of Conseco  Common  Stock may be sold through
brokers  acting on behalf of the  Affiliates  or to  dealers  for resale by such
dealers;  and in connection with such sales, such brokers or dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts or commissions from Affiliates  and/or the
purchasers  of such  shares  for whom  they may act as  broker  or agent  (which
discounts or commissions  are not  anticipated to exceed those  customary in the
types of transactions  involved).  However, any securities covered by this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  which  qualify  for sale  pursuant  to Rule 144  under the
Securities  Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather  than  pursuant  to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.  All expenses of registration  incurred in connection with
this  offering are being borne by Conseco,  but all  brokerage  commissions  and
other  expenses  incurred by an individual  Affiliate will be borne by each such
Affiliate. Conseco will not receive any of the proceeds from such sales.

         The Affiliates and any dealer  participating in the distribution of any
of the shares of Conseco Common Stock or any broker executing  selling orders on
behalf of the Affiliates may be deemed to be  "underwriters"  within the meaning
of the  Securities  Act,  in which event any profit on the sale of any or all of
the shares of Conseco  Common  Stock by them and any  discounts  or  commissions
received  by any such  brokers  or  dealers  may be  deemed  to be  underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

         Any broker or dealer  participating  in any  distribution  of shares of
Conseco  Common Stock in  connection  with this  offering may be deemed to be an
"underwriter"  within the meaning of the  Securities Act and will be required to
deliver a copy of this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  to any person who  purchases
any of the shares of Conseco Common Stock from or through such broker or dealer.

         In order to comply  with the  securities  laws of  certain  states,  if
applicable,  the  shares of  Conseco  Common  Stock  will be sold  only  through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers.  In addition,  in certain states, the
shares of Conseco Common Stock may not be sold unless they have been  registered
or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption  from such  registration  or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.




                                       76

 
<PAGE>   
 
                                    PART II.
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Indiana Corporation Law grants authorization to Indiana corporations to
indemnify officers and directors for their conduct if such conduct was in good
faith and was in the corporation's best interests or, in the case of directors,
was not opposed to such best interests, and permits the purchase of insurance in
this regard. In addition, the shareholders of a corporation may approve the
inclusion of other or additional indemnification provisions in the articles of
incorporation and by-laws.
 
     The By-laws of Conseco provides for the  indemnification of any person made
a party to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  by reason of the fact that he is a
director,  officer or employee of Conseco, unless it is adjudged in such action,
suit or  proceeding  that such person is liable for  negligence or misconduct in
the  performance  of his  duties.  Such  indemnification  shall be  against  the
reasonable  expenses,  including  attorneys'  fees,  incurred  by such person in
connection  with  the  defense  of  such  action,  suit or  proceeding.  In some
circumstances, Conseco may reimburse any such person for the reasonable costs of
settlement  of any such action,  suit or proceeding if a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors not involved in the  controversy  shall determine that
it was in the  interests of Conseco that such  settlement  be made and that such
person was not guilty of negligence or misconduct.

     The above discussion of Conseco's By-laws and the Indiana Corporation Law
is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such
By-laws and the Indiana Corporation Law.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person thereof in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits
 

<TABLE>
    <S>      <C>    <C>
    2(a)       --   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15, 1996 by and among
                    Conseco, Inc., Rock Acquisition Company and Pioneer Financial Services,
                    Inc. (included as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (schedules
                    omitted -- the Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any schedule to 
                    the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") upon request)).*
    5          --   Opinion of Lawrence W. Inlow, General Counsel to Conseco, Inc., as to the
                    validity of the issuance of the securities registered hereby.*
    23(a)      --   Consent of Lawrence W. Inlow, General Counsel to Conseco, Inc. (included in
                    the opinion filed as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement).*
    23(b)      --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. with respect to the financial statements
                    of the Registrant.*
    23(c)      --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. with respect to the financial statements
                    of Life Partners Group, Inc.*
    23(d)      --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to the financial statements of
                    American Travellers Corporation.*
    23(e)      --   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP with respect to the financial statements of
                    Transport Holdings Inc.*
    23(f)      --   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP with respect to the financial statements of
                    Capitol American Financial Corporation.*
    23(g)      --   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP with respect to the financial statements of Pioneer
                    Financial Services, Inc. 
    23(h)      --   Consent of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.*
    24(a)      --   Powers of Attorney of Stephen C. Hilbert, Rollin M. Dick, Louis P. Ferrero,
                    Donald F. Gongaware,  Dennis E. Murray, Sr., Ngaire E. Cuneo, David R. Decatur,
                    M. Phil Hathaway and James D. Massey.*
    99(a)      --   Opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (included as
                    Annex B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus).*
    99(b)      --   Form of proxy card for PFS.*
</TABLE>

 
- -------------------------
 * Filed herewith.
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules -- Inapplicable.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
 
          (1) that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
     hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration
     statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within
     the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering
     prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable
     registration form with respect to reofferings by
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   
 
     persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information
     called for by the other items of the applicable form.
 
          (2) That every prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (1)
     immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of
     Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an
     offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an
     amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
     amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
     under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment, shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
 
     (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
     (e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in the Registration
        Statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
     new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
     the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     (f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
 
     (g) See Part II -- Item 20.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  in the City of Carmel and the State of
Indiana, on the 30th day of January , 1997.
 
                                          CONSECO, INC.
 
                                          By: /s/ STEPHEN C. HILBERT
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stephen C. Hilbert, Chairman of the
                                              Board, President and Chief
                                              Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                                TITLE                           DATE
- ------------------------------   -----------------------------------------   -----------------
<S>                              <C>                                         <C>
*                                Director, Chairman of the Board,             January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------   President and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen C. Hilbert               (Principal Executive Officer of the
                                 Registrant)
*                                Director, Executive Vice President and       January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------   Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Rollin M. Dick                   Financial and Accounting Officer of the
                                 Registrant)
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
Ngaire E. Cuneo
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
David R. Decatur
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
M. Phil Hathaway
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
Louis P. Ferrero
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
Donald F. Gongaware
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
James D. Massey
*                                Director                                     January 30, 1997
- ------------------------------
Dennis E. Murray, Sr.
*By: /s/ KARL W. KINDIG
     -------------------------
     Karl W. Kindig,
     Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4

  
                                                                    EXHIBIT 5


                               January 30, 1997

Board of Directors
Conseco, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032

Gentlemen and Madam:

     I am Executive  Vice  President and General  Counsel of Conseco,  Inc. (the
"Corporation").  At your  request,  I have examined or caused to be examined the
Registration Statement on Form S-4, which is being filed by the Corporation with
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "Registration  Statement")  in
connection with the  registration  under the Securities Act of 1933 of shares of
common stock, no par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") to be issued
pursuant to that certain  Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15,
1996 between the  Corporation,  Rock Acquisition  Company and Pioneer  Financial
Services, Inc.

     I have  examined,  or caused to be  examined,  instruments,  documents  and
records which I have deemed  relevant and necessary for the basis of my opinions
hereinafter expressed. Based on such examination, I am of the opinion that:

                1.  The  Corporation is a corporation duly organized and validly
        existing under the laws of the State of Indiana.

                2.  When the  Common  Stock  has  been  issued  in  the  manner
        described  in  the  Registration  Statement,  any  amendment thereto and
        the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  contained therein,  such  Common  Stock
        will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     I consent to the filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement  and to the use of my name under the  caption  "Legal  Matters" in the
Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          /s/Lawrence W. Inlow
                                         ----------------------
                                          Lawrence W. Inlow
                                          Executive Vice President and
                                            General Counsel


   

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(b)





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration  statement
of Conseco,  Inc. on Form S-4 (File No.  333-00000),  of our reports dated March
20, 1996 on our audits of the  consolidated  financial  statements and financial
statement  schedules of Conseco,  Inc. and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995
and 1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,  included in
the Annual  Report on Form 10-K.  We also  consent to the  reference to our firm
under the caption "Experts."




                                   /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                   ----------------------------

                                   COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



Indianapolis, Indiana
January 30, 1997
                                   

   


                                                                  EXHIBIT 23(c)





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration  statement
of Conseco,  Inc. on Form S-4 (File No.  333-00000),  of our reports dated March
27, 1996 on our audits of the  consolidated  financial  statements and financial
statement schedules of Life Partners Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1995 and 1994,  and for the years ended  December  31,  1995,  1994 and 1993
included in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to
our firm under the caption "Experts."




                                        /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                        ----------------------------

                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Denver, Colorado
January 30, 1997


  

                                                                  EXHIBIT 23(d)




                    Consent of Independent Public Accountants


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in this  Registration  Statement  of our report  dated  March 4, 1996
included  in  American  Travellers  Corporation  Form  10-K for the  year  ended
December  31,  1995  and  to  all  references  to  our  Firm  included  in  this
Registration Statement.



                                          /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                          -----------------------

                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Philadelphia, PA
January 29, 1997









                                                                  EXHIBIT 23(e)





                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT



The Board of Directors
Transport Holdings Inc.:

     We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  herein of our report dated
February 22, 1996, related to the consolidated financial statements of Transport
Holdings  Inc.  and  subsidiaries,  and to the  reference  to our firm under the
headings "Selected Historical Financial Information of THI" and "Experts" in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.




                                      /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
                                      -------------------------

                                      KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Dallas, Texas
January 29, 1997




                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(f)





                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT



The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Capitol American Financial Corporation:

     We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  herein of our reports dated
January 31, 1996, related to the consolidated  financial  statements and related
financial  statement  schedules of Capitol  American  Financial  Corporation and
subsidiaries,  and to the  reference  to our firm under the  headings  "Selected
Historical   Financial   Information   of  CAF"  and   "Experts"  in  the  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.




                                      /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
                                      -------------------------

                                      KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 29, 1997






                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(g)


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS





     We  consent  to the  reference  to our firm  under the  headings  "Selected
Historical   Financial   Information   of  PFS"  and   "Experts"  in  the  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus that is made part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4
of Conseco,  Inc. for the  registration of shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation  by  reference  therein of our report  dated  March 8, 1996,  with
respect  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial  statement
schedules of Pioneer Financial Services,  Inc. and subsidiaries  included in the
Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  as  amended  on Form  10-K/A, for the year  ended
December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                      /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                      ---------------------
                                      ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Chicago, Illinois
January 28, 1997


                                                                   Exhibit 23(h)




         CONSENT OF DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION



         We hereby  consent to (i) the  inclusion of our opinion  letter,  dated
December 15, 1996, to the Board of Directors of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
(the "Company") as Annex B to the Proxy Statement of the Company relating to the
proposed  merger of Rock  Acquisition  Company,  a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of
Conseco,  and  the  Company  and  (ii)  all  references  to DLJ in the  sections
captioned "Opinion of Financial Advisor of PFS", "Background of the Merger", and
"PFS's Reasons for the Merger;  Recommendation of the PFS Board of Directors" of
the Proxy  Statement of the Company and the  Prospectus of Conseco which forms a
part of this Registration  Statement on Form S-4. In giving such consent,  we do
not admit that we come within the category of persons  whose consent is required
under, and we do not admit that we are "experts" for purposes of, the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                           DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                                              SECURITIES CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/MARK K. GORMLEY
                                           -------------------------   
                                           Mark K. Gormley
                                           Managing Director



New York, New York
January 30, 1997


                                                                 EXHIBIT 24(a)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned  hereby appoints  Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.


                                        /s/STEPHEN C. HILBERT
                                        ---------------------
                                        Stephen C. Hilbert

                                       
<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned  hereby appoints  Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.



                                             /s/ROLLIN M. DICK
                                             -------------------
                                             Rollin M. Dick

                                       
<PAGE>   

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as her  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on her  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/NGAIRE E. CUNEO
                                             ---------------------
                                             Ngaire E. Cuneo


<PAGE>

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/DAVID R. DECATUR
                                             ----------------------
                                             David R. Decatur


<PAGE>   
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/M. PHIL HATHAWAY
                                             ----------------------
                                             M. Phil Hathaway



<PAGE>   
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/LOUIS P. FERRERO
                                             ----------------------
                                             Louis P. Ferrero
<PAGE>   
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/DONALD F. GONGAWARE
                                             ----------------------
                                             Donald F. Gongaware

                                       
<PAGE>

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned  hereby appoints  Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.



                                             /s/JAMES D. MASSEY
                                             -------------------
                                             James D. Massey


<PAGE>   
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence W. Inlow, Karl W. Kindig and
Kathleen S. Kiefer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of
the  others,  as his  attorney-in-fact  to  sign on his  behalf,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Registration  Statement  to which this Power of Attorney is an
exhibit  and  to  file  the  Registration   Statement  and  all  amendments  and
post-effective  amendments  to the  Registration  Statement and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each  said  attorney-in-fact  lawfully  does or causes to be done by virtue
hereof.
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of January, 1997.

                                             /s/DENNIS E. MURRAY, SR.
                                             ----------------------
                                             Dennis E. Murray, Sr.



                        PIONEER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
P           Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of
                Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. for a Special Meeting
R               of Stockholders to be held on __________, 1997
                            at 10:00 a.m. local time

O
        The undersigned Stockholder of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. ("PFS")
X       hereby   appoints ________ and __________, and each of them, the 
        lawful attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full powers of
Y       substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value
        per share, of PFS (the "PFS Common Stock") which the undersigned
        is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held
        on _____________, and any adjournments thereof.
                                                        ______________
                                                       | SEE REVERSE |
       CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE      |    SIDE     |
                                                       |_____________|





    Please mark
/X/ votes as in   
    this example.


<TABLE>
<S><C>
    The PFS Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders of PFS vote FOR the authorization and adoption of the
    Merger Agreement (as defined below) and the transactions contemplated thereby (including, without limitation,
    the Merger (as defined below)).  In the absence of specific instructions, proxies will be voted for the
    authorization and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including without
    limitation, the Merger) and in the discretion of the proxy holders as to any other matters.

                                                                                              FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN
    1.  Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 15, 1996
       (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between PFS, Rock Acquisition Company and Conseco,
       Inc., an Indiana corporation ("Conseco"), and the transactions contemplated thereby
       (including, without limitation, the Merger) pursuant to which, among other things,
       (i) PFS will be merged with and into Rock Acquisition Company (the "Merger"), with
       PFS surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Conseco, and (ii) each
       outstanding share of PFS Common Stock (other than shares of PFS Common Stock held
       as treasury shares by PFS) shall be converted into the right to receive the Merger
       Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

    2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement 
       thereof.

                                                                MARK HERE
                                                               FOR ADDRESS    /  /
                                                                CHANGE AND
                                                               NOTE AT LEFT

                                        Note:  Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.  Joint
                                        owners should each sign.  When signing as attorney, 
                                        executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
                                        full title as such.


Signature:                                     Date:                         Signature:                        Date:
</TABLE>


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