CONSECO INC
8-K, 1998-12-18
ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE
Previous: CHINA FOOD & BEVERAGE CO, 8-K, 1998-12-18
Next: MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS INC, 4, 1998-12-18



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

                                   -----------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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

                                   -----------

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 18, 1998



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



    Indiana                            1-9250                35-1468632
  ----------------                    -----------            -------------------
   (State or other                   (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
   jurisdiction of                    File Number)           Identification No.)
    organization)

    11825 North Pennsylvania Street
         Carmel, Indiana                                       46032
  --------------------------------------                     ----------     
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

                                 (317) 817-6100
                              --------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                 Not Applicable
                         -------------------------------
                         (Former name or former address,
                         if changed since last report.)



<PAGE>


ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

         On December 18, 1998, Conseco,  Inc. ("Conseco") completed the offering
of $150.0  million of 7.875  percent  Notes (the "Notes") due December 15, 2000.
The Notes were priced at 99.893 percent of par. Interest on the Notes is payable
semi-annually  on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The Notes are redeemable
in whole or in part at the option of Conseco at any time, at a redemption  price
equal to the sum of (a) the greater of: (i) 100 percent of the principal amount;
and (ii) the sum of the present  values of the remaining  scheduled  payments of
principal and interest  thereon from the  redemption  date to the maturity date,
computed by discounting such payments, in each case, to the redemption date on a
semi-annual  basis at the treasury  rate (as defined in the Notes) plus 25 basis
points,  plus (b) accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount thereof to
the date of  redemption.  The Notes are  unsecured  and rank pari passu with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Conseco.

         Proceeds  from the  offering of  approximately  $149.0  million  (after
original issue discount and other associated  costs) will be used by Conseco for
the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
 












                                       2

<PAGE>

ITEM 7(c).   EXHIBITS.

              1.1   Underwriting Agreement dated  December 15, 1998  
   
             4.27   7 7/8% Note due December 15, 2000 

              5.1   Opinion of John J. Sabl

             12.1   Computation   of  Ratios  of  Earnings  to  Fixed   Charges,
                    Preferred  Dividends and Distributions on  Company-Obligated
                    Mandatorily  Redeemable  Preferred  Securities of Subsidiary
                    Trusts

             23.1   Opinion of John J. Sabl (included in Exhibit 5.1) 















                                       3
<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       CONSECO, INC.


DATE:  December 18, 1998
                                        By:  /s/ JAMES S. ADAMS
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Name:  James S. Adams
                                            Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
                                                   Accounting Officer and
                                                   Treasurer


                                        4


                                  CONSECO, INC.

                            (an Indiana Corporation)


                 $150,000,000 7  7/8% Notes due December 15, 2000






                             Underwriting Agreement






                                December 15, 1998




<PAGE>



                                  CONSECO, INC.
                            (an Indiana Corporation)

                 $150,000,000 7 7/8% Notes due December 15, 2000


                             Underwriting Agreement

                                                               December 15, 1998

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                    INCORPORATED
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
LEHMAN BROTHERS
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
               Incorporated
Merrill Lynch World Headquarters
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, New York  10281-1209


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Conseco,  Inc., an Indiana  corporation (the  "Company"),  confirms its
agreement   with  the   several   underwriters   named  in   Schedule  A  hereto
(collectively, the "Underwriters," which term shall also include any underwriter
substituted  as  hereinafter  provided in Section 10 hereof) with respect to the
issue and sale by the  Company  and the  purchase  by the  Underwriters,  acting
severally and not jointly,  of $150,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount of the
Company's 7 7/8% Notes due  December 15, 2000 (the  "Securities"),  to be issued
pursuant  to an  indenture  dated as of  November  13,  1997 (the  "Indenture"),
between  the  Company  and LTCB  Trust  Company,  as  trustee  (the  "Trustee").
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall be used as defined in the
Prospectus (defined below).

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission") a registration  statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-56611) covering the
registration of securities of the Company,  including the Securities,  under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended  (the "1933  Act"),  including  the related
preliminary  prospectus or  prospectuses,  and the offering thereof from time to
time in accordance  with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Commission
under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act  Regulations")  and the Company has filed such
post-effective amendments thereto as may be required prior 

                                       -1-



<PAGE>


to the execution of this Agreement.  Such registration statement, as so amended,
has been declared  effective by the  Commission  and the Indenture has been duly
qualified  under the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act").
Such registration statement, as so amended, including the exhibits and schedules
thereto,  if any,  and the  information,  if any,  deemed  to be a part  thereof
pursuant  to  Rule  430A(b)  of  the  1933  Act  Regulations   (the  "Rule  430A
Information")  or Rule  434(d)  of the  1933  Act  Regulations  (the  "Rule  434
Information")  is referred  to herein as the  "Registration  Statement"  and the
final prospectus and the prospectus  supplement  relating to the offering of the
Securities,  in the form first furnished to the  Underwriters by the Company for
use in connection with the offering of the Securities, are collectively referred
to herein as the  "Prospectus";  provided,  however,  that all references to the
"Registration  Statement"  and the  "Prospectus"  shall be deemed to include all
documents  incorporated therein by reference pursuant to the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "1934  Act"),  prior to the  execution  of this
Agreement; provided, further, that if the Company files a registration statement
with the Commission  pursuant to Section 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the
"Rule 462(b) Registration Statement"), then after such filing, all references to
the  "Registration  Statement"  shall be  deemed  to  include  the  Rule  462(b)
Registration  Statement;  and provided,  further,  that if the Company elects to
rely  upon  Rule  434 of the  1933  Act  Regulations,  then  all  references  to
"Prospectus" shall be deemed to include the final or preliminary  prospectus and
the applicable term sheet or abbreviated  term sheet (the "Term Sheet"),  as the
case may be, in the form first  furnished to the  Underwriters by the Company in
reliance upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act  Regulations,  and all references in this
Agreement to the date of the Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. A
"preliminary  prospectus" shall be deemed to refer to any prospectus used before
the applicable  registration  statement became effective and any prospectus that
omitted, as applicable,  the Rule 430A Information,  the Rule 434 Information or
other information to be included upon pricing in a form of prospectus filed with
the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act  Regulations,  that was
used after such  effectiveness  and prior to the  execution  and delivery of the
applicable  underwriting  agreement.   For  purposes  of  this  Agreement,   all
references  to the  Registration  Statement,  any  preliminary  prospectus,  the
Prospectus  or any  Term  Sheet or any  amendment  or  supplement  to any of the
foregoing  shall be deemed to include the copy thereof filed with the Commission
pursuant  to its  Electronic  Data  Gathering,  Analysis  and  Retrieval  system
("EDGAR").


         All references in this Agreement to financial  statements and schedules
and other  information  which is  "contained,"  "included"  or  "stated"  in the
Registration  Statement,  any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other
references  of like  import)  shall  be  deemed  to mean  and  include  all such
financial  statements and schedules and other  information which is incorporated
by reference in the Registration  Statement,  any preliminary  prospectus or the
Prospectus,  as the  case  may be;  and all  references  in  this  Agreement  to
amendments  or  supplements  to  the  Registration  Statement,  any  preliminary
prospectus or the  Prospectus  shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of
any  document  under  the 1934 Act which is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
Registration  Statement,  such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus,  as the
case may be.

         The Company understands that the Underwriters  propose to make a public
offering of the Securities as soon as the Underwriters deem advisable after this
Agreement has been executed and delivered.


                                       -2-



<PAGE>



         SECTION 1.  Representations and Warranties.

         (a) The Company  represents and warrants to each  Underwriter as of the
date hereof  (such date being  hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Representation
Date") that:

                  (i)  No  stop  order  suspending  the   effectiveness  of  the
Registration  Statement has been issued and no  proceeding  for that purpose has
been initiated or, to the knowledge and  information of the Company,  threatened
by the Commission.

                  (ii) The Company  meets,  and at the  respective  times of the
commencement  and  consummation of the offering of the Securities will meet, the
requirements  for  the  use  of  Form  S-3  under  the  1933  Act.  Each  of the
Registration  Statement  and any Rule 462(b)  Registration  Statement has become
effective  under  the  1933  Act.  At  the  respective  times  the  Registration
Statement,  any  Rule  462(b)  Registration  Statement  and  any  post-effective
amendments  thereto became effective and at the  Representation  Date and at the
Closing  Time (as defined  herein),  the  Registration  Statement,  any Rule 462
Registration  Statement and any amendments and supplements  thereto complied and
will comply in all material  respects with the  requirements of the 1933 Act and
the 1933 Act  Regulations  and the 1939 Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission under the 1939 Act (the "1939 Act  Regulations") and did not and will
not contain an untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein
not  misleading.  At the date of the  Prospectus  and at the Closing  Time,  the
Prospectus  and any  amendments  and  supplements  thereto  did not and will not
include an untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in the  light  of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  If the Company elects
to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations,  the Company will comply with
the requirements of Rule 434. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations
and  warranties  in this  subsection  shall  not apply to (A)  statements  in or
omissions from the  Registration  Statement or the  Prospectus  made in reliance
upon and in conformity with  information  furnished to the Company in writing by
the  Underwriters  expressly  for  use  in  the  Registration  Statement  or the
Prospectus or (B) the part of the Registration  Statement which shall constitute
the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the 1939 Act.

                  Each  preliminary  prospectus and prospectus  filed as part of
the  Registration  Statement  as  originally  filed or as part of any  amendment
thereto,  or filed  pursuant  to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act,  complied  when so
filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and, if applicable,
each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for
use in  connection  with the offering of  Securities  will,  at the time of such
delivery,  be identical to the  electronically  transmitted copies thereof filed
with the  Commission  pursuant  to EDGAR,  except  to the  extent  permitted  by
Regulation S-T.

                  (iii) The documents  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference in the Registration  Statement or the Prospectus,  at the time they
were or  hereafter  are  filed or last  amended,  as the  case may be,  with the
Commission,  complied  and  will  comply  in  all  material  respects  with  the
requirements  of the 1934 Act, and the rules and  regulations  of the Commission
thereunder (the "1934 Act Regulations"),  and at the time of filing or as of the
time of any subsequent amendment, did not contain an 

                                       -3-



<PAGE>


untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in the light of
the  circumstances  under which they were or are made, not  misleading;  and any
additional  documents deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus  will, if and when such documents are filed with the
Commission,  or when amended,  as appropriate,  comply in all material  respects
with the  requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and will not
contain an untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not
misleading;  provided,  however, that this representation and warranty shall not
apply to any  statements  or omissions  made in reliance  upon and in conformity
with information  furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter  through
Merrill Lynch & Co.  ("Merrill  Lynch")  expressly  for use in the  Registration
Statement or the Prospectus.

                  (iv)  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP and KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP,
which certified the financial statements and supporting schedules of the Company
and Green Tree Financial Corporation ("Green Tree"),  respectively,  included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, each
are independent  public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
Regulations with respect to the Company and Green Tree, respectively.

                  (v) The financial  statements of the Company and of Green Tree
included or  incorporated  by reference in the  Registration  Statement  and the
Prospectus,  together with the related  schedules and notes,  present fairly the
financial  position of the Company and its  consolidated  subsidiaries and Green
Tree and its consolidated subsidiaries,  respectively, as of the dates indicated
and the results of their respective operations for the periods specified. Except
as otherwise  stated  therein such  financial  statements  have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis  throughout  the  periods  involved.  The  supporting  schedules,  if any,
included or  incorporated  by reference in the  Registration  Statement  and the
Prospectus  present fairly the information  required to be stated  therein.  The
ratio of earnings to fixed  charges (and the ratio of earnings to fixed  charges
and preferred stock  dividends)  included in the Prospectus have been calculated
in compliance with Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K of the Commission. Any selected
financial  information  and summary  financial  data included in the  Prospectus
present fairly the  information  shown therein and have been compiled on a basis
consistent  with  that  of the  audited  financial  statements  included  in the
Registration  Statement and the Prospectus.  Any pro forma financial  statements
and the related notes  thereto  included in the  Registration  Statement and the
Prospectus  present fairly the information shown therein,  have been prepared in
accordance with the Commission's  rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma
financial  statements  and have been  properly  compiled on the bases  described
therein,  and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and
the adjustments  used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions
and circumstances referred to therein.

                  (vi)  The  statutory  financial  statements  of  each  of  the
Company's   insurance   subsidiaries,   from  which  certain  ratios  and  other
statistical data contained in the Registration Statement have been derived, have
for each relevant period been prepared in accordance  with accounting  practices
prescribed or permitted by the National Association of Insurance  Commissioners,
and  with  respect  to each  insurance  

                                       -4-



<PAGE>


subsidiary,  the  appropriate  Insurance  Department of the state of domicile of
such insurance subsidiary,  and such accounting practices have been applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods involved.


                  (vii) Since the  respective  dates as of which  information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,  and except as otherwise
stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change and no development
which could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the
condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business  affairs or
business  prospects  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries,  considered  as one
enterprise,  whether  or not  arising  in the  ordinary  course of  business  (a
"Material Adverse Effect"),  (B) there have been no transactions entered into by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those arising in the ordinary
course of  business,  which are  material  with  respect to the  Company and its
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and (C) except for regular dividends
on the Common Stock or Preferred  Stock of the Company in amounts per share that
are  consistent  with  past  practice  or the  applicable  charter  document  or
supplement thereto, respectively,  there has been no dividend or distribution of
any kind  declared,  paid or made by the  Company  on any  class of its  capital
stock.

                  (viii) The Company has been incorporated,  is validly existing
as a  corporation  and its  status  is  active  under  the laws of the  State of
Indiana,  with  corporate  power and  authority  to own,  lease and  operate its
properties  and to conduct its business as presently  conducted and as described
in the Prospectus  and to enter into and perform its  obligations  under,  or as
contemplated  under, this Agreement and the Indenture.  The Company is qualified
as a foreign  corporation  to transact  business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which such  qualification is required,  whether by reason of the
ownership  or leasing of property or the conduct of  business,  except where the
failure to so qualify or be in good standing  would not have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

                  (ix) Each  significant  subsidiary (as such term is defined in
Rule  1-02  of  Regulation  S-X  promulgated   under  the  1933  Act)  (each,  a
"Significant  Subsidiary")  of the Company is set forth on Schedule B hereto and
has been  incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power
and  authority  to own,  lease and  operate  its  properties  and to conduct its
business as  presently  conducted  and as described  in the  Prospectus,  and is
qualified as a foreign  corporation to transact business and is in good standing
in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,  whether by reason
of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where
the  failure  to so  qualify  or be in good  standing  would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus,  all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital stock of each
Significant  Subsidiary of the Company have been  authorized and validly issued,
are fully paid and  non-assessable and all such shares are owned by the Company,
directly or through its  subsidiaries,  free and clear of any material  security
interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

                  (x) The authorized,  issued and  outstanding  capital stock of
the Company is as set forth in the  Prospectus;  since the date indicated in the
Prospectus  there has been no change in the consolidated  capitalization  of the
Company and its subsidiaries  (other than changes in outstanding Common Stock of

                                       -5-



<PAGE>

the  Company  resulting  from (A)  employee  or agent  benefit  plan or dividend
reinvestment   and  stock  purchase  plan   transactions,   including,   without
limitation,   the  purchase  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  of  the  Company  or
cancellation  of  options  in  connection  therewith,  or (B)  the  exercise  of
conversion or exchange  rights with respect to securities  outstanding as of the
date of the Prospectus);  and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the  Company  has  been  authorized  and  validly  issued,  is  fully  paid  and
non-assessable  and  conforms  to  the  descriptions  thereof  contained  in the
Prospectus.

                  (xi) The  Indenture  has been  authorized  by the  Company and
qualified  under the 1939 Act and, at the Closing  Time,  has been  executed and
delivered and constitutes a valid and legally binding  agreement of the Company,
enforceable  against  the  Company in  accordance  with its terms  except to the
extent  that  enforcement  thereof  may be  limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether  enforcement
is  considered   in  a  proceeding  at  law  or  in  equity)  (the   "Bankruptcy
Exceptions"); the Indenture conforms in all material respects to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                  (xii) The Securities  have been authorized by the Company and,
at the  Closing  Time,  will  have  been  executed  by  the  Company  and,  when
authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered  against
payment therefor as described in the Prospectus,  will constitute  legal,  valid
and  binding  obligations  of the  Company,  enforceable  against the Company in
accordance with their terms except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be
limited by the Bankruptcy  Exceptions,  and will be in the form contemplated by,
and entitled to the benefits of, the  Indenture and will conform in all material
respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                  (xiii)  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  of  its   Significant
Subsidiaries is in violation of its articles of incorporation  or by-laws.  None
of the  Company  or any of its  Significant  Subsidiaries  is in  default in the
performance or observance of any  obligation,  agreement,  covenant or condition
contained in any contract,  indenture,  mortgage,  note,  lease,  loan or credit
agreement  or  any  other   agreement  or  instrument   (the   "Agreements   and
Instruments")  to which the Company or any of its Significant  Subsidiaries is a
party or by which any of them may be bound,  or to which any of the  property or
assets of the Company or any Significant  Subsidiary is subject, or in violation
of any  applicable  law, rule or regulation or any judgment,  order or decree of
any  government,  governmental  instrumentality  or court,  domestic or foreign,
having  jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant  Subsidiaries or
any of their respective  properties or assets, which violation or default would,
singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xiv) The offer of the Securities as  contemplated  herein and
in the Prospectus; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the Indenture,  and the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein,
therein and in the  Registration  Statement  (including the issuance and sale of
the  Securities  and the use of  proceeds  from  the sale of the  Securities  as
described in the Prospectus  under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance
by the Company with its  obligations  hereunder  and  thereunder do not and will
not,  whether  with or without  the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
conflict with or  constitute a breach of any of the terms or  provisions  of, or
constitute a default or 

                                       -6-



<PAGE>


Repayment  Event  (as  defined  below)  under,  or  result  in the  creation  or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
Company or any subsidiary  pursuant to, the Agreements and  Instruments  (except
for such conflicts,  breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that
would not result in a Material Adverse  Effect),  nor will such action result in
any violation of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order,
writ or decree of any government,  government instrumentality or court, domestic
or  foreign,  having  jurisdiction  over the  Company or any of its  Significant
Subsidiaries,  or any of their assets, properties or operations (except for such
violations that would not result in a Material  Adverse  Effect),  nor will such
action  result in any  violation of the  provisions of the charter or by-laws of
the Company or any Significant  Subsidiary.  As used herein, a "Repayment Event"
means any event or  condition  which gives the holder of any note,  debenture or
other evidence of indebtedness of the Company or any Significant  Subsidiary (or
any person acting on such holder's  behalf) the right to require the repurchase,
redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such  indebtedness by the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary.

                  (xv)  There  is  no  action,  suit,  proceeding,   inquiry  or
investigation before or by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or
foreign (including, without limitation, any proceeding to revoke or deny renewal
of any Insurance  Licenses (as defined below)),  now pending or to the knowledge
of the  Company  threatened  against  or  affecting  the  Company  or any of its
Significant  Subsidiaries  which is required to be disclosed in the Registration
Statement  and the  Prospectus  (other than as stated  therein),  or which might
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might be
reasonably  expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of this
Agreement, the Indenture or the transactions  contemplated herein, therein or in
the Registration  Statement.  The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental
proceedings  to which the  Company  or any  subsidiary  thereof is a party or of
which any of their respective  properties or operations is the subject which are
not  described  in  the  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus,  including
ordinary routine litigation  incidental to the business or the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries,  could not  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a Material
Adverse Effect; and there are no contracts or documents of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries  which are required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement, or to be incorporated by reference therein, by the 1933 Act, the 1933
Act Regulations,  the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations,  which have not been
so filed or incorporated by reference.

                  (xvi) The Company and its  subsidiaries  possess such permits,
licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate
federal,  state,  local or foreign  regulatory  agencies  or bodies  (including,
without  limitation,  insurance  licenses from the insurance  departments of the
various states where the subsidiaries  write insurance  business (the "Insurance
Licences"))  that are  material to the Company and its  subsidiaries  taken as a
whole and are  necessary  to conduct the  business  now  operated  by them;  the
Company and its  subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of
all such  Insurance  Licenses,  except where the failure so to comply would not,
singly or in the  aggregate,  result in a Material  Adverse  Effect;  all of the
Insurance  Licenses  are valid and in full force and  effect,  except  where the
invalidity of such Insurance  Licenses or the failure of such Insurance Licences
to be in full force and effect  would not result in a Material  Adverse  Effect;
and neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  has received any notice of
proceedings  relating to the  revocation or  modification  of any such 

                                       -7-



<PAGE>

Insurance Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xvii)   No   authorization,    approval,    consent,   order,
registration or qualification of or with any court or governmental  authority or
agency (including,  without limitation, any Insurance regulatory agency or body)
is required in connection with the offering, issuance and sale of the Securities
or the  consummation  by the  Company  of any  other  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  except such as have been obtained and made under the federal securities
laws or state  Insurance laws and such as may be required under state or foreign
securities or Blue Sky laws.

                  (xviii) This Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by the Company.

                  (xix) The Company is in  compliance  with,  the  provisions of
that  certain  Florida act  relating to  disclosure  of doing  business in Cuba,
codified  as  Section  517.075  of the  Florida  statutes,  and  the  rules  and
regulations thereunder (collectively, the "Cuba Act") or is exempt therefrom.

                  (xx)   Neither  the   Company  nor  any  of  its   Significant
Subsidiaries  is, and upon the  issuance  and sale of the  Securities  as herein
contemplated  and the application of the net proceeds  therefrom as described in
the Prospectus will be, an "investment  company" or an entity "controlled" by an
"investment  company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                  (xxi) None of the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries or any
of their  respective  directors,  officers or  controlling  persons,  has taken,
directly or  indirectly,  any action  resulting in a violation  of  Regulation M
under the 1934 Act, or  designed to cause or result in, or that has  constituted
or that  reasonably  might be  expected  to  constitute,  the  stabilization  or
manipulation  of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale
or resale of the Securities or the Common Stock of the Company,  in each case in
violation of applicable law.

                  (xxii) No "forward looking  statement" (as defined in Rule 175
under the 1933 Act) contained in the  Registration  Statement,  any  preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus was made or reaffirmed  without a reasonable  basis
or was disclosed other than in good faith.

         (b) Any certificate  signed by any officer of the Company and delivered
to the  Underwriters  or to  counsel  for the  Underwriters  shall  be  deemed a
representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters
covered thereby.

         SECTION 2.  Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

         (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained
and subject to the terms and conditions  herein set forth, the Company agrees to
sell to each Underwriter,  and each Underwriter 

                                       -8-



<PAGE>

severally and not jointly  agrees to purchase from the Company,  at the price of
99.543% of the principal amount thereof,  the principal amount of Securities set
forth in  Schedule  A hereto  opposite  the name of such  Underwriter,  plus any
additional  principal  amount of Securities  which such  Underwriter  may become
obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.


         (b) The  initial  public  offering  price  of the  Securities  shall be
99.893% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the
date of issuance. The interest rate on the Securities shall be 7 7/8% per annum.
The  Securities  will be  redeemable  as a whole or in part at the option of the
Company at any time,  at a redemption  price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of
the  principal  amount  thereof  and (ii) the sum of the  present  values of the
remaining  scheduled  payments  of  principal  and  interest  thereon  from  the
redemption date to the maturity date, computed by discounting such payments,  in
each case, to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the  Treasury  Rate (as defined in the
Prospectus)  plus 25 basis points plus,  in each case,  accrued  interest on the
principal amount thereof to the date of redemption.

         (c) Delivery of certificates for the Securities  against payment of the
purchase  price for such  Securities  shall be made at the  offices of  LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., 125 West 55th Street, New York, New York 10019 or
at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriters and the Company,
at 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the third  business day after  execution of
this  Agreement  (or, if pricing of the  Securities  occurs after 4:30 p.m., New
York City time, on the fourth full business day thereafter),  or such other time
not later than ten business  days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the
Underwriters  and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery  being
referred to herein as the "Closing Time").  Payment for the Securities purchased
by the  Underwriters  shall be made by wire  transfer of  immediately  available
funds,  payable to the Company,  against delivery to the respective  accounts of
the  Underwriters  of the  Securities to be purchased by them.  Delivery of, and
payment  for,  the  Securities  shall  be made  through  the  facilities  of the
Depository Trust Company.

                  Certificates  for the  Securities,  if any,  shall  be in such
denominations  and registered in such names as the  Underwriters  may request in
writing at least two full business days before the Closing Time.  Merrill Lynch,
individually and not as representative  of the Underwriters,  may (but shall not
be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities,  if any,
to be purchased  by any  Underwriter  whose funds have not been  received by the
Closing  Time,  but such  payment  shall not relieve such  Underwriter  from its
obligations  hereunder.  The  certificates  for  the  Securities  will  be  made
available for examination by the Underwriters no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York
City time) on the last business day prior to the Closing Time.

         SECTION 3.  Covenants  of  the Company.  The Company  agrees  with  the
Underwriters as follows:

         (a) Promptly  following  the execution of this  Agreement,  the Company
will cause the Prospectus to be filed with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424
of  the  1933  Act   Regulations  and  the  Company  will  promptly  advise  the
Underwriters  when such filing has been made.  Prior to the filing,  the Company
will  
                                       -9-



<PAGE>

cooperate with the Underwriters in the preparation of the prospectus  supplement
to assure that the  Underwriters  have no  reasonable  objection  to the form or
content thereof when filed or mailed.

         (b) The  Company,  subject  to  Section  3(c),  will  comply  with  the
requirements  of Rule 430A of the 1933 Act  Regulations  and/or  Rule 434 of the
1933 Act  Regulations  if and as  applicable,  and will notify the  Underwriters
immediately  of (i) the  effectiveness  of any  post-effective  amendment to the
Registration  Statement  or the filing of any  supplement  or  amendment  to the
Prospectus,  (ii) the receipt of any  comments  from the  Commission,  (iii) any
request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement to the  Prospectus or for additional  information,  (iv)
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose
and (v) the  issuance by any state  securities  commission  or other  regulatory
authority  of any order  suspending  the  qualification  or the  exemption  from
qualification  of the Securities  under state securities or Blue Sky laws or the
initiation or threatening  of any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will
make all  reasonable  efforts to prevent the  issuance of any stop order and, if
any stop order is issued, to promptly obtain the lifting thereof.

         (c) The Company will give the  Underwriters  notice of its intention to
file or prepare any  amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  (including  any
post-effective  amendment  and any  filing  under  Rule  462(b)  of the 1933 Act
Regulations), any Term Sheet or any amendment,  supplement or revision to either
the  prospectus  included in the  Registration  Statement  at the time it became
effective or to the Prospectus,  whether  pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act
or otherwise;  will furnish the Underwriters with copies of any such Rule 462(b)
Registration  Statement,  Term  Sheet,  amendment,   supplement  or  revision  a
reasonable  amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may
be; and will not file any such Rule 462(b) Registration  Statement,  Term Sheet,
amendment,  supplement or revision to which the  Underwriters or counsel for the
Underwriters shall reasonably object.

         (d) The  Company  will  deliver to Merrill  Lynch and  counsel  for the
Underwriters,  without charge, conformed copies of the Registration Statement as
originally  filed  and of  each  amendment  thereto  (including  exhibits  filed
therewith or  incorporated  by reference  therein and documents  incorporated or
deemed to be  incorporated  by reference  therein) and  conformed  copies of all
consents and  certificates  of experts,  and will also deliver to Merrill Lynch,
without  charge,  a conformed copy of the  Registration  Statement as originally
filed  and  of  each  amendment  thereto  (without  exhibits)  for  each  of the
Underwriters.  If applicable,  the copies of the Registration Statement and each
amendment  thereto  furnished  to the  Underwriters  will  be  identical  to the
electronically  transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to
EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

         (e) The Company has delivered to each  Underwriter,  without charge, as
many  copies  of any  preliminary  prospectus  as  such  Underwriter  reasonably
requested,  and the  Company  hereby  consents  to the use of  such  copies  for
purposes   permitted  by  the  1933  Act.  The  Company  will  furnish  to  each
Underwriter,  without charge,  during the period when the Prospectus is required
to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, such number of copies of the
Prospectus  (as amended or  supplemented)  as such  Underwriter  may  reasonably
request. If applicable, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements 

                                      -10-



<PAGE>

thereto  furnished to the  Underwriter  will be identical to the  electronically
transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission  pursuant to EDGAR,  except
to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

         (f) The  Company  will  comply  with  the  1933  Act and the  1933  Act
Regulations  and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act  Regulations  so as to permit the
completion  of the  distribution  of the  Securities  as  contemplated  in  this
Agreement and in the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus.  If at any time
when the  Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act to be delivered
in connection with sales of the  Securities,  any event shall occur or condition
shall exist as a result of which it is necessary,  in the opinion of counsel for
the  Underwriters  or for the Company,  to amend the  Registration  Statement in
order that the Registration  Statement will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated  therein or
necessary  to  make  the  statements  therein  not  misleading  or to  amend  or
supplement  the  Prospectus  in order that the  Prospectus  will not  include an
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary
in order to make the  statements  therein  not  misleading  in the  light of the
circumstances  existing at the time it is  delivered  to a  purchaser,  or if it
shall be necessary,  in the opinion of such  counsel,  at any such time to amend
the  Registration  Statement or amend or supplement  the  Prospectus in order to
comply with the  requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act  Regulations,  the
Company will promptly  prepare and file with the Commission,  subject to Section
3(c), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement
or omission or to make the Registration  Statement or the Prospectus comply with
such  requirements,  and the Company will furnish to the  Underwriters,  without
charge,   such  number  of  copies  of  such  amendment  or  supplement  as  the
Underwriters may reasonably request.

         (g) The Company  will use its best  efforts,  in  cooperation  with the
Underwriters,  to  qualify  the  Securities  for  offering  and sale  under  the
applicable  securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions  (domestic or
foreign) as Merrill Lynch may  designate;  provided,  however,  that the Company
shall not be obligated to qualify as a foreign  corporation in any  jurisdiction
in which it is not so  qualified  or subject  itself to  taxation  in respect of
doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

         (h) The Company will make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as  practicable,  but not later than 45 days (or 90 days,  in the case of a
period  that is also the  Company's  fiscal  year) after the close of the period
covered thereby,  an earnings  statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (in
form  complying  with the  provisions  of Rule 158 of the 1933 Act  Regulations)
covering a  twelve-month  period  beginning  not later than the first day of the
Company's fiscal quarter next following the "effective date" (as defined in said
Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

         (i) The Company will use the net proceeds  received by it from the sale
of the  Securities  in the  manner  specified  in the  Prospectus  under "Use of
Proceeds."

         (j) If, at the time that the  Registration  Statement became (or in the
case of a post-effective  amendment  becomes)  effective,  any information shall
have been omitted  therefrom in reliance  upon Rule 430A or Rule 434 of the 1933
Act Regulations, then immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the
Company will  prepare,  and file or transmit for filing with the  Commission  in
accordance  

                                      -11-



<PAGE>

with  such Rule  430A or Rule 434 and Rule  424(b) of the 1933 Act  Regulations,
copies of an amended  Prospectus,  or Term  Sheet,  or, if required by such Rule
430A, a  post-effective  amendment to the Registration  Statement  (including an
amended Prospectus), containing all information so omitted.

         (k) If the Company  elects to rely upon Rule 462(b),  the Company shall
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with
Rule 462(b) and pay the applicable  fees in accordance with Rule 111 of the 1933
Act  Regulations by the earlier of (i) 10:00 p.m. New York City time on the date
of this  Agreement  and (ii)  the  time  confirmations  are  sent or  given,  as
specified by Rule 462(b)(2).

         (l) The Company,  during the period when the  Prospectus is required to
be delivered  under the 1933 Act, will file all  documents  required to be filed
with the Commission  pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the 1934 Act within the
time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

         (m)  Between  the date of the  Prospectus  and the  Closing  Time,  the
Company will not,  without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch,  directly
or indirectly,  issue, sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any option for the
sale of, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any debt securities of the Company
(other  than the  Securities  or  commercial  paper in the  ordinary  course  of
business).

         (n) The  Company,  during a period of one year from the  Closing  Time,
will make  generally  available  to the  Underwriters  copies of all reports and
other communications (financial or other) mailed to stockholders, and deliver to
the  Underwriters  promptly after they are available,  copies of any reports and
financial  statements  furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national
securities  exchange  on  which  any  class  of  securities  of the  Company  is
listed;(such  financial  statements to be on a consolidated  basis to the extent
the accounts of the Company and its  subsidiaries  are  consolidated  in reports
furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission).

         (o) Neither the Company  nor its  subsidiaries  will take,  directly or
indirectly,  any action  resulting in a violation of Regulation M under the 1934
Act, or designed to cause or result in, or that reasonably  might be expected to
constitute,  the  stabilization  or manipulation of the price of any security of
the Company to  facilitate  the sale or resale of the  Securities  or the Common
Stock of the Company, in each case, in violation of applicable law.

         SECTION 4.  Payment of  Expenses.  The  Company  will pay all  expenses
incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,  including,
without  limitation,  expenses  related to the following,  if incurred:  (i) the
preparation,  delivery,  printing and filing of the  Registration  Statement and
Prospectus as originally filed (including financial statements and exhibits) and
of each amendment  thereto;  (ii) the preparation,  printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement Among Underwriters,  the Indenture
and such other  documents as may be required in  connection  with the  offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities;  (iii) the preparation,  issuance
and  delivery  of the  certificates  for  the  Securities;  (iv)  the  fees  and
disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors or agents
(including  the  transfer   agents  and   registrars),   as  well  as  fees  and
disbursements of the 
                                      -12-



<PAGE>

Trustee and any Depositary, and their respective counsel (except as provided for
in the  Prospectus);  (v) the  qualification  of the Securities under securities
laws in accordance  with the provisions of Section 3(g),  including  filing fees
and the reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel for the  Underwriters in
connection  therewith and in  connection  with the  preparation  of any Blue Sky
Survey and any Legal  Investment  Survey;  (vi) the printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of copies of the Registration  Statement as originally filed and of
each amendment thereto,  of each preliminary  prospectus,  any Term Sheet and of
the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto; (vii) the printing and
delivery  to the  Underwriters  of copies of any Blue Sky  Survey  and any Legal
Investment Survey;  (viii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the
Securities by nationally recognized  statistical rating organizations;  (ix) the
filing  fees  incident  to,  and the fees and  disbursements  of  counsel to the
Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by the National Association
of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  "NASD")  of the  terms  of the sale of the
Securities; (x) any fees payable in connection with any listing of Securities on
any securities  exchange or quotation  system;  and (xi) any fees payable to the
Commission.

                  If  this  Agreement  is  terminated  by  the  Underwriters  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 5 or Section  9(a)(i)  hereof,  the
Company  shall  reimburse  the  Underwriters  for  all  of  their  out-of-pocket
expenses,  including the reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of LeBoeuf,  Lamb,
Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters.

         SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations.  The obligations of
the  Underwriters  to  purchase  and  pay for the  Securities  pursuant  to this
Agreement are subject to the accuracy of the  representations  and warranties of
the Company herein contained or in certificates of any officer of the Company or
any subsidiary  delivered  pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the  Company  of its  obligations  hereunder,  and to the  following  further
conditions:

         (a) The Registration Statement,  including any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement,  shall have become  effective  under the 1933 Act not later than 5:30
p.m., New York City time, on the date hereof,  and on the date hereof and at the
Closing Time, no stop order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
Statement  or any part  thereof  shall  have been  issued  under the 1933 Act or
proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission,  and any request
on the  part of the  Commission  for  additional  information  shall  have  been
complied with to the satisfaction of counsel to the  Underwriters.  A prospectus
containing  information  relating  to the  description  of the  Securities,  the
specific method of  distribution  and similar matters shall have been filed with
the  Commission  in  accordance  with Rule  424(b)(1),  (2), (3), (4) or (5), as
applicable (or any required post-effective  amendment providing such information
shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements
of Rule 430A),  or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933
Act Regulations, a Term Sheet including the Rule 434 Information shall have been
filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b)(7).

         (b)  At the Closing Time the Underwriters shall have received:


                                      -13-



<PAGE>


                  (1) The  favorable  opinion,  dated as of the Closing Time, of
Mr. John J. Sabl, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the
Company,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  counsel  for the
Underwriters, to the effect that:

                           (i) The  Company  has been duly  incorporated  and is
         validly  existing  as a  corporation  under  the  laws of the  State of
         Indiana.

                           (ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to
         own,  lease and operate its  properties  and to conduct its business as
         described in the Prospectus.


                           (iii)  The   Company  is   qualified   as  a  foreign
         corporation  to  transact  business  and is in  good  standing  in each
         jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,  except where the
         failure  to so  qualify  or be in good  standing  would not result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.


                           (iv) The authorized,  issued and outstanding  capital
         stock  of the  Company  is as set  forth in the  Prospectus  (including
         information  which is  incorporated by reference  therein)  (except for
         subsequent  issuances,  if any, pursuant to (x) incentive  compensation
         plan, employee or agent benefit plan or dividend reinvestment and stock
         purchase plan transactions, including, without limitation, the purchase
         of shares of Common Stock of the Company or  cancellation of options in
         connection  therewith,  or (y) the exercise of  conversion  or exchange
         rights with  respect to  securities  outstanding  as of the date of the
         Prospectus),  and the shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of
         the Company have been  authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
         and non-assessable.

                           (v) Each  Significant  Subsidiary  of the Company has
         been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
         standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its  incorporation,  has
         the  corporate  power  and  authority  to own,  lease and  operate  its
         properties and to conduct its business as described in the  Prospectus,
         and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
         is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
         required,  whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or
         the conduct of  business,  except where the failure to so qualify or be
         in good standing would not have a Material  Adverse Effect;  all of the
         issued  and  outstanding   capital  stock  of  each  such   Significant
         Subsidiary of the Company has been  authorized and validly  issued,  is
         fully  paid  and  non-assessable  and,  except  as  set  forth  in  the
         Prospectus,  all such  shares  are owned by the  Company,  directly  or
         through  its  subsidiaries,  free and  clear of any  material  security
         interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

                           (vi) All legally  required  proceedings in connection
         with the  authorization  and valid  issuance of the  Securities and the
         sale of the Securities in accordance  with this  Agreement  (other than
         the filing of post-issuance  reports, the non-filing of which would not
         render the Securities invalid) have been taken and all legally required
         orders,  consents or other  authorizations  or  approvals  of any other
         public boards or bodies (including,  without limitation,  any 

                                      -14-



<PAGE>

         insurance   regulatory   agency  or  body)  in   connection   with  the
         authorization  and valid issuance of the Securities and the sale of the
         Securities in accordance with this Agreement  (other than in connection
         with or in compliance with the provisions of the securities or Blue Sky
         laws of any  jurisdictions,  as to which no opinion need be  expressed)
         have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

                           (vii) The  Registration  Statement is effective under
         the 1933 Act and,  to the  knowledge  of such  counsel,  no stop  order
         suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement has been
         issued  under  the 1933  Act,  and no  proceedings  therefor  have been
         initiated or threatened by the Commission.


                           (viii) The Registration Statement as of its effective
         date, and the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto as of
         its issue date (in each case,  other than the financial  statements and
         the notes thereto,  the financial  schedules,  and any other  financial
         data included or  incorporated by reference  therein,  as to which such
         counsel  need  express no belief),  complied as to form in all material
         respects  with  the  requirements  of the  1933  Act and the  1933  Act
         Regulations;  and the  Indenture  complied  as to form in all  material
         respects  with  the  requirements  of the  1939  Act and the  1939  Act
         Regulations.

                           (ix) Each of the documents  incorporated by reference
         in the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus at the time they were
         filed or last  amended  (other than the  financial  statements  and the
         notes thereto,  the financial  schedules,  and any other financial data
         included or  incorporated  by reference  therein and the  Statements of
         Eligibility  on Form  T-1  filed  with  the  Commission  as part of the
         Registration  Statement,  as to which  such  counsel  need  express  no
         belief),  complied  as to  form  in  all  material  respects  with  the
         requirements  of  the  1934  Act  and  the  1934  Act  Regulations,  as
         applicable.

                           (x)  The  information  in the  Prospectus  under  the
         caption  "Description of the Notes," to the extent it involves  matters
         of law,  summaries of legal matters,  documents or proceedings or legal
         conclusions,  has been  reviewed by such  counsel and is correct in all
         material respects.

                           (xi)  This   Agreement  has  been  duly   authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Company.

                           (xii)  The  Indenture   has  been  duly   authorized,
         executed  and  delivered by the Company  and,  assuming  authorization,
         execution, and delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and
         legally  binding  obligation  of the Company,  enforceable  against the
         Company  in  accordance  with its  terms,  except  to the  extent  that
         enforcement  thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy  Exceptions;  and
         the Indenture has been duly  qualified  under the 1939 Act and conforms
         in all material  respects to the description  thereof  contained in the
         Prospectus.


                                      -15-



<PAGE>

                           (xiii) The Securities are in the form contemplated by
         the Indenture, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
         Company and, when  authenticated  by the Trustee in the manner provided
         for in the  Indenture  and delivered  against  payment  therefor by the
         Company,  will constitute valid and legally binding  obligations of the
         Company,  enforceable  against  the  Company in  accordance  with their
         terms,  except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by
         the Bankruptcy  Exceptions,  and the Securities conform in all material
         respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                           (xiv) The  offer of the  Securities  as  contemplated
         herein and in the Prospectus;  the execution,  delivery and performance
         of this  Agreement  and the  Indenture,  and  the  consummation  of the
         transactions  contemplated  herein,  therein  and in  the  Registration
         Statement  (including  the issuance and sale of the  Securities and the
         use of proceeds  from the sale of the  Securities  as  described in the
         prospectus  under the caption "Use of Proceeds")  and compliance by the
         Company  with  its  obligations  hereunder  and  thereunder  have  been
         authorized by all necessary  corporate  action and do not and will not,
         whether  with or  without  the  giving of notice or  passage of time or
         both,  conflict  with or  constitute  a breach  of any of the  terms or
         provisions  of, or  constitute a default or Repayment  Event under,  or
         result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance
         upon  any  property  or  assets  of  the  Company  or  any  Significant
         Subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such
         conflicts,  breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that
         would not result in a Material  Adverse  Effect),  nor will such action
         result  in  any  violation  of  any  applicable  law,  statute,   rule,
         regulation,   judgment,  order,  writ  or  decree  of  any  government,
         government  instrumentality  or  court,  domestic  or  foreign,  having
         jurisdiction  over the Company or any Significant  Subsidiary or any of
         their assets,  properties,  or operations  (except for such  violations
         that  would not  result in a Material  Adverse  Effect),  nor will such
         action  result in any  violation  of the  provisions  of the charter or
         by-laws of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.

                           (xv)  To  such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are  no
         statutes  required to be described in or  incorporated  by reference in
         the  Registration  Statement which are not described or incorporated by
         reference;  and there are no legal or governmental  proceedings pending
         or, to such counsel's  knowledge,  threatened  which are required to be
         disclosed or incorporated by reference in the  Registration  Statement,
         other than those disclosed or incorporated by reference therein.

                           (xvi)  To  such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are no
         contracts,  indentures,  mortgages,  agreements, notes, leases or other
         instruments  required to be described or referred to or incorporated by
         reference  in the  Registration  Statement  or to be filed as  exhibits
         thereto other than those  described or referred to or  incorporated  by
         reference  therein or filed as exhibits  thereto;  and the descriptions
         thereof or  references  thereto  are true and  correct in all  material
         respects.


                           (xvii) No authorization,  approval,  consent,  order,
         registration or  qualification of or with any court or federal or state
         governmental  authority or agency (including,  without limitation,  any
         insurance  regulatory  agency or body) is required for the issuance and
         sale of the

                                      -16-



<PAGE>

         Securities by the Company to the Underwriters or the performance by the
         Company of its obligations under this Agreement,  the Indenture and the
         Securities  except such as has been obtained and made under the federal
         securities  laws or such as may be  required  under  state  or  foreign
         securities or Blue Sky laws.

                           (xviii) The Company and its subsidiaries possess such
         permits, licenses,  approvals, consents and other authorizations issued
         by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies
         or bodies (including,  without limitation, the Insurance Licenses) that
         are material to the Company and its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole and
         are necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; the Company
         and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of
         all such  Insurance  Licenses,  except  where the  failure so to comply
         would not,  singly or in the  aggregate,  result in a Material  Adverse
         Effect;  all of the Insurance  Licenses are valid and in full force and
         effect,  except where the invalidity of such Insurance  Licenses or the
         failure of such Insurance Licences to be in full force and effect would
         not result in a Material  Adverse  Effect;  and neither the Company nor
         any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating
         to the revocation or modification of any such Insurance Licenses which,
         singly or in the  aggregate,  may reasonably be expected to result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                           (xix) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
         is,  and  upon  the  issuance  and  sale of the  Securities  as  herein
         contemplated  and the  application  of the net  proceeds  therefrom  as
         described in the Prospectus  will be, an  "investment  company" as such
         term is defined in the 1940 Act.

         Moreover,  such  counsel  shall  confirm  that nothing has come to such
         counsel's  attention  that  causes  such  counsel to  believe  that the
         Registration Statement,  including any information provided pursuant to
         Rule 430A and related  schedules  and Rule 434  (except  for  financial
         statements and the notes thereto, the financial schedules and any other
         financial data included or incorporated by reference  therein,  and the
         Statements of Eligibility on Form T-1 filed with the Commission as part
         of the Registration  Statement as to which such counsel need express no
         opinion),  at the time it  became  effective  or at the  Representation
         Date,  contained an untrue  statement of a material  fact or omitted to
         state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to
         make the  statements  therein  not  misleading  or that the  Prospectus
         (except for financial  statements and the notes thereto,  the financial
         schedules,  and any other  financial data included or  incorporated  by
         reference  therein,  as to which such counsel need express no opinion),
         at the  Representation  Date (unless the term "Prospectus"  refers to a
         prospectus  which has been provided to the  Underwriters by the Company
         for use in connection with the offering of the Securities which differs
         from  the  Prospectus  on  file  at  the  Commission  at the  time  the
         Registration  Statement became effective,  in which case at the time it
         is first provided to the  Underwriters  for such use) or at the Closing
         Time,  included (or includes) an untrue statement of a material fact or
         omitted or omits to state a material  fact  necessary  in order to make
         the statements  therein,  in the light of the circumstances under which
         they were made, not misleading.


                                      -17-



<PAGE>

                  (2) The  favorable  opinion,  dated as of the Closing Time, of
Locke  Reynolds  Boyd & Weisell,  special  counsel to the  Company,  in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, to the effect
that nothing has come to such  counsel's  attention  that causes such counsel to
believe that the  Registration  Statement,  including any  information  provided
pursuant to Rule 434 (except for financial statements and the notes thereto, the
financial  schedules and any other  financial data included or  incorporated  by
reference therein,  and the Statements of Eligibility on Form T-1 filed with the
Commission  as part of the  Registration  Statement  as to  which  counsel  need
express no opinion),  at the time it became  effective or at the  Representation
Date,  contained an untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading or that the Prospectus  (except for financial  statements
and the notes thereto,  the financial  schedules,  and any other  financial data
included or incorporated by reference therein,  as to which counsel need express
no opinion),  at the Representation Date (unless the term "Prospectus" refers to
a prospectus  which has been provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use
in  connection  with the  offering  of the  Securities  which  differs  from the
Prospectus  on file at the  Commission  at the time it is first  provided to the
Underwriters  for such use) or at the Closing  Time,  included (or  includes) an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (3) The  favorable  opinion,  dated as of the Closing Time, of
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,  L.L.P.,  counsel for the Underwriters,  in form
and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, with respect to the issuance and
sale of the  Securities,  and other  related  matters  as the  Underwriters  may
reasonably  require,  and the Company shall have  furnished to such counsel such
documents  as they  request for the  purpose of enabling  them to pass upon such
matters. In rendering such opinion,  LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. may
rely as to matters  governed by the laws of Indiana upon the opinion referred to
in Section 5(b)(1) hereto.

         (c) Between the date of this  Agreement  and prior to the Closing Time,
no material  adverse change shall have occurred in the  condition,  financial or
otherwise,  or in the earnings,  business  affairs or business  prospects of the
Company and its  subsidiaries,  considered as one enterprise,  whether or not in
the ordinary course of business.

         (d) At the  Closing  Time,  the  Underwriters  shall  have  received  a
certificate of the President or a Vice-President of the Company and of the Chief
Financial  Officer or Chief Accounting  Officer of the Company,  dated as of the
Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no material  adverse  change
in the condition,  financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,  business affairs
or business  prospects  of the Company and its  subsidiaries  considered  as one
enterprise,  whether  or  not in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  (ii)  the
representations  and  warranties  in  Section 1 hereof  are true and  correct as
though  expressly  made at and as of the  Closing  Time,  (iii) the  Company has
complied with all  agreements  and satisfied all  conditions on their part to be
performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing  Time,  and (iv) no stop order
suspending the  effectiveness of the Registration  Statement has been issued and
no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or, to the knowledge of such
officers, threatened by the Commission.


                                      -18-

<PAGE>

         (e) At the time of the execution of this  Agreement,  the  Underwriters
shall have received from  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP a "comfort  letter",  with
respect to the financial information of the Company, dated such date in form and
substance satisfactory to the Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters.

         (f) At the time of the execution of this  Agreement,  the  Underwriters
shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP a "comfort letter",  with respect
to the  financial  information  of  Green  Tree,  dated  such  date in form  and
substance satisfactory to the Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters.

         (g) At the Closing  Time,  the  Underwriters  shall have  received from
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP, with respect to the Company,  and KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, with respect to Green Tree, a letter,  dated as of the Closing Time, to the
effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letters furnished  pursuant
to subsections (e) and (f) of this Section and other customary  matters,  except
that (i) such  statements  shall include any financial  statements and pro forma
financial  information  incorporated by reference in the Registration  Statement
and the Prospectus  which are filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Closing  Time and (ii) the  specified  date  referred to shall be a
date not more than five days prior to the Closing Time.

         (h) At the Closing Time,  counsel for the Underwriters  shall have been
furnished  with such  documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose
of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the  Securities as herein
contemplated  and related  proceedings,  or in order to evidence the accuracy of
any of the  representations  or  warranties,  or the  fulfillment  of any of the
conditions  herein  contained;  and all  proceedings  taken  by the  Company  in
connection  with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein  contemplated
shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the  Underwriters and counsel for
the Underwriters.

         (i) At the Closing Time, the Securities shall be rated at least BBB+ by
Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Agency and BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Service,
and the Company shall have  delivered to the  Underwriters  a letter,  dated the
Closing Time,  from each such rating agency,  or other evidence  satisfactory to
the Underwriters,  confirming that the Securities have such ratings; and between
the  Representation  Date and the Closing Time (i) there shall not have occurred
any decrease in the rating  assigned to the  Securities or any securities of the
Company or of the financial  strength or claims paying ability of the Company by
any "nationally  recognized  statistical  rating  organization,"  as defined for
purposes  of Rule  436(g)(2)  under  the 1933 Act  Regulations  and (ii) no such
organization  shall have publicly  announced that it has under  surveillance  or
review,  without indicating an improvement,  its rating of the Securities or any
securities of the Company or of the financial  strength or claims paying ability
of the Company.

If any condition  specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when
and as  required  to be  fulfilled,  this  Agreement  may be  terminated  by the
Underwriters  by notice to the  Company  at any time at or prior to the  Closing
Time and such termination  shall be without  liability of any party to any other
party  except as provided  in Section 4 and except  that  Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8
shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.


                                      -19-


<PAGE>

         SECTION 6.  Indemnification.

         (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each  Underwriter
and each person,  if any, who  controls  any  Underwriter  within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

                           (i)  against  any and  all  loss,  liability,  claim,
         damage and expense whatsoever,  as incurred,  arising out of any untrue
         statement or alleged  untrue  statement of a material fact contained in
         the Registration  Statement (or any amendment  thereto),  including the
         Rule 434 Information deemed to be part thereof,  if applicable,  or the
         omission or alleged  omission  therefrom of a material fact required to
         be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements  therein  not
         misleading  or arising out of any untrue  statement  or alleged  untrue
         statement of a material fact included in any preliminary  prospectus or
         the  Prospectus  (or  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto),  or the
         omission or alleged omission  therefrom of a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading;

                           (ii)  against  any and all  loss,  liability,  claim,
         damage  and  expense  whatsoever,  as  incurred,  to the  extent of the
         aggregate  amount  paid  in  settlement  of  any  litigation,   or  any
         investigation  or  proceeding  by  any  governmental  agency  or  body,
         commenced or threatened,  or of any claim whatsoever  arising out of or
         based upon any such untrue  statement or omission,  or any such alleged
         untrue statement or omission,  provided,  that (subject to Section 6(d)
         below) any such  settlement is effected with the written consent of the
         Company; and

                           (iii)  against  any and all  expense  whatsoever,  as
         incurred  (including  the fees and  disbursements  of counsel chosen by
         Merrill  Lynch),  reasonably  incurred in  investigating,  preparing or
         defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
         any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,  or any claim
         whatsoever  arising out of or based upon any such untrue  statement  or
         omission,  or any such alleged  untrue  statement  or omission,  to the
         extent  that any such  expense  is not paid  under  (i) or (ii)  above;
         provided,  however,  that the foregoing  indemnity  agreement shall not
         apply to any loss,  liability,  claim,  damage or expense to the extent
         arising  out of or based  upon any  untrue  statement  or  omission  or
         alleged  untrue  statement or omission (A) made in reliance upon and in
         conformity  with  written  information  furnished to the Company by any
         Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the Registration
         Statement   (or  any  amendment   thereto),   including  the  Rule  434
         Information  deemed  to  be a  part  thereof,  if  applicable,  or  any
         preliminary   prospectus  or  the   Prospectus  (or  any  amendment  or
         supplement  thereto),  (B) made in any Statement of Eligibility on Form
         T-1 filed as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement  or (C) made in
         any preliminary  prospectus supplement and corrected in the Prospectus,
         as supplemented,  where the person asserting any such loss,  liability,
         claim,  damage or expense purchased the Securities that are the subject
         thereof, and it shall have been established (i) that there was not sent
         or given, at or prior to the written  confirmation of such sale, a copy
         of the Prospectus  (excluding  documents  incorporated by reference) in
         any case where

                                      -20-



<PAGE>

         such  delivery is  required by the 1933 Act and (ii) the Company  shall
         have previously  furnished  copies thereof in sufficient  quantities to
         such Underwriter.

         (b) Each  Underwriter  severally  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company,  its  directors,  each of its officers who signed the  Registration
Statement,  and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act  against any and all
loss, liability,  claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained
in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred,  but only with respect to untrue
statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions,  made in the
Registration  Statement  (or any  amendment  thereto),  including  the  Rule 434
Information  deemed to be a part  thereof,  if  applicable,  or any  preliminary
prospectus  or the  Prospectus  (or any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto)  in
reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written  information  furnished  to the
Company by such  Underwriter  through  Merrill  Lynch  expressly  for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

         (c) Each indemnified  party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each  indemnifying  party of any action  commenced  against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder,  but failure to so notify an
indemnifying  party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
hereunder to the extent it is not materially  prejudiced as a result thereof and
in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise
than on account of this indemnity agreement.  In the case of parties indemnified
pursuant to Section  6(a) above,  counsel to the  indemnified  parties  shall be
selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in the case of parties  indemnified  pursuant to
Section 6(b) above,  counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the
Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense
of any such action;  provided,  however,  that counsel to the indemnifying party
shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified  party) also be counsel to
the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying  parties be liable for
fees and  expenses of more than one counsel (in  addition to any local  counsel)
separate from their own counsel for all  indemnified  parties in connection with
any  one  action  or  separate  but  similar  or  related  actions  in the  same
jurisdiction  arising out of the same general  allegations or circumstances.  No
indemnifying  party shall,  without the prior written consent of the indemnified
parties,  settle or  compromise  or  consent to the entry of any  judgment  with
respect  to  any  litigation,   or  any   investigation  or  proceeding  by  any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in
respect of which  indemnification  or  contribution  could be sought  under this
Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual
or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i)
includes an unconditional  release of each indemnified  party from all liability
arising out of such litigation investigation,  proceeding or claim and (ii) does
not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure
to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) If at any  time  an  indemnified  party  shall  have  requested  an
indemnifying  party to reimburse the indemnified  party for fees and expenses of
counsel,  such  indemnifying  party  agrees  that it  shall  be  liable  for any
settlement of the nature  contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii)  effected without its
written  consent if (i) such  settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt  by  such  indemnifying  party  of  the  

                                      -21-


<PAGE>

aforesaid  request,  (ii) such indemnifying  party shall have received notice of
the terms of such  settlement  at least 30 days prior to such  settlement  being
entered into and (iii) such  indemnifying  party shall not have  reimbursed such
indemnified  party in  accordance  with such  request  prior to the date of such
settlement.  Notwithstanding the immediately  preceding sentence, if at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel,  an indemnifying party shall
not be liable for any settlement of the nature  contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii)
affected  without its consent if such  indemnifying  party (i)  reimburses  such
indemnified  party in  accordance  with such  request to the extent it considers
such  request  to  be  reasonable  and  (ii)  provides  written  notice  to  the
indemnified  party  substantiating  the unpaid balance as unreasonable,  in each
case prior to the date of such settlement.

         SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section
6 hereof is for any reason  unavailable to or  insufficient  to hold harmless an
indemnified  party in respect of any  losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or
expenses referred to therein,  then each indemnifying  party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses,  liabilities,  claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such  indemnified  party, as incurred,  (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative  benefits received by the Company on the one
hand,  and the  Underwriters,  on the  other  hand,  from  the  offering  of the
Securities  pursuant to this  Agreement  or (ii) if the  allocation  provided by
clause  (i) is not  permitted  by  applicable  law,  in  such  proportion  as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative  benefits referred to in clause (i)
above  but also the  relative  fault of the  Company  on the one  hand,  and the
Underwriters,  on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.

         The  relative  benefits  received  by Company on the one hand,  and the
Underwriters,  on the  other  hand,  in  connection  with  the  offering  of the
Securities  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  shall  be  deemed  to be in the  same
respective  proportions  as the total net  proceeds  from the  offering  of such
Securities  (before  deducting  expenses)  received by the Company and the total
underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on
the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the corresponding location
on the Term Sheet bear to the aggregate  initial  public  offering price of such
Securities as set forth on such cover.

         The  relative  fault  of  the  Company,   on  the  one  hand,  and  the
Underwriters,  on the other hand,  shall be  determined  by reference  to, among
other things,  whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the  omission  or  alleged  omission  to state a  material  fact  relates  to
information  supplied by the  Company or by the  Underwriters  and the  parties'
relative intent, knowledge,  access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.

         The  Company and the  Underwriters  agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation  (even  if the  Underwriters  were  treated  as one  entity  for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable  considerations  referred  to above in this  Section 7. The  aggregate
amount of losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages  and  expenses  incurred by an
indemnified  party and  referred  to above in this  Section 7 

                                      -22-



<PAGE>

shall be deemed to include any legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred by
such  indemnified  party in  investigating,  preparing or defending  against any
litigation,  or any  investigation or proceeding by any  governmental  agency or
body,  commenced  or  threatened,  or any claim  whatsoever  based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         Notwithstanding  the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute  any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities  underwritten  by it and distributed to the public
were  offered  to the  public  exceeds  the  amount of any  damages  which  such
Underwriter  has  otherwise  been  required  to pay by reason of such  untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         For purposes of this  Section 7, each  person,  if any, who controls an
Underwriter  within  the  meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each  director  of the  Company,  each  officer  of the  Company  who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the  meaning  of  Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall
have  the  same  rights  to  contribution  as  the  Company.  The  Underwriters'
respective  obligations to contribute  pursuant to this Section 7 are several in
proportion to the aggregate  principal  amount of Securities  set forth opposite
their respective names in Schedule A to this Agreement, and not joint.

         SECTION  8.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Agreements  to  Survive
Delivery.  All  representations,  warranties  and  agreements  contained in this
Agreement  or  contained in  certificates  of officers of the Company  submitted
pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless
of any  investigation  made by or on behalf of any  Underwriter  or  controlling
person,  or by or on behalf of the Company,  and shall  survive  delivery of and
payment for the Securities to the Underwriters.

         SECTION 9.  Termination of Agreement.

         (a) The  Underwriters  may terminate this  Agreement,  by notice to the
Company  at any time at or prior to the  Closing  Time,  if (i)  there has been,
since  the date of this  Agreement  or since  the  respective  dates as of which
information  is given in the  Prospectus,  any  material  adverse  change or any
development  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a  prospective
material  adverse  change in the  condition,  financial or otherwise,  or in the
earnings,  business  affairs  or  business  prospects  of the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries  considered  as  one  enterprise,  whether  or not  arising  in the
ordinary  course of business,  or (ii) there has  occurred any material  adverse
change  in the  financial  markets  in the  United  States  or any  outbreak  of
hostilities or escalation of  hostilities  or other  calamity or crisis,  or any
change  or   development   involving  a   prospective   change  in  national  or
international political, financial or economic conditions the effect of which is
such as to make it, in the judgment of Merrill Lynch impracticable to market the

                                      -23-


<PAGE>

Securities or to enforce  contracts for the sale of the Securities,  or (iii) if
trading  in the  Common  Stock or any other  security  of the  Company  has been
suspended or limited by the Commission,  NASD or the New York Stock Exchange, or
if trading  generally on either the American Stock Exchange,  the New York Stock
Exchange or in the  over-the-counter  market has been  suspended or limited,  or
minimum or maximum  prices for trading  have been fixed,  or maximum  ranges for
prices for securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or by such
system or by order of the Commission,  NASD or any other governmental authority,
or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal, New York or
Indiana authorities.

         (b) If this  Agreement is  terminated  pursuant to this Section 9, such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as
provided in Section 4, and provided,  further, that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall
survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

         SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters.  If one or more
of the  Underwriters  shall fail at the Closing Time to purchase the  Securities
which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the  "Defaulted
Securities"), Merrill Lynch shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to
make  arrangements for one or more of the  non-defaulting  Underwriters,  or any
other  underwriters,  to purchase  all, but not less than all, of the  Defaulted
Securities  in such  amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set
forth;  if,  however,  Merrill Lynch shall not have completed such  arrangements
within such 24-hour period, then:

                  (a) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted  Securities
does not exceed 10% of the total aggregate  principal amount of Securities,  the
non-defaulting  Underwriters shall be obligated,  severally and not jointly,  to
purchase  the full  amount  thereof in the  proportions  that  their  respective
underwriting  obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting  obligations of all
non-defaulting Underwriters, or

                  (b) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted  Securities
exceeds 10% of the total  aggregate  principal  amount of the  Securities  to be
purchased on such date, this Agreement shall terminate  without liability on the
part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

                  No action taken  pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

                  In the event of any such  default  which  does not result in a
termination  of this  Agreement,  either Merrill Lynch or the Company shall have
the right to postpone the Closing Time for a period not exceeding  seven days in
order to effect  any  required  changes  in the  Registration  Statement  or the
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.  As used herein,  the term
"Underwriter"  includes any person  substituted  for an  Underwriter  under this
Section 10.

         SECTION 11.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in  writing  and shall be  deemed to have been duly  given if mailed or
transmitted  by  any  standard  form  of   telecommunication.   Notices  to  the
Underwriters shall be directed to the Underwriters c/o Merrill Lynch & 

                                      -24-



<PAGE>

Co., 5500 Sears Tower, Chicago,  Illinois 60606, Attention of David C. Sherwood,
with a copy to LeBoeuf,  Lamb,  Greene & MacRae,  L.L.P.,  Attention  of Michael
Groll, Esq.; notices to the Company shall be directed to the Company at Conseco,
Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street,  Carmel, Indiana 46032, Attention of John J.
Sabl, Esq., Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

         SECTION 12.  Parties.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be  binding  upon  the  Company  and  the   Underwriters  and  their  respective
successors.  Nothing  expressed or  mentioned  in this  Agreement is intended or
shall be  construed  to give any  person,  firm or  corporation,  other than the
Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling
persons and  officers  and  directors  referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their
heirs and legal  representatives,  any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in  respect  of this  Agreement  or any  provision  herein  or  therein
contained.  This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended
to be for the sole and exclusive  benefit of the parties  hereto and thereto and
their  respective  successors and legal  representatives,  and said  controlling
persons and officers and  directors  and their heirs and legal  representatives,
and for the benefit of no other  person,  firm or  corporation.  No purchaser of
Securities  from any  Underwriter  shall be deemed to be a  successor  by reason
merely of such purchase.

         SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND  CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  SPECIFIED
TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

         SECTION 14. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

         SECTION 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts  and,  if  executed  in more  than one  counterpart,  the  executed
counterparts hereof shall constitute a single instrument.


                                      -25-



<PAGE>



                  If the foregoing is in accordance with your  understanding  of
our  agreement,  please  sign and return to the  Company a  counterpart  hereof,
whereupon this instrument,  along with all counterparts,  shall become a binding
agreement among the Company and the Underwriters in accordance with its terms.


                                          Very truly yours,

                                          CONSECO, INC.



                                          By:  /s/ ROLLIN M. DICK
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  Rollin M. Dick
                                              Title:  Executive Vice President




CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, 
  as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                    INCORPORATED
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
LEHMAN BROTHERS
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

By:  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                          INCORPORATED



By: /s/ David C. Sherwood
   ----------------------------------- 
     Authorized Signatory

                                      -26-



<PAGE>




                                   Schedule A




                                                                     Principal
               Underwriters                                            Amount
               ------------                                           ---------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
              Incorporated........................................  $ 75,000,000
Chase Securities Inc..............................................    25,000,000
Lehman Brothers Inc...............................................    25,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc........................................    25,000,000
                                                                    ------------
                 Total............................................  $150,000,000
                                                                    ============

                                                      -27-



<PAGE>


                                   Schedule B

                            Significant Subsidiaries


Jefferson National Life Insurance Company of Texas
CIHC, Incorporated
Bankers Life Insurance Company of Illinois
Bankers Life and Casualty Company
American Life Holdings, Inc.
Conseco Annuity Assurance Company
Conseco Senior Health Insurance Company
Wabash Life Insurance Company
Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
Capitol American Financial Corporation
Green Tree Financial Corporation
Conseco Health Insurance Company
Conseco Life Insurance Company
Philadelphia Life Insurance Company


                                      -28-





         Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (the "Depository"),  to the
Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name
as is requested  by an  authorized  representative  of the  Depository  (and any
payment  is made to Cede & Co. or to such  other  entity as is  requested  by an
authorized representative of the Depository), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR  OTHERWISE  BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL  inasmuch as the
registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

REGISTERED                                                            REGISTERED

                                  CONSECO, INC.

                        7 7/8% NOTE DUE DECEMBER 15, 2000

                                                               CUSIP   208464AP2


No. 1                                                            US$ 150,000,000



         CONSECO, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of Indiana  (herein  called the  "Company,"  which term  includes any  successor
corporation  under the Indenture  hereinafter  referred to), for value received,
hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of
One Hundred Fifty Million  Dollars  ($150,000,000)  on December 15, 2000, and to
pay  interest  thereon from  December 18, 1998 or from the most recent  Interest
Payment Date (as  hereinafter  defined) to which  interest has been paid or duly
provided for, as the case may be.

         Interest  will be payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year (each
an "Interest  Payment Date"),  at the rate of 7 7/8% per annum,  commencing June
15, 1999 (except as provided  below) until the principal  hereof becomes due and
payable. Interest payments will be made in an amount equal to the amount accrued
from and including the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of
which  interest  has been paid or duly made  available  for payment (or from and
including the date of issue, if no interest has been paid or duly made available
for payment) to but excluding the applicable  Interest Payment Date or Maturity.
The  interest  so payable  and  punctually  paid or duly  provided  for,  on any
Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,  be paid to the Person
in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor  Notes) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular  Record Date for such interest  payment,  which
shall be the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business  Day),  as the case
may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise  provided
in the Indenture,  any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for
will forthwith  cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date by
virtue of their  having been such Holder and may either be paid to the Person in
whose name this Note (or one or more  predecessor  Notes) is  registered  at the
close of business on a Special

                                        1

<PAGE>



Record  Date  for the  payment  of such  Defaulted  Interest  to be fixed by the
Trustee,  notice  whereof  is to be given to  Holders  of Notes not less than 10
calendar  days prior to such Special  Record Date, or be paid at any time in any
other lawful manner not  inconsistent  with the  requirements  of any securities
exchange on which  Notes of this  series may be listed,  and upon such notice as
may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

         If any Interest  Payment Date(s) or the date of Maturity falls on a day
that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal,  premium, if any,
and/or interest will be made on the next  succeeding  Business Day as if made on
the date such payment was due,  and no interest  will accrue on such payment for
the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the date of Maturity, as
the case may be, to the date of such  payment  on the next  succeeding  Business
Day.

         While this Note is represented  by one or more global notes  registered
in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the Company will cause payments of
principal  of,  premium,  if any,  and  interest  on this Note to be made to the
Depository  or its nominee,  as the case may be, by wire transfer to the extent,
in the funds and in the manner  required by agreements  with, or  regulations or
procedures  prescribed from time to time by, the Depository or its nominee,  and
otherwise in accordance with such agreements,  regulations and procedures.  THIS
NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE  DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER  NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY
THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF THE DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE
OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.

         Unless the  certificate of  authentication  hereon has been executed by
the  Trustee  referred  to  herein,   or  its  successor  as  Trustee,   or  its
Authenticating Agent, by manual signature of an authorized signatory,  this Note
will  not be  entitled  to any  benefit  under  the  Indenture  or be  valid  or
obligatory for any purpose.

         This  Note  is one of a duly  authorized  issue  of  securities  of the
Company (the "Securities")  issued under an indenture,  dated as of November 13,
1997,  as amended from time to time (the  "Indenture"),  between the Company and
LTCB Trust  Company,  as trustee (the  "Trustee"),  to which  Indenture  and all
indentures  supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights,  limitations of rights,  duties and immunities  thereunder of
the  Company,  the  Trustee  and the  Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon
which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This Note
is one of the  Securities  designated  on the face hereof  limited in  aggregate
principal amount to $150,000,000.

         The Notes of this  series will be  redeemable  as a whole or in part at
the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price equal to the sum of
(a) the greater of (i) 100% of the  principal  amount of such Notes and (ii) the
sum of the present values of the remaining  scheduled  payments of principal and
interest  thereon from the redemption date to the date of Maturity,  computed by
discounting such payments,  in each case, to the redemption date on a semiannual
basis

                                        2

<PAGE>



(assuming a 360-day year  consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the Treasury
Rate,  plus 25 basis  points,  plus  (b)  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  on the
principal amount thereof to the date of redemption.

         "Treasury  Rate" means,  with respect to any redemption  date, the rate
per  annum  equal  to  the  semi-annual  equivalent  yield  to  maturity  of the
Comparable  Treasury Issue,  assuming a price for the Comparable  Treasury Issue
(expressed  as a percentage of its  principal  amount)  equal to the  Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date.

         "Comparable  Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury  security
selected by an Independent  Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining  term of the Notes to be redeemed  that would be utilized,  at the
time of selection  and in  accordance  with  customary  financial  practice,  in
pricing new issues of corporate  debt  securities of comparable  maturity to the
remaining term of such Notes.  "Independent  Investment Banker" means one of the
Reference  Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the
Company.

         "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date,
(i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage  of its  principal  amount) on the third
Business  Day  preceding  such  redemption  date,  as set  forth  in  the  daily
statistical  release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New  York  and  designated  "Composite  3:30  p.m.  Quotations  for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such  Business  Day, the average of
the Reference  Treasury Dealer  Quotations  actually obtained by the Trustee for
such redemption date. "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect
to each  Reference  Treasury  Dealer and any redemption  date,  the average,  as
determined  by the  Trustee,  of the bid and  asked  prices  for the  Comparable
Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal  amount)
quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference  Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.
(New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

         "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith  Incorporated,  Chase  Securities  Inc.,  Lehman  Brothers Inc. and J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. and their respective successors;  provided, however, that
if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S.  Government  securities
dealer  in New  York  City  (a  "Primary  Treasury  Dealer"),  the  Company  may
substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

         Notice  of any  redemption  will be mailed at least 30 days but no more
than 60 days before the redemption  date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed.
If, at the time notice of redemption  is given,  the  redemption  moneys are not
held by the Trustee,  the  redemption may be made subject to their receipt on or
before  the date  fixed for  redemption  and such  notice  shall be of no effect
unless such moneys are so received.

         Upon payment of the redemption  price, on and after the redemption date
interest  will  cease to accrue  on this  Note or  portions  hereof  called  for
redemption.



                                       3

<PAGE>

         The Notes of this series contain the following covenants:

         Limitations   on  Issuance  or  Disposition  of  Stock  of  Significant
Subsidiaries.  The  Company  will  not,  nor  will  it  permit  any  Significant
Subsidiary to, issue,  sell or otherwise  dispose of any shares of Capital Stock
(other than non-voting  Preferred Stock) of any Significant  Subsidiary,  except
for (i) directors'  qualifying  shares;  (ii) sales or other dispositions to the
Company or to one or more wholly owned Significant Subsidiaries;  (iii) the sale
or other  disposition of all or any part of the Capital Stock of any Significant
Subsidiary for  consideration  which is at least equal to the fair value of such
Capital Stock as determined by the Company's board of directors  (acting in good
faith); or (iv) any issuance,  sale,  assignment,  transfer or other disposition
made in compliance with an order of a court or regulatory authority of competent
jurisdiction,  other than an order  issued at the  request of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary.

         Limitation on Liens. Except as provided below,  neither the Company nor
any  Significant   Subsidiary  may  incur,   issue,   assume  or  guarantee  any
Indebtedness  secured by a Lien on any  property or assets of the Company or any
Significant  Subsidiary,  or any  shares  of  Capital  Stock of any  Significant
Subsidiary,  without effectively providing that the Notes (together with, if the
Company shall so determine,  any other Indebtedness which is not subordinated to
the  Notes)  shall be  secured  equally  and  ratably  with (or  prior  to) such
Indebtedness,  so long as  such  Indebtedness  shall  be so  secured;  provided,
however, that this covenant shall not apply to Indebtedness secured by (i) Liens
existing on December  15,  1998;  (ii) Liens on property of, or on any shares of
stock  of,  any  corporation  existing  at the time such  corporation  becomes a
Significant  Subsidiary  or merges  into or  consolidates  with the Company or a
Significant  Subsidiary;  (iii) Liens on property or on shares of stock existing
at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
(iv)  Liens  to  secure  the  financing  of  the  acquisition,  construction  or
improvement of property, or the acquisition of shares of stock by the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary,  provided that such Liens are created not later than
one year after such  acquisition or, in the case of property,  no later than one
year after  completion of construction or commencement of commercial  operation,
whichever  is later,  are  limited  to the  property  acquired,  constructed  or
improved  or the  shares of stock  acquired  and do not secure  indebtedness  in
excess of the cost of such acquisition,  construction or improvement;  (v) Liens
in favor of the Company or any  Subsidiary;  (vi) Liens in favor of, or required
by, governmental authorities; and (vii) any extension, renewal or replacement as
a whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (vi)
inclusive;  provided,  however, that (a) such extension,  renewal or replacement
Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the same  property  or shares of stock
that secured the Lien  extended,  renewed or replaced  and (b) the  Indebtedness
secured by such Lien at such time is not so increased.

         The  restrictions in the immediately  preceding  paragraph do not apply
if, immediately after the incurrence,  issuance,  assumption or guarantee of any
Indebtedness  secured by a Lien, the aggregate  principal amount of such secured
Indebtedness, (other than Indebtedness secured by Liens described in clauses (i)
to (vii),  inclusive, of the immediately preceding paragraph) at that time would
not exceed 10% of Consolidated Capitalization.


                                        4

<PAGE>


         "Capital Lease  Obligations"  of a Person means any obligation  that is
required to be classified  and accounted for as a capital lease on the face of a
balance sheet of such person  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles;  the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized
amount  thereof,  determined in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting
principles;  and the  Stated  Maturity  thereof  shall  be the  date of the last
payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date
upon which  such lease may be  terminated  by the  lessee  without  payment of a
penalty.

         "Capital  Stock"  means  any  and  all  shares,  interests,  rights  to
purchase, warrants, options,  participations or other equivalents of or interest
in (however designated) corporate stock, including any Preferred Stock.

         "Consolidated   Capitalization"   means   the  sum  of  the   Company's
consolidated  shareholders'  equity,  redeemable  preferred  stock and preferred
securities in any trust, partnership,  corporation or other entity of which more
than 50% of the voting  equity is owned  directly or  indirectly by the Company,
including,  without limitation, the trust securities issued by Conseco Financing
Trust I,  Conseco  Financing  Trust II,  Conseco  Financing  Trust III,  Conseco
Financing Trust IV, Conseco Financing Trust V and Conseco Financing Trust VI.

         "Indebtedness"  means (i) any  liability of any Person (1) for borrowed
money,  or under any  reimbursement  obligation  relating  to a letter of credit
(other than letters of credit obtained in the ordinary  course of business),  or
(2)  evidenced by a bond,  note,  debenture or similar  instrument  (including a
purchase  money  obligation)  given in connection  with the  acquisition  of any
businesses,  properties  or  assets  of any kind or with  services  incurred  in
connection  with  capital  expenditures  (other than  accounts  payable or other
indebtedness to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business),  or
(3) for the payment of money  relating to a Capital Lease  Obligation;  (ii) any
liability of others  described in the  preceding  clause (i) that the Person has
guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal  liability;  and (iii) any  amendment,
supplement,  modification,  deferral,  renewal,  extension  or  refunding of any
liability of types referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

         "Lien" means any lien, mortgage,  pledge, security interest,  charge or
encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement and any lease in the nature thereof).

         "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association,  joint-stock or limited liability  company,  trust,  unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         "Preferred  Stock," as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation,
means  Capital  Stock of any  class or  classes  (however  designated)  which is
preferred as to the payment of dividends,  or as to the  distribution  of assets
upon  any  voluntary  or   involuntary   liquidation   or  dissolution  of  such
corporation,   over  shares  of  Capital  Stock  of  any  other  class  of  such
corporation.


                                        5

<PAGE>



         "Significant  Subsidiary"  means any Subsidiary with net earnings which
constituted at least 20% of the Company's  consolidated total net earnings,  all
as determined as of the date of the Company's most recently  prepared  quarterly
financial statements for the 12-month period then ended.

         "Stated  Maturity,"  when  used with  respect  to any  security  or any
installment  of  interest  on any  security,  means the date  specified  in such
security  as the fixed  date on which the  principal  of such  security  or such
installment  of interest,  respectively,  is finally due and payable,  except as
otherwise provided in the case of Capital Lease Obligations.

         "Subsidiary"  means a  corporation  of which a majority  of the Capital
Stock having voting power under  ordinary  circumstances  to elect a majority of
the board of directors is owned  directly or indirectly by the Company or by one
or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries.

         If any Event of Default with respect to Notes of this series will occur
and be continuing, the principal of the Notes of this series may be declared due
and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment  thereof and the  modification  of the rights and  obligations  of the
Company  and the rights of the  Holders of the  Securities  of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding  Securities of each series to be affected. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities of each series, on behalf of the Holders of
all Securities of such series,  to waive, with respect to the Securities of such
series,  compliance by the Company with certain  provisions of the Indenture and
certain past  defaults  under the  Indenture  and their  consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note will be conclusive and binding upon
such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon
the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange  therefore or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

         Holders of Notes may not enforce their rights pursuant to the Indenture
or the Notes except as provided in the  Indenture.  No  reference  herein to the
Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture will alter or impair
the obligation of the Company,  which is absolute and unconditional,  to pay the
principal  of, and  premium,  if any,  and  interest  on this Note at the times,
places and rates, herein prescribed.

         The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a) the
entire  indebtedness  of the  Company on this Note and (b)  certain  restrictive
covenants and the related Events of Default upon  compliance by the Company with
certain conditions specified therein, which provisions apply to this Note.


                                        6

<PAGE>



         The Notes of this series are  issuable  only in global or  certificated
registered  form,  without  coupons,  in  denominations  of $1,000 and  integral
multiples  thereof.  As  provided  in  the  Indenture  and  subject  to  certain
limitations  therein  specified  and  to the  limitations  described  below,  if
applicable,  Notes of this series are  exchangeable  for Notes of this series of
like  aggregate  principal  amount of a different  authorized  denomination,  as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
specified and to the limitations described below, if applicable, the transfer of
this Note is registerable  in the Security  Register upon surrender of this Note
for  registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company  maintained
for that purpose duly  endorsed by, or  accompanied  by a written  instrument of
transfer in form  satisfactory to the Company and the Security  Registrar (which
will initially be the Trustee at its principal corporate trust office located in
the  Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New York) duly  executed  by the Holder
hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new
Notes of this series with like terms and conditions, of authorized denominations
and for the same aggregate  principal  amount,  will be issued to the designated
transferee or transferees.

         This Note is exchangeable  for  certificated  Notes only upon the terms
and conditions  provided in the Indenture.  Except as provided in the Indenture,
owners of  beneficial  interests  in this Note will not be  entitled  to receive
physical  delivery  of Notes  in  certificated  registered  form and will not be
considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.

         This  Note is in the  form of a  Global  Security  as  provided  in the
Indenture.  If at any  time  the  Depository  notifies  the  Company  that it is
unwilling  or unable to continue as  Depository  for this Note or if at any time
the  Depository  for this series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing
under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended,  or other  applicable
statute or  regulation,  the Company shall appoint a successor  Depository  with
respect to this Note. If a successor  Depository  for this Note is not appointed
by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives notice or becomes aware
of such ineligibility,  the Company will execute,  and the Trustee or its agent,
upon  receipt  of a Company  Request  for the  authentication  and  delivery  of
certificates  representing  Securities  of this  series  in  exchange  for  this
Security will authenticate and deliver,  certificates representing securities of
this series of like tenor and terms in an  aggregate  principal  amount equal to
the principal amount of this Note in exchange for this Note.

         If specified by the Company  pursuant to the Indenture  with respect to
this Note,  the  Depository  may surrender  this Note in exchange in whole or in
part for certificates  representing  Securities of this series of like tenor and
terms in definitive  form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and the
Depository.  Thereupon the Company shall  execute,  and the trustee or its agent
shall  authenticate  and deliver,  without a service charge,  (1) to each Holder
specified  by  the  Security  Registrar  or  the  Depository  a  certificate  or
certificates  representing Securities of this series of like tenor and terms and
of any  authorized  denomination  as  requested  by such person in an  aggregate
principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Holder's  beneficial interest
as specified by the security  Registrar or the  Depository in this Note; and (2)
to the Depository a new Global Security

                                       7
<PAGE>



of  like  tenor  and  terms  and  in an  authorized  denomination  equal  to the
difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Note and the
aggregate  principal  amount of  certificates  representing  Notes  delivered to
Holders thereof.

         No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange,  but the Company may require  payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company,  the  Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose  name  this  Note is  registered  as the  owner  hereof  for all
purposes,  whether or not this Note be overdue and  notwithstanding any notation
of ownership or other writing  hereon,  and none of the Company,  the Trustee or
any such agent will be affected by notice to the contrary.

         The  Indenture  and the Notes  will be  governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         All terms used in this Note which are  defined  in the  Indenture  will
have the meanings  assigned to them in the Indenture  unless  otherwise  defined
herein;  and all references in the Indenture to "Security" or "Securities"  will
be deemed to include this Note.


                                        8

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Date: December 18, 1998                     CONSECO, INC.


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

[SEAL]
                                            Attest:


                                            By /s/ JOHN J. SABL
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               John J. Sabl, Secretary




         This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated: December 18, 1998                    LTCB TRUST COMPANY,
                                                     as Trustee


                                            By:/s/ BARBARA BEVELAQUA 
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Authorized Officer



                                        9
<PAGE>


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

                                  ABBREVIATIONS

         The following  abbreviations,  when used in the inscription on the face
of this  instrument,  shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

                  TEN COM - as tenants in common
                  TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
                  JT TEN -  as joint  tenants with right of survivorship and not
                            as tenants in common

         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ..................Custodian................
                                     (Cust)          (Minor)
                                    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
                                    ....................................
                                            (State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

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

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the  undersigned  hereby  sell(s),  assign(s)  and
transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE



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

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE

- -------------------------------------
the within Security and all rights thereunder,  hereby irrevocably  constituting
and  appointing  __________________  attorney to transfer  said  Security on the
books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:
                                            ----------------------
                                                   Signature


NOTICE:  THE  SIGNATURE  TO THIS  ASSIGNMENT  MUST  CORRESPOND  WITH THE NAME AS
WRITTEN  UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN  INSTRUMENT  IN EVERY  PARTICULAR,  WITHOUT
ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

         THE  SIGNATURE(S)   MUST  BE  GUARANTEED  BY  AN  "ELIGIBLE   GUARANTOR
INSTITUTION" THAT IS A MEMBER OR PARTICIPANT IN A "SIGNATURE  GUARANTEE PROGRAM"
(E.G.,  THE SECURITIES  TRANSFER AGENTS  MEDALLION  PROGRAM,  THE STOCK EXCHANGE
MEDALLION  PROGRAM  OR THE NEW YORK STOCK  EXCHANGE,  INC.  MEDALLION  SIGNATURE
PROGRAM).






                                       10












                                                 December 18, 1998


To:      Board of Directors
         Conseco, Inc.
         11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
         Carmel, IN 46032

Re:      Conseco, Inc.
         7 7/8% Notes due December 15, 2000

Lady and Gentlemen:

         I am  Executive  Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and  Secretary  of
Conseco,  Inc., an Indiana  corporation (the "Company"),  and in such capacity I
have general  supervision  of the legal  affairs of the Company.  I, and lawyers
under my supervision (collectively, "we"), have acted as counsel for the Company
in  connection  with  the  sale  by the  Company  pursuant  to the  Underwriting
Agreement dated December 15, 1998 (the  "Underwriting  Agreement") of a total of
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 7/8% Notes due December 15, 2000 of
the Company (the "Notes").

         In our capacity as such counsel,  we have examined (i) the Notes,  (ii)
the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-56611), as originally filed with
the Commission on June 11, 1998, as amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 and
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto (the "Registration Statement"), (iii) the
Underwriting  Agreement,  (iv) the  Indenture,  dated as of November  13,  1997,
between the Company and LTCB Trust Company,  as Trustee (the  "Indenture"),  and
(v) the Prospectus  Supplement  dated December 15, 1998 and the final Prospectus
dated June 22, 1998 relating to the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission
pursuant  to Rule  424(b)  under  the 1933 Act  Regulations  (collectively,  the
"Prospectus"). We have also examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our  satisfaction,  of such other records and documents as we have
deemed  necessary  as  a  basis  for  the  opinions  expressed  below.  In  such
examination  and for the  purposes of this  opinion,  we have  assumed  that all
natural persons have legal capacity,  all items submitted to us as originals are
authentic and all signatures  thereon are genuine,  all items submitted to us as
copies  conform to the  originals  and each original or copy is complete and has
been duly executed and delivered by each party (other than the Company) pursuant
to due authorization as such party's legal, valid and


<PAGE>


Board of Directors
December 18, 1998
Page 2

binding  obligation,  enforceable  against  such  party in  accordance  with its
respective  terms. As to facts material to the opinions  expressed  herein which
were not  independently  established  or  verified,  we have relied upon oral or
written statements and  representations  of the Company.  Capitalized terms used
herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in
the Underwriting Agreement.

         Based  upon and  subject  to the  matters  stated  herein and upon such
investigation  as we have deemed  necessary  and subject to the  qualifications,
limitations and  assumptions set forth herein,  I advise you that in the opinion
of the undersigned:

         1. The  Company  has been  incorporated  and is validly  existing  as a
corporation under the laws of the State of Indiana.

         2.  All  legally   required   proceedings   in   connection   with  the
authorization  and  valid  issuance  of the  Notes  and the sale of the Notes in
accordance  with  the   Underwriting   Agreement   (other  than  the  filing  of
post-issuance  reports,  the  non-filing  of which  would not  render  the Notes
invalid)  have been taken and all  legally  required  orders,  consents or other
authorizations  or approvals of any other  public  boards or bodies  (including,
without limitation,  any insurance regulatory agency or body) in connection with
the  authorization  and valid issuance of the Notes and the sale of the Notes in
accordance with the Underwriting  Agreement (other than in connection with or in
compliance  with  the  provisions  of the  securities  or Blue  Sky  laws of any
jurisdictions,  as to which I express no opinion)  have been obtained and are in
full force and effect.

         3. The Notes are in the form  contemplated by the Indenture,  have been
duly authorized,  executed and delivered by the Company and, when  authenticated
by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against
payment  therefor by the  Company,  will  constitute  valid and legally  binding
obligations of the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in accordance with
their  terms,  except to the extent that  enforcement  thereof may be limited by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,   moratorium,  fraudulent
transfer or other similar laws affecting the  enforcement  of creditors'  rights
generally  and by the effect of general  principles  of  equity,  regardless  of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

         My  opinions  expressed  herein are limited to the laws of the State of
Indiana  and the  federal  laws of the United  States,  and I do not express any
opinion herein concerning any other law. I note that the Underwriting Agreement,
the Notes and the Indenture  are expressly  governed by the laws of the State of
New York and I have assumed, with your permission and without any investigation,
that the substantive laws of the State of Indiana are substantially identical to
those of the State of New York.



<PAGE>


Board of Directors
December 18, 1998
Page 3

         The opinions expressed herein are matters of professional  judgment and
not a guarantee of result. The opinions expressed herein are effective as of the
date hereof.  I do not undertake to advise you of any matter within the scope of
this  letter  that  comes to my  attention  after  the date of this  letter  and
disclaim  any  responsibility  to advise you of any future  changes in law or in
fact that may affect the  opinions  set forth  herein.  The  opinions  expressed
herein are being  delivered to you solely for your benefit and may not be relied
upon by any other  person  in any  manner or for any  purpose  without  my prior
written approval; accordingly, it may not be quoted, filed with any governmental
authority or other regulatory agency or otherwise circulated or utilized for any
other purpose without my written consent.

         I  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  as an  exhibit to the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K being
filed on or about the date hereof.  In giving the  foregoing  consent,  I do not
admit that I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under
the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                                    Very truly yours,


                                                    /s/ JOHN J. SABL
                                                    ------------------------
                                                    John J. Sabl,
                                                    Executive Vice President
                                                         and General Counsel



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                                                        Exhibit 12.1
                                         Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
                               Preferred Dividends and Distributions on Company-Obligated Mandatorily
                                        Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trusts
                                                           (Dollars in millions)

                                                                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                   Year Ended December 31,                      September 30,
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                                      1993       1994        1995      1996       1997        1997          1998
                                                    --------   --------    --------  --------   --------    --------       ------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>
Pretax income from operations:
   Net income....................................  $  413.1     $330.5    $  470.9   $  452.2   $  866.4   $  712.3       $  203.0  
   Add income tax expense........................     307.1      231.2       240.7      302.2      560.1      456.0          287.1
   Add extraordinary charge on
     extinguishment of debt......................      11.9        4.0         2.1       26.5        6.9        6.2           42.6
   Add minority interest.........................      78.2       59.0       109.0       34.9       52.3       37.9           60.4
   Less equity in undistributed
     earnings of CCP Insurance, Inc..............     (36.6)     (23.8)        -          -          -          -              -  
   Less equity in undistributed
     earnings of Western National Corp...........       -        (37.2)        -          -          -          -              -
                                                   --------     ------    --------   --------   --------   --------       --------

         Pretax income...........................     773.7      563.7       822.7      815.8    1,485.7    1,212.4          593.1
                                                   --------     ------    --------   --------   --------   --------       --------

Add fixed charges:
   Interest expense on annuities and financial
      products...................................     408.5      134.7       585.4      668.6      697.1      524.6          553.9
   Interest expense:
     Corporate...................................      58.0       59.3       119.4      108.1      109.4       76.0          120.6
     Finance.....................................      51.2       41.6        57.3       70.1      160.9      111.4          160.3
     Investment borrowings.......................      10.6        7.7        22.2       22.0       42.0       17.7           51.9
   Other  .......................................        .6         .9         1.0         .9         .7         .6             .4
   Portion of rental(1)..........................       5.4        7.9         8.9       10.9       13.7       10.1           11.0
                                                   --------     ------    --------   --------   --------   --------       --------

       Fixed charges.............................     534.3      252.1       794.2      880.6    1,023.8      740.4          898.1
                                                   --------     ------    --------   --------   --------   --------       --------

       Adjusted earnings.........................  $1,308.0     $815.8    $1,616.9   $1,696.4   $2,509.5   $1,952.8       $1,491.2
                                                   ========     ======    ========   ========   ========   ========       ========

       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges........     2.45X      3.24X       2.04X      1.93X      2.45X      2.64X          1.66X
                                                      =====      =====       =====      =====      =====      =====          =====

       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
          excluding interest on annuities and
          financial product policyholder account 
          balances and interest expense on debt  
          related to finance receivables and
          other investments................. ....    13.09X      9.28X       7.36X      7.80X     13.00X     14.98X          5.49X
                                                     ======      =====       =====      =====     ======     ======          =====
 
       Ratio of earnings (excluding nonrecurring
          charge related to Green Tree of $688.0
          million) to fixed charges..............                                                                            2.43X 
                                                                                                                             =====

       Ratio of earnings (excluding nonrecurring 
          charge related to Green Tree of $688.0
          million) to fixed charges, excluding
          interest on annuities and financial
          product policyholder account balances
          and interest expense on debt related
          to finance receivables and other
          investments............................                                                                           10.71X
                                                                                                                            ======  


                                                   (continued on following page)

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


                                                   CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                         Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
                               Preferred Dividends and Distributions on Company-Obligated Mandatorily
                                  Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trusts, continued
                                                           (Dollars in millions)

                                                                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                     Year Ended December 31,                     September 30,
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                                      1993       1994       1995        1996      1997        1997          1998
                                                    --------   --------   --------    --------  --------    -------       -------
 
   <S>                                                <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>  
   Fixed charges.................................     $534.3     $252.1    $  794.2   $  880.6   $1,023.8    $740.4        $898.1
   Add dividends on preferred stock, including 
     dividends on preferred stock of subsidiaries
     (divided by the rate of income before 
     minority interest and extraordinary 
     charge to pretax income)....................       35.3       34.8        40.3       57.6       40.4      37.2          11.6 

   Add distributions on Company-obligated
     mandatorily redeemable preferred securities
     of subsidiary trusts........................         -          -           -         5.5       75.4      53.3          92.2
                                                    --------     ------    --------   --------   --------  --------      --------  

       Fixed charges.............................   $  569.6     $286.9    $  834.5   $  943.7   $1,139.6  $  830.9      $1,001.9 
                                                    ========     ======    ========   ========   ========  ========      ========  

       Adjusted earnings.........................   $1,308.0     $815.8    $1,616.9   $1,696.4   $2,509.5  $1,952.8      $1,491.2  
                                                    ========     ======    ========   ========   ========  ========      ========  

       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
          preferred dividends and distributions
          on Company-obligated mandatorily
          redeemable preferred securities
          of subsidiary trusts...................     2.30X      2.84X        1.94X      1.80X      2.20X     2.35X         1.49X
                                                      =====      =====        =====      =====      =====     =====         ===== 
       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
          preferred dividends and distributions
          on Company-obligated mandatorily
          redeemable preferred securities of
          subsidiary trusts, excluding interest
          on annuities and financial product
          policyholder account balances and
          interest expense on debt related to
          finance receivables and other 
          investments...........................      8.44X      6.14X        5.61X      5.11X      6.72X     7.33X         3.08X 
                                                      =====      =====        =====      =====      =====     =====         =====

       Ratio of earnings (excluding nonrecurring
          charge related to Green Tree of $688.0
          million) to fixed charges, preferred
          dividends and distributions on Company-
          obligated mandatorily redeemable 
          preferred securities of subsidiary 
          trusts.................................                                                                            2.18X
                                                                                                                             =====

       Ratio of earnings (excluding nonrecurring
          charge related to Green Tree of $688.0
          million) to fixed charges, preferred
          dividends and distributions on Company-
          obligated mandatorily redeemable
          preferred securities of subsidiary trusts,
          excluding interest on annuities and
          financial product policyholder account
          balances and interest expense on debt
          related to finance receivables and
          other investments......................                                                                            5.99X
                                                                                                                             =====

<FN>
   (1) Interest portion of rental is assumed to be 33 percent.
</FN>
</TABLE>





© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission