OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORP
10-Q, 1998-05-13
SURETY INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                   FORM 10 - Q

    [X] Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 or
    [ ] Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934


Commission File Number  0-4625


                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
             ----------------------------------------------------- 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                                No. 36-2678171
- --------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of           (IRS  Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)


307 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois                    60601
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office)                       (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  312-346-8100



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes _X_   No ___
                                            

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.

                                                    Shares Outstanding
               Class                                  March 31, 1998
    --------------------------                 ---------------------------
    Common Stock / $1 par value                        138,107,506 *


*   Excludes  6,182,879  common  shares  issued,  outstanding  and  held  by  an
    affiliate,  which are classified as treasury stock for financial  accounting
    purposes only.






                  There are 11 pages contained in this report.

<PAGE>
                                                                               2


                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

                      Report on Form 10-Q / March 31, 1998

                                      INDEX
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      PAGE NO.
                                                                      --------

PART  I FINANCIAL  INFORMATION:

         CONSOLIDATED  SUMMARY  BALANCE  SHEETS                          3

         CONSOLIDATED  SUMMARY  STATEMENTS  OF  INCOME                   4

         CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  COMPREHENSIVE  INCOME             5

         CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS                       6

         NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS         7

         MANAGEMENT  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  POSITION  AND
            RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS                                    8 & 9

PART II  OTHER  INFORMATION                                           10 & 11


<PAGE>
                                                                              3
<TABLE>
                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
                                 ($ in Millions)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                     March 31,       December 31,  
                                                                                                       1998             1997      
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>               <C> 
                Assets
 
Investments:    Held to maturity:
                  Fixed maturity securities (at amortized cost) (fair value: $2,358.4
                     and $2,306.1)                                                                       $2,304.2          $2,249.7
                  Other long-term investments (at cost)                                                      24.8              15.4
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                    Total                                                                                 2,329.1           2,265.1
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                Available for sale:
                  Fixed maturity securities (at fair value) (cost: $1,973.4 and $1,954.5)                 2,027.4           2,009.9
                  Equity securities (at fair value) (cost: $89.3 and $60.9)                                 140.4             117.1
                  Short-term investments (at fair value which approximates cost)                            286.8             328.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                    Total                                                                                 2,454.7           2,455.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total investments                                                                   4,783.8           4,720.4
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Other Assets:   Cash                                                                                         22.6              26.9
                Accrued investment income                                                                    72.9              72.5
                Accounts and notes receivable                                                               307.2             320.0
                Reinsurance balances and funds held                                                          86.5              88.5
                Reinsurance recoverable: Paid losses                                                         24.3              27.2
                                         Policy and claim reserves                                        1,312.2           1,333.5
                Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                           126.3             126.2
                Sundry assets                                                                               213.5             207.9
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                                                                                                          2,165.9           2,203.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total Assets                                                                       $6,949.8          $6,923.4
                                                                                                 ================  ================

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Liabilities, Preferred Stock and
                      Common Shareholders' Equity

Liabilities:    Future policy benefits                                                                     $180.5            $183.3
                Losses, claims and settlement expenses                                                    3,501.8           3,529.7
                Unearned premiums                                                                           364.1             375.8
                Other policyholders' benefits and funds                                                      58.6              61.1
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total policy liabilities and accruals                                               4,105.0           4,150.0
                Commissions, expenses, fees and taxes                                                       111.0             124.0
                Reinsurance balances and funds                                                              143.1             148.2
                Federal income tax payable: Current                                                          14.8               4.3
                                            Deferred                                                        121.8             108.3
                Debt and debt equivalents                                                                   147.4             142.9
                Sundry liabilities                                                                           92.8              92.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total liabilities                                                                   4,736.1           4,770.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Preferred       Convertible preferred stock                                                                   1.0               1.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
Stock:                Total preferred stock                                                                   1.0               1.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Common          Common stock                                                                                155.2             103.1
Shareholders'   Additional paid-in capital                                                                  614.4             604.3
Equity:         Unallocated shares - ESSOP                                                                   (6.1)             (6.1)
                Retained earnings                                                                         1,504.6           1,486.8
                Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                       60.4              64.4
                Treasury stock (at cost)                                                                   (116.1)           (100.5)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total Common Shareholders' Equity                                                   2,212.5           2,152.1
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                      Total Liabilities, Preferred Stock
                         and Common Shareholders' Equity                                                 $6,949.8          $6,923.4
                                                                                                 ================  ================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
                                                                              4
<TABLE>
                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
              CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
                    ($ in Millions, Except Common Share Data)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                           Quarters Ended
                                                                                                              March 31,
                                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                                       1998              1997
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>               <C>
Revenues:      Net premiums earned                                                                         $359.6            $345.7
               Title, escrow and other fees                                                                  49.8              31.8
               Net investment income                                                                         68.5              67.7
               Realized investment gains                                                                     20.0              10.8
               Other income                                                                                   8.4               5.7
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                  Net revenues                                                                              506.5             461.8
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Expenses:      Benefits, claims and settlement expenses                                                     185.7             193.5
               Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses                                             198.2             170.7
               Interest and other expenses                                                                    3.5               3.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                  Total expenses                                                                            387.5             367.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
               Income before income taxes and items below                                                   118.9              94.5
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Income Taxes:  Currently payable                                                                             23.6              19.5
               Deferred                                                                                      14.3              10.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                  Total income taxes                                                                         37.9              29.5
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
                                                                                                             81.0              64.9
               Other items - net                                                                              0.5               0.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
Net Income:                                                                                                 $81.5             $65.2
                                                                                                 ================  ================




Net Income
Per Share:     Basic                                                                                        $0.58             $0.49
                                                                                                 ================  ================
               Diluted                                                                                      $0.58             $0.46
                                                                                                 ================  ================


Dividends Per
Common Share:  Cash dividends                                                                              $0.087            $0.073
                                                                                                 ================  ================
               Stock dividends                                                                                50%               --%
                                                                                                 ================  ================


               Average number of common and common
               equivalent shares outstanding:
                                Basic                                                                 138,541,904       130,513,487
                                                                                                 ================  ================
                                Diluted                                                               140,824,777       142,266,700
                                                                                                 ================  ================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
                                                                              5
<TABLE>
                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
                                 ($ in Millions)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                           Quarters Ended
                                                                                                              March 31,
                                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                                       1998              1997
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>               <C>            
Net income as reported                                                                                      $81.5             $65.2
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Other comprehensive income, before tax:
    Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                   0.3              (0.3)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
    Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
        Unrealized gains (losses) arising during period                                                      13.3             (28.0)
        Less: elimination of pre-tax realized gains included in net income                                   20.0              10.8
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
        Net unrealized losses on securities                                                                  (6.6)            (38.8)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Income tax credits related to items of other
    comprehensive income                                                                                     (2.3)            (13.6)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Comprehensive income                                                                                        $77.5             $39.6
                                                                                                  ================ ================

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
                                                                              6
<TABLE>
                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
                                 ($ in Millions)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                           Quarters Ended
                                                                                                              March 31,
                                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                                       1998              1997
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>                <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                                               $81.5             $65.2
   Adjustment to reconcile net income to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
      Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                       0.1               1.3
      Premiums and other receivables                                                                         14.9               1.2
      Unpaid claims and related items                                                                        (9.6)              8.4
      Future policy benefits and policyholders' funds                                                       (12.5)            (17.3)
      Income taxes                                                                                           26.2              22.3
      Reinsurance balances and funds                                                                         (0.3)              4.1
      Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other                                                          (12.1)            (13.6)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
   Total                                                                                                     88.1              71.8
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Cash flows from investing activities: 
   Sales of fixed maturity securities:
      Held to maturity:
         Maturities and early calls                                                                          34.3              39.7
      Available for sale:
         Maturities and early calls                                                                          33.2              36.1
         Other                                                                                               50.8               6.5
   Sales of equity securities                                                                                 7.0              11.4
   Sales of other investments                                                                                 1.3               0.8
   Sales of fixed assets for company use                                                                      0.1               0.8
   Purchases of fixed maturity securities:
      Held to maturity                                                                                      (88.9)            (89.6)
      Available for sale                                                                                   (103.9)            (88.0)
   Purchases of equity securities                                                                           (35.4)             (1.4)
   Purchases of other investments                                                                           (10.6)             (1.2)
   Purchases of fixed assets for company use                                                                 (8.0)             (2.9)
   Purchases of investment in subsidiaries                                                                   (1.9)              ---
   Other-net                                                                                                  0.2              (0.5)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
   Total                                                                                                   (121.8)            (88.2)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Increase in term loans                                                                                     4.0              10.0
   Issuance of preferred and common stocks                                                                   10.5               1.7
   Issuance of debentures and notes                                                                           1.1               ---
   Redemption of debentures and notes                                                                        (0.6)             (0.3)
   Dividends on common shares                                                                               (12.0)             (9.5)
   Dividends on preferred shares                                                                              ---              (0.7)
   Purchase of treasury stock                                                                               (15.6)            (15.2)
   Other-net                                                                                                  0.7               ---
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
   Total                                                                                                    (11.8)            (14.1)
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------

Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments                                                      (45.5)            (30.6)
   Cash and short-term investments, beginning of period                                                     355.0             301.0
                                                                                                 ----------------  ----------------
   Cash and short-term investments, end of period                                                          $309.4            $270.4
                                                                                                 ================  ================

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:  
  Cash paid during the period for:
      Interest                                                                                               $0.5              $2.0
                                                                                                 ================  ================
      Income taxes                                                                                          $13.1              $7.8
                                                                                                 ================  ================

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
                                                                              7

                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
         NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
                       ($ in Millions, Except Share Data)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation:

    The  accompanying   consolidated  summary  financial  statements  have  been
    prepared in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles as
    described in the  Corporation's  latest annual report to  shareholders or as
    disclosed herein.  The financial  accounting and reporting process relies on
    estimates and on the exercise of judgement, but in the opinion of management
    all  adjustments,  consisting of normal recurring  accruals,  necessary to a
    fair  presentation  of  the  accompanying  statements  have  been  reflected
    therein.  Realized gains or losses on dispositions of investment  securities
    have been reflected in the operating results for each period presented.


2.  Common Share Data:

    Common  share data has been  retroactively  adjusted  to reflect a 50% stock
    dividend of the Company's  common shares  approved by the Board of Directors
    on March 12, 1998.  The following  table provides  a  reconciliation  of the
    income  before  extraordinary  items and number of shares  used in basic and
    diluted earnings per share calculations.
                                                          Quarters Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                       1998            1997
                                                   ------------    ------------
      Numerator:
       Income before extraordinary item .......... $       81.5    $       65.2
       Less: Preferred stock dividends............          --               .7
                                                   ------------    ------------
       Numerator for basic earnings per share -
        income available to common stockholders...         81.5            64.4

       Effect of dilutive securities:
        Convertible preferred stock dividends.....          --               .7
                                                   ------------    ------------

      Numerator for diluted earnings per share -
       income available to common stockholders
       after assumed conversions.................. $       81.5    $       65.2
                                                   ============    ============

      Denominator:
       Denominator for basic earnings per share -
        weighted-average shares...................  138,541,904     130,513,487

       Effect of dilutive securities:
        Stock options.............................    2,044,854       1,437,485
        Convertible preferred stock...............      238,019      10,315,728
                                                   ------------    ------------
        Dilutive potential common shares..........    2,282,873      11,753,213
                                                   ------------    ------------
    
      Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
       adjusted weighted-average shares and
       assumed conversions........................  140,824,777     142,266,700
                                                   ============    ============

      Basic earnings per share.................... $        .58    $        .49
                                                   ============    ============
      Diluted earnings per share.................. $        .58    $        .46
                                                   ============    ============

3.  Unrealized Appreciation of Investments:

    Cumulative net unrealized gains on fixed maturity  securities  available for
    sale  and  equity  securities  credited  to a  separate  account  in  common
    shareholders'  equity  amounted  to  $68.1  at March  31,  1998.  Unrealized
    appreciation of  investments,  before  applicable  income taxes of $37.2, at
    March 31, 1998 included  gross  unrealized  gains and (losses) of $109.6 and
    $(4.2), respectively.

    For the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, net unrealized  depreciation
    of investments,  net of deferred  income taxes,  amounted to $4.3 and $25.2,
    respectively.

<PAGE>
                                                                              8


                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
       MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                     Quarters Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    OVERVIEW

This   analysis   pertains  to  the   consolidated   accounts  of  Old  Republic
International Corporation.  The Company conducts its business through four major
segments,  namely its  General  (property  and  liability  coverages),  Mortgage
Guaranty, Title, and Life insurance groups.

                               FINANCIAL POSITION

Old  Republic's  financial  position at March 31, 1998  reflected an increase in
assets of 0.4%,  a decrease in  liabilities  of 0.7%,  and an increase in common
shareholders'  equity  of  2.8%  when  compared  to  the  immediately  preceding
year-end.  Cash and invested assets  represented 70.2% and 69.6% of consolidated
assets as of March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.

Relatively  high  short-term  maturity  investment  positions  continued  to  be
maintained  as of March 31, 1998 to provide  necessary  liquidity  for  specific
operating needs and to enhance  flexibility in investment  strategy.  Changes in
short-term investments reflect a large variety of seasonal and intermediate-term
factors  including  seasonal  operating  cash needs,  investment  strategy,  and
expectations as to trends in interest yields.  Accordingly,  the future level of
short-term  investments  will vary and respond to the dynamics of these  factors
and may, as a result, increase or decrease from current levels. During the first
quarter of 1998, the Corporation committed substantially all investable funds in
short to intermediate-term fixed maturity securities.  Old Republic continues to
adhere to its  long-term  policy of  investing  primarily in  investment  grade,
marketable securities;  the Corporation has not directed its investable funds to
so-called  "junk  bonds" or  derivative  types of  securities.  During the first
quarter of 1998, Old  Republic's  commitment to equity  securities  increased by
19.9% vis-a-vis the related  invested  balance at year-end 1997. As of March 31,
1998, the carrying value of fixed maturity securities in default as to principal
or interest was immaterial in relation to consolidated  assets or  shareholders'
equity.

Consolidated  operations  produced  positive  cash  flows in this  year's  first
quarter.  The parent  holding  company has met its  liquidity  and capital needs
principally   through  dividends  paid  by  its   subsidiaries.   The  insurance
subsidiaries'  ability to pay cash  dividends to the parent company is generally
restricted by law or subject to approval of the insurance regulatory authorities
of the states in which they are domiciled. Additionally, the terms of guarantees
by the Company of bank loans to the trustee of the Company's  Employees  Savings
and Stock Ownership Plan restrict the amount of debt the Company may incur. This
covenant is being met.

Old  Republic's  capitalization  of $2.36 billion at March 31, 1998 consisted of
debt and debt equivalents of $147.4 million, convertible preferred stock of $1.0
million,  and common  shareholders' equity of $2.21 billion. The increase in the
common  shareholders'  equity  account  during the quarter  ended March 31, 1998
reflects  primarily the retention of earnings in excess of dividends declared on
outstanding  preferred  and common  shares offset to some degree by a decline in
the value of bonds and stocks carried at market value and the  reacquisition  of
$15.6 million worth of common shares pursuant to a previously announced plan.

Common  share  data has been  retroactively  adjusted  to  reflect  a 50%  stock
dividend of the Company's  common  shares  approved by the Board of Directors on
March 12, 1998 and issuable on or about May 4, 1998 to shareholders of record on
April 10, 1998.

                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues:
Consolidated  net premiums and fees earned in the first quarter of 1998 amounted
to $409.5 million and were 8.5% above the amount  reported for the first quarter
of 1997.  For the first three months of 1998,  the Company's  General  Insurance
Group posted a 2.4% decrease in earned  premiums to $208.9 million due to a soft
pricing environment.  Premium growth in the Mortgage Guaranty Group was enhanced
by a rise in the amount of renewal business and market expansion;  the year over
year increase in earned premiums was 10.2% to $71.3 million. Title Group premium
and fee revenues  were $113.8  million in the first quarter of 1998, an increase
of 35.9% when compared to the same quarter of 1997. The Mortgage  Guaranty Group
and the Title  Group  benefitted  from low  interest  rates and high  employment
trends, as well as moderately greater  appreciation of home prices. The Life and
Health Group's premium volume increased moderately.

Consolidated  net  investment  income was $68.5  million in the first quarter of
1998 compared to $67.7 million in the same quarter of 1997.  This revenue source
was  affected  by  positive   consolidated   operating   cash  flows  and  by  a
concentration  of  investable   assets  in   interest-bearing,   fixed  maturity
securities.  The average  annualized yield on investments was approximately 5.8%
and 6.1% at the end of March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This yield pattern
reflects at once the relatively  short maturity of Old Republic's fixed maturity
securities  portfolio,  changes  in  interest  rates  at  various  time  and the
commitment  of a larger  percentage  of  investable  funds to  tax-exempt  fixed
maturity securities that typically bear lower current yields.


<PAGE>
                                                                              9

The Company's  investment  policies have not been designed to maximize  realized
investment  gains.  Realized gains of $20.0 million in the first quarter of 1998
were  mostly due to the sale of equity  securities.  In  addition  to  scheduled
maturities,  dispositions  of securities  have been caused  principally by calls
prior  to  maturity  by  issuers  of bonds  and  notes  and by  sales of  equity
securities.  For  the  first  quarter  of  1998,  57.1%  of  total  dispositions
represented  maturities and early calls of existing holdings;  for the year 1997
these transactions amounted to 76.9% of the total dispositions.

Expenses:
Consolidated  benefit,  claim  and  settlement  costs,  as a  percentage  of net
premiums and fees earned,  were  approximately 45% and 51% in the first quarters
of 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Claims  experience  for property and liability
coverages  improved in both periods due to reduced costs from  participation  in
involuntary workers'  compensation pool and by stable claim and benefit costs in
the  Company's  voluntary  business.  Mortgage  Guaranty  claim costs were lower
during the first  quarter of 1998  compared  to the same period in 1997 due to a
reduction  in expected  claims  emergence.  The Title Group and Life Group claim
costs were basically stable in both quarterly periods.

The ratio of consolidated  underwriting,  acquisition and insurance  expenses to
net premiums  and fees earned was 48% and 45% in the first  quarters of 1998 and
1997, respectively.  Variations in these percentages between comparative periods
typically  reflect  changing  patterns  in the mix of  business  and the varying
production costs  pertaining  thereto.  In 1998's first quarter,  title premiums
that  typically bear greater  production  costs grew at a faster pace than other
segments' premiums.

The Company  and its  subsidiaries  have been aware for several  years of issues
associated with programming  codes in existing computer systems as the year 2000
approaches. The Company's subsidiaries are scheduled to complete by December 31,
1998,  the  identification  and  implementation  of changes,  and the testing of
systems   affected  by  this  year  2000  issue.   The  costs  of   identifying,
implementing,  and  testing  the  required  changes  has not  been  material  to
historical  operating  results.  A  significant  portion of these  costs was not
incremental as the Company and its  subsidiaries  have mostly utilized  existing
resources.

Pre-Tax and Net Income:
Income  before  taxes  increased  by 18.1% in the  first  quarter  of 1998  when
compared to the same period one year ago. The  Corporation's  Mortgage and Title
Guaranty insurance segments reflected higher pre-tax operating earnings; General
and Life insurance earnings were basically flat.

The  effective  consolidated  income  tax rate was  31.9% and 31.3% in the first
quarters  of 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The rates  for each  period  reflect
primarily  the varying  proportions  of pre-tax  operating  income  derived from
tax-sheltered  investment income  (principally  tax-exempt  interest) on the one
hand, and fully taxable investment and underwriting/service  income on the other
hand.

                                OTHER INFORMATION

Historical  data  pertaining  to the  operating  results,  liquidity,  and other
financial matters applicable to an insurance enterprise such as Old Republic are
not  necessarily  indicative of results to be achieved in succeeding  years.  In
addition to the factors cited in the next paragraph, the long-term nature of the
insurance  business,  seasonal  and annual  patterns in premium  production  and
incidence of claims,  changes in yields obtained on invested assets,  changes in
government  policies  and free  markets  affecting  inflation  rates and general
economic  conditions,  and changes in legal precedents or the application of law
affecting   the   settlement   of   disputed   claims  all  have  a  bearing  on
period-to-period comparisons and future operating results.

Any forward-looking  statements contained in this report, of necessity,  involve
assumptions,  uncertainties,  and risks  that may affect  the  Company's  future
performance.  With  regard to Old  Republic's  General  insurance  segment,  its
results can be affected in particular by the level of market  competition  which
is  typically  a function of  available  capital  and  expected  returns on such
capital among  competitors,  the levels of interest and inflation rates, as well
as periodic  changes in claim frequency and severity  patterns caused by natural
disasters, weather conditions,  accidents,  illnesses and work-related injuries.
Mortgage Guaranty and Title insurance results can be affected by such factors as
changes in national and regional housing demand and values, the availability and
cost of mortgage loans,  employment trends, and default rates on mortgage loans;
mortgage  guaranty  results  may  also  be  affected  by  various   risk-sharing
arrangements with business producers.  Life and disability insurance results can
be  impacted  by the levels of  employment  and  consumer  spending,  as well as
mortality and health trends. At the holding company level, results are generally
affected by the amount of debt outstanding and its cost.

Any  forward-looking  statements  speak  only as of their  dates.  Old  Republic
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise such  statements,  whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and accordingly they
may not be unduly relied upon.

<PAGE>
                                                                             10



                     OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                                   FORM 10 - Q
                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

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



Item 6 - Reports on Form 8-K
- ----------------------------

(a)  Reports on Form 8-K

     1. The registrant has not filed any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
        for which this report is filed.


Items other than those listed are omitted because they are not required.





<PAGE>

                                                                             11

                                    SIGNATURE



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




                                       Old Republic International Corporation
                                       --------------------------------------
                                                  (Registrant)





     Date:   May 13, 1998
          ------------------



                                                /s/ Paul D. Adams
                                       -------------------------------------
                                                   P. D. Adams
                                              Senior Vice President &
                                              Chief Financial Officer


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Old Republic International's consolidated balance sheet and consolidated
statement of income and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               2,027
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              2,304
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                2,358
<EQUITIES>                                           140
<MORTGAGE>                                             7
<REAL-ESTATE>                                          0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                     4,783
<CASH>                                                22
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                    24
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               126
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     6,949
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                    3,682
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  364
<POLICY-OTHER>                                         0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                 58
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      147
                                  0
                                            1
<COMMON>                                             155
<OTHER-SE>                                         2,057
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       6,949
                                           359
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                   68
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                    20
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        58
<BENEFITS>                                           185
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                           50
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 147
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      118
<INCOME-TAX>                                          37
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   81
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                          81
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        .58
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                         0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                    0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                      0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                     0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                       0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                        0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                0
        


</TABLE>


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