PXRE CORP
S-4, 1997-04-08
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>

<PAGE>
           AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 8, 1997
                                                 REGISTRATION NOS. 333-
                                                                   333-      -01
________________________________________________________________________________
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
                        PXRE CORPORATION                                                 PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
     (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)         (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS TRUST AGREEMENT)
                            DELAWARE                                                           DELAWARE
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)     (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
                              6719                                                               6799
    (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)           (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
                           06-1183996                                                         22-6721215
              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)                               (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>
399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLOOR             SANFORD M. KIMMEL                  C/O PXRE CORPORATION
    EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837        SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER     399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLOOR
         (908) 906-8100                AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER           EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837
 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE,              PXRE CORPORATION                      (908) 906-8100
      AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,          399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLOOR      (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE,
    INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF             EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837         AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
     REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL                  (908) 906-8100                 AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S
       EXECUTIVE OFFICES)             (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP                 PRINCIPAL
                                       CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,              EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                                    INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR
                                                SERVICE)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                WITH A COPY TO:
                            F. SEDGWICK BROWNE, ESQ.
                          MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
                                101 PARK AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10178
                                 (212) 309-6000
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE  DATE  OF  COMMENCEMENT  OF PROPOSED  SALE  TO  THE  PUBLIC: As
promptly as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
     If the  securities being  registered  on this  Form  are being  offered  in
connection  with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, please check the following box. [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                                                                    PROPOSED           PROPOSED
                                                                                    MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM          AMOUNT OF
             TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES                  AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
                      TO BE REGISTERED                           REGISTERED       PER UNIT(1)      OFFERING PRICE(1)        FEE
<S>                                                              <C>                <C>                <C>               <C>
8.85% Capital Trust Pass-through Securities'sm' of PXRE
  Capital Trust I...........................................    $100,000,000           100%          $ 100,000,000        $ 30,303
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027
  of PXRE Corporation(2)....................................        N/A             N/A                  N/A               N/A
PXRE Corporation Guarantee with respect to the Capital Trust
  Pass-through Securities'sm'(3)............................        N/A             N/A                  N/A               N/A
Total(4)....................................................    $100,000,000           100%          $ 100,000,000(5)     $ 30,303
</TABLE>
 
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2)  The Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures  due  2027  were
     purchased  by PXRE  Capital Trust I  with the  proceeds of the  sale of the
     Capital Trust Pass-through Securities'sm' (the 'Old  Capital  Securities').
     No separate consideration will be  received  for  the  Junior  Subordinated
     Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 distributed upon any liquidation of
     PXRE Capital Trust I.
(3)  No separate  consideration  will  be  received  for  the  PXRE  Corporation
     Guarantee.
(4)  This  Registration  Statement is  deemed to  cover the  Junior Subordinated
     Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 of PXRE Corporation, the rights  of
     holders  of Junior Subordinated Deferrable  Interest Debentures due 2027 of
     PXRE Corporation  under the  Indenture, the  rights of  holders of  Capital
     Trust   Pass-through  Securities'sm'  of  PXRE  Capital  Trust  I  under  a
     Declaration of Trust and the rights  of  holders  of  Capital  Trust  Pass-
     through Securities'sm' under the Guarantee of PXRE Corporation, which taken
     together fully  and  unconditionally  guarantee  the  obligations  of  PXRE
     Capital Trust I under the Capital Trust Pass-through Securities'sm'.
(5)  Such  amount  represents the  aggregate liquidation  amount of  the Capital
     Trust Pass-through Securities'sm'  to be issued and exchanged hereunder for
     the Old Capital Securities and the principal amount of Junior  Subordinated
     Deferrable Interest  Debentures  due  2027 that  may  be  distributed  upon
     liquidation of PXRE Capital Trust I.

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


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.

                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 8, 1997
 
PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 8.85% CAPITAL TRUST
PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm' (TRUPS'sm')
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 8.85%
CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm' (TRUPS'sm')
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY
[LOGO]
                      PXRE CORPORATION
       THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
          NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON               , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
     PXRE  Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the 'Trust'),  hereby offers, upon the terms and  subject
to  the conditions set forth  in this Prospectus (as the  same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the 'Prospectus') and in the accompanying Letter
of Transmittal (which together constitute the 'Exchange Offer'), to exchange  up
to  $100,000,000  aggregate  liquidation  amount  of  its  8.85%  Capital  Trust
Pass-through Securities'sm' (TRUPS'sm'), liquidation amount $1,000  per  Capital
Security  (the 'New Capital  Securities'), which have  been registered under the
Securities Act  of  1933, as  amended  (the  'Securities Act'),  pursuant  to  a
Registration  Statement (as defined herein) of which this Prospectus constitutes
a part, for  a like liquidation  amount of its  outstanding 8.85% Capital  Trust
Pass-through Securities'sm' (TRUPS'sm'), liquidation  amount  $1,000 per Capital
Security  (the  'Old  Capital  Securities'),  of  which  $100,000,000  aggregate
liquidation  amount  is  outstanding.  Pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer,  PXRE
Corporation, a  Delaware  corporation  ('PXRE'),  is  also  exchanging  (i)  its
guarantee  with respect  to the payment  of distributions and  other payments on
liquidation or redemption of  the Old Capital  Securities (the 'Old  Guarantee')
for  a like guarantee of  the New Capital Securities  (the 'New Guarantee'), and
(ii) all  of  its  outstanding 8.85%  Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest
Debentures   due  2027  (the  'Old  Subordinated  Debt  Securities'),  of  which
$103,093,000 aggregate principal  amount is  outstanding, for  a like  aggregate
principal amount of its 8.85% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
due  2027 (the 'New Subordinated Debt  Securities'), which New Guarantee and New
Subordinated Debt Securities also have been registered under the Securities Act.
The Old Capital  Securities, the  Old Guarantee  and the  Old Subordinated  Debt
Securities  are collectively referred to herein  as the 'Old Securities' and the
New Capital  Securities,  the  New  Guarantee  and  the  New  Subordinated  Debt
Securities are collectively referred to herein as the 'New Securities.'
 

 
                            ------------------------
      SEE 'RISK FACTORS'  BEGINNING ON PAGE  10 OF THIS  PROSPECTUS FOR  CERTAIN
INFORMATION  RELEVANT  TO AN  INVESTMENT IN  THE  NEW SECURITIES,  INCLUDING THE
PERIOD AND CIRCUMSTANCES DURING AND UNDER WHICH PAYMENTS ON THE NEW SUBORDINATED
DEBT SECURITIES AND THE NEW CAPITAL  SECURITIES MAY BE DEFERRED AND THE  RELATED
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH DEFERRAL.
                            ------------------------
 
     THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY  OF THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO  THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
             THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS                , 1997.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
     The  terms of the New Securities are  identical in all material respects to
the respective terms of the Old  Securities, except that (i) the New  Securities
have  been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject
to certain restrictions on transfer applicable  to the Old Securities, (ii)  the
New  Capital Securities  will not provide  for any increase  in the distribution
rate thereon, and (iii)  the New Subordinated Debt  Securities will not  provide
for  any increase in the interest rate  thereon. See 'Description of the Capital
Securities.' The New Capital Securities are being offered for exchange in  order
to  satisfy certain  obligations of  PXRE and  the Trust  under the Registration
Rights Agreement, dated January 29, 1997 (the 'Registration Rights  Agreement'),
among PXRE, the Trust and Salomon Brothers Inc, as representative of the Initial
Purchasers  (as defined herein) of the Old Capital Securities. In the event that
the Exchange  Offer is  consummated,  any Old  Capital Securities  which  remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will vote together with the
New  Capital  Securities issued  in the  Exchange  Offer as  a single  class for
purposes  of  determining  whether  holders  of  the  requisite  percentage   in
outstanding  liquidation amount thereof have  taken certain actions or exercised
certain rights under the Declaration (as defined herein).
 
     The Old Capital Securities and the New Capital Securities are  collectively
referred  to  herein as  the 'Capital  Securities.'  The Old  Capital Securities
represent, and the New Capital Securities when issued will represent,  undivided
beneficial  interests in the  assets of the  Trust. PXRE owns  all of the common
securities  of  the  Trust  (the  'Common  Securities')  representing  undivided
beneficial  interests in the assets of the  Trust. The Trust exists for the sole
purpose of issuing the Common  Securities and the Capital Securities  (together,
the  'Trust Securities') and investing the  proceeds thereof in the Subordinated
Debt Securities  (as  defined  herein)  and  certain  other  limited  activities
described herein.
 
     The  Old  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  and  the  New  Subordinated  Debt
Securities are  collectively  referred  to  herein  as  the  'Subordinated  Debt
Securities'  and  the  Old  Guarantee and  the  New  Guarantee  are collectively
referred to herein as the 'Guarantee.' The Old Subordinated Debt Securities  and
the  Old Guarantee  are, and  the New Subordinated  Debt Securities  and the New
Guarantee when issued will  be, unsecured obligations of  PXRE, and are or  will
be,  as the case  may be, subordinated and  junior in right  of payment to other
existing  and  future  indebtedness  of  PXRE,  as  described  herein.  Upon   a
Declaration  Event of  Default (as defined  herein), the holders  of the Capital
Securities will have a preference over the holders of the Common Securities with
respect  to  distributions  and   payments  upon  redemption,  liquidation   and
otherwise.
 
     Holders  of the  Capital Securities are,  or will  be, as the  case may be,
entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of 8.85% per
annum of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security,  accruing
from  January  29,  1997, the  date  of  original issuance  of  the  Old Capital
Securities, and (subject to extensions of distribution payment periods described
below) payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each  year,
commencing August 1, 1997 ('distributions'). The payment of distributions on the
Capital  Securities out of moneys held by  the Trust and payments on liquidation
of the Trust or the  redemption of the Capital  Securities, as set forth  below,
are  guaranteed  by PXRE  as  provided in  the  Guarantee. The  Guarantee covers
payments of distributions and other payments  on the Capital Securities only  if
and to the extent that the Trust has funds available therefor in accordance with
the  terms  of the  Declaration (as  defined  herein), which  funds will  not be
available except to the extent PXRE  has made payments of interest or  principal
(or  premium, if any) or other payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities held
by the Trust.
 
     The Guarantee,  when  taken  together with  PXRE's  obligations  under  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities,  the Declaration,  and the  Indenture (as defined
herein), including  its obligations  to  pay costs,  expenses, debts  and  other
obligations  of the  Trust (other  than with  respect to  the Trust Securities),
provides a full and unconditional guarantee  on a subordinated basis by PXRE  of
amounts  due on  the Capital Securities.  See 'Risk Factors  -- Guarantee Covers
Distributions and Other  Payments Only  to the  Extent the  Trust Has  Available
Funds;  Related Remedies.' The  obligations of PXRE under  the Guarantee and the
Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinate and  junior in right of payment  to
all  present and  future Senior Indebtedness  (as defined herein)  of PXRE, rank
pari passu with the obligations to, or rights, of PXRE's other general unsecured
creditors and are also effectively
 
                                       ii
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
subordinate to claims of  creditors of PXRE's subsidiaries.  As of December  31,
1996,  PXRE had approximately $64,725,000 of Senior Indebtedness, which has been
reduced to $36,725,000 to the date  of this Prospectus by reason of  repurchases
in  the market by PXRE. There are  no terms in the Subordinated Debt Securities,
the Capital Securities or the  Guarantee that limit the  ability of PXRE or  its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks
senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee.
 
     The  distribution rate and the distribution payment dates and other payment
dates for  the Capital  Securities  will correspond  to  the interest  rate  and
interest  payment  dates  and  other  payment  dates  on  the  Subordinated Debt
Securities, which are the sole assets of the Trust. As a result, if no principal
(or premium, if any) or interest is paid on the Subordinated Debt Securities, no
amounts will be paid on the Capital Securities. If PXRE does not make  principal
(or  premium, if any) or interest  payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities,
the Trust will not  have sufficient funds to  make distributions on the  Capital
Securities,  and the  Guarantee will  not apply  to distributions  for which the
Trust has insufficient legally available funds.
 
     PXRE has the right,  subject to the conditions  set forth herein, to  defer
payments  of  interest  on the  Subordinated  Debt Securities  by  extending the
interest payment period on the Subordinated Debt Securities at any time and from
time to time  for up to  10 consecutive semiannual  periods (each such  extended
interest  payment  period, an  'Extension Period'),  provided that  no Extension
Period may extend beyond  the maturity of the  Subordinated Debt Securities.  If
interest  payments are so deferred, distributions  on the Capital Securities and
the Common  Securities  will also  be  deferred  and PXRE  (subject  to  certain
exceptions  set forth herein) will  not be permitted to  declare or pay any such
distributions with respect to  PXRE's capital stock  (which includes common  and
preferred  stock) or to make any payment with respect to debt securities of PXRE
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.  During
any  such  Extension  Period,  distributions  will  continue  to  accrue  at the
distribution rate equal to  8.85% per annum  for Capital Securities,  compounded
semiannually  (to the  extent permitted by  applicable law), and  holders of the
Capital Securities will be  subject to United States  federal income tax on  the
deferred  amounts in  advance of receipt  of cash distributions  with respect to
such deferred interest payments.  There could be  multiple Extension Periods  of
varying  lengths, each up  to 10 consecutive  semiannual periods, throughout the
term of the Subordinated Debt  Securities. See 'Description of the  Subordinated
Debt   Securities  --   Option  to   Extend  Interest   Payment  Period,'  'Risk
Factors -- Option to  Extend Interest Payment  Period for Up  to Five Years  and
Consequent  Deferral of Distribution  on Capital Securities'  and 'United States
Federal Income Taxation -- US Holders -- Original Issue Discount.'
 
     The Subordinated Debt Securities  are redeemable, in whole  or in part,  by
PXRE  at the Call Price (as defined herein), plus accrued and unpaid interest to
the  date  of  redemption,  on  or   after  February  1,  2007  (the   'Optional
Redemptions').  In  certain  limited circumstances  described  herein,  upon the
occurrence of a Tax  Event or of  an Investment Company  Event (each as  defined
herein),  the Subordinated Debt Securities also are redeemable by PXRE, in whole
or in  part at  any time,  at (i)  par  in the  case of  a redemption  upon  the
occurrence of a Tax Event, (ii) the Make-Whole Amount (as defined herein) in the
case of a redemption upon the occurrence of an Investment Company Event prior to
February  1, 2007, or (iii) the Call Price  in the case of a redemption upon the
occurrence of an Investment Company Event on or after February 1, 2007, in  each
case  together  with accrued  and unpaid  interest  thereon to  the date  of the
redemption. Upon redemption  by PXRE  or at  maturity of  the Subordinated  Debt
Securities,  the Trust  must redeem  on a  pro rata  basis its  Trust Securities
having an aggregate liquidation amount  equal to the aggregate principal  amount
of the Subordinated Debt Securities so redeemed or matured at a redemption price
equal  to (i) $1,000 per Trust Security, if redeemed either upon the maturity of
the Subordinated Debt Securities  or upon the occurrence  and continuation of  a
Tax Event under certain limited circumstances described herein, (ii) in the case
of  a  redemption prior  to  February 1,  2007  following the  occurrence  of an
Investment Company Event, an amount per  Trust Security equal to the  Make-Whole
Amount  for a  corresponding $1,000  principal amount  of the  Subordinated Debt
Securities or (iii) in the case of any Optional Redemption of Subordinated  Debt
Securities or a redemption on or after February 1, 2007 following the occurrence
of
 
                                      iii
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
an  Investment Company Event, an amount per  Trust Security equal to the product
of $1,000 and the applicable percentage used to determine the Call Price for the
Subordinated Debt Securities  being redeemed,  plus, in all  cases, accrued  and
unpaid  distributions on such Trust Securities  to the date fixed for redemption
(the price specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein  as
the 'Redemption Price'). See 'Description of the Capital
Securities  -- Redemption,' 'Description of the  Capital Securities -- Tax Event
and Investment Company  Event Redemption' and  'Description of the  Subordinated
Debt Securities.'
 
     PXRE,  as the holder of  all of the outstanding  Common Securities, has the
right at any time  to terminate the Trust  (including, without limitation,  upon
the  occurrence  of a  Tax  Event or  an  Investment Company  Event)  and, after
satisfaction of  liabilities  to creditors  of  the  Trust (to  the  extent  not
satisfied  by PXRE), cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to be distributed to
the holders of the Trust Securities, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the
aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof, in liquidation of the Trust.
 
     In the  event of  the involuntary  or voluntary  liquidation,  dissolution,
winding  up  or  termination of  the  Trust,  other than  in  connection  with a
redemption or maturity of Subordinated Debt Securities as described above, after
satisfaction of  liabilities  to creditors  of  the  Trust (to  the  extent  not
satisfied  by PXRE),  the holders  of the  Capital Securities  generally will be
entitled to  receive the  stated  liquidation amount  thereof plus  accrued  and
unpaid  distributions thereon to the date of payment, unless, in connection with
such dissolution,  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities held  by  the  Trust  are
distributed  to the  holders of  the Trust  Securities as  would be  required in
certain circumstances. The holders of the Common Securities will be entitled  to
receive  distributions upon  any liquidation  pro rata  with the  holders of the
Capital Securities, except that if a  Declaration Event of Default has  occurred
and  is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities.  See  'Description   of  the  Capital   Securities  --   Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution.'
 
     The  Old Capital Securities  and the Old  Subordinated Debt Securities have
been issued and may  be transferred only in  blocks having a stated  liquidation
amount  or an aggregate principal  amount, as the case may  be, of not less than
$100,000  (100  Old  Capital  Securities).  See  'Description  of  the   Capital
Securities  -- Restrictions on Transfer.' The New Capital Securities and the New
Subordinated Debt Securities will not be so restricted.
 
     Based on  interpretations  by the  staff  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the 'Commission'), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties,  PXRE and the Trust believe that  the New Securities issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by
holders thereof (other than  any holder that  is an 'affiliate'  of PXRE or  the
Trust  as defined under Rule 405 of  the Securities Act) without compliance with
the registration  and  prospectus delivery  provisions  of the  Securities  Act;
provided  that such New Securities  are acquired in the  ordinary course of such
holders' business and  such holders are  not engaged  in, and do  not intend  to
engage  in, a  distribution of  such New Securities  and have  no arrangement or
understanding with any  person to participate  in the distribution  of such  New
Securities. However, the staff of the Commission has not considered the Exchange
Offer  in the context of a no-action letter,  and there can be no assurance that
the staff of the Commission would  make a similar determination with respect  to
the  Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances. By tendering the Old Capital
Securities in exchange  for New  Capital Securities,  each holder  other than  a
broker-dealer,  will represent  to PXRE  and the  Trust that:  (i) it  is not an
affiliate of PXRE  or the Trust  (as defined  under Rule 405  of the  Securities
Act);  (ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it were acquired in the
course of its ordinary business;  and (iii) it is not  engaged in, and does  not
intend  to engage in,  a distribution of  the New Capital  Securities and has no
arrangement or understanding with  any person to  participate in a  distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the New Capital Securities.
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account
pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer  must  acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver a
prospectus in connection  with any resale  of such New  Capital Securities.  The
Letter  of  Transmittal states  that  by so  acknowledging  and by  delivering a
prospectus, a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is  an
'underwriter' within the meaning
 
                                       iv
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
of  the Securities Act.  This Prospectus, as  it may be  amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales  of
New  Capital Securities  received in exchange  for Old  Capital Securities where
such Old Capital Securities were acquired  by such broker-dealer as a result  of
market-making  activities or other  trading activities. PXRE  and the Trust have
agreed that, starting on the date on which the Exchange Offer is consummated and
ending on the close of  business one year after such  date, they will make  this
Prospectus  available to any  broker-dealer for use in  connection with any such
resale. See 'Plan of Distribution.'
 
     In that regard, each Exchanging  Dealer (as defined herein) who  surrenders
Old  Capital Securities pursuant  to the Exchange  Offer will be  deemed to have
agreed, by execution of the Letter of  Transmittal or by delivery of an  Agent's
Message (as defined herein), that, upon receipt of notice from PXRE or the Trust
of  the occurrence  of any event  or the discovery  of any fact  which makes any
statement contained or incorporated  by reference in  this Prospectus untrue  in
any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material
fact  necessary in  order to  make the  statements contained  or incorporated by
reference herein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were  made,
not  misleading, or of the  occurrence of certain other  events specified in the
Registration Rights Agreement, such Exchanging  Dealer will suspend the sale  of
New  Securities pursuant to this Prospectus until  PXRE or the Trust has amended
or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has
furnished copies of the  amended or supplemented  Prospectus to such  Exchanging
Dealer,  or  PXRE  or the  Trust  has given  notice  that  the sale  of  the New
Securities may be resumed, as the case may be.
 
     Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary market
and no public market for the Old Capital Securities. The New Capital  Securities
will  be a new issue  of securities for which there  currently is no market. The
New Capital Securities will not be listed on a securities exchange and there can
be no assurance as  to the development  or liquidity of any  market for the  New
Capital Securities.
 
     Any  Old Capital Securities not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer
will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and will  be
subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Declaration (except
for  those  rights which  terminate upon  consummation  of the  Exchange Offer).
Following consummation  of  the  Exchange  Offer, the  holders  of  Old  Capital
Securities  will continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon
transfer thereof and neither PXRE nor the Trust will have any further obligation
to such holders (other than under certain limited circumstances) to provide  for
registration  under the  Securities Act  of the  Old Capital  Securities held by
them. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a  holder's ability  to sell untendered  Old Capital  Securities
could  be adversely affected. See 'Risk Factors  -- Consequences of a Failure to
Exchange Old Capital Securities.'
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS AND  THE RELATED  LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN  IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS
AND  THE  RELATED LETTER  OF TRANSMITTAL  CAREFULLY  BEFORE DECIDING  WHETHER TO
TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
     Old Capital Securities  may be tendered  for exchange on  or prior to  5:00
p.m.,  New York City time, on               , 1997 (such time on such date being
hereinafter called the 'Expiration Date'), unless the Exchange Offer is extended
by PXRE and the Trust (in which  case the term 'Expiration Date' shall mean  the
latest  date and time to  which the Exchange Offer  is extended). Tenders of Old
Capital Securities may be withdrawn  at any time on  or prior to the  Expiration
Date.  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum liquidation amount
of Old Capital  Securities being  tendered for exchange.  However, the  Exchange
Offer is subject to certain events and conditions which may be waived by PXRE or
the  Trust and to the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.
Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part having a  liquidation
amount  of not less than  $100,000 (100 Old Capital  Securities) or any integral
multiple of  $1,000  liquidation  amount  (1 Old  Capital  Security)  in  excess
thereof;  provided that if  any Old Capital Securities  are tendered in exchange
 
                                       v
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
in part, the  untendered liquidation  amount must  be $100,000  or any  integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. PXRE has agreed to pay all expenses of the
Exchange  Offer,  except  as  otherwise  specified  herein.  See  'The  Exchange
Offer --  Fees and  Expenses.' Each  New Capital  Security will  pay  cumulative
distributions from the most recent Distribution Payment Date (as defined herein)
on  the  Old Capital  Securities surrendered  in exchange  for such  New Capital
Securities  or,  if  no  distributions  have  been  paid  on  such  Old  Capital
Securities,  from January 29, 1997. Holders  of the Old Capital Securities whose
Old Capital Securities are  accepted for exchange  will not receive  accumulated
distributions  on such Old Capital Securities for  any period from and after the
last Distribution  Payment Date  on such  Old Capital  Securities prior  to  the
original  issue date of the New Capital  Securities or, if no such distributions
have been  paid, will  not receive  any accumulated  distributions on  such  Old
Capital  Securities, and will be deemed to  have waived the right to receive any
distributions on such  Old Capital  Securities accumulated from  and after  such
Distribution  Payment Date  or, if  no such distribution  has been  paid or duly
provided for, from and  after January 29, 1997.  This Prospectus, together  with
the  Letter  of Transmittal,  is being  sent  to all  registered holders  of Old
Capital Securities as of               , 1997.
 
     Neither PXRE nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance
of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. No dealer-manager is being used in
connection with  the  Exchange  Offer.  See  'Use  of  Proceeds'  and  'Plan  of
Distribution.'
 
                            ------------------------
     THE  EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT  BEING MADE TO, NOR  WILL THE CORPORATION OR THE
TRUST ACCEPT SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES  IN
ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT
BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
     NO  EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT OR  OTHER PLAN  SUBJECT  TO TITLE  I OF  THE EMPLOYEE
RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ('ERISA'), OR SECTION 4975 OF
THE INTERNAL REVENUE  CODE OF  1986, AS AMENDED  (THE 'CODE'),  NO ENTITY  WHOSE
UNDERLYING  ASSETS INCLUDE  'PLAN ASSETS'  OF ANY  SUCH PLAN  BY REASON  OF SUCH
PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY (COLLECTIVELY, 'PLANS'), AND NO PERSON INVESTING
'PLAN ASSETS' OF ANY  PLAN, MAY ACQUIRE  OR HOLD THE  CAPITAL SECURITIES OR  ANY
INTEREST  THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE
RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER  U.S. DEPARTMENT  OF LABOR  PROHIBITED TRANSACTION  CLASS
EXEMPTION  ('PTCE')  96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14  WITH  RESPECT  TO  SUCH
PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER  OR HOLDER OF THE  CAPITAL SECURITIES OR  ANY
INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED  BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING
THEREOF THAT IT EITHER (A) IS NOT A  PLAN AND IS NOT  PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES
ON  BEHALF  OF  OR  WITH  'PLAN ASSETS' OF ANY PLAN OR (B) IS ELIGIBLE  FOR  THE
EXEMPTIVE RELIEF  AVAILABLE UNDER  PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR  84-14 WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.
 
                                       vi


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     PXRE  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of  the Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  'Exchange Act'),  and  in  accordance
therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements and  other  information  with the
Commission.  Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  can  be
inspected  and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by the
Commission at Judiciary Plaza,  Room 1024, 450  Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,
D.C.  20549,  and at  the  Commission's regional  offices  in Chicago,  500 West
Madison Street, Suite  1400, Chicago,  Illinois 60661,  and in  New York,  Seven
World  Trade  Center, 13th  Floor,  New York,  New  York 10048.  Copies  of such
material can  also be  obtained at  prescribed rates  by writing  to the  Public
Reference  Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Such information may also be accessed electronically  by
means  of the  Commission's home page  on the  Internet (http://www.sec.gov). In
addition, such reports, proxy statements and other information can be  inspected
at  The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005
on which the common stock of PXRE is listed.
 
     PXRE and the Trust have filed with the Commission a Registration  Statement
on   Form  S-4  (together   with  all  amendments   and  exhibits  thereto,  the
'Registration  Statement')  under  the  Securities  Act  with  respect  to   the
securities  offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information
set forth in  the Registration Statement,  certain portions of  which have  been
omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information  with respect to PXRE, the  Trust and the securities offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration  Statement and the exhibits and  financial
statements,  notes  and schedules  filed as  a part  thereof or  incorporated by
reference therein, which may be inspected or obtained at or from the  Commission
as  described above. Statements made in  this Prospectus concerning the contents
of any documents referred  to herein are not  necessarily complete, and in  each
instance are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
     No  separate financial statements  of the Trust  have been included herein.
PXRE and  the Trust  do not  consider that  such financial  statements would  be
material  to holders  of the  Capital Securities  because the  Trust is  a newly
formed special purpose entity, all the voting securities of which will be owned,
directly or  indirectly,  by  PXRE,  has no  operating  history  or  independent
operations  and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity
other than holding as trust assets the Subordinated Debt Securities and  issuing
the  Trust Securities. In addition, the obligations of the Trust with respect to
the Trust Securities  are fully and  unconditionally guaranteed by  PXRE to  the
extent  the Trust has funds available to meet such obligations. See 'The Trust,'
'Description of the Capital Securities,'  'Description of the Subordinated  Debt
Securities'  and  'Description of  the Guarantee.'  In  addition, PXRE  does not
expect that  the  Trust  will file  reports  under  the Exchange  Act  with  the
Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The  following  documents filed  by PXRE  and Transnational  Re Corporation
('Transnational') with the  Commission are incorporated  by reference into  this
Prospectus:
 
          (i)  PXRE's  Annual  Report on  Form 10-K  for  the fiscal  year ended
               December 31, 1996 (the '1996 Form 10-K');
 
          (ii)  PXRE's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 1997;
 
          (iii) Transnational's Annual Report  on Form 10-K  for the year  ended
                December 31, 1995; and
 
          (iv) Transnational's  Quarterly Reports  on Form 10-Q  for the periods
               ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996.
 
     All documents filed by PXRE pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of  the
Exchange  Act after the date of this  Prospectus and prior to the termination of
any offering  of  securities made  by  this Prospectus  shall  be deemed  to  be
incorporated  by reference in this  Prospectus and to be  a part hereof from the
date  of  filing  such  documents.   Any  statement  contained  in  a   document
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be  deemed to be modified  or superseded for all  purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent  that a  statement  contained herein  or  in any  subsequently  filed
 
                                       1
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
document  that is  also incorporated or  deemed to be  incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified  or
superseded  shall  not  be  deemed,  except as  so  modified  or  superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     As used herein, the terms  'Prospectus' and 'herein' mean this  Prospectus,
including  the documents  incorporated or  deemed to  be incorporated  herein by
reference, as the same may be  amended, supplemented or otherwise modified  from
time to time.
 
     PXRE  WILL PROVIDE  WITHOUT CHARGE TO  EACH PERSON  TO WHOM A  COPY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON,  A
COPY  OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED  TO ABOVE THAT HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN, OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS  (UNLESS
SUCH  EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  INTO THE INFORMATION
THAT THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES). REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE  DIRECTED
TO PXRE AT 399 THORNALL STREET, EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837 (TELEPHONE NUMBER (908)
906-6785)  ATTENTION:  TREASURER.  IN ORDER  TO  ENSURE TIMELY  DELIVERY  OF THE
DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY                , 1997.
 
                                       2


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The  following summary is qualified in its  entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and the financial statements,
including the notes  thereto, appearing elsewhere  or incorporated by  reference
herein.  Prospective investors should  consider carefully the  factors set forth
herein under 'Risk Factors.' As used in this Prospectus, 'PXRE' or 'the Company'
means PXRE Corporation and its subsidiaries, except as the context otherwise may
require.
 
PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
 
     The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law pursuant
to (i)  a declaration  of trust,  dated as  of January  21, 1997  (the  'Initial
Declaration'),  and (ii) the filing of  a certificate of trust (the 'Certificate
of Trust') with the Delaware Secretary of  State on January 21, 1997. The  Trust
exists  for the  exclusive purposes  of (i)  issuing the  Trust Securities, (ii)
investing the gross proceeds from the sale of the Common Securities and  Capital
Securities  to acquire the  Subordinated Debt Securities,  and (iii) engaging in
only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto, including  engaging
in  the Exchange  Offer. Accordingly, the  Subordinated Debt  Securities are the
sole assets of the  Trust, and payments under  the Subordinated Debt  Securities
will  be the sole revenues of the Trust.  All of the Common Securities are owned
by PXRE. The principal place of business  of the Trust is c/o PXRE  Corporation,
399 Thornall Street, Edison, New Jersey 08837 (telephone number (908) 906-6785).
 
PXRE CORPORATION
 
     PXRE   provides  reinsurance  products  and  services  to  a  national  and
international market  place, principally  on  commercial and  personal  property
risks   and   marine   and  aviation   risks,   with  a   particular   focus  on
catastrophe-related  coverages.  PXRE  solicits   its  treaty  and   facultative
reinsurance  business from the worldwide brokerage market. PXRE also employs its
property reinsurance underwriting expertise and generates management fee  income
by managing business for other insurers and reinsurers.
 
     The  principal executive offices  of PXRE are  located at PXRE Corporation,
399 Thornall Street, Edison, New Jersey 08837. PXRE's telephone number is  (908)
906-6785.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
The Exchange Offer........................  Up  to  $100,000,000  aggregate  liquidation  amount  of  New Capital
                                            Securities are  being  offered  in  exchange  for  a  like  aggregate
                                            liquidation  amount of Old Capital Securities. Old Capital Securities
                                            may be tendered for exchange, in  whole or in part, in a  liquidation
                                            amount  of  $100,000 (100  Old  Capital Securities)  or  any integral
                                            multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof provided that if any Old Capital
                                            Securities  are  tendered  in   exchange  in  part,  the   untendered
                                            liquidation  amount  must be  $100,000  or any  integral  multiple of
                                            $1,000 in excess thereof. PXRE and the Trust are making the  Exchange
                                            Offer  in order to  satisfy their obligations  under the Registration
                                            Rights Agreement  relating  to  the Old  Capital  Securities.  For  a
                                            description  of the procedures for  tendering Old Capital Securities,
                                            see 'The  Exchange  Offer --  Procedures  for Tendering  Old  Capital
                                            Securities.'
Expiration Date...........................  The Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer will be 5:00 p.m., New York
                                            City  time, on                  ,  1997, unless the Exchange Offer is
                                            extended by PXRE and the Trust. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Expiration
                                            Date; Extensions; Amendments.'
Conditions to Exchange Offer..............  The Exchange Offer  is subject  to certain conditions,  which may  be
                                            waived  by PXRE and the Trust  in their sole discretion. The Exchange
                                            Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered. See 'The
                                            Exchange Offer -- Conditions to Exchange Offer.'
                                            PXRE and  the  Trust reserve  the  right in  their  sole  discretion,
                                            subject  to applicable law, at any time and from time to time, (i) to
                                            delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for exchange, (ii)
                                            to terminate the Exchange Offer if certain specified conditions  have
                                            occurred  or exist  or have not  been satisfied, (iii)  to extend the
                                            Expiration Date  of the  Exchange Offer  and retain  all Old  Capital
                                            Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, subject, however,
                                            to  the right of holders of  Old Capital Securities to withdraw their
                                            tendered Old Capital Securities,  or (iv) to  waive any condition  or
                                            otherwise  amend the terms of the  Exchange Offer in any respect. See
                                            'Exchange Offer -- Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments.'
Withdrawal Rights.........................  Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on  or
                                            prior  to the Expiration Date by  delivering a written notice of such
                                            withdrawal to  First  Union National  Bank,  as Exchange  Agent  (the
                                            'Exchange  Agent'), in  conformity with certain  procedures set forth
                                            below under 'The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal Rights.'
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities................................  Tendering holders of Old Capital Securities must complete and sign  a
                                            Letter  of Transmittal in accordance  with the instructions contained
                                            therein and forward  the same  by mail, facsimile  or hand  delivery,
                                            together  with any other  required documents, to  the Exchange Agent,
                                            either  with  the  Old  Capital  Securities  to  be  tendered  or  in
                                            compliance  with the specified procedures  for guaranteed delivery of
                                            Old Capital Securities. Certain  brokers, dealers, commercial  banks,
                                            trust  companies  and  other  nominees  may  also  effect  tenders by
                                            book-entry transfer,  including an  Agent's Message  in lieu  of  the
                                            Letter  of Transmittal. Holders of  Old Capital Securities registered
                                            in the name of  a broker, dealer, commercial  bank, trust company  or
                                            other  nominee are urged to contact such person promptly if they wish
                                            to tender Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  See
                                            'The   Exchange  Offer  --  Procedures   for  Tendering  Old  Capital
                                            Securities.'
                                            Letters of  Transmittal  and certificates  representing  Old  Capital
                                            Securities  should not be  sent to PXRE or  the Trust. Such documents
                                            should only be sent to the Exchange Agent. Questions regarding how to
                                            tender and  requests  for  information  should  be  directed  to  the
                                            Exchange Agent. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent.'
Resales of New Capital Securities.........  Based  on interpretations by the staff of the Commission as set forth
                                            in no-action  letters issued  to third  parties, PXRE  and the  Trust
                                            believe that the New Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                                            may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders
                                            thereof  (other than any holder that is an 'affiliate' of PXRE or the
                                            Trust as  defined  under Rule  405  of the  Securities  Act)  without
                                            compliance  with the registration  and prospectus delivery provisions
                                            of the Securities Act; provided that such New Securities are acquired
                                            in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are
                                            not engaged in,  and do not  intend to engage  in, a distribution  of
                                            such New Securities and have no arrangement or understanding with any
                                            person  to participate  in the  distribution of  such New Securities.
                                            However, the staff of the Commission has not considered the  Exchange
                                            Offer  in the  context of  a no-action  letter, and  there can  be no
                                            assurance that  the staff  of  the Commission  would make  a  similar
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            determination  with respect  to the Exchange  Offer as  in such other
                                            circumstances. By tendering  the Old Capital  Securities in  exchange
                                            for  New Capital Securities, each holder, other than a broker-dealer,
                                            will represent to PXRE and the Trust that: (i) it is not an affiliate
                                            of PXRE or  the Trust (as  defined under Rule  405 of the  Securities
                                            Act);  (ii)  any New  Capital Securities  to be  received by  it were
                                            acquired in the course of its ordinary business; and (iii) it is  not
                                            engaged  in, and does not intend to  engage in, a distribution of the
                                            New Capital Securities and has  no arrangement or understanding  with
                                            any  person to participate  in a distribution  (within the meaning of
                                            the Securities Act) of the New Capital Securities.
                                            Each broker-dealer that receives New  Capital Securities for its  own
                                            account  pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
                                            deliver a  prospectus  in connection  with  any resale  of  such  New
                                            Capital  Securities.  The Letter  of  Transmittal states  that  by so
                                            acknowledging and by  delivering a prospectus,  a broker-dealer  will
                                            not be deemed to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the meaning
                                            of  the  Securities Act.  This Prospectus,  as it  may be  amended or
                                            supplemented from time  to time, may  be used by  a broker-dealer  in
                                            connection  with  resales  of  New  Capital  Securities  received  in
                                            exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities
                                            were acquired  by such  broker-dealer as  a result  of  market-making
                                            activities  or  other trading  activities.  PXRE and  the  Trust have
                                            agreed that, starting  on the  date on  which the  Exchange Offer  is
                                            consummated  and ending on the close  of business one year after such
                                            date, they will make this  Prospectus available to any  broker-dealer
                                            for   use  in  connection   with  any  such   resale.  See  'Plan  of
                                            Distribution.'
                                            In that regard,  each Exchanging  Dealer who  surrenders Old  Capital
                                            Securities  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer will  be deemed  to have
                                            agreed, by execution of the Letter  of Transmittal or delivery of  an
                                            Agent's  Message, that, upon receipt of notice from PXRE or the Trust
                                            of the occurrence  of any event  or the discovery  of any fact  which
                                            makes  any statement contained  or incorporated by  reference in this
                                            Prospectus untrue  in  any  material respect  or  which  causes  this
                                            Prospectus  to omit  to state a  material fact necessary  in order to
                                            make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in
                                            the light  of  the circumstances  under  which they  were  made,  not
                                            misleading, or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in
                                            the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  such  Exchanging  Dealer  will
                                            suspend the sale of New Securities pursuant to this Prospectus  until
                                            PXRE  or the  Trust has  amended or  supplemented this  Prospectus to
                                            correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the
                                            amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Exchanging Dealer, or PXRE
                                            or the Trust has given notice that the sale of the New Securities may
                                            be resumed, as the case may be.
Exchange Agent............................  The Exchange  Agent is  First Union  National Bank.  The address  and
                                            telephone  and facsimile numbers of the  Exchange Agent are set forth
                                            under 'The Exchange  Offer -- Exchange  Agent' and in  the Letter  of
                                            Transmittal.
Use of Proceeds...........................  Neither  PXRE nor the  Trust will receive any  cash proceeds from the
                                            issuance of the New  Capital Securities offered  hereby. See 'Use  of
                                            Proceeds.'
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences;
  ERISA Considerations....................  Holders  of Old Capital Securities  should review the information set
                                            forth under  'United  States  Federal  Income  Taxation'  and  'ERISA
                                            Considerations'  prior  to tendering  Old  Capital Securities  in the
                                            Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
 
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     The Exchange Offer  applies to  the Old Securities.  The terms  of the  New
Securities are identical in all material respects to the respective terms of the
Old  Securities, except that  (i) the New Securities  have been registered under
the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject to certain restrictions  on
transfer  applicable to the Old Securities, (ii) the New Capital Securities will
not provide for any increase in the distribution rate thereon, and (iii) the New
Subordinated Debt Securities will not provide  for any increase in the  interest
rate  thereon. In  the event  that the  Exchange Offer  is consummated,  any Old
Capital Securities which remain outstanding  after consummation of the  Exchange
Offer  will vote together with the New Capital Securities issued in the Exchange
Offer as  a single  class for  purposes of  determining whether  holders of  the
requisite  percentage  in  outstanding  liquidation  amount  thereof  have taken
certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Declaration.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Securities Offered........................  $100,000,000  aggregate  liquidation  amount   of  the  New   Capital
                                            Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per New Capital Security).
General...................................  The  Capital Securities  represent undivided  beneficial interests in
                                            the Trust's assets,  which consist  solely of  the Subordinated  Debt
                                            Securities.  The Subordinated Debt Securities,  in which the proceeds
                                            of the Capital Securities and Common Securities are invested,  mature
                                            on  February  1, 2027,  unless the  Subordinated Debt  Securities are
                                            redeemed  by  PXRE  prior  to   such  maturity  as  described   under
                                            'Description   of   the   Capital  Securities   --   Redemption'  and
                                            'Description of the  Capital Securities --  Tax Event and  Investment
                                            Company Event Redemption.'
Distributions.............................  The  distributions payable on  the Capital Securities  are fixed at a
                                            rate per annum of  8.85% of the stated  liquidation amount of  $1,000
                                            per  Capital Security and  will cumulatively accrue  from January 29,
                                            1997, the date of  original issuance of  the Old Capital  Securities,
                                            and  (subject  to  the  extensions  of  distribution  payment periods
                                            described below) are payable semiannually, in arrears, on February  1
                                            and   August  1  of  each  year,   commencing  August  1,  1997.  See
                                            'Description of the Capital Securities -- Distributions.'
Option to Extend Interest Payment
Period....................................  PXRE has the right,  at any time, subject  to certain conditions,  to
                                            defer  payments of interest  on the Subordinated  Debt Securities for
                                            Extension Periods,  each  not  exceeding  10  consecutive  semiannual
                                            periods;  provided  that no  Extension Period  may extend  beyond the
                                            maturity date of the Subordinated  Debt Securities. As a  consequence
                                            of   PXRE's  extension  of   the  interest  payment   period  on  the
                                            Subordinated Debt Securities, distributions on the Capital Securities
                                            would be deferred (though such distributions would continue to accrue
                                            interest at a rate of 8.85% per annum compounded semiannually (to the
                                            extent permitted by law)). In the  event PXRE exercises its right  to
                                            extend  an interest payment period, then during any Extension Period,
                                            subject to certain exceptions, (i) PXRE shall not declare or pay  any
                                            dividend  on,  make any  distributions  with respect  to,  or redeem,
                                            purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,  any
                                            of  its capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or make
</TABLE>
 
                                       6
 
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<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            any guarantee payments (other than payments on the Guarantee and  the
                                            Common  Securities Guarantee (as defined herein)) with respect to the
                                            foregoing and (ii) PXRE shall not make any payment of interest on, or
                                            principal of  (or  premium, if  any,  on), or  repay,  repurchase  or
                                            redeem, any debt securities issued by PXRE which rank pari passu with
                                            or  junior to the Subordinated  Debt Securities. Upon the termination
                                            of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, PXRE
                                            may commence a new Extension Period, subject to certain requirements.
                                            See 'Description of  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  -- Option  to
                                            Extend  Interest Payment  Period.' Should  an Extension  Period occur
                                            with respect to the Capital Securities, holders of Capital Securities
                                            will continue to recognize interest income for United States  federal
                                            income  tax purposes. As  a result, such holders  will be required to
                                            include such  interest  in gross  income  for United  States  federal
                                            income  tax  purposes in  advance of  the receipt  of cash,  and such
                                            holders will not  receive the  cash from  the Trust  related to  such
                                            income  if such  holders dispose of  Capital Securities  prior to the
                                            record date for payment of distributions. See 'United States  Federal
                                            Income Taxation -- US Holders -- Original Issue Discount.'
Liquidation...............................  PXRE, as the holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right at
                                            any  time to terminate the Trust (including, without limitation, upon
                                            the occurrence of a Tax Event  or an Investment Company Event),  with
                                            the  result that, after  satisfaction of liabilities  to creditors of
                                            the Trust (to the extent not  satisfied by PXRE), PXRE may cause  the
                                            Subordinated  Debt Securities to be distributed to the holders of the
                                            Trust  Securities  on  a  pro  rata  basis  in  accordance  with  the
                                            respective  stated liquidation amounts thereof, in liquidation of the
                                            Trust. In addition, the Trust will be liquidated under certain  other
                                            circumstances.   See  'Description  of   the  Capital  Securities  --
                                            Liquidation Distribution upon Dissolution.'
Liquidation Amount........................  In  the   event  of   the  voluntary   or  involuntary   liquidation,
                                            dissolution,   winding-up   or  termination   of  the   Trust,  after
                                            satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the  extent
                                            not  satisfied by PXRE)  holders of Capital  Securities issued by the
                                            Trust will be entitled to receive $1,000 per Capital Security plus an
                                            amount equal to accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the  date
                                            of  payment, unless the Subordinated  Debt Securities are distributed
                                            to  holders  of  Trust  Securities  in  exchange  therefor.  If  such
                                            liquidation  distribution can be paid only  in part because the Trust
                                            has insufficient  assets  available  to pay  in  full  the  aggregate
                                            liquidation  distribution, then  the amounts payable  directly by the
                                            Trust on the Capital  Securities shall be paid  on a pro rata  basis.
                                            The  holders of  the Common  Securities will  be entitled  to receive
                                            distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders  of
                                            the Capital Securities, except that if a Declaration Event of Default
                                            has  occurred and is continuing, the  Capital Securities shall have a
                                            priority over the Common Securities. See 'Description of the  Capital
                                            Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.'
Mandatory Redemption......................  Upon  the repayment of  the Subordinated Debt  Securities, whether at
                                            maturity or upon early redemption  as provided in the Indenture,  the
                                            proceeds  from such  repayment will  be applied  by the Institutional
                                            Trustee (as  defined  herein)  to  redeem  a  like  amount  of  Trust
                                            Securities,  upon  the  terms and  conditions  described  herein. See
                                            'Description of the Capital Securities -- Redemption.'
</TABLE>
 
                                       7
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Optional Redemption.......................  PXRE has the right to redeem  the Subordinated Debt Securities on  or
                                            after  February 1, 2007, in whole at any time or in part from time to
                                            time, subject  to the  conditions described  in 'Description  of  the
                                            Subordinated  Debt  Securities  -- Redemption,'  at  the  Call Prices
                                            described herein, together  with accrued and  unpaid interest to  the
                                            date  of  redemption. Upon  the redemption  of the  Subordinated Debt
                                            Securities, the proceeds of  such redemption will  be applied by  the
                                            Institutional Trustee to redeem a like amount of the Trust Securities
                                            pro  rata at the  applicable Redemption Price and  upon the terms and
                                            conditions  described  herein.  See   'Description  of  the   Capital
                                            Securities -- Redemption.'
Tax Event and Investment Company Event
Redemption................................  If  at any time a  Tax Event should occur  and would continue despite
                                            the advancement  of  the  maturity  date  of  the  Subordinated  Debt
                                            Securities  to no  earlier than August  1, 2016, PXRE  may, within 90
                                            days of the  occurrence of  such Tax Event,  redeem the  Subordinated
                                            Debt   Securities   in  whole   or  in   part,  in   certain  limited
                                            circumstances,  at  an  aggregate  redemption  price  equal  to   the
                                            aggregate  of  the  principal  amount to  be  redeemed  together with
                                            accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. If  an
                                            Investment  Company Event should  occur, PXRE may,  within 90 days of
                                            the  occurrence  of  such   Investment  Company  Event,  redeem   the
                                            Subordinated  Debt Securities in  whole or in  part at the Make-Whole
                                            Amount, if such event should occur  prior to February 1, 2007, or  at
                                            the  Call Prices described  herein, if such event  should occur on or
                                            after February 1, 2007, in each case together with accrued and unpaid
                                            interest thereon to the date  of redemption. See 'Description of  the
                                            Capital   Securities  --  Tax  Event  and  Investment  Company  Event
                                            Redemption.' Upon the redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities,
                                            the proceeds of such redemption will be applied by the  Institutional
                                            Trustee  to redeem a like amount of  the Trust Securities pro rata at
                                            the applicable  Redemption  Price,  upon  the  terms  and  conditions
                                            described herein. See 'Description of the Capital
                                            Securities -- Redemption.'
The Guarantee.............................  The  payment  of  distributions  out of  moneys  held  by  the Trust,
                                            payments on liquidation of the Trust and payment upon the  redemption
                                            of  Capital  Securities are  guaranteed by  PXRE as  described herein
                                            under 'Description of the  Guarantee.' The Guarantee covers  payments
                                            of distributions and other payments on the Capital Securities only if
                                            and  to the  extent that  the Trust  has funds  available therefor in
                                            accordance with the terms of the Declaration, which funds will not be
                                            available except to the extent PXRE has made payments of interest (or
                                            premium, if any) or principal  or other payments on the  Subordinated
                                            Debt  Securities.  The  Guarantee, when  taken  together  with PXRE's
                                            obligations under the Subordinated  Debt Securities, the  Declaration
                                            and  the Indenture, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses,
                                            debts and other liabilities of the Trust (other than with respect  to
                                            the Trust Securities), provides a full and unconditional guarantee on
                                            a   subordinated  basis  by  PXRE  of  amounts  due  on  the  Capital
                                            Securities.  PXRE  has  also  agreed  separately  to  guarantee   the
                                            obligations  of the  Trust with respect  to the  Common Securities as
                                            described herein under 'Description of the Guarantee -- General.'
Ranking...................................  The Common Securities will rank pari passu with, and payments thereon
                                            will be made pro rata with, the Capital Securities, except that  upon
                                            the  occurrence and during the continuance  of a Declaration Event of
                                            Default, the rights of
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            the holders of the Common  Securities to receive payment of  periodic
                                            distributions  and payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise
                                            will be subordinated  to the  rights of  the holders  of the  Capital
                                            Securities.  See 'Description of the  Capital Securities -- General.'
                                            The Subordinated Debt  Securities are unsecured  and subordinate  and
                                            junior  in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth
                                            in the Indenture to all Senior Indebtedness of PXRE. See 'Description
                                            of the Subordinated  Debt Securities.' The  Guarantee constitutes  an
                                            unsecured  obligation  of PXRE  and ranks  subordinate and  junior in
                                            right of payment to  the extent and  in the manner  set forth in  the
                                            Guarantee to all Senior Indebtedness of PXRE. See 'Description of the
                                            Guarantee.'   PXRE's   obligations  under   the  Guarantee   and  the
                                            Subordinated Debt  Securities  are also  effectively  subordinate  to
                                            claims  of creditors of PXRE's  subsidiaries. See 'Description of the
                                            Guarantee.'
Voting Rights.............................  Holders of the Capital Securities have limited voting rights relating
                                            generally to  the  modification of  the  Capital Securities  and  the
                                            Guarantee and the exercise of the Trust's rights as the holder of the
                                            Subordinated  Debt Securities. Holders of  the Capital Securities are
                                            not entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional  Trustee
                                            or   the  Delaware  Trustee  (as  defined  herein)  except  upon  the
                                            occurrence of  an Indenture  Event of  Default (as  defined  herein).
                                            Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to appoint, remove
                                            or  replace the Administrators (as defined  herein) of the Trust. See
                                            'Description  of  the  Capital  Securities  --  Voting  Rights'   and
                                            ' -- Removal of Issuer Trustees; Appointment of Successors.'
Transfer Restrictions.....................  The  Old Capital Securities  have been issued  and may be transferred
                                            only in blocks having a liquidation amount of not less than  $100,000
                                            (100   Capital  Securities).   Any  such  transfer,   sale  or  other
                                            disposition of Old Capital Securities in a block having a Liquidation
                                            Amount (as defined herein) of less  than $100,000 shall be deemed  to
                                            be void and of no legal effect whatsoever. The New Capital Securities
                                            will not be so restricted.
Absence of Market for the New Capital
Securities................................  The  New Capital  Securities will  be a  new issue  of securities for
                                            which there is currently no  market. The New Capital Securities  will
                                            not  be listed on a securities exchange and there can be no assurance
                                            as to the development or liquidity of any market for the New  Capital
                                            Securities.
Trading Price.............................  The  New Capital  Securities are expected  to trade  in the secondary
                                            market at  a  price per  Capital  Security plus  accrued  and  unpaid
                                            distributions, if any, to the date of settlement. Because the Capital
                                            Securities  pay  distributions at  a fixed  rate  based on  the fixed
                                            interest rate  payable  on  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities,  the
                                            trading price on the Capital Securities may decline if interest rates
                                            rise.
</TABLE>
 
     For  additional  information with  respect to  the Capital  Securities, see
'Description of the Capital Securities,'  'Description of the Subordinated  Debt
Securities,'  'Description of the Guarantee,'  and 'United States Federal Income
Taxation.'
 
RISK FACTORS
 
     Holders of the Old Capital Securities should carefully consider the matters
set forth under 'Risk Factors.'
 
                                       9


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Holders   of  the  Old  Capital  Securities  should  carefully  review  the
information contained  elsewhere  in  this Prospectus  and  should  particularly
consider  the following matters prior to tendering Old Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer:
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC TRADING MARKET; TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
 
     There is no existing  trading market for the  Capital Securities and  there
can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any such market that may develop, the
ability  of the  holders of  the Capital Securities  to sell  such securities or
whether a trading  market, if it  develops, will  continue to exist.  If such  a
market  were to exist,  the Capital Securities  could trade at  prices higher or
lower than  their  liquidation amounts,  depending  on many  factors,  including
prevailing  interest rates, the market for  similar securities and the operating
results of  PXRE.  In  the  event that  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  are
distributed by the Trust to the holders of the Capital Securities, the preceding
considerations  would be equally applicable to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
The Old Capital Securities  have not been registered  under the Securities  Act,
and  are subject to significant restrictions  on resale (including a prohibition
on transfers resulting in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of less than
$100,000 (100 Old Capital  Securities)). Notwithstanding the registration  under
the  Securities Act of the  New Capital Securities in  the Exchange Offer, which
will generally permit  such New  Capital Securities  to be  resold or  otherwise
transferred  without further registration under  the Securities Act, holders who
are 'affiliates'  of  PXRE  or the  Trust  as  defined under  Rule  405  of  the
Securities  Act may publicly offer for sale or resell the New Capital Securities
only in compliance with such registration requirements or the provisions of Rule
144 under  the  Securities  Act.  Each  tendering  holder  of  the  Old  Capital
Securities  will be deemed to have made certain acknowledgments, representations
and  agreements  in  relation  to  its  affiliate  status.  In  addition,   each
broker-dealer  that receives New Capital Securities for its own account pursuant
to the  Exchange Offer,  where  the corresponding  Old Capital  Securities  were
acquired  by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities,  must  acknowledge that  it  will deliver  a  prospectus  in
connection  with  any  resale  of  such New  Capital  Securities.  See  'Plan of
Distribution.' The New  Capital Securities will  not be listed  on a  securities
exchange.
 
RANKING OF SUBORDINATE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE SUBORDINATED DEBT
SECURITIES
 
     The  obligations  of PXRE  under the  Guarantee  and the  Subordinated Debt
Securities are subordinate  and junior in  right of payment  to all present  and
future  Senior Indebtedness of PXRE  and rank pari passu  with obligations to or
rights of PXRE's other general unsecured  creditors. No payment of principal  of
(including  redemption payments, if any) or premium,  if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if (i) any Senior Indebtedness of  PXRE
is  not  paid when  due and  any applicable  grace period  with respect  to such
default has ended with such default not  having been cured or waived or  ceasing
to  exist or  (ii) a  default has occurred  with respect  to Senior Indebtedness
which entitles the  holder thereof  to accelerate such  Senior Indebtedness  and
such  default has  not been  cured or  waived or  ceased to  exist or  (iii) the
maturity of any Senior  Indebtedness of PXRE has  been accelerated because of  a
default.  The subordination provisions of the  Guarantee and the Indenture limit
the ability of the Subordinated Debt  Securities to be accelerated upon  default
or  for remedies to be pursued upon default  if an event of default has occurred
and is continuing with respect to Senior Indebtedness. As of December 31,  1996,
PXRE  had  approximately  $64,725,000  of Senior  Indebtedness,  which  has been
reduced to $36,725,000 to the date  of this Prospectus by reason of  repurchases
in  the  market by  PXRE.  There are  no terms  in  the Capital  Securities, the
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Guarantee that limit the ability of PXRE  or
its  subsidiaries to incur additional  indebtedness, including indebtedness that
ranks senior  to  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  and  the  Guarantee.  See
'Description  of the Guarantee  -- Status of the  Guarantee' and 'Description of
the Subordinated Debt Securities.'
 
     Because PXRE is a holding company, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Guarantee are effectively subordinated to  all existing and future  liabilities,
including trade payables, of PXRE's subsidiaries, except to the extent that PXRE
is a creditor of the subsidiaries recognized as such.
 
                                       10
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
GUARANTEE COVERS DISTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PAYMENTS ONLY TO THE EXTENT THE TRUST
HAS AVAILABLE FUNDS; RELATED REMEDIES
 
     The  terms of the Guarantee are those  set forth in the Guarantee and those
made part of the Guarantee by the  Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended  (the
'Trust  Indenture  Act'), under  which First  Union National  Bank is  acting as
trustee (the 'Guarantee Trustee').  The New Guarantee  has been qualified  under
the  Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee  will hold the Guarantee for the
benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities.
 
     The Guarantee  guarantees to  the  holders of  the Capital  Securities  the
following  payments, to the  extent not paid  by the Trust:  (i) any accrued and
unpaid distributions  required to  be paid  on the  Capital Securities,  to  the
extent  the Trust has funds  available therefor in accordance  with the terms of
the Declaration, (ii)  the Redemption  Price, including all  accrued and  unpaid
distributions  to the  date of  redemption, with  respect to  Capital Securities
called for redemption by the Trust, to the extent the Trust has funds  available
therefor  in  accordance with  the terms  of  the Declaration  and (iii)  upon a
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination  of
the  Trust (other than in connection  with the distribution of Subordinated Debt
Securities to  the holders  of  Capital Securities  in exchange  therefor),  the
lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions  on the  Capital Securities  to the  date of  the payment,  to the
extent the Trust has  funds available therefor in  accordance with the terms  of
the  Declaration and (b) the  amount of assets of  the Trust remaining available
for distribution to  holders of  the Capital  Securities in  liquidation of  the
Trust.  The  Guarantee  is  subordinated  as described  under  '  --  Ranking of
Subordinate  Obligations  Under   the  Guarantee  and   the  Subordinated   Debt
Securities.'  The holders  of a  majority in  liquidation amount  of the Capital
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy  available to the Guarantee  Trustee or to direct  the
exercise  of any trust or  power conferred upon the  Guarantee Trustee under the
Guarantee. A holder of  record of the Capital  Securities may institute a  legal
proceeding  directly  against PXRE  to  enforce the  Guarantee  Trustee's rights
without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Trust, the  Guarantee
Trustee  or  any  other person  or  entity  (subject to  certain  limitations on
pursuing remedies set forth  in the subordination provisions).  If PXRE were  to
default  on  its obligation  to  pay amounts  payable  on the  Subordinated Debt
Securities,  the  Trust  would   lack  available  funds   for  the  payment   of
distributions  or amounts  payable on  redemption of  the Capital  Securities or
otherwise, and, in such  event, holders of the  Capital Securities would not  be
able  to rely  upon the  Guarantee for  payment of  such amounts.  Instead, each
holder  of  Capital  Securities  would  rely  on  the  enforcement  (i)  by  the
Institutional  Trustee of  its rights as  registered holder  of the Subordinated
Debt Securities against  PXRE pursuant  to the  terms of  the Subordinated  Debt
Securities  or (ii) by  such holder of  Capital Securities of  its right against
PXRE to enforce  payments of  principal (and premium,  if any)  and interest  on
Subordinated  Debt Securities having an aggregate  principal amount equal to the
aggregate  liquidation  amount  of  Capital  Securities  of  such  holder.   See
'Description  of  the Capital  Securities,' 'Description  of the  Guarantee' and
'Description of the  Subordinated Debt Securities.'  Additionally, as a  holding
company,  PXRE  will  rely  primarily on  cash  dividends  from  its reinsurance
subsidiaries to  meet its  obligations  with respect  to the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities and the Guarantee. Such reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to state
regulatory  restrictions which limit  the maximum amount  of annual dividends or
other distributions available to stockholders without prior regulatory approval.
See 'PXRE Corporation.'  The Declaration  provides that each  holder of  Capital
Securities,  by acceptance thereof,  agrees to the  provisions of the Guarantee,
including the subordination provisions thereof, and the Indenture.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     If a Declaration Event of Default with  respect to the Trust occurs and  is
continuing,  then the  holders of Capital  Securities would,  except as provided
below, rely on  the enforcement by  the Institutional Trustee  of its rights  as
holder  of  the Subordinated  Debt  Securities against  PXRE.  The holders  of a
majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities will have the right  to
direct  the time, method, and place of  conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Capital Securities or
to direct the exercise  of any trust or  power conferred upon the  Institutional
Trustee  under the Declaration, including the  right to direct the Institutional
 
                                       11
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Trustee to exercise the remedies available  to it as holder of the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under
the Subordinated Debt Securities after the holders of a majority in  liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities have so directed such Institutional Trustee, to
the  fullest  extent  permitted  by  law, a  holder  of  record  of  the Capital
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against PXRE to enforce the
rights of  the Institutional  Trustee under  the Subordinated  Debt  Securities,
without  first  instituting  any  legal  proceeding  against  such Institutional
Trustee or  any other  person. (The  Institutional Trustee  will be  subject  to
certain  limitations on pursuing remedies in the  event there has been a default
on Senior Indebtedness.)
 
     Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  if  a Declaration  Event  of  Default  has
occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of PXRE
to  pay interest  or principal  (or premium,  if any)  on the  Subordinated Debt
Securities on the respective  dates such interest or  principal (or premium,  if
any)  is payable (or in the case of  redemption, on the redemption date), then a
holder of record of the Capital Securities may institute directly against PXRE a
proceeding for  enforcement  of  payment  (subject  to  certain  limitations  on
pursuing  remedies set forth  in the subordination provisions),  on or after the
respective due  dates specified  in the  Subordinated Debt  Securities, to  such
holder  directly  of  the principal  of  (or  premium, if  any)  or  interest on
Subordinated Debt Securities having an  aggregate principal amount equal to  the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such holder (a 'Direct
Action').  In connection with such Direct Action, PXRE will be subrogated to the
rights of such  holder of the  Capital Securities under  the Declaration to  the
extent  of any payment made by PXRE to such holder of Capital Securities in such
Direct Action;  provided,  however,  that  no  such  subrogation  right  may  be
exercised  so  long  as a  Declaration  Event  of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing. The holders of the Capital  Securities will not be able to  exercise
directly  any other  remedy available  to the  holders of  the Subordinated Debt
Securities. See 'Description of the Capital Securities -- Declaration Events  of
Default.'
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS AND CONSEQUENT
DEFERRAL OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     PXRE has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the
Subordinated  Debt Securities by  extending the interest  payment period, at any
time and  from  time to  time,  subject  to certain  conditions,  for  Extension
Periods,  each not exceeding 10 consecutive semiannual periods, provided that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the Subordinated  Debt
Securities.  During each such Extension  Period, semiannual distributions on the
Capital Securities would also be deferred (but would continue to accrue, despite
such deferral,  with interest  thereon compounded  semiannually to  the  fullest
extent  permitted by law)  by the Trust.  In the event  that PXRE exercises this
right to defer interest payments on  the Subordinated Debt Securities, and  such
deferral  is continuing, or if  there shall have occurred  and be continuing any
Indenture Event of Default or  if PXRE shall be in  default with respect to  the
payment  of its obligations under  the Guarantee, (a) PXRE  shall not declare or
pay dividends on, or make a distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase or
acquire, or make a  liquidation payment with respect  to, any of PXRE's  capital
stock  or rights  to acquire  such capital  stock (other  than (i)  purchases or
acquisitions of  shares of  any such  capital stock  or rights  to acquire  such
capital  stock in  connection with the  satisfaction by PXRE  of its obligations
under any employee  benefit plans,  (ii) as a  result of  a reclassification  of
PXRE's  capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of capital stock of PXRE or rights to  acquire
such capital stock for another class or series of PXRE's capital stock or rights
to  acquire such  capital stock, (iii)  the purchase of  fractional interests in
shares of PXRE's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
of such  capital stock  or the  security being  converted or  exchanged or  (iv)
dividends  and distributions made  on PXRE's capital stock  or rights to acquire
such capital stock, in each case with PXRE's capital stock or rights to  acquire
such  capital stock) or  make guarantee payments (other  than payments under the
Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee)  in respect of the foregoing,  and
(b)  PXRE shall not make any payment  of interest, principal or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any  debt securities issued by PXRE that  rank
pari  passu with  or junior  to the Subordinated  Debt Securities.  Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period,  PXRE may further extend the  interest
payment period, provided that each such Extension Period, together with all such
previous   and  further  extensions  thereof,  may  not  exceed  10  consecutive
 
                                       12
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
semiannual periods  or  extend beyond  the  maturity of  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, PXRE may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the terms
set forth herein. See 'Description  of the Capital Securities --  Distributions'
and  'Description  of  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  --  Option  to Extend
Interest Payment Period.'
 
     During each Extension  Period, if  any, each holder  of Capital  Securities
will  continue to accrue income (as  original issue discount ('OID')) in respect
of the deferred interest allocable to  its Capital Securities for United  States
federal  income tax  purposes, which will  be allocated but  not distributed. In
such event, each holder of Capital  Securities will recognize income for  United
States  federal income tax purposes in advance  of the receipt of cash, and will
not receive cash related to such income  from the Trust if such holder  disposes
of  its Capital Securities prior to the record date for payment of such deferred
interest. See 'United States Federal Income  Taxation -- US Holders --  Original
Issue Discount.'
 
     PXRE  has no current intention of exercising its right to defer payments of
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. However, should PXRE determine  to
exercise such right in the future, the market price of the Capital Securities is
likely  to be affected. A holder that  disposes of its Capital Securities during
an Extension  Period,  therefore, might  not  receive  the same  return  on  its
investment  as  a  holder that  continues  to  hold its  Capital  Securities. In
addition, as  a  result of  the  existence of  PXRE's  right to  defer  interest
payments,  the market price of the Capital Securities (which represent undivided
beneficial interests in the Subordinated  Debt Securities) may be more  volatile
than the market price of other similar securities where the issuer does not have
such right to defer interest payments.
 
PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION
 
     On  February 6,  1997, President Clinton  proposed certain  tax law changes
that would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for
interest in respect of certain debt obligations  issued on or after the date  of
first  Congressional committee action (the  'Proposed Legislation') if such debt
obligations have a maximum term in excess of fifteen years and are not shown  as
indebtedness  on the issuer's  applicable consolidated balance  sheet filed with
the Commission. Under current law, PXRE will  be able to deduct interest on  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities and, based upon  the effective date referred to in
the Proposed Legislation, such legislation would not apply retroactively to  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities. There  can be  no  assurance, however,  that the
Proposed Legislation, if enacted,  or that other  legislation enacted after  the
date  hereof,  will not  adversely  affect the  ability  of PXRE  to  deduct the
interest payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, there can  be
no  assurance that a Tax Event will not occur. See ' -- Redemption; Distribution
of Subordinated  Debt  Securities' and  'Description  of the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities -- Proposed Tax Legislation.'
 
REDEMPTION; DISTRIBUTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     PXRE,  as the holder of  all of the outstanding  Common Securities, has the
right at any time (including, without  limitation, upon the occurrence of a  Tax
Event  or  an  Investment  Company  Event) to  dissolve  the  Trust,  and, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not paid by
PXRE), cause the Subordinated Debt Securities  to be distributed to the  holders
of  the Trust Securities on  a pro rata basis  in accordance with the respective
liquidation amounts thereof, in  liquidation of the  Trust. See 'Description  of
the  Capital Securities -- Liquidation  Distribution Upon Dissolution.' Upon the
occurrence of a Tax  Event, in certain circumstances  described herein, or  upon
the  occurrence of  an Investment  Company Event,  PXRE will  have the  right to
redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities, in whole or in part, in which event the
Trust will redeem the Trust Securities on a pro rata basis to the same extent as
the Subordinated Debt Securities are redeemed  by PXRE. See 'Description of  the
Capital  Securities --  Tax Event and  Investment Company  Event Redemption' and
' -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.'
 
     Under current  United States  federal  income tax  law, a  distribution  of
Subordinated  Debt Securities upon the dissolution  of the Trust generally would
not be  a  taxable  event to  holders  of  the Capital  Securities.  However,  a
dissolution of the Trust in which holders of the Capital Securities receive cash
 
                                       13
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
would  be a  taxable event  to such holders.  See 'United  States Federal Income
Taxation -- US Holders -- Receipt  of Subordinated Debt Securities or Cash  Upon
Liquidation of the Trust.'
 
     There  can  be  no  assurance  as to  the  market  prices  for  the Capital
Securities or  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  that may  be  distributed  in
exchange  for Capital  Securities if a  dissolution or liquidation  of the Trust
were to  occur.  Accordingly,  the  Capital  Securities  that  an  investor  may
purchase,  whether in the Exchange Offer,  secondary market or otherwise, or the
Subordinated Debt Securities that a holder of Capital Securities may receive  on
dissolution  and liquidation of the Trust, may  trade at a discount to the price
paid to purchase the Capital Securities. Because the ability of the Trust to pay
amounts due on  the Capital Securities  is wholly dependent  upon PXRE's  making
payments  on the Subordinated Debt Securities  as and when required, and because
holders of  Capital Securities  may receive  Subordinated Debt  Securities  upon
liquidation  of the Trust, purchasers of  the Capital Securities are also making
an investment  decision with  regard  to the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  and
should  carefully  review all  the information  regarding the  Subordinated Debt
Securities  contained  herein  and  evaluate  the  credit  risk  of  PXRE.   See
'Description  of the  Capital Securities'  and 'Description  of the Subordinated
Debt Securities.'
 
CONSEQUENCES OF HIGHLY LEVERAGED TRANSACTION
 
     The Indenture does not  contain any provisions that  afford holders of  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities protection  in the  event  of a  highly leveraged
transaction, including  a  change  of control,  or  other  similar  transactions
involving  PXRE that may adversely affect  such holders. See 'Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities.'
 
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Capital Securities have limited voting rights relating generally
to the modification of the Capital Securities and the Guarantee and the exercise
of the Institutional  Trustee's rights as  the holder of  the Subordinated  Debt
Securities. Holders of Capital Securities are not entitled to appoint, remove or
replace  the  Institutional  Trustee or  the  Delaware Trustee  except  upon the
occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default. Holders of Capital Securities  will
not   be  entitled  to  appoint,  remove  or  replace  the  Administrators.  The
Institutional Trustee,  PXRE  and  the  holders of  a  majority  of  the  Common
Securities  are authorized to take any  action, not inconsistent with applicable
law, the Certificate of Trust or the Declaration, to ensure that the Trust  will
be  classified for United States federal income  tax purposes as a grantor trust
and will not be required to register  as an 'investment company' under the  1940
Act  (as defined herein) provided that such action does not adversely affect the
interests of the  holders of  Capital Securities  in any  material respect.  See
'Description  of the Capital  Securities -- Voting  Rights' and '  -- Removal of
Issuer Trustees; Appointment of Successors.'
 
TRADING PRICE
 
     Because the Capital Securities pay distributions at a fixed rate based upon
the fixed interest rate payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities, the trading
price of the Capital Securities may decline if interest rates rise.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     The Old Capital Securities  have not been  registered under the  Securities
Act,  or any  state securities laws  and therefore  may not be  offered, sold or
otherwise transferred except in compliance with the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and any other  applicable securities laws, or pursuant to  an
exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and in each case in
compliance   with  certain  other  conditions   and  restrictions.  Old  Capital
Securities which remain  outstanding after  consummation of  the Exchange  Offer
will  continue to  bear a  legend reflecting  such restrictions  on transfer. In
addition, upon  consummation  of the  Exchange  Offer, holders  of  Old  Capital
Securities  which remain outstanding will not be  entitled to any rights to have
such Old  Capital Securities  registered  under the  Securities  Act or  to  any
similar  rights  under the  Registration  Rights Agreement  (subject  to certain
limited exceptions). PXRE  and the  Trust do not  intend to  register under  the
 
                                       14
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Securities  Act  any  Old  Capital  Securities  which  remain  outstanding after
consummation of  the Exchange  Offer  (subject to  such limited  exceptions,  if
applicable).
 
     To  the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a  holder's ability  to sell untendered  Old Capital  Securities
could  be adversely  affected. In addition,  any trading market  for Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding after the Exchange Offer could be  adversely
affected.
 
     The  New Capital  Securities and  any Old  Capital Securities  which remain
outstanding after consummation of  the Exchange Offer  will constitute a  single
series  of Capital Securities under the  Declaration and, accordingly, will vote
together as a single  class for purposes of  determining whether holders of  the
requisite  percentage  in  outstanding  liquidation  amount  thereof  have taken
certain  actions  or  exercised  certain  rights  under  the  Declaration.   See
'Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- General.'
 
     The  Old  Capital Securities  provide  that if  the  Exchange Offer  is not
consummated by August 27, 1997 (subject to extension in certain  circumstances),
the  annual distribution rate borne by  the Old Capital Securities will increase
by 0.25% until the Exchange Offer is consummated. Following consummation of  the
Exchange  Offer, any  Old Capital Securities  remaining outstanding  will not be
entitled to  any increase  in the  distribution rate  thereon. The  New  Capital
Securities  will not be entitled  to any such increase  in the distribution rate
thereon.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
     Issuance of  the  New  Capital  Securities  in  exchange  for  Old  Capital
Securities  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer will  be made  only after  a timely
receipt by  the  Exchange Agent  of  such  Old Capital  Securities,  a  properly
completed  and duly  executed Letter of  Transmittal or Agent's  Message in lieu
thereof and all other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Old  Capital
Securities  desiring to tender  such Old Capital Securities  in exchange for New
Capital Securities  should  allow sufficient  time  to ensure  timely  delivery.
Neither  PXRE,  the Trust,  nor the  Exchange Agent  is under  any duty  to give
notification of defects  or irregularities with  respect to the  tenders of  Old
Capital Securities for exchange.
 
                                PXRE CORPORATION
 
     The  information  appearing  below  is  supplementary  to  a  more detailed
description of PXRE contained in the material incorporated by reference  herein.
See 'Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.'
 
     PXRE   provides  reinsurance  products  and  services  to  a  national  and
international marketplace, principally on commercial and personal property risks
and marine and aviation  risks, with a  particular focus on  catastrophe-related
coverages.  PXRE solicits its  treaty and facultative  reinsurance business from
the worldwide  brokerage  market. PXRE  also  employs its  property  reinsurance
underwriting  expertise and generates management fee income by managing business
for other insurers and reinsurers.
 
     In  November  1993,   PXRE  sponsored  the   initial  public  offering   of
Transnational to raise capital and take advantage of favorable conditions in the
worldwide  retrocessional  reinsurance  market. PXRE,  through  PXRE Reinsurance
Company ('PXRE Reinsurance'), retained a 21% ownership position in Transnational
and had responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Transnational, including
all the  reinsurance operations  of  its subsidiary,  Transnational  Reinsurance
Company   ('Transnational   Reinsurance').   Transnational   and   Transnational
Reinsurance had no paid employees.
 
     On December 11, 1996 (the 'Effective  Time'), PXRE completed the merger  of
Transnational with and into PXRE (the 'Merger'), pursuant to which each share of
common  stock of  Transnational was converted  into the right  to receive 1.0575
shares of PXRE  common stock. The  Merger resulted from  the realization by  the
management  and  Boards  of  Directors  of  both  PXRE  and  Transnational  that
conditions  had  become  more  competitive  in  the  retrocessional  reinsurance
marketplace,  and that the reinsurance markets,  rating agencies and the capital
markets are placing increased importance on the
 
                                       15
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
size and financial strength of  reinsurance companies, which size and  financial
strength  would be augmented by the  Merger. Following the Merger, Transnational
Reinsurance became a wholly-owned subsidiary of PXRE Reinsurance. The Merger has
been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting: therefore net income
of Transnational  (including Transnational  Reinsurance)  has been  included  in
PXRE's  consolidated  results of  operations from  the  date of  acquisition. In
addition, in December 1996, both Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard &
Poor's Rating  Services, citing  the  benefits of  the Merger,  upgraded  PXRE's
senior debt ratings to Baa3 and BBB+, respectively.
 
     In  December  1996, A.M.  Best  Company, Inc.  affirmed  PXRE Reinsurance's
rating  of  'A  (Excellent),'  representing  an  independent  opinion  of   PXRE
Reinsurance's  financial  strength  and  ability  to  meet  its  obligations  to
policyholders,  although  such  rating   may  not  reflect  the   considerations
applicable to an investment in PXRE.
 
     PXRE's  strategy is to commit and withhold its underwriting capacity and to
alter its mix of business at any given point in time to focus on business  where
management believes that above average underwriting results can be achieved, and
to supplement its underwriting commitments and generate management fee income by
managing business for other insurers and reinsurers.
 
     PXRE  has  been  pursuing  a strategy  of  focusing  on catastrophe-related
coverages. Catastrophe-related coverages  include catastrophe coverage  provided
to  ceding insurance companies and  retrocessional catastrophe coverage provided
to other  reinsurers. This  strategy  has been  designed  to capitalize  on  the
substantial  improvements in  pricing and other  terms of  these coverages which
evolved following high levels of  catastrophic loss activity experienced by  the
worldwide reinsurance industry. Coverage terms have been deteriorating since the
beginning  of 1995, in response  to which PXRE has  been contracting its premium
volume. Rather than maximizing premium growth during periods of excess capacity,
PXRE's management focuses its efforts  on preserving a proper risk/reward  ratio
in the business it maintains, moving to layers of risk that are less affected by
competitive  pressures,  or  reducing  commitments  when  necessary.  For  1996,
catastrophe-related coverages  represented  approximately 68%  of  PXRE's  gross
premiums written.
 
     PXRE  has  also been  diversifying its  exposures  and taking  advantage of
business opportunities  in  international  reinsurance  markets.  This  business
includes  both  reinsurance contracts  protecting  risks underwritten  by United
States ceding  companies  for the  foreign  operations of  their  United  States
insureds  and reinsurance in  which the reinsured  is foreign-based. In December
1996, PXRE announced  that it had,  like several other  U.S. companies, made  an
investment  in the Lloyd's of London ('Lloyd's') market, forming a new syndicate
(PG Butler Syndicate 1224). The new  syndicate will have an initial capacity  to
underwrite  'L'35 million in  annual premiums ($60 million  at December 31, 1996
exchange rates) commencing with the 1997 renewal season. Management expects  the
syndicate  will  provide  PXRE  with access  to  Lloyd's  worldwide  licenses in
insurance, reinsurance and  surplus lines, create  additional opportunities  for
PXRE  and, in conjunction with PXRE's Brussels office, further strengthen PXRE's
presence  in  the  worldwide  insurance  and  reinsurance  markets.  For   1996,
international  reinsurance (principally the  United Kingdom, Continental Europe,
Australia and Asia) represented approximately 71% of the gross written  premiums
of PXRE.
 
     PXRE  specializes  in  the reinsurance  of  property risks  and  marine and
aviation risks which involve primarily property damages. In contrast to casualty
and liability  losses,  which frequently  can  be determined  only  through  the
lengthy,  unpredictable  process  of  litigation,  property  losses  tend  to be
reported more promptly and usually are settled within a shorter period of  time.
While  engaging in a volatile business, PXRE  has a diversified book of business
on both a geographic and  attachment point basis. While  PXRE makes use of  risk
modeling  techniques, it  adds to the  discipline of its  underwriting process a
seasoned underwriting team, which consists of 16 individuals with an average  of
21 years of experience in the industry.
 
     PXRE,  PXRE  Reinsurance  and  Transnational  Reinsurance  are  subject  to
regulation under  the  insurance statutes  and  state insurance  authorities  of
various  states,  including  Connecticut,  the domiciliary  state  of  both PXRE
Reinsurance and Transnational Reinsurance. The premium rates and policy terms of
reinsurance agreements generally  are not subject  to governmental  regulations.
The  regulation  and supervision  to  which PXRE  Reinsurance  and Transnational
Reinsurance are subject relate primarily to the standards of solvency that  must
be met and maintained, licensing requirements
 
                                       16
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
for  reinsurers, the nature  of and limitations  on investments, restrictions on
the size of risks which may be  insured, deposits of securities for the  benefit
of  a reinsured, methods  of accounting, periodic  examinations of the financial
condition and  affairs  of  reinsurers,  the form  and  content  of  reports  of
financial  condition required to be filed,  reserves for losses, holding company
registration, change  of  control  and  affiliate  transaction  limitations.  In
general,   such  regulation  is  for  the  protection  of  the  reinsureds  and,
ultimately, their policyholders, rather than investors.
 
     PXRE  Reinsurance  and  Transnational  Reinsurance  are  also  subject   to
Connecticut  regulatory restrictions  which limit  the maximum  amount of annual
dividends or other distributions, including loans or cash advances, available to
stockholders without  the consent  of the  Insurance Commissioner.  The  maximum
amount  of dividends or distributions that  PXRE Reinsurance may declare and pay
to PXRE in 1997 without regulatory  approval is $40,013,000. The maximum  amount
of dividends or distributions that Transnational Reinsurance may declare and pay
to PXRE Reinsurance in 1997 without regulatory approval is $21,874,000.
 
     From  time to  time various  regulatory and  legislative changes  have been
proposed in  the insurance  industry, some  of  which could  have an  effect  on
reinsurers.  Among the proposals  that have in  the past been  or are at present
being considered are the possible introduction of federal regulation in addition
to, or in  lieu of,  the current  system of  state regulation  of insurers,  the
initiative  to create a federally guaranteed disaster reinsurance pool prefunded
by insurers,  and  proposals  in  various  state  legislatures  (some  of  which
proposals  have been  enacted) to conform  portions of their  insurance laws and
regulations to  various  model  acts  adopted by  the  National  Association  of
Insurance  Commissioners  (the 'NAIC').  Furthermore, the  NAIC has  commenced a
project to  codify  statutory  accounting  practices, the  result  of  which  is
expected  to  constitute the  only source  of 'prescribed'  statutory accounting
practices. Accordingly, that project, which is expected to be completed in 1999,
will likely  change  the  definitions  of  what  constitutes  prescribed  versus
permitted  statutory accounting practices  and will likely  result in changes to
the  accounting  policies  that  insurance  enterprises  use  to  prepare  their
statutory  financial statements. The NAIC is an organization which assists state
insurance supervisory officials  in achieving  insurance regulatory  objectives,
including the maintenance and improvement of state regulation. PXRE is unable to
predict  what  effect,  if  any,  the foregoing  developments  may  have  on its
operations and financial condition in the future.
 
     PXRE's executive offices are  located at 399  Thornall Street, Edison,  New
Jersey 08837, and its telephone number is (908) 906-6785.
 
                                       17


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The  following table sets forth  selected historical consolidated financial
information of PXRE  as of and  for each of  the years in  the five year  period
ended   December  31,  1996.  The  selected  historical  consolidated  financial
information of PXRE for each of the years in the five year period ended December
31, 1996 is derived from  PXRE's audited consolidated financial statements.  The
following  data should  be read in  conjunction with  the consolidated financial
statements of PXRE and other financial information appearing elsewhere herein or
incorporated herein by reference.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  1996                                  1993          1992
                                                                  (1)         1995        1994      (2)(3)(4)(5)    (2)(3)(5)
                                                                --------                            ------------    ---------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Gross premiums written.......................................   $114,348    $155,380    $179,684      $116,975      $ 100,951
Premiums ceded...............................................    (46,630)    (57,744)    (71,166)      (39,469)       (51,320)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Net premiums written.........................................     67,718      97,636     108,518        77,506         49,631
Change in unearned premiums..................................      5,078        (494)      2,083         1,422         (1,196)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Net premiums earned..........................................     72,796      97,142     110,601        78,928         48,435
Net investment income........................................     16,782      14,730      13,786         8,011          5,083
Net realized investment gains (losses).......................         94          85      (1,164)       (1,526)           392
Gain on sale of subsidiary(4)................................         --          --          --        10,564             --
Management fee(1)............................................      6,032       6,417       6,992         3,158            809
Agency commissions...........................................         --          --          --            --            257
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
        Total revenues.......................................     95,704     118,374     130,215        99,135         54,976
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Losses and loss expenses incurred............................     18,564      34,716      52,647        40,570         39,778
Commissions and brokerage....................................     12,874      13,251      15,026        13,339         13,162
Other operating expenses.....................................     12,262      11,237       8,365         8,917          9,332
Interest expense.............................................      6,957       7,143       7,789         2,740            319
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
        Total losses and expenses............................     50,657      66,347      83,827        65,566         62,591
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes, equity in net earnings of
  Transnational and cumulative effect of accounting change...     45,047      52,027      46,388        33,569         (7,615)
Equity in net earnings of Transnational(4)...................      3,898       5,948       4,141            84             --
Income tax provision (benefit)...............................     15,644      18,189      15,700        11,008         (3,322)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Income (loss) (before cumulative effect of accounting
  change)....................................................     33,301      39,786      34,829        22,645         (4,293)
Cumulative effect of adopting FASB No. 109...................         --          --          --            --            433
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Net income (loss)............................................   $ 33,301    $ 39,786    $ 34,829      $ 22,645      $  (3,860)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Preferred stock dividend(6)..................................          0         599       2,005         2,056          1,419
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Income (loss) available to common stockholders (before
  cumulative effect of accounting change)....................   $ 33,301    $ 39,187    $ 32,824      $ 20,589      $  (5,712)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(7)........................       7.15        7.90        6.73         12.12             --
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
  dividends(7)...............................................       7.15        7.04        4.90          6.02             --
Primary earnings per common share:
  Income (loss) (before cumulative effect of accounting
    change)..................................................   $   3.68    $   4.74    $   4.89      $   3.34      $   (1.48)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change.....................         --          --          --            --           0.11
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
  Net income (loss)..........................................   $   3.68    $   4.74    $   4.89      $   3.34      $   (1.37)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
  Average common shares outstanding(6).......................      9,046       8,275       6,710         6,170          3,851
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Fully diluted earnings per common share:
  Income (loss) (before cumulative effect of accounting
    change)..................................................   $   3.68    $   4.48    $   3.94      $   2.70      $   (1.48)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change.....................         --          --          --            --           0.11
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
  Net income (loss)..........................................   $   3.68    $   4.48    $   3.94      $   2.70      $   (1.37)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
  Average common shares outstanding(1).......................      9,060       8,874       8,847         8,380          3,851
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
Cash dividends per common share..............................   $   0.75    $   0.63    $  0.375      $  0.225      $    0.20
 
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
GAAP loss ratio(8)...........................................       25.5%       35.7%       47.6%         51.4%          82.1%
GAAP underwriting expense ratio(8)...........................       26.2        18.6        14.8          24.2           44.2
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
GAAP combined ratio(8).......................................       51.7%       54.3%       62.4%         75.6%         126.3%
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  1996        1995        1994          1993          1992
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ------------    ---------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
Cash and investments.........................................   $467,078    $269,089    $231,789      $248,949      $  81,994
Total assets.................................................    543,324     396,084     353,794       349,251        205,484
Losses and loss expenses.....................................     70,977      72,719      81,836        71,442         88,668
Notes payable................................................     64,725      67,775      69,700        75,000          5,250
Total Stockholders' equity...................................    357,678     211,162     166,771       142,690         69,728
Book value per common share..................................   $  25.63    $  24.15    $  21.27      $  18.06      $   11.20
Statutory capital and surplus of PXRE Reinsurance............   $400,133    $250,231    $211,988      $185,844      $  65,221
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1)  On  December 11, 1996, PXRE merged  with Transnational. The Merger has been
     accounted for as a purchase.  Accordingly, Transnational has been  included
     in  PXRE's consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition,
     which resulted  in incremental  earnings  of $1,253,000  in 1996.  For  the
     period  from January 1, 1996 until  December 11, 1996, PXRE recorded equity
     in net earnings  of Transnational  amounting to  $3,898,000. Fully  diluted
     average  shares  outstanding  reflects  the  shares  issued  to  holders of
     Transnational common  shares in  connection with  the Merger.  Included  in
     management  fee was $2,512,000, $3,526,000 and $3,364,000 in 1996, 1995 and
     1994, respectively, earned from Transnational prior to the Merger.
 
(2)  Effective  January  1,  1993,  PXRE  adopted  the  FASB's  SFAS  No.   113,
     'Accounting   and   Reporting   for  Reinsurance   of   Short-Duration  and
     Long-Duration Contracts'. As  a result  of such adoption,  PXRE effected  a
     December  31, 1992 balance sheet  reclassification to assets of $53,314,969
     of reinsurance  recoverables on  losses and  loss expense  liabilities  and
     $5,529,292  of  ceded  unearned  premiums in  1992,  which  were previously
     deducted from liabilities. The  adoption of SFAS No.  113 had no effect  on
     PXRE's net income for the years ended December 31, 1993 or 1992.
 
(3)  The  FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force ('EITF') reached a consensus on July
     22,  1993  regarding   Issue  No.  93-6,   'Accounting  for   Multiple-Year
     Retrospectively-Rated  Contracts by  Ceding and  Assuming Enterprises.' The
     EITF consensus requires that affected companies should accrue the lesser of
     termination penalties or the effect of prospective adjustments in rates  or
     coverages  triggered  by  the loss  event  in  the period  that  a  loss is
     recorded. The EITF  mandate required  adoption of this  consensus no  later
     than  the  third  quarter  of  1993.  As  described  in  Note  2  to PXRE's
     Consolidated Financial Statements  for the  year ended  December 31,  1993,
     PXRE  had  certain retrocessional  catastrophe  coverage for  its principal
     types of business. Certain of these  contracts provided for terms of  three
     or  more  years  and  had contractual  adjustments  regarding  rates and/or
     coverages when losses  are recovered under  these contracts. Although  PXRE
     was provided with the opportunity to cancel some of these contracts without
     penalty,  PXRE  chose  to continue  the  contracts to  obtain  the coverage
     provided  thereunder.  Accordingly,  PXRE  believed  that  the  appropriate
     application  of the EITF's consensus was to  record in the third quarter of
     1992  incremental  premiums  that  resulted  from  Hurricane  Andrew   loss
     recoveries  under these contracts. This change increased 1992 third quarter
     ceded earned  premiums  by  $5,772,000,  deferred  income  tax  benefit  by
     $1,962,000,  net loss  by $3,810,000  and loss  per common  share by $0.99.
     These adjustments were determined on the basis of losses estimated by  PXRE
     at December 31, 1992. The financial statements for years prior to 1992 were
     not affected. Also, due to additional information received during the first
     six  months of 1993 with respect to Hurricane Andrew losses, PXRE reported,
     in the second quarter  of 1993, an additional  $2,500,000 of ceded  premium
     expenses  through  the application  of  the EITF  consensus.  The statutory
     capital and surplus of PXRE Reinsurance has not been adjusted.
 
(4)  Until  the  fourth  quarter  of  1993,  Transnational  Reinsurance  was   a
     wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  PXRE  Reinsurance.  On  November  1,  1993, a
     registration  statement  relating  to  an  initial  public  offering   (the
     'Offering') by Transnational of 5,750,000 shares of Class A common stock at
     $20.00  per share was declared effective. In conjunction with the formation
     of Transnational and registration of  Transnational's Class A common  stock
     in  the Offering,  all of  the outstanding  capital stock  of Transnational
     Reinsurance  was  contributed  by  PXRE  Reinsurance  to  Transnational  in
     exchange  for the issuance  of 1,535,848 shares  of Transnational's Class B
     common stock which  caused PXRE Reinsurance's  holdings of  Transnational's
     Class  B common stock (when combined with  the 100 shares of Class B common
     stock contributed  to  PXRE Reinsurance  by  PXRE in  connection  with  the
     closing  of the  Offering) to  constitute approximately  21% of  all of the
     outstanding common stock of  Transnational immediately after the  Offering.
     Thereafter,  Transnational, through  Transnational Reinsurance, specialized
     principally in providing brokered  property retrocessional reinsurance  and
     marine  and aviation  retrocessional reinsurance  in the  United States and
     international  markets  pursuant  to  a  Management  Agreement  with   PXRE
     Reinsurance.  As a result of this transaction, PXRE recorded a gain on sale
     in the fourth quarter of 1993 amounting to $10,564,000 on a pre-tax  basis,
     representing  the difference between PXRE Reinsurance's interest in the net
     assets of Transnational Reinsurance immediately after the Offering and  the
     historical  book  value  of its  investment  in  Transnational Reinsurance.
     Subsequent to the Offering until December 11, 1996, PXRE accounted for  its
     investment in Transnational on the equity method as described in Note 1.
 
(5)  During  the second quarter of 1992, PXRE completed an offering of 1,059,800
     depository shares, each representing  1/100 of a share  of PXRE's Series  A
     Cumulative  Convertible Preferred  Stock. The  net proceeds  of $24,403,000
     were contributed to PXRE Reinsurance's surplus. During the first quarter of
     1993, PXRE completed an offering of  2,300,000 shares of common stock.  The
     net  proceeds of $46,942,000  (except for $5,000,000  which was retained by
     PXRE for general corporate purposes) were contributed to PXRE Reinsurance's
     surplus. During the third  quarter of 1993, PXRE  completed an offering  of
     $75,000,000  principal  amount  of 9.75%  Senior  Notes due  2003.  The net
     proceeds of $72,150,000 (except for approximately $3,938,000 which was used
     by PXRE  to repay  all amounts  outstanding under  and retire  a term  loan
     facility  and $15,000,000 which was retained by PXRE to provide support for
     debt service on the  Senior Notes) were  contributed to PXRE  Reinsurance's
     surplus.
 
(6)  During 1995, all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock were
     converted  into shares of  PXRE's common stock.  To date, these convertible
     preferred shares  were  the principal  reason  for the  difference  between
     primary and fully diluted earnings per share.
 
(7)  The  historical  ratios of  earnings to  fixed  charges were  determined by
     dividing consolidated  earnings by  total fixed  charges. For  purposes  of
     these  computations  (i)  earnings consist  of  consolidated  income before
     considering income  taxes, fixed  charges and  minority interest  and  (ii)
     fixed  charges  consist of  interest on  indebtedness  and that  portion of
     rentals which is deemed by PXRE's management to be an appropriate  interest
     factor.  Earnings were inadequate to cover  fixed charges by $7,615,000 for
     the year ended  December 31,  1992. The  historical ratios  of earnings  to
     combined  fixed charges and preferred dividends were determined by dividing
     consolidated earnings  by  total  fixed charges  and  preferred  dividends.
     Earnings  were inadequate to cover fixed charges and preferred dividends by
     $9,034,000 for the year ended December 31, 1992.
 
(8)  The loss, underwriting  expense and combined  ratios included under  'Other
     Operating  Data' have been derived from the audited consolidated statements
     of income of PXRE prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
                                       19
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PXRE
 
     The following  unaudited  pro  forma condensed  consolidated  statement  of
income  for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 presents operating results
of PXRE as if  the Merger, which  closed on December 11,  1996, had occurred  on
January 1, 1996.
 
     The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should
be  read  in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial statements  of PXRE,
including notes thereto, and the other financial information pertaining to  PXRE
and   Transnational  contained  elsewhere  herein   or  incorporated  herein  by
reference. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial  information
is  not intended to be  indicative of the consolidated  results of operations of
PXRE that  would have  been reported  if the  Merger had  occurred at  the  date
indicated or of the consolidated results of future operations.
 
     The  Merger was accounted for as a  purchase in accordance with GAAP. Under
purchase accounting,  the total  purchase  price is  allocated to  the  acquired
assets and liabilities based on their fair values.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    PXRE       TRANSNATIONAL
                                                                  WITHOUT       WITHOUT THE       MERGER          PRO FORMA
                                                                 THE MERGER       MERGER        ADJUSTMENTS       COMBINED
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>              <C>               <C>
Net premiums written..........................................    $ 66,321        $50,283                         $116,604
                                                                 ----------    -------------                      ---------
                                                                 ----------    -------------                      ---------
Net premiums earned...........................................    $ 70,039        $53,003                         $123,042
Net investment income.........................................      16,176         10,707                           26,883
Net realized gains (losses) on investments....................          73           (108)                             (35)
Management fee income.........................................       6,170                        $ 2,650(1)         3,520
Losses and loss expenses......................................      18,104         17,361                           35,465
Acquisition costs, operating and interest expenses(2).........      31,541         17,715          (2,650)(1)
                                                                                                       33(1)        46,639
Amortization of negative goodwill.............................                                     (2,696)(3)       (2,696)
Equity in net earnings of Transnational.......................       4,219                          4,219(1)            --
Income tax provision..........................................      14,984          9,462            (150)(4)       24,296
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
Net income....................................................    $ 32,048        $19,064         $ 1,406         $ 49,706
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
Operating income excluding net realized losses on
  investments.................................................    $ 32,001        $19,134         $ 1,406         $ 49,729
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
                                                                 ----------    -------------    -----------       ---------
Fully diluted net income per share............................    $   3.66                                        $   3.44
Fully diluted operating income per share excluding net
  realized losses.............................................        3.66                                            3.45
Fully diluted weighted average shares
  outstanding.................................................       8,749                          5,683(5)(6)     14,432
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1)  The  intercompany transactions and adjustments made under equity accounting
     are eliminated.
 
(2)  Operating expense savings which are expected to result from the Merger  are
     not included in the pro forma financial statements.
 
(3)  Under  purchase accounting,  the total purchase  price is  allocated to the
     acquired assets and liabilities based on  their fair values. The excess  of
     the  fair value of the  Transnational Class A net  assets acquired over the
     cost of the transaction, including the reversal of a deferred tax liability
     is recorded as  negative goodwill.  The deferred  tax liability  previously
     provided  by  PXRE  Reinsurance  with  respect  to  its  22%  investment in
     Transnational is, after the Merger, no longer required. The elimination  of
     the  deferred tax liability reduces the amount  of the purchase price to be
     allocated. PXRE recorded negative goodwill of $8,087,000 as a result of the
     Merger. For  purposes  of  the pro  forma  financial  statements,  negative
     goodwill  will be  amortized on  a straight  line basis  over a  three year
     period. The adjustment  of $2,696,000 represents  amortization of  negative
     goodwill for the twelve month period ended December 31, 1996.
 
(4)  This   adjustment  reflects  the  net  tax  effect  of  certain  pro  forma
     adjustments yielding a 32.8% pro forma combined effective tax rate.
 
(5)  3,000 outstanding options to purchase Transnational common stock have  been
     replaced  with  options  to  purchase PXRE  common  stock.  This adjustment
     represents the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  share  equivalents
     outstanding related to the newly issued PXRE options.
 
(6)  Upon  consummation of the Merger, each  share of Transnational common stock
     issued  and  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  the  Effective  Time  was
     converted into the right to receive 1.0575 shares of PXRE common stock. For
     purposes  of the Merger, the value assigned to the PXRE common stock issued
     was $129,422,149, including the deferred tax adjustment discussed in Note 3
     above and transaction  costs of  $1,574,000. This value  was determined  in
     accordance  with  the  EITF  95-19  consensus  that  the  value  of  equity
     securities issued  to  effect a  purchase  combination (in  this  case  the
     Merger)  should be based  on (a) the  market price for  a reasonable period
     before and  after the  date the  terms of  the acquisition  are agreed  and
     announced  (in this case  August 22, 1996), or  (b) at a  later date if the
     purchase price changes. The  PXRE common stock traded  at an average  share
     price (two days preceding and two days following August 22, 1996) of $23.35
     per  share. For purposes of the pro forma earnings per share, PXRE has used
     the $23.35  average per  share  price and  has  reflected the  issuance  of
     5,680,256 shares of PXRE common stock in exchange for Transnational Class A
     stock.
 
                                       20


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The  following table sets  forth the capitalization of  PXRE as of December
31, 1996 as  reported; and  pro forma  as adjusted to  reflect the  sale of  the
Capital  Securities. This table should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of PXRE and other financial information herein
or incorporated  by reference  herein. No  adjustments have  been made  for  any
subsequent  redemption  or purchase of outstanding indebtedness or common  stock
of PXRE. See 'Use of Proceeds.'
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                             -----------------------------------------
                                                                             PXRE AS REPORTED    PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
 
<S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>
Short-term Debt:
    Current portion of long-term debt.....................................     $          0          $           0
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
Long-term Debt:
    Notes payable(1)......................................................       64,725,000             64,725,000
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary:
    Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Trust Pass-through
      Securities of Subsidiary Trust holding solely a Company-Guaranteed
      Related Subordinated Debt(2)........................................                0            100,000,000
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
Stockholders' Equity:
    Serial preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; 0
      issued and outstanding..............................................                0                      0
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 14,705,782
      shares issued.......................................................          147,058                147,058
    Additional paid-in capital............................................      252,978,182            252,978,182
    Net unrealized appreciation on investments, net of deferred income tax
      expense of $306,000.................................................          568,405                568,405
    Retained earnings.....................................................      118,705,257            118,705,257
    Treasury stock at cost (750,876 shares)...............................      (14,090,289)           (14,090,289)
    Restricted stock at cost (53,279 shares)..............................         (630,835)              (630,835)
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
    Total stockholders' equity............................................      357,677,778            357,677,778
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
Total Debt, Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary and Stockholders'
  Equity..................................................................     $422,402,778          $ 522,402,778
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
                                                                             ----------------    ---------------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1)  Subsequent to December  31, 1996,  PXRE has  reduced the  notes payable  to
     $36,725,000  to the date of the Prospectus  by reason of repurchases in the
     market by PXRE.
 
(2)  The Company-Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable Capital  Trust  Pass-through
     Securities  of Subsidiary Trust holding solely a Company-Guaranteed Related
     Subordinated Debt reflects the Capital Securities. As discussed herein, the
     sole assets  of  the Trust  are  $103,093,000 of  8.85%  Subordinated  Debt
     Securities of the Company, which will mature on February 1, 2027. PXRE owns
     all of the Common Securities of the Trust. It is anticipated that the Trust
     will not be subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act.
 
                              ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     For   financial  reporting  purposes,  the  Trust  will  be  treated  as  a
wholly-owned subsidiary of  PXRE. Accordingly, the  financial statements of  the
Trust  will be consolidated  into PXRE's consolidated  financial statements with
the  Capital  Securities  shown  as  'Company-Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable
Capital  Trust  Pass-through Securities  of  Subsidiary Trust  holding  solely a
Company-Guaranteed Related Subordinated Debt.' In a footnote to PXRE's financial
statements there will be included a statement  that the sole asset of the  Trust
is  the Subordinated Debt Securities  (indicating the principal amount, interest
rate and maturity thereof). See 'Capitalization.'
 
                                       21
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Neither PXRE nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance
of the New Capital Securities offered  hereby. In consideration for issuing  the
New  Capital Securities in  exchange for Old Capital  Securities as described in
this  Prospectus,  the  Trust  will  receive  Old  Capital  Securities  in  like
liquidation  amount. The Old Capital Securities  surrendered in exchange for the
New Capital Securities will be retired and canceled.
 
     All of the proceeds  from the sale  of the Old  Capital Securities and  the
Common  Securities were invested by the Trust in Subordinated Debt Securities of
PXRE issued pursuant  to the Indenture  described herein. PXRE  applied the  net
proceeds  (after  payment  of  the  expenses of  the  offering  and  the Initial
Purchasers' compensation) from the sale  of the Subordinated Debt Securities  to
its  general funds to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include,
from time to  time, the redemption  or the purchase,  in the open  market or  in
privately  negotiated transactions or otherwise, of outstanding indebtedness and
common stock of  PXRE. $27,000,000 of  such proceeds have  already been used  to
repurchase  Senior  Indebtedness  in  the market and $2,360,000 of such proceeds
have been used to repurchase common stock of PXRE. The  remaining  net proceeds,
pending the  use  described  above,  have  been  invested  in  investment  grade
obligations.
 
                                   THE TRUST
 
     The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law pursuant
to  (i) the  Initial Declaration  (as such  Initial Declaration  was amended and
restated on  January 29,  1997, the  'Declaration')  and (ii)  the filing  of  a
certificate  of trust  for the  Trust with  the Delaware  Secretary of  State on
January 21, 1997. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the
Trust Securities representing  undivided beneficial interests  in the assets  of
the  Trust, (ii) investing  the gross proceeds  of such Trust  Securities in the
Subordinated Debt Securities, and (iii) engaging in only those other  activities
necessary  or incidental thereto, which include  engaging in the Exchange Offer.
All of the Common Securities of the Trust are currently directly owned by  PXRE.
The  Common  Securities of  the Trust  rank  pari passu,  and payments  are made
thereon pro rata, with the Capital Securities of the Trust except that upon  the
occurrence and continuation of a Declaration Event of Default, the rights of the
holders  of  the Common  Securities  to payment  from  the Trust  in  respect of
distributions and payments  upon liquidation, redemption  and otherwise will  be
subordinated  to the rights of  the holders of the  Capital Securities. PXRE has
acquired  Common  Securities  in  an  aggregate  liquidation  amount  equal   to
approximately  3% of  the total capital  of the Trust.  The Trust has  a term of
approximately  55  years,  but  may   earlier  terminate  as  provided  in   the
Declaration.  PXRE, as the  holder of all of  the outstanding Common Securities,
has the right at any time to terminate the Trust (including, without limitation,
upon the occurrence of a  Tax Event or an  Investment Company Event) and,  after
satisfaction  of liabilities to  creditors of the  Trust, cause the Subordinated
Debt Securities to be distributed  to the holders of  the Trust Securities on  a
pro rata basis in accordance with the respective liquidation amounts thereof, in
liquidation of the Trust.
 
     Pursuant  to the Declaration, at least one trustee of the Trust is required
to be an entity that maintains its  principal place of business in the State  of
Delaware  (the 'Delaware Trustee') and at least  one trustee will be a financial
institution that is unaffiliated  with PXRE and is  eligible to act as  property
trustee  and as indenture trustee  pursuant to the terms  set forth therein (the
'Institutional Trustee'  and together  with the  Delaware Trustee,  the  'Issuer
Trustees').  First  Union National  Bank initially  is serving  as Institutional
Trustee and  First Union  Bank  of Delaware  initially  is serving  as  Delaware
Trustee.  In addition,  three individuals  who are  employees or  officers of or
affiliated with the holder of the majority of the Common Securities, are  acting
as  administrators  with  respect  to  the  Trust  (the  'Administrators').  The
Administrators were  selected  by the  holders  of the  Common  Securities.  See
'Description  of  the Capital  Securities --  Voting Rights.'  The Institutional
Trustee holds title to the Subordinated  Debt Securities for the benefit of  the
holders of the Trust Securities and has the power to exercise all rights, powers
and  privileges  under the  Indenture  as the  holder  of the  Subordinated Debt
Securities. In addition, the  Institutional Trustee maintains exclusive  control
of  a separate,  segregated, non-interest  bearing trust  account (the 'Property
Account') to  hold  all  payments  made in  respect  of  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the
Trust. The  Institutional  Trustee  will  make  payments  of  distributions  and
payments on liquidation, redemption
 
                                       22
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
and otherwise to the holders of record of the Trust Securities out of funds from
the Property Account. Holders of Capital Securities are not entitled to appoint,
remove  or replace the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee except upon
the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default. See 'Description of the Capital
Securities -- Voting Rights' and ' -- Removal of Issuer Trustees; Appointment of
Successors.' PXRE, as borrower  under the Indenture, has  covenanted to pay  all
fees  and expenses  related to  the Trust  (other than  in respect  of the Trust
Securities) and the offering and sale of the Trust Securities. See  'Description
of the Subordinated Debt Securities -- Miscellaneous.' The rights of the holders
of  the Capital Securities, including economic rights, rights to information and
voting rights, are  set forth in  the Declaration, the  Delaware Business  Trust
Act, as amended (the 'Trust Act'), and the Trust Indenture Act. See 'Description
of the Capital Securities.'
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     In  connection with the  sale of the  Old Capital Securities,  PXRE and the
Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial Purchasers
pursuant to  which PXRE  and the  Trust agreed  to file  and to  use their  best
efforts  to  cause to  be declared  effective by  the Commission  a registration
statement with respect to the exchange of the Old Capital Securities for capital
securities which  have  been registered  under  the Securities  Act  with  terms
identical  in all material respects  to the terms of  the Old Capital Securities
(except as described  below). A copy  of the Registration  Rights Agreement  has
been  filed as  an exhibit  to PXRE's  1996 Form  10-K which  is incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
     The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual obligations  of
PXRE  and the Trust under the Registration  Rights Agreement. The form and terms
of the New Capital Securities are the same in all material respects as the  form
and  terms of the Old Capital Securities, except that the New Capital Securities
(i) have been  registered under  the Securities Act  and therefore  will not  be
subject  to  certain  restrictions on  transfer  applicable to  the  Old Capital
Securities and (ii) will not provide  for any increase in the distribution  rate
thereon.  The Old  Capital Securities provide,  among other things,  that if the
Exchange Offer is not  consummated by August 27,  1997 (subject to extension  in
certain  circumstances), the annual  distribution rate borne  by the Old Capital
Securities will increase by 0.25% until the Exchange Offer is consummated.  Upon
consummation  of  the Exchange  Offer, holders  of  Old Capital  Securities that
remain outstanding will not be entitled to any increase in the distribution rate
thereon, or  any  further  registration rights  under  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement  except under limited circumstances. See 'Risk Factors -- Consequences
of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities' and 'Description of the Capital
Securities.'
 
     The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Trust or PXRE  accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in any jurisdiction
in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
 
     Unless  the context requires  otherwise, the term  'holder' with respect to
the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital Securities are
registered on the  books of the  Trust or any  other person who  has obtained  a
properly  completed bond power  from the registered holder,  or any person whose
Old Capital  Securities are  held  of record  by  The Depository  Trust  Company
('DTC')  who  desires  to deliver  such  Old  Capital Securities  by  book entry
transfer at DTC.
 
     Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, PXRE  will exchange as soon as  practicable
after  the date hereof,  all of the  Old Subordinated Debt  Securities, of which
$103,093,000 aggregate principal  amount is  outstanding, for  a like  aggregate
principal  amount of the New Subordinated Debt Securities. The New Guarantee and
the New  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  have been  registered,  to  the  extent
required to be registered, under the Securities Act.
 
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
 
     The  Trust hereby offers, upon the terms  and subject to the conditions set
forth in  this Prospectus  and in  the accompanying  Letter of  Transmittal,  to
exchange up to $100,000,000 aggregate liquidation
 
                                       23
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
amount  of New Capital Securities for a like aggregate liquidation amount of Old
Capital Securities properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and  not
properly  withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described below. The Trust
will issue, promptly after the Expiration Date, an aggregate liquidation  amount
of up to $100,000,000 of New Capital Securities in exchange for a like aggregate
liquidation  amount of outstanding Old  Capital Securities tendered and accepted
in connection with  the Exchange  Offer. Holders  may tender  their Old  Capital
Securities in whole or in part in a liquidation amount of not less than $100,000
or  any integral multiple of $1,000 in  excess thereof, provided that if any Old
Capital Securities are tendered in exchange in part, the untendered  liquidation
amount must be $100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
 
     The  Exchange Offer is not conditioned  upon any minimum liquidation amount
of Old Capital  Securities being tendered.  As of the  date of this  Prospectus,
$100,000,000  aggregate  liquidation amount  of  the Old  Capital  Securities is
outstanding.
 
     Holders of Old Capital Securities do not have any appraisal or  dissenters'
rights  in connection with the Exchange  Offer. Old Capital Securities which are
not tendered  for, or  are tendered  but not  accepted in  connection with,  the
Exchange  Offer will remain outstanding  and be entitled to  the benefits of the
Declaration, but will not be entitled  to any further registration rights  under
the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See 'Risk
Factors  -- Consequences  of a Failure  to Exchange Old  Capital Securities' and
'Description of the Capital Securities.'
 
     If any  tendered  Old Capital  Securities  are not  accepted  for  exchange
because  of an invalid tender, the occurrence  of certain other events set forth
herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities
will be  returned, without  expense, to  the tendering  holder thereof  promptly
after the Expiration Date.
 
     Holders  who tender Old Capital Securities in connection with this Exchange
Offer will not be required to pay  brokerage commissions or fees or, subject  to
the  instructions in the  Letter of Transmittal, transfer  taxes with respect to
the exchange of Old  Capital Securities in connection  with the Exchange  Offer.
PXRE  will pay  all charges  and expenses,  other than  certain applicable taxes
described below,  in connection  with the  Exchange  Offer. See  ' --  Fees  and
Expenses.'
 
     NEITHER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PXRE NOR ANY ADMINISTRATOR OR ANY TRUSTEE
OF THE TRUST MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS TO
WHETHER  TO TENDER  OR REFRAIN FROM  TENDERING ALL  OR ANY PORTION  OF THEIR OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS  BEEN
AUTHORIZED  TO MAKE ANY  SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS  OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
MUST MAKE THEIR OWN  DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER  PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE  OFFER
AND,  IF SO,  THE AGGREGATE  AMOUNT OF  OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES TO  TENDER AFTER
READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CONSULTING WITH  THEIR
ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
 
     The  term  'Expiration  Date'  means  5:00 p.m.,  New  York  City  time, on
                    , 1997, unless the  Exchange Offer is  extended by PXRE  and
the  Trust (in which case the term  'Expiration Date' shall mean the latest date
and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended).
 
     PXRE and the Trust  expressly reserve the right  in their sole  discretion,
subject  to applicable law, at any  time and from time to  time (i) to delay the
acceptance of the  Old Capital Securities  for exchange, (ii)  to terminate  the
Exchange  Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been
accepted  for  exchange)  if  PXRE  and  the  Trust  determine,  in  their  sole
discretion,   that  any   of  the  events   or  conditions   referred  to  under
' -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer'  have occurred or exist or have not  been
satisfied,  (iii) to extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain
all Old Capital  Securities tendered  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer,  subject,
however,  to the right  of holders of  Old Capital Securities  to withdraw their
tendered Old Capital Securities as described under ' -- Withdrawal Rights,'  and
(iv)  to waive any condition or otherwise  amend the terms of the Exchange Offer
in any
 
                                       24
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by PXRE and the
Trust to constitute a material change, or if PXRE and the Trust waive a material
condition of the Exchange Offer, PXRE and the Trust will promptly disclose  such
amendment  by  means  of an  amended  or  supplemented Prospectus  that  will be
distributed to the registered  holders of the Old  Capital Securities, and  PXRE
and  the Trust  will extend the  Exchange Offer  to the extent  required by Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act.
 
     Any such delay in acceptance,  extension, termination or amendment will  be
followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and by
making  a public announcement thereof,  and such announcement in  the case of an
extension will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the  next
business  day after the  previously scheduled Expiration  Date. Without limiting
the manner  in  which  PXRE  and  the  Trust  may  choose  to  make  any  public
announcement  and subject to  applicable law, PXRE  and the Trust  shall have no
obligation to  publish,  advertise  or otherwise  communicate  any  such  public
announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate news agency.
 
ACCEPTANCE FOR EXCHANGE AND ISSUANCE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     Upon  the terms and  subject to the  conditions of the  Exchange Offer, the
Trust will  exchange,  and  will  issue  to  the  Exchange  Agent,  New  Capital
Securities  for  Old  Capital  Securities  validly  tendered  and  not withdrawn
(pursuant to  the withdrawal  rights described  under '  -- Withdrawal  Rights')
promptly after the Expiration Date.
 
     In  all  cases, delivery  of  New Capital  Securities  in exchange  for Old
Capital Securities tendered and accepted  for exchange pursuant to the  Exchange
Offer  will be made only  after timely receipt by the  Exchange Agent of (i) Old
Capital Securities or a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of  Old
Capital  Securities  into  the Exchange  Agent's  account at  DTC,  including an
Agent's  Message  if  the  tendering  holder  has  not  delivered  a  Letter  of
Transmittal,  (ii) the  Letter of  Transmittal (or  facsimile thereof), properly
completed and duly executed, with any  required signature guarantees or (in  the
case  of a  book-entry transfer)  an Agent's  Message in  lieu of  the Letter of
Transmittal and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     The term  'book-entry  confirmation'  means  a  timely  confirmation  of  a
book-entry  transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC. The term 'Agent's  Message' means a message,  transmitted by DTC to  and
received  by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation,
which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the  tendering
Participant   (as  defined  herein),  which   acknowledgment  states  that  such
Participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and
that the Trust  and PXRE  may enforce such  Letter of  Transmittal against  such
Participant.
 
     Subject  to the terms  and conditions of  the Exchange Offer,  PXRE and the
Trust will be deemed to have  accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged,  Old
Capital  Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when the Trust
gives oral or written  notice to the  Exchange Agent of  PXRE's and the  Trust's
acceptance  of such Old Capital Securities for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. The Exchange  Agent will  act as  agent for PXRE  and the  Trust for  the
purpose  of receiving tenders of Old  Capital Securities, Letters of Transmittal
and related documents,  and as agent  for tendering holders  for the purpose  of
receiving  Old Capital Securities, Letters  of Transmittal and related documents
and transmitting  New  Capital Securities  to  validly tendering  holders.  Such
exchange  will be  made promptly  after the Expiration  Date. If  for any reason
whatsoever,  acceptance  for  exchange  or  the  exchange  of  any  Old  Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer is delayed (whether before or
after  PXRE's and the Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities)
or PXRE and  the Trust extend  the Exchange Offer  or are unable  to accept  for
exchange  or exchange Old  Capital Securities tendered  pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, then,  without prejudice  to  PXRE's and  the  Trust's rights  set  forth
herein,  the Exchange Agent may,  nevertheless, on behalf of  PXRE and the Trust
and subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Capital
Securities and such Old  Capital Securities may not  be withdrawn except to  the
extent  tendering holders are  entitled to withdrawal  rights as described under
' -- Withdrawal Rights.'
 
                                       25
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu thereof, a
holder of  Old  Capital Securities  will  warrant and  agree  in the  Letter  of
Transmittal  that it  has full  power and  authority to  tender, exchange, sell,
assign and transfer Old  Capital Securities, that the  Trust will acquire  good,
marketable  and unencumbered title to the  tendered Old Capital Securities, free
and clear of  all liens,  restrictions, charges  and encumbrances,  and the  Old
Capital  Securities tendered for exchange are  not subject to any adverse claims
or proxies. The holder also will warrant  and agree that it will, upon  request,
execute  and deliver any additional  documents deemed by PXRE,  the Trust or the
Exchange Agent to  be necessary  or desirable  to complete  the exchange,  sale,
assignment,  and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     Valid Tender.  Except  as  set  forth  below,  in  order  for  Old  Capital
Securities  to be  validly tendered pursuant  to the Exchange  Offer, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter  of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof),  with
any  required signature guarantees  or (in the  case of a  book-entry tender) an
Agent's Message in  lieu of  the Letter of  Transmittal and  any other  required
documents, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under
'  -- Exchange Agent,' on  or prior to the Expiration  Date and (i) tendered Old
Capital Securities must  be received  by the Exchange  Agent, or  (ii) such  Old
Capital  Securities must be  tendered pursuant to  the procedures for book-entry
transfer set forth  below and  a book-entry confirmation,  including an  Agent's
Message  if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal, must
be received by the Exchange  Agent, in each case on  or prior to the  Expiration
Date,  or  (iii) the  guaranteed  delivery procedures  set  forth below  must be
complied with.
 
     If less than all  of the Old Capital  Securities are tendered, a  tendering
holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered in the
appropriate  box  on the  Letter of  Transmittal  or so  indicate in  an Agent's
Message in lieu of the Letter of  Transmittal. The entire amount of Old  Capital
Securities  delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated. See ' -- Terms of Exchange.'
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES,  THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND  ALL
OTHER  REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS, IS  AT THE  OPTION  AND SOLE  RISK OF  THE TENDERING
HOLDER, AND DELIVERY  WILL BE  DEEMED MADE ONLY  WHEN ACTUALLY  RECEIVED BY  THE
EXCHANGE  AGENT.  IF  DELIVERY  IS  BY  MAIL,  REGISTERED  MAIL,  RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
     Book Entry  Transfer. The  Exchange Agent  will establish  an account  with
respect  to the Old Capital Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer
within two  business days  after  the date  of  this Prospectus.  Any  financial
institution  that is a Participant in  DTC's book-entry transfer facility system
may make a book-entry delivery of the  Old Capital Securities by causing DTC  to
transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in
accordance  with DTC's procedures  for transfers. However,  although delivery of
Old Capital Securities  may be  effected through  book entry  transfer into  the
Exchange  Agent's  account  at DTC,  the  Letter of  Transmittal  (or facsimile,
thereof), properly  completed and  duly executed,  with any  required  signature
guarantees,  or an Agent's Message  in lieu of a  Letter of Transmittal, and any
other required documents, must in any case  be delivered to and received by  the
Exchange  Agent at its address set forth under  ' -- Exchange Agent' on or prior
to the Expiration  Date, or the  guaranteed delivery procedure  set forth  below
must be complied with.
 
     DELIVERY  OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN  ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
     Signature Guarantees. Certificates for the Old Capital Securities need  not
be   endorsed  and  signature  guarantees  on  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  are
unnecessary  unless  (i)  a  certificate  for  the  Old  Capital  Securities  is
registered  in a name other than that of the person surrendering the certificate
or (ii)  such registered  holder completes  the box  entitled 'Special  Issuance
Instructions'  or 'Special Delivery Instructions'  in the Letter of Transmittal.
In   the    case   of    (i)   or    (ii)   above,    such   certificates    for
 
                                       26
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Old  Capital  Securities must  be  duly endorsed  or  accompanied by  a properly
executed bond power, with the endorsement or signature on the bond power and  on
the  Letter of Transmittal  guaranteed by a  firm or other  entity identified in
Rule 17Ad-15  under the  Exchange Act  as an  'eligible guarantor  institution,'
including  (as  such terms  are defined  therein):  (i) a  bank; (ii)  a broker,
dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or
dealer; (iii) a credit  union; (iv) a  national securities exchange,  registered
securities  association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is
a participant in a Securities Transfer Association (an 'Eligible  Institution'),
unless  surrendered on behalf of such Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to
the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     Guaranteed Delivery. If a holder  desires to tender Old Capital  Securities
pursuant  to  the  Exchange Offer  and  the  certificates for  such  Old Capital
Securities are not immediately  available or time will  not permit all  required
documents  to reach the Exchange Agent on  or before the Expiration Date, or the
procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be  completed on a timely basis,  such
Old  Capital Securities may  nevertheless be tendered, provided  that all of the
following guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with:
 
          (i)  such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;
 
          (ii)  a properly  completed and  duly  executed Notice  of  Guaranteed
                Delivery,  substantially in the form  accompanying the Letter of
                Transmittal, is  received by  the  Exchange Agent,  as  provided
                below, on or prior to Expiration Date; and
 
          (iii) the  certificates (or book-entry  confirmation) representing all
                tendered Old Capital  Securities, in proper  form for  transfer,
                together,  with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
                Transmittal  (or  facsimile  thereof  or,  in  the  case  of   a
                book-entry  transfer, an Agent's Message  in lieu thereof), with
                any  required  signature  guarantees  and  any  other  documents
                required  by  the  Letter  of Transmittal  are  received  by the
                Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
                after the  date  of  execution  of  such  Notice  of  Guaranteed
                Delivery.
 
     The  Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange  Agent, and must include a guarantee by  an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.
 
     Notwithstanding  any other provisions  hereof, the delivery  of New Capital
Securities in  exchange for  Old Capital  Securities tendered  and accepted  for
exchange  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer will  in all cases  be made only after
timely receipt by the  Exchange Agent of  such Old Capital  Securities, or of  a
book-entry  confirmation  with respect  to such  Old  Capital Securities,  and a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof
or, in the case of a book-entry  transfer, an Agent's Message in lieu  thereof),
together with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required
by  the  Letter  of  Transmittal.  Accordingly,  the  delivery  of  New  Capital
Securities might not be made to all tendering holders at the same time, and will
depend upon when Old Capital  Securities, book-entry confirmations with  respect
to  Old  Capital Securities  and other  required documents  are received  by the
Exchange Agent.
 
     PXRE's and the Trust's  acceptance for exchange  of Old Capital  Securities
tendered  pursuant to  any of the  procedures described above  will constitute a
binding agreement among the tendering holder, PXRE and the Trust upon the  terms
and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
     Determination  of  Validity. All  questions as  to  the form  of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of
any tendered Old Capital Securities will be determined by PXRE and the Trust, in
their sole discretion,  whose determination shall  be final and  binding on  all
parties.  PXRE  and  the  Trust  reserve  the  absolute  right,  in  their  sole
discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by them not to be in proper
form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of counsel to
PXRE or the Trust,  be unlawful. PXRE  and the Trust  also reserve the  absolute
right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange
Offer as set forth under ' -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer' or any condition
or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital Securities of any particular holder
whether  or not similar conditions  or irregularities are waived  in the case of
other holders.
 
                                       27
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     PXRE's and the Trust's  interpretation of the terms  and conditions of  the
Exchange  Offer  (including  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  and  the instructions
thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital Securities will  be
deemed  to have been validly made until  all irregularities with respect to such
tender have been  cured or waived.  Neither PXRE, the  Trust, any affiliates  or
assigns  of PXRE or the Trust, the Exchange  Agent nor any other person shall be
under any duty  to give  any notification of  any irregularities  in tenders  or
incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.
 
     If  any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement,  bond power, power of attorney,
or any other  document required  by the  Letter of  Transmittal is  signed by  a
trustee,  executor,  administrator,  guardian,  attorney-in-fact,  officer  of a
corporation or other person  acting in a  fiduciary or representative  capacity,
such  person should so indicate  when signing, and, unless  waived by the Trust,
proper evidence satisfactory to PXRE and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of
such person's authority to so act must be submitted.
 
     A beneficial owner of Old Capital Securities that are held by or registered
in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
or custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such beneficial  holder
wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.
 
RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     Based  on existing interpretations by the staff of the Commission set forth
in no-action letters to third parties, and subject to the immediately  following
sentence,  PXRE and the Trust believe that New Securities issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Securities may be offered for resale,  resold
and  otherwise transferred by  a holder thereof  without further compliance with
the registration and  prospectus delivery  requirements of  the Securities  Act,
provided  that such New Securities  are acquired in the  ordinary course of such
holder's business  and  that  such  holder is  not  participating,  and  has  no
arrangement  or understanding with any person  to participate, in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Securities. However,  any
holder  of Old Capital  Securities who is  an 'affiliate' of  either PXRE or the
Trust, a broker-dealer that acquires the Old Capital Securities in a transaction
other than a  part of  its market-making or  other trading  activities or  other
holder  who intends  to participate  in the  Exchange Offer  for the  purpose of
distributing New  Capital  Securities  (i) will  not  be  able to  rely  on  the
interpretations  by the staff of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned
interpretative letters,  (ii)  will not  be  able  to tender  such  Old  Capital
Securities  in the Exchange  Offer, and (iii) must  comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements  of the Securities  Act in connection  with
any  sale or other transfer  of such Old Capital  Securities unless such sale is
made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. Neither PXRE nor the Trust
sought its own no-action letter and there can be no assurance that the staff  of
the  Commission would make a similar  determination with respect to the Exchange
Offer as it has in such no-action letters to third parties.
 
     Each holder  of Old  Capital Securities  (other than  a broker-dealer)  who
wishes  to exchange  Old Capital  Securities for  New Capital  Securities in the
Exchange Offer will be required to represent  that (i) it is not an  'affiliate'
of  PXRE or the Trust, (ii) any New  Capital Securities to be received by it are
being acquired  in the  ordinary course  of its  business and  (iii) it  has  no
arrangement  or understanding with  any person to  participate in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities  Act) of such New Capital Securities.  The
Letter  of Transmittal contains the foregoing representations. In addition, PXRE
and the  Trust  may  require  such  holder, as  a  condition  to  such  holder's
eligibility  to participate in  the Exchange Offer,  to furnish to  PXRE and the
Trust (or  an  agent  thereof)  in  writing information  as  to  the  number  of
'beneficial owners' (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) on
behalf  of whom such holder holds the  Old Capital Securities to be exchanged in
the Exchange  Offer. Each  broker-dealer that  receives New  Capital  Securities
pursuant  to the Exchange Offer in  exchange for Old Capital Securities acquired
for its own  account as a  result of market-making  activities or other  trading
activities  (an 'Exchanging Dealer') must acknowledge by execution of the Letter
of Transmittal or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, delivery of an  Agent's
Message  that it acquired the Old Capital  Securities for its own account as the
result of market-making activities  or other trading  activities and must  agree
that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
in  connection with  any resale  of such New  Capital Securities.  The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging  and by delivering a Prospectus,  an
Exchanging Dealer will not be deemed to admit that
 
                                       28
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
it  is an 'underwriter' within  the meaning of the  Securities Act. Based on the
position taken by the staff of the Commission in the no-action letters  referred
to  above, PXRE and the Trust believe  that Exchanging Dealers may fulfill their
prospectus delivery  requirements with  respect to  the New  Capital  Securities
received  upon exchange of  such Old Capital Securities  (other than Old Capital
Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old
Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act, which may be the  prospectus prepared for an exchange  offer so long as  it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such  New Capital  Securities. Subject  to certain  provisions set  forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement and  to the limitations set  out herein, PXRE  and
the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from  time  to time,  may be  used by  an Exchanging  Dealer in  connection with
resales of such New Capital  Securities for a period  ending one year after  the
Expiration  Date (or longer, if required  by the Registration Rights Agreement).
See 'Plan of Distribution.' Any person, including any Exchanging Dealer, who  is
an  'affiliate' of PXRE or the Trust may  not rely on such no-action letters and
must comply with the  registration and prospectus  delivery requirements of  the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
 
     In   that  regard,  each  Exchanging  Dealer  who  surrenders  Old  Capital
Securities pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer will be  deemed to  have agreed,  by
execution  of the Letter  of Transmittal or  delivery of the  Agent's Message in
lieu thereof,  that, upon  receipt  of notice  from PXRE  or  the Trust  of  the
occurrence  of any event or the discovery  of any fact which makes any statement
contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material
respect or  which  causes this  Prospectus  to omit  to  state a  material  fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference
herein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
or  of  the occurrence  of certain  other events  specified in  the Registration
Rights Agreement, such Exchanging Dealer will suspend the sale of New Securities
pursuant to this Prospectus until PXRE or the Trust has amended or  supplemented
this  Prospectus  to correct  such misstatement  or  omission and  has furnished
copies of the amended  or supplemented Prospectus to  such Exchanging Dealer  or
PXRE  or the Trust has given  notice that the sale of  the New Securities may be
resumed, as the case may be.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities  may
be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
     In  order for a withdrawal to be effective a written, telegraphic, telex or
facsimile transmission of such notice of  withdrawal must be timely received  by
the  Exchange Agent at  its address set forth  under ' --  Exchange Agent' on or
prior to the  Expiration Date. Any  such notice of  withdrawal must specify  the
name  of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the
aggregate liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and  (if
certificates for such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered  holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Old Capital
Securities, if different from that of  the person who tendered such Old  Capital
Securities.   If  Old  Capital  Securities  have  been  delivered  or  otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old
Capital Securities, the  tendering holder  must submit  the certificate  numbers
shown on the particular Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the signature
on  the  notice of  withdrawal must  be guaranteed  by an  Eligible Institution,
except in the  case of Old  Capital Securities  tendered for the  account of  an
Eligible  Institution. If Old Capital Securities  have been tendered pursuant to
the procedures  for  book-entry transfers  set  forth  in '  --  Procedures  for
Tendering  Old Capital  Securities,' the notice  of withdrawal  must specify the
name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of  Old
Capital  Securities, in which case  a notice of withdrawal  will be effective if
delivered to  the Exchange  Agent by  written, telegraphic,  telex or  facsimile
transmission.  Withdrawals  of  tenders of  Old  Capital Securities  may  not be
rescinded. Old Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed  validly
tendered  for  purposes of  the Exchange  Offer,  but may  be retendered  at any
subsequent time on  or prior  to the  Expiration Date  by following  any of  the
procedures  described  above under  ' --  Procedures  for Tendering  Old Capital
Securities.'
 
                                       29
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     All questions as to the validity,  form and eligibility (including time  of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by PXRE and the Trust, in
their  sole discretion,  whose determination shall  be final and  binding on all
parties. Neither  PXRE, the  Trust, any  affiliates or  assigns of  PXRE or  the
Trust,  the Exchange Agent nor any other person  shall be under any duty to give
any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur  any
liability  for failure to give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities
which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the  holder
thereof promptly after withdrawal.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS ON NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for  exchange will  not receive  accumulated distributions  on such  Old Capital
Securities for any period from and after the last Distribution Payment Date with
respect to such Old Capital Securities prior  to the original issue date of  the
New  Capital Securities or,  if no such  distributions have been  made, will not
receive any accumulated distributions on  such Old Capital Securities, and  will
be  deemed to  have waived the  right to  receive any distributions  on such Old
Capital Securities accumulated from and after such Distribution Payment Date or,
if no such distributions have been made, from and after January 29, 1997.
 
CONDITIONS TO EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of  the  Exchange  Offer,  or  any
extension  of the  Exchange Offer, PXRE  and the  Trust will not  be required to
accept for exchange,  or to  exchange, any Old  Capital Securities  for any  New
Capital  Securities, and, as  described below, may  terminate the Exchange Offer
(whether or not any  Old Capital Securities have  theretofore been accepted  for
exchange)  or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any of
the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:
 
          (a) there shall occur  a change in the  current interpretation by  the
     staff  of the  Commission which permits  the New  Capital Securities issued
     pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities to be
     offered for resale,  resold and  otherwise transferred  by holders  thereof
     (other  than broker-dealers and any such  holder which is an 'affiliate' of
     PXRE or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities  Act)
     without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions
     of  the  Securities  Act, provided  that  such New  Capital  Securities are
     acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such  holders
     have  no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
     distribution of such New Capital Securities;
 
          (b) any action or proceeding shall have been instituted or  threatened
     in  any court or by or before  any governmental agency or body with respect
     to the Exchange  Offer which,  in PXRE's  and the  Trust's judgment,  would
     reasonably  be  expected to  impair the  ability  of the  Trust or  PXRE to
     proceed with the Exchange Offer;
 
          (c) any law, statute,  rule or regulation shall  have been adopted  or
     enacted  which, in  PXRE's and  the Trust's  judgment, would  reasonably be
     expected to impair the  ability of the  Trust or PXRE  to proceed with  the
     Exchange Offer;
 
          (d)  a banking  moratorium shall have  been declared  by United States
     federal or New  York State  authorities which,  in PXRE's  and the  Trust's
     judgment,  would reasonably be expected to  impair the ability of the Trust
     or PXRE to proceed with the Exchange Offer;
 
          (e) trading on the New York Stock Exchange or generally in the  United
     States  over-the-counter market shall  have been suspended  by order of the
     Commission or any  other governmental  authority which, in  PXRE's and  the
     Trust's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the
     Trust or PXRE to proceed with the Exchange Offer;
 
          (f) a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any state
     securities  authority  suspending  the  effectiveness  of  the Registration
     Statement or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge  of
     PXRE  or the Trust, threatened for  that purpose or any government approval
     has not been obtained,  which approval PXRE and  the Trust shall, in  their
     sole  discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer
     as contemplated hereby; or
 
                                       30
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
          (g) any change, or any development involving a prospective change,  in
     the  business  or financial  affairs of  the Trust  or PXRE  or any  of its
     subsidiaries has  occurred which,  in the  sole judgment  of PXRE  and  the
     Trust,  might materially impair the ability of the Trust or PXRE to proceed
     with the Exchange Offer.
 
     If PXRE and the Trust  determine in their sole  discretion that any of  the
foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied,
PXRE  and the Trust may, subject to applicable law, terminate the Exchange Offer
(whether or not any  Old Capital Securities have  theretofore been accepted  for
exchange)  or may waive any  such condition or otherwise  amend the terms of the
Exchange Offer  in  any respect.  If  such  waiver or  amendment  constitutes  a
material change to the Exchange Offer, PXRE and the Trust will promptly disclose
such  waiver by  means of  an amended  or supplemented  Prospectus that  will be
distributed to the registered  holders of the Old  Capital Securities, and  PXRE
and  the Trust  will extend the  Exchange Offer  to the extent  required by Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     First Union National  Bank has  been appointed  as Exchange  Agent for  the
Exchange  Offer. Delivery of  the Letters of Transmittal  and any other required
documents, questions,  requests  for  assistance, and  requests  for  additional
copies  of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to
the Exchange Agent as follows:
                             First Union National Bank
                             of North Carolina
                             230 South Tryon Street
                             9th Floor
                             Reorganization Department
                             Charlotte, North Carolina 28288
                             Attention: Michael Klotz
                             Telephone: (704) 383-4105
                             Facsimile: (704) 383-7199
 
     Delivery to  other than  the above  address or  facsimile number  will  not
constitute a valid delivery.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     PXRE has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for
its   services  and  will  reimburse  it   for  its  reasonable  and  documented
out-of-pocket  expenses  in  connection  therewith  (including  reasonable   and
documented  fees of counsel incurred in  the performance of the Exchange Agent's
duties). PXRE will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees  and
fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding
copies  of this Prospectus and related documents to the beneficial owners of Old
Capital Securities, and in handling or tendering for their customers.
 
     Holders who tender their  Old Capital Securities for  exchange will not  be
obligated  to pay any  transfer taxes in connection  therewith. If, however, New
Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or  are to be issued in the name  of,
any  person  other than  the  registered holder  of  the Old  Capital Securities
tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such  transfer taxes  (whether imposed on  the registered  holder or  any
other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence
of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of  Transmittal, the amount  of such transfer  taxes will be  billed directly to
such tendering holder.
 
     Neither PXRE nor  the Trust will  make any payment  to brokers, dealers  or
others soliciting acceptance of the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       31
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                     DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     The  Old Capital Securities have been issued and the New Capital Securities
will be  issued pursuant  to the  terms of  the Declaration.  The  Institutional
Trustee,  First  Union  National Bank,  is  acting  as trustee  for  the Capital
Securities under the Declaration. The  Declaration has been qualified under  the
Trust  Indenture Act. The following summary of the material terms and provisions
of the Capital Securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Declaration (a copy of which  has
been filed as an Exhibit to PXRE's 1996 Form 10-K which has been incorporated by
reference  into the Registration Statement of  which this Prospectus is a part),
the Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Declaration authorizes the  Administrators to issue,  on behalf of  the
Trust,  the Trust Securities, which  represent undivided beneficial interests in
the assets  of the  Trust. All  of  the Common  Securities are  currently  owned
directly  by PXRE. The Common Securities have  equivalent terms to and will rank
pari passu, and  payments will be  made thereon on  a pro rata  basis, with  the
Capital  Securities, except that upon the  occurrence and during the continuance
of a Declaration  Event of  Default, the  rights of  the holders  of the  Common
Securities  to  receive  payment  of periodic  distributions  and  payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of  the
holders  of the Capital Securities. The Declaration does not permit the issuance
by the Trust of any securities other than the Trust Securities or the incurrence
of any indebtedness by the Trust. Pursuant to the Declaration, the Institutional
Trustee holds legal title to the Subordinated Debt Securities for the benefit of
the holders of the Trust Securities.  The payment of distributions out of  money
held  by the Trust, and payments upon  redemption of the Capital Securities upon
liquidation of the Trust, are guaranteed by PXRE as described under 'Description
of the  Guarantee.' The  Guarantee is  held by  First Union  National Bank,  the
Guarantee  Trustee (as defined  herein), for the  benefit of the  holders of the
Capital Securities. The  Guarantee does  not cover payment  of distributions  in
respect  of  the  Capital Securities  to  the  extent the  Trust  does  not have
available funds  to  pay distributions  in  accordance  with the  terms  of  the
Declaration.  In such  event, the  remedy of  holders of  the Capital Securities
would be, through the vote of holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the
Capital  Securities,  to  direct  the  Institutional  Trustee  to  enforce   the
Institutional  Trustee's rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities except in
the circumstances in which a holder  of such Capital Securities may take  Direct
Action. See ' -- Voting Rights' and ' -- Declaration Events of Default.'
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     Distributions  on the Capital Securities  are fixed at a  rate per annum of
8.85%  of  the  stated  liquidation  amount  of  $1,000  per  Capital  Security,
compounded  semiannually to the extent permitted by law. The term 'distribution'
as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions
payable unless otherwise  stated. The  amount of distributions  payable for  any
period  will be computed on the basis of  a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months
and the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month.
 
     Distributions on the  Capital Securities cumulatively  accrue from  January
29,  1997, the date of original issuance of the Old Capital Securities, and will
be payable (subject to extensions  of distribution payment periods as  described
herein) semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each, a
'Distribution  Payment  Date'),  commencing  August 1,  1997,  when,  as  and if
available for payment. Distributions will be made by the Institutional  Trustee,
except as otherwise described below.
 
     PXRE has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the
Subordinated  Debt Securities  by extending the  interest payment  period at any
time and from time to time, subject to the conditions described below,  although
such  interest will continue to accrue on  the Subordinated Debt Securities at a
rate of 8.85% per annum, compounded semiannually to the extent permitted by  law
during   any  Extension   Period.  If   such  right   is  exercised,  semiannual
distributions on  the Capital  Securities  will also  be deferred  (though  such
distributions  will continue  to accrue  at the  distribution rate  of 8.85% per
annum compounded  semiannually  to the  extent  permitted by  law),  during  any
Extension
 
                                       32
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Period.  Such right to  extend any interest payment  period for the Subordinated
Debt  Securities  is  limited  to  Extension  Periods,  each  not  exceeding  10
consecutive  semiannual periods, and no Extension  Period may be initiated while
accrued interest from  a prior, completed  Extension Period is  unpaid or  while
PXRE is in default on the payment of interest that has become due and payable on
the  Subordinated Debt Securities, and no Extension Period may extend beyond the
maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities.  In the event that PXRE  exercises
this  right, then during any Extension Period  (a) PXRE shall not declare or pay
dividends on,  make a  distribution  with respect  to,  or redeem,  purchase  or
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock
or   rights  to  acquire  such  capital  stock  (other  than  (i)  purchases  or
acquisitions of  shares of  any such  capital stock  or rights  to acquire  such
capital  stock in  connection with the  satisfaction by PXRE  of its obligations
under any employee  benefit plans,  (ii) as a  result of  a reclassification  of
PXRE's  capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of  PXRE's capital stock or rights to  acquire
such capital stock for another class or series of PXRE's capital stock or rights
to  acquire such  capital stock, (iii)  the purchase of  fractional interests in
shares of PXRE's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
of such  capital stock  or the  security being  converted or  exchanged or  (iv)
dividends  and distributions made  on PXRE's capital stock  or rights to acquire
such capital stock, in each case with PXRE's capital stock or rights to  acquire
the  capital stock), or  make guarantee payments (other  than payments under the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and
(b) PXRE shall not make any payment  of interest, principal or premium, if  any,
on  or repay, repurchase or redeem any  debt securities issued by PXRE that rank
pari passu with  or junior  to the Subordinated  Debt Securities.  Prior to  the
termination  of any such Extension Period,  PXRE may further extend the interest
payment period; provided that each such Extension Period, together with all such
previous  and  further  extensions  thereof,  may  not  exceed  10   consecutive
semiannual  periods  or  extend beyond  the  maturity of  the  Subordinated Debt
Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of  all
amounts then due, PXRE may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements.  See 'Description of the  Subordinated Debt Securities -- Interest
and Special  Payments'; '  --  Option to  Extend  Interest Payment  Period'  and
' -- Certain Covenants.' If distributions are deferred, the distributions due on
such  Capital Securities shall  be paid on  the date that  the related Extension
Period terminates, or, if such date is  not a Distribution Payment Date, on  the
immediately   following  Distribution  Payment  Date,   to  holders  of  Capital
Securities as they appear on  the books and records of  the Trust on the  record
date relating to such Distribution Payment Date.
 
     During  each Extension  Period, if any,  each holder  of Capital Securities
will continue to accrue OID in respect of the deferred interest allocable to its
Capital Securities for United States federal income tax purposes, which will  be
allocated  but not distributed. In such event, each holder of Capital Securities
will recognize income for United States  federal income tax purposes in  advance
of  the receipt of cash,  and will not receive cash  related to such income from
the Trust if such holder disposes of its Capital Securities prior to the  record
date  for payment of  such deferred interest. See  'United States Federal Income
Taxation -- US Holders -- Original Issue Discount.'
 
     Distributions on the Capital Securities must  be paid on the dates  payable
(after  giving effect to any Extension Period)  to the extent that the Trust has
funds available for the payment of  such distributions in the Property  Account.
The  Trust's  funds available  for distribution  to the  holders of  the Capital
Securities will be limited  to payments received from  PXRE on the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities.  See 'Description  of the  Subordinated Debt  Securities.' The
payment of distributions out of moneys held  by the Trust is guaranteed by  PXRE
to the extent set forth under 'Description of the Guarantee.'
 
     Distributions  on the  Capital Securities  will be  payable to  the holders
thereof as they appear  on the books  and records of the  Trust on the  relevant
record  dates,  which, as  long as  the  Capital Securities  are held  solely in
book-entry only form, will be one Business  Day (as defined below) prior to  the
relevant   payment  dates.   Such  distributions   will  be   paid  through  the
Institutional  Trustee  who  will  hold  amounts  received  in  respect  of  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities  in the  Property Account  for the  benefit of the
holders of the Trust Securities. Subject to any applicable laws and  regulations
and  the  provisions of  the  Declaration, each  such  payment will  be  made as
described under ' -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust  Company.'
At  any time when the Capital Securities  are not held solely in book-entry only
form, the Administrators shall select record dates, which shall be 15 days prior
to the relevant
 
                                       33
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
payment date. In the event that any  date on which distributions are to be  made
on  the  Capital  Securities  is  not  a  Business  Day,  then  payment  of  the
distributions payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which
is a Business Day (and without any  interest or other payment in respect of  any
such  delay),  except that,  if  such Business  Day  is in  the  next succeeding
calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding  Business
Day,  in each case  with the same  force and effect  as if made  on such payment
date. A 'Business Day'  shall mean any  day other than  Saturday, Sunday or  any
other  day on which banking  institutions in New York City  (in the State of New
York), Newark (in the State of New  Jersey) or Charlotte (in the State of  North
Carolina) are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     The  Subordinated  Debt  Securities will  mature  on February  1,  2027. As
described in more detail below, the Subordinated Debt Securities may be redeemed
by PXRE in whole or in part, at any  time and from time to time, at (i) par,  in
the case of a redemption upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, (ii) the Make-Whole
Amount  in the case of a redemption upon the occurrence of an Investment Company
Event prior to  February 1,  2007, or  (iii) the  Call Price  in the  case of  a
redemption  upon  the occurrence  of  an Investment  Company  Event on  or after
February 1, 2007, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon
to the date of the redemption.
 
     The Subordinated Debt Securities  may be redeemed by  PXRE, in whole or  in
part,  at  any time  and from  time to  time on  or after  February 1,  2007 (an
'Optional Redemption'), at  the call prices  (expressed as a  percentage of  the
principal amount) specified below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         IF REDEEMED DURING THE
                        12-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING
                               FEBRUARY 1,                                  CALL PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
 
<S>                                                                         <C>
         2007............................................................     104.180%
         2008............................................................     103.762%
         2009............................................................     103.344%
         2010............................................................     102.926%
         2011............................................................     102.508%
         2012............................................................     102.090%
         2013............................................................     101.672%
         2014............................................................     101.254%
         2015............................................................     100.836%
         2016............................................................     100.418%
</TABLE>
 
and  thereafter at 100% of  the principal amount (each  a 'Call Price'), in each
case  together  with  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  thereon  to  the  date  of
redemption.
 
     Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of
the  Subordinated Debt Securities (other than  following the distribution of the
Subordinated Debt  Securities  to the  holders  of the  Trust  Securities),  the
proceeds  from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem
on a pro rata basis at the applicable Redemption Price, Trust Securities  having
an  aggregate liquidation amount equal to  the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt  Securities so  repaid or  redeemed; provided,  however,  that
holders  of such Trust Securities shall be given  not less than 30 nor more than
60 days' notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities).  See  'Description  of  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities -- Redemption.' In the event  that fewer than all of the  outstanding
Capital  Securities are  to be redeemed,  Capital Securities  held in book-entry
form will be  redeemed in  accordance with the  procedures of  DTC as  described
under ' -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company.'
 
TAX EVENT AND INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT REDEMPTION
 
     As described in more detail below, upon the occurrence of a Tax Event or an
Investment Company Event, PXRE will be entitled, under certain circumstances, to
redeem  the Subordinated Debt  Securities and cause the  redemption of the Trust
Securities.
 
                                       34
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     'Tax Event' means  the receipt  by the Administrators  of an  opinion of  a
nationally  recognized  independent  tax  counsel to  PXRE  experienced  in such
matters (a 'Dissolution Tax Opinion') to the effect that, as a result of (i) any
amendment to, clarification  of or change  (including any announced  prospective
change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political  subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, (ii) any judicial
decision or official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure,
notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to  adopt
such  procedures  or  regulations  (an  'Administrative  Action')  or  (iii) any
amendment to,  clarification of  or  change in  the administrative  position  or
interpretation  of any Administrative  Action or judicial  decision that differs
from  the  theretofore  generally  accepted  position,  in  each  case,  by  any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory body, irrespective of
the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which
amendment,   clarification  or  change  is   effective,  announced,  enacted  or
promulgated or  such Administrative  Action or  decision is  announced, in  each
case,  on or after  January 24, 1997,  there is more  than an insubstantial risk
that (a) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to
United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on
the Subordinated Debt Securities or subject to more than a de minimis amount  of
other  taxes, duties or other governmental  charges, (b) any portion of interest
payable by PXRE  to the Trust  on the  Subordinated Debt Securities  is not,  or
within  90 days of the  date thereof will not be,  deductible by PXRE for United
States federal income tax purposes, or (c)  PXRE could become liable to pay,  on
the  next  date  on  which any  amount  would  be payable  with  respect  to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, any Additional Interest (as defined herein).
 
     If, at any time,  a Tax Event  should occur and  be continuing, PXRE  shall
have  the  right  to  advance  the  stated  maturity  of  the  Subordinated Debt
Securities to the minimum extent required,  but no earlier than August 1,  2016,
such  that in the opinion of a  nationally recognized independent tax counsel to
PXRE experienced in such  matters, after advancing  the maturity date,  interest
payable  by  PXRE on  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  will be  deductible for
United States federal income  tax purposes (the action  referred to above  being
referred  to herein as a  'Tax Event Maturity Advancement').  If, at any time, a
Tax Event  should occur  and be  continuing,  and PXRE  receives an  opinion  (a
'Redemption  Tax Opinion') of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel to
PXRE experienced in such matters that, as  a result of such Tax Event, there  is
more  than an insubstantial risk that PXRE would be precluded from deducting the
interest on the Subordinated  Debt Securities for  United States federal  income
tax purposes, even if a Tax Event Maturity Advancement were effected, PXRE shall
have  the right at any time, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax
Event, upon  not less  than 30  nor more  than 60  days' notice,  to redeem  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities, in whole or in part, for cash so long as such Tax
Event is continuing, at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to  the
date  of redemption (the 'Tax Event Redemption') and, following such redemption,
Trust Securities with  an aggregate  liquidation amount equal  to the  aggregate
principal  amount  of  the Subordinated  Debt  Securities so  redeemed  shall be
redeemed by the Trust at $1,000 per  Trust Security plus any accrued and  unpaid
distributions  thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that
(i) if at the time  there is available to PXRE  or the Trust the opportunity  to
eliminate,  within such 90-day period  and before any such  notice is given, the
adverse effects of  the Tax  Event by taking  some ministerial  action, such  as
filing  a form or making  an election or pursuing  some other similar reasonable
measure that will have no  adverse effect on the Trust,  PXRE or the holders  of
the  Trust Securities and (ii) such notice has not been given, PXRE or the Trust
will pursue such measure in lieu of redemption.
 
     'Investment Company Event' means  the receipt by  the Administrators of  an
opinion  of  counsel  rendered  by  a  law  firm  having  a  recognized national
securities practice, to  the effect that,  as a  result of the  occurrence of  a
change  in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law
or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or  regulatory
authority  ('Change in 1940 Act Law'), there  is more than an insubstantial risk
that the  Trust  is or  will  be considered  an  'investment company'  which  is
required  to be registered under the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the '1940  Act'),  which  Change  in  1940 Act  Law  becomes  effective  or  is
announced, enacted or promulgated on or after January 24, 1997.
 
     Upon  the occurrence  of an Investment  Company Event, PXRE  shall have the
right within 90 days following the occurrence of such Investment Company  Event,
upon  not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, to redeem the Subordinated
Debt  Securities  in   whole  or   in  part,  for   cash,  at   (i)  the   Make-
 
                                       35
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Whole  Amount, in the case of a  redemption upon the occurrence of an Investment
Company Event prior to February 1, 2007 or (ii) the Call Price, in the case of a
redemption upon  the occurrence  of  an Investment  Company  Event on  or  after
February 1, 2007, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon
to  the date of redemption. Following  such redemption, Trust Securities with an
aggregate liquidation  amount equal  to the  aggregate principal  amount of  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities so redeemed shall be  redeemed by the Trust at the
applicable Redemption Price.
 
     The 'Make-Whole Amount' will  be equal to  the greater of  (i) 100% of  the
principal  amount of such Subordinated Debt  Securities or (ii) as determined by
the Quotation Agent (as defined  herein), (a) the sum  of the present values  of
the  principal amount and premium payable as part of the Call Price with respect
to an Optional Redemption  of such Subordinated Debt  Securities on February  1,
2007, together with the present values of scheduled payments of interest on such
Subordinated  Debt Securities from the redemption  date to February 1, 2007 (the
'Remaining Life'),  in  each  case  discounted  to  the  redemption  date  on  a
semiannual  basis (assuming a  360-day year consisting of  30-day months) at the
Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined herein) less (b) accrued and unpaid  interest
on such Subordinated Debt Securities to the date of redemption.
 
     'Adjusted  Treasury Rate' means,  with respect to  any redemption date, the
Treasury Rate  plus 150  basis  points if  such  redemption date  occurs  before
February  1, 1998 or (ii) 100 basis points  if such redemption date occurs on or
after February 1, 1998.
 
     'Treasury Rate' means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the
average for the week immediately prior to the calculation date, appearing in the
most recently  published  statistical  release  designated  'H.15(519)'  or  any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which
establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to  constant maturity under the caption  'Treasury Constant Maturities,' for the
maturity corresponding to  the Remaining Life  (if no maturity  is within  three
months  before  or  after  the  Remaining Life,  yields  for  the  two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be  determined
and  the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on
a straight-line basis, rounding  to the nearest month)  or (ii) if such  release
(or  any  successor release)  is  not published  during  the week  preceding the
calculation date or does not  contain such yields, the  rate per annum equal  to
the  semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity  of the Comparable Treasury Issue,
calculated using  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.  The Treasury  Rate  shall  be calculated  on  the  third
Business Day preceding the redemption date.
 
     'Comparable  Treasury Issue' means with respect  to any redemption date the
United States Treasury  security selected  by the  Quotation Agent  as having  a
maturity comparable to the Remaining Life 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
Life.  If no United  States Treasury security  has a maturity  which is within a
period from three months before to three months after February 1, 2007, the  two
most  closely corresponding United  States Treasury securities  shall be used as
the Comparable Treasury Issue,  and the Treasury Rate  shall be interpolated  or
extrapolated  on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such
securities.
 
     'Quotation Agent' means Salomon Brothers Inc and its successors;  provided,
however,  that if  the foregoing  shall cease  to be  a primary  U.S. Government
securities dealer in  New York City  (a 'Primary Treasury  Dealer'), PXRE  shall
substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
 
     'Reference  Treasury Dealer'  means (i)  the Quotation  Agent and  (ii) any
other Primary Treasury Dealer  selected by the  Debt Trustee after  consultation
with PXRE.
 
     'Comparable  Treasury  Price'  means  (A)  the  average  of  five Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest
and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Debt Trustee
obtains fewer than five such  Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the  average
of all such Quotations.
 
     'Reference   Treasury  Dealer  Quotations'  means,  with  respect  to  each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by
the Debt Trustee, of the  bid and ask prices  for the Comparable Treasury  Issue
(expressed   in   each  case   as  a   percentage   of  its   principal  amount)
 
                                       36
 
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<PAGE>
quoted in writing to the Debt Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at  5:00
p.m.,  New York City time,  on the third Business  Day preceding such redemption
date.
 
     The rights of PXRE described above if a Tax Event or an Investment  Company
Event  occurs are in addition to the right  of PXRE, as the holder of the Common
Securities, to terminate  the Trust  and, after satisfaction  of liabilities  to
creditors of the Trust, cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to be distributed
to  holders  of the  Trust Securities.  See '  -- Liquidation  Distribution Upon
Dissolution.'
 
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
     The Trust  may  not  redeem  fewer than  all  of  the  outstanding  Capital
Securities  unless all  accrued and unpaid  distributions have been  paid on all
such Capital Securities for all  semiannual distribution periods terminating  on
or prior to the date of redemption.
 
     If  the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of Capital Securities
(which notice will be irrevocable), then by  12:00 noon, New York City time,  on
the  redemption date, provided that PXRE has paid to the Institutional Trustee a
sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or  maturity
of  the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Institutional Trustee will irrevocably
deposit with DTC  or a successor  depositary (the 'Depositary')  or its  nominee
funds  sufficient  to pay  the  applicable Redemption  Price  and will  give the
Depositary irrevocable instructions and authority  to pay such Redemption  Price
to   the  holders  of  such  Capital   Securities.  See  '  --  Book-Entry  Only
Issuance -- The Depository  Trust Company.' With  respect to Capital  Securities
that  are  issued  in  fully  registered  and  certificated  form ('Certificated
Securities'), provided  that  PXRE  has  paid to  the  Institutional  Trustee  a
sufficient  amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity
of the  Subordinated Debt  Securities, the  Institutional Trustee  will pay  the
applicable  Redemption Price to the holders  of such Capital Securities by check
mailed to the address of each such holder appearing on the books and records  of
the  Trust on the redemption date. If notice of redemption shall have been given
and funds  deposited  as required,  then,  immediately  prior to  the  close  of
business  on the date of such deposit, distributions will cease to accrue on the
Capital Securities and  all rights of  holders of such  Capital Securities  will
cease, except the right of the holders of such Capital Securities to receive the
applicable  Redemption Price but  without interest on  such Redemption Price. In
the event that  any date fixed  for redemption  of Capital Securities  is not  a
Business  Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (without any interest  or
other  payment in respect of any such  delay), except that, if such Business Day
falls in the next calendar  year, such payment will  be made on the  immediately
preceding  Business Day. In  the event that  payment of the  Redemption Price in
respect of Capital  Securities is improperly  withheld or refused  and not  paid
either  by  the Institutional  Trustee  or by  PXRE  pursuant to  the Guarantee,
distributions on such  Capital Securities will  continue to accrue  at the  then
applicable rate from the original redemption date to the actual date of payment,
in  which case  the actual payment  date will  be considered the  date fixed for
redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
 
     In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding Capital Securities  are
to  be redeemed,  Capital Securities  will be  redeemed on  a pro  rata basis as
described under ' -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company.'
 
     In the event  of any redemption  of Capital Securities  in part, the  Trust
shall  not be required  to (i) issue,  register the transfer  of or exchange any
Certificated Security during a  period beginning at the  opening of business  15
days before any selection for redemption of Capital Securities and ending at the
close  of  business  on  the  earliest date  on  which  the  relevant  notice of
redemption is deemed to have been given to all holders of Capital Securities  to
be  so redeemed or  (ii) register the  transfer of or  exchange any Certificated
Securities so  selected for  redemption, in  whole or  in part,  except for  the
unredeemed portion of any Certificated Securities being redeemed in part.
 
     Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation,
United  States federal securities  laws), provided that the  acquiror is not the
holder of  the Common  Securities or  the obligor  under the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities,  PXRE or its  subsidiaries may at  any time, and  from time to time,
purchase outstanding Capital  Securities by  tender, in  the open  market or  by
private agreement.
 
                                       37
 
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<PAGE>
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
 
     In  the  event of  any voluntary  or involuntary  liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or termination  of the  Trust (each  a 'Liquidation')  other than  in
connection  with a redemption of the  Subordinated Debt Securities as previously
described, the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive out
of the assets of  the Trust, after satisfaction  of liabilities to creditors  of
the  Trust (to  the extent  not satisfied by  PXRE), distributions  in an amount
equal to the aggregate  of the stated liquidation  amount of $1,000 per  Capital
Security  (as used in  this section, the 'Liquidation  Amount') plus accrued and
unpaid  distributions  thereon  to  the   date  of  payment  (the   'Liquidation
Distribution'),  unless, in connection with  such Liquidation, Subordinated Debt
Securities in  an  aggregate stated  principal  amount equal  to  the  aggregate
Liquidation  Amount of the Trust Securities have  been distributed on a pro rata
basis to  the  holders  of  the  Trust Securities  in  exchange  for  the  Trust
Securities.  Upon any Liquidation in which  the Subordinated Debt Securities are
distributed, if at the time of such Liquidation the Capital Securities are rated
by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, PXRE will
use its  best  efforts  to  obtain  from  at  least  one  nationally  recognized
statistical rating organization a rating for the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     PXRE,  as the holder of all of the  Common Securities, has the right at any
time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence a
Tax Event or an Investment Company Event) and, after satisfaction of liabilities
to creditors of  the Trust  (to the  extent not  satisfied by  PXRE), cause  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities to  be distributed  to the  holders of  the Trust
Securities on  a  pro rata  basis  in  accordance with  the  Liquidation  Amount
thereof, in liquidation of the Trust.
 
     Pursuant  to the Declaration, the Trust shall terminate and dissolve on the
first to occur of (i) January 21, 2052, the expiration of the term of the Trust,
(ii) the bankruptcy of PXRE or the Trust, (iii) (other than in connection with a
merger, consolidation or  similar transaction not  prohibited by the  Indenture,
the  Declaration  or  the  Guarantee,  as  the case  may  be)  the  filing  of a
certificate of dissolution  or its  equivalent with  respect to  PXRE, upon  the
consent of the holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities  voting  together  as  a  single  class  to  file  a  certificate  of
cancellation with respect to the Trust, or upon the revocation of the charter of
PXRE and  the expiration  of 90  days after  the date  of revocation  without  a
reinstatement  thereof, (iv) the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to
the holders of the Trust Securities, upon exercise of the right of the holder of
all of the outstanding Common Securities of  the Trust to dissolve the Trust  as
described  above, (v) the entry of a decree of a judicial dissolution of PXRE or
the Trust, or (vi) the  redemption of all of  the Trust Securities. Pursuant  to
the  Declaration, as soon as practicable after  the dissolution of the Trust and
upon completion of the winding up of  the Trust, the Trust shall terminate  upon
the filing of a certificate of cancellation.
 
     If  a Liquidation occurs as described in  clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of
the preceding paragraph, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Administrators  as
expeditiously  as such Administrators determine  to be possible by distributing,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors  of the Trust, to the holders  of
the Trust Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities, unless such distribution
is  determined by the  Administrators not to  be practical, in  which event such
holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for
distribution to holders, after satisfaction  of liabilities to creditors of  the
Trust,  an amount equal to  the Liquidation Distribution, except  in the case of
clause (i) where  the Subordinated Debt  Securities have been  paid in full.  An
early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) above shall occur only if
the  Administrators determine that such Liquidation is possible by distributing,
after satisfaction of liabilities  to creditors of  the Trust, the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities to the  holders of the Trust  Securities, and such distribution
occurs.
 
     If, upon any  such Liquidation,  the Liquidation Distribution  can be  paid
only  in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the
Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis. The  holders
of  the  Common Securities  issued  by the  Trust  will be  entitled  to receive
distributions upon  any such  Liquidation  pro rata  with  the holders  of  such
Capital  Securities, except that if a  Declaration Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing in respect of the  Trust, the Capital Securities shall have  a
preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.
 
                                       38
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     After  the date for  any distribution of  Subordinated Debt Securities upon
dissolution of the  Trust, (i)  the Trust  Securities will  be deemed  to be  no
longer  outstanding, (ii) the Depositary or its nominee, as the record holder of
the Capital  Securities issued  in book-entry  form, will  receive a  registered
Global   Certificate  (as  defined  herein)  or  certificates  representing  the
Subordinated Debt Securities to be  delivered upon such distribution, and  (iii)
any  certificates representing Capital Securities not  held by the Depositary or
its nominee  will  be deemed  to  represent undivided  beneficial  interests  in
Subordinated  Debt Securities having an aggregate  principal amount equal to the
aggregate stated  liquidation  amount  of such  Capital  Securities  until  such
certificates are presented to PXRE or its agent for transfer or reissuance.
 
     There  can be no assurance  as to the market  prices for either the Capital
Securities or  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  that may  be  distributed  in
exchange  for the  Capital Securities  if a  dissolution and  liquidation of the
Trust were to occur.  Accordingly, the Capital Securities  that an investor  may
purchase,  whether  pursuant to  the offering  made hereby  or in  the secondary
market, or the Subordinated  Debt Securities that an  investor may receive if  a
dissolution  and liquidation of the Trust were to occur, may trade at a discount
to the price paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered hereby.
 
DECLARATION EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An event of default under the Indenture in respect of the Subordinated Debt
Securities (an 'Indenture  Event of  Default') constitutes an  event of  default
under  the Declaration with respect to the Trust Securities (each a 'Declaration
Event of Default'); provided that pursuant to the Declaration, the holder of the
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any Declaration Event of Default
with respect to such Common Securities  until all Declaration Events of  Default
with  respect to  the Capital  Securities have  been cured,  waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until such Declaration Events of Default have been so cured, waived,
or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee  will be deemed to be  acting
solely  on behalf of the holders of  the Capital Securities and only the holders
of such  Capital Securities  will have  the right  to direct  the  Institutional
Trustee with respect to certain matters under the Declaration, and therefore the
Indenture.  The  holders of  a  majority in  liquidation  amount of  the Capital
Securities will  have  the  right  to  direct the  time,  method  and  place  of
conducting  any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee
or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under the Declaration, including  the right to direct the  Institutional
Trustee  to exercise the remedies available to  it as holder of the Subordinated
Debt Securities.  Under certain  circumstances,  the Institutional  Trustee  may
decline  to follow  any such direction  if the  Institutional Trustee determines
that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to holders not  taking
part  in such direction or would be  unlawful or would involve the Institutional
Trustee in personal liability.  Such remedies are  subject to limitations  under
the  subordination  provisions of  the Indenture.  If the  Institutional Trustee
fails to enforce  its rights under  the Subordinated Debt  Securities after  the
holders  of a majority in  liquidation amount of the  Capital Securities have so
directed the Institutional Trustee,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law,  a
holder  of record  of such Capital  Securities may institute  a legal proceeding
against  PXRE  to   enforce  the  Institutional   Trustee's  rights  under   the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities without  first  instituting any  legal proceeding
against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, but subject to the subordination provisions of the Indenture,  if
a  Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of PXRE to pay interest or principal (or premium, if
any) on the Subordinated Debt Securities  on the respective dates such  interest
or  principal (or premium, if any) is payable, as deferred, if applicable (or in
the case of redemption, the  redemption date), then a  holder of record of  such
Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action against PXRE for payment, on or
after the respective due dates specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities, to
such  holder directly of  the principal of  (or premium, if  any) or interest on
Subordinated Debt Securities having an  aggregate principal amount equal to  the
aggregate  liquidation  amount  of the  Capital  Securities of  such  holder. In
connection with such  Direct Action, PXRE  will be subrogated  to the rights  of
such  holder of Capital  Securities under the  Declaration to the  extent of any
payment made by PXRE to such holder of Capital Securities in such Direct Action;
provided, however, that no such subrogation right may be exercised so long as  a
Declaration  Event of  Default has  occurred and  is continuing.  The holders of
Capital Securities
 
                                       39
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the  holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     Upon  the occurrence of  a Declaration Event  of Default, the Institutional
Trustee, so long as it is the  sole holder of the Subordinated Debt  Securities,
will have the right under the Indenture to declare the principal of (or premium,
if  any) and interest on the Subordinated  Debt Securities to be immediately due
and payable, subject  to the  subordination provisions of  the Indenture,  which
limit  the ability of the Subordinated Debt Securities to be accelerated and the
ability to pursue remedies  against PXRE (see  'Description of the  Subordinated
Debt Securities -- Subordination'). PXRE and the Trust are each required to file
annually  with  the Institutional  Trustee an  officer's  certificate as  to its
compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Declaration.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Except as described below, under  the Trust Act and  under ' -- Removal  of
Issuer   Trustees;   Appointment  of   Successors'   and  'Description   of  the
Guarantee --  Modification  of  the Guarantee;  Assignment,'  and  as  otherwise
required  by law and the Declaration, the holders of the Capital Securities will
have no voting rights.
 
     Subject to the requirements set forth  in this paragraph, the holders of  a
majority  in aggregate  liquidation amount  of the  Capital Securities  have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for  any
remedy  available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon such Institutional Trustee  under the Declaration, including  the
right  to direct such Institutional Trustee,  as holder of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, to (i) exercise the remedies available to it under the Indenture  as
a  holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities,  (ii) waive any past default that
is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul  a
declaration  that the principal of all the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be
due and payable  or (iv) consent  on behalf of  all the holders  of the  Capital
Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Subordinated  Debt Securities  where such  consent shall  be required; provided,
however, that where a  consent or action under  the Indenture would require  the
consent  or act of  holders of more than  a majority in  principal amount of the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  (a   'Super-Majority')  affected  thereby,   the
Institutional  Trustee may  only give  such consent or  take such  action at the
written direction  of  the holders  of  at  least the  proportion  in  aggregate
liquidation  amount  of the  Capital Securities  outstanding which  the relevant
Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities outstanding. If the Institutional  Trustee fails to enforce its
rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities after the holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of such  Capital Securities (or  Super-Majority, as the  case
may  be) have so directed the Institutional  Trustee, to the extent permitted by
law, a  holder  of  record of  the  Capital  Securities may  institute  a  legal
proceeding  directly against PXRE to  enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights
under the  Subordinated  Debt Securities  without  first instituting  any  legal
proceeding  against  the Institutional  Trustee or  any  other person  or entity
(subject to  limitations on  the ability  to pursue  remedies set  forth in  the
subordination  provisions of the Indenture). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a
Declaration Event of Default  has occurred and is  continuing and such event  is
attributable to the failure of PXRE to pay interest or principal (or premium, if
any)  on the Subordinated Debt Securities  on the respective dates such interest
or principal (or premium, if any) is payable, as deferred, if applicable, (or in
the case of redemption, the redemption date), then a holder of record of Capital
Securities may directly institute a Direct  Action against PXRE for payment,  on
or after the respective due dates specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities,
to  such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on
the Subordinated Debt Securities having  an aggregate principal amount equal  to
the  aggregate liquidation amount of the  Capital Securities of such holder. The
Institutional Trustee shall notify all holders of the Capital Securities of  any
default  actually  known  to  the  Institutional  Trustee  with  respect  to the
Subordinated Debt Securities unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the
giving of such notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good  faith
that  the withholding of such  notice is in the interest  of the holders of such
Capital Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of  interest
or principal of (or premium, if any) on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Such  notice shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes a
Declaration Event of Default. Except
 
                                       40
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a  proceeding
for  a  remedy, the  Institutional Trustee  shall  not take  any of  the actions
described in clauses (i), (ii) or  (iii) above unless the Institutional  Trustee
has  obtained an opinion of tax counsel to  the effect that, as a result of such
action, the Trust  will not  be classified  as other  than a  grantor trust  for
United States federal income tax purposes.
 
     In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the
Subordinated  Debt Securities, is  required under the  Indenture with respect to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, such  Institutional
Trustee  shall request the direction of the holders of the Trust Securities with
respect to  such amendment,  modification  or termination  and shall  vote  with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a majority
in  liquidation  amount of  such Trust  Securities voting  together as  a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require
the consent of a  Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee  may only give  such
consent  at  the  direction  of  the  holders  of  at  least  the  proportion in
liquidation amount  of  such Trust  Securities  outstanding which  the  relevant
Super-Majority  represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities outstanding. The Institutional  Trustee shall not take any  such
action in accordance with the directions of the holders of such Trust Securities
unless  the Institutional Trustee has obtained an  opinion of tax counsel to the
effect that, as a  result of such  action, the Trust will  not be classified  as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
     A  waiver of an Indenture Event of  Default will constitute a waiver of the
corresponding Declaration Event of Default.
 
     Any required approval or direction of holders of Capital Securities may  be
given  at a  separate meeting of  such holders  convened for such  purpose, at a
meeting of the holders of Trust  Securities or pursuant to written consent.  The
Administrators  will cause a notice  of any meeting at  which holders of Capital
Securities are entitled to vote, or of  any matter upon which action by  written
consent of such holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each holder of record of
the  Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth
the following information: (i)  the date of  such meeting or  the date by  which
such  action is to be  taken; (ii) a description  of any resolution proposed for
adoption at such meeting on which such  holders are entitled to vote or of  such
matter  upon which  written consent  is sought;  and (iii)  instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consents.  No vote or consent  of the holders of  Capital
Securities  will be  required for  the Trust  to redeem  and cancel  the Capital
Securities or distribute the Subordinated Debt Securities in accordance with the
Declaration.
 
     Notwithstanding that holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote  or
consent  under  any of  the circumstances  described above,  any of  the Capital
Securities that  are owned  at  such time  by PXRE  or  any entity  directly  or
indirectly  controlling or  controlled by,  or under  direct or  indirect common
control with, PXRE, shall not entitle the holders thereof to vote or consent and
shall, for purposes  of such  vote or  consent, be  treated as  if such  Capital
Securities were not outstanding.
 
     The  procedures by which holders of Capital Securities issued in book-entry
form may exercise their voting rights  are described below. See ' --  Book-Entry
Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company' below.
 
     Holders  of the Capital Securities will have  no right to appoint or remove
the Administrators, who may be appointed, removed or replaced solely by PXRE  as
the holder of all of the Common Securities of the Trust.
 
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSORS
 
     Unless an Indenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
any  Issuer Trustee may be removed  at any time by the  holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities  and its successor appointed by  the
holders  of a  majority in  liquidation amount of  the Common  Securities. If an
Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, an Issuer Trustee may
be removed and its successor appointed by the holders of at least a majority  in
liquidation amount of Capital Securities. If an Issuer Trustee is removed by the
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of Capital Securities, the successor
may be appointed by the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of Capital
Securities.  If a successor has not been appointed by the holders, any holder of
 
                                       41
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Capital Securities  or Common  Securities may  petition any  court of  competent
jurisdiction  to appoint  a successor.  No resignation  or removal  of an Issuer
Trustee and no appointment of a  successor trustee shall be effective until  the
acceptance  of  appointment  by the  successor  trustee in  accordance  with the
provisions of the Declaration.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION
 
     The Declaration may be  amended without the consent  of the holders of  the
Trust  Securities to:  (i) cure  any ambiguity;  (ii) correct  or supplement any
provision in such  Declaration that may  be defective or  inconsistent with  any
other provision of such Declaration; (iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or
obligations  of PXRE;  (iv) modify,  eliminate or  add to  any provision  of the
Declaration to such an extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust  will
be  classified for United States  federal income tax purposes  at all times as a
grantor trust and will  not be required to  register as an 'investment  company'
under  the 1940 Act; and (v) modify, eliminate  and add to any provision of such
Declaration, provided that no such  modification, elimination or addition  shall
adversely  affect the  powers, preferences or  special rights of  the holders of
such Trust Securities.
 
     In addition, the Declaration may be modified and amended if approved by the
Institutional Trustee  (and  in  certain circumstances  the  Delaware  Trustee),
provided  that, if  any proposed  amendment provides  for, or  the Institutional
Trustee otherwise proposes to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect
the powers, preferences or  special rights of the  Trust Securities, whether  by
way  of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise or (ii) the Liquidation of the
Trust other than pursuant to the terms  of the Declaration, then the holders  of
the  Trust Securities voting together as a single class will be entitled to vote
on such  amendment or  proposal and  such  amendment or  proposal shall  not  be
effective  except with  the approval of  the holders  of at least  a majority in
liquidation amount of the  Trust Securities affected  thereby; provided that  if
any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect
only  the  Capital  Securities or  only  the  Common Securities,  then  only the
affected class will be entitled to vote  on such amendment or proposal and  such
amendment  or proposal  shall not  be effective  except with  the approval  of a
majority in liquidation amount of such class of Trust Securities.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made  to
the  Declaration if such amendment or modification  would (i) cause the Trust to
be classified for  purposes of United  States federal income  taxation as  other
than  a  grantor trust  or  (ii) cause  the Trust  to  be deemed  an 'investment
company' which is required to be registered  under the 1940 Act or (iii)  reduce
or  otherwise  adversely  affect  the powers  of  the  Institutional  Trustee in
contravention of the Trust Indenture Act.
 
     Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the provisions of Section
316(b) of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference into the Declaration
provides that the right of any holder of Capital Securities to receive  payments
of  distributions and  other payments upon  redemption or otherwise  on or after
their respective due dates, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or  after such respective  dates, shall not  be impaired or  affected
without the consent of such holder.
 
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR AMALGAMATIONS
 
     The  Trust  may not  consolidate,  amalgamate, merge  with  or into,  or be
replaced  by,  or  convey,   transfer  or  lease   its  properties  and   assets
substantially  as  an entirety  to,  any corporation  or  other body,  except as
described below.  The Trust  may, with  the consent  of the  Administrators  and
without  the consent of  the Delaware Trustee, the  Institutional Trustee or the
holders of the Trust Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
be replaced by, a  trust organized as such  under the laws of  any State of  the
United  States;  provided  that (i)  if  the  Trust is  not  the  survivor, such
successor entity either  (x) expressly  assumes all  of the  obligations of  the
Trust  under the  Trust Securities or  (y) substitutes for  the Trust Securities
other securities having  substantially the  same terms as  the Trust  Securities
(the  'Successor Securities'), so that the Successor Securities rank the same as
the Trust  Securities  rank with  respect  to distributions  and  payments  upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise,
 
                                       42
 
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<PAGE>
(ii) a trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as
the  Institutional Trustee is  appointed as the holder  of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, (iii) the Capital Securities or any Successor Securities are listed,
or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any
national securities exchange or with another organization on which such  Capital
Securities  are then listed or quoted,  if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Capital Securities (including any
Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized  statistical
rating organization, (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
does  not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders
of such Trust Securities  (including any Successor  Securities) in any  material
respect  (other than with  respect to any  dilution of the  holders' interest in
such successor entity), (vi) such  successor entity has a purpose  substantially
identical  to  that of  the Trust,  (vii) prior  to such  merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement, the  Administrators have received  an opinion of  a
nationally  recognized  independent counsel  to  the Trust  experienced  in such
matters to  the effect  that  (A) such  merger, consolidation,  amalgamation  or
replacement  does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the holders of the Trust Securities (including any Successor Securities) in  any
material  respect  (other than  with  respect to  any  dilution of  the holders'
interest in such  successor entity), (B)  following such merger,  consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor such successor entity will be
required  to  register as  an  investment company  under  the 1940  Act  and (C)
following such merger, consolidation,  amalgamation or replacement, neither  the
Trust nor such successor entity will be classified as other than a grantor trust
for  United States federal income tax purposes, and (viii) PXRE or its successor
guarantees  the  obligations  of  such  successor  entity  under  the  Successor
Securities  at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee. The Administrators
shall have furnished  the Delaware  Trustee at  least five  Business Days  prior
written  notice  of  such merger,  consolidation,  amalgamation  or replacement;
provided that failure to  provide such notice shall  not affect the validity  of
any such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not, except
with  the  consent  of  holders  of 100%  in  liquidation  amount  of  the Trust
Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by,  any
other  entity or permit any other  entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or  into,  or  replace  it,  if  such  consolidation,  amalgamation,  merger  or
replacement  would cause the Trust  or the successor entity  to be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY ISSUANCE -- THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
 
     DTC is  acting as  securities depository  for the  Capital Securities.  The
description  of book-entry procedures  in this Prospectus  includes summaries of
certain rules and operating procedures of DTC that affect transfers of interests
in the global  certificate or certificates  issued in connection  with sales  of
Capital  Securities.  Except as  described in  the  next paragraph,  the Capital
Securities will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in  the
name  of Cede &  Co. (as nominee for  DTC). One or  more fully registered global
Capital Security  certificates  (the  'Global  Certificates')  will  be  issued,
representing, in the aggregate, the New Capital Securities and will be deposited
with DTC.
 
     The   laws  of  some  jurisdictions  require  that  certain  purchasers  of
securities take physical delivery  of securities in  definitive form. Such  laws
may  impair the ability  to transfer beneficial interests  in the global Capital
Securities as represented by a Global Certificate.
 
     DTC has  advised PXRE  and the  Trust that  it is  a limited-purpose  trust
company  organized  under the  New York  Banking  Law, a  'banking organization'
within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal  Reserve
System,  a 'clearing  corporation' within  the meaning  of the  New York Uniform
Commercial Code and a 'clearing agency' registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of  the Exchange  Act. DTC  holds securities  that its  participants
('Participants')  deposit with  DTC. DTC  also facilitates  the settlement among
Participants of  securities  transactions, such  as  transfers and  pledges,  in
deposited  securities  through  electronic  computerized  book-entry  changes in
Participants' accounts, thereby  eliminating the need  for physical movement  of
securities  certificates.  Participants in  DTC  include securities  brokers and
dealers,  banks,  trust  companies,  clearing  corporations  and  certain  other
organizations  ('Direct Participants'). DTC  is owned by a  number of its Direct
Participants and  by  the New  York  Stock  Exchange Inc.,  the  American  Stock
Exchange, Inc., and
 
                                       43
 
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<PAGE>
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is
also  available to  others, such  as securities  brokers and  dealers, banks and
trust  companies  that  clear  transactions  through  or  maintain  a  custodial
relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ('Indirect
Participants').  The rules  applicable to DTC  and its Participants  are on file
with the Commission.
 
     Purchases of Capital  Securities under the  DTC system must  be made by  or
through  Direct  Participants,  which  will receive  a  credit  for  the Capital
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser  of
each  Capital Security ('Beneficial Owner')  is, in turn, to  be recorded on the
Direct Participants' and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners  will
not  receive written  confirmation from DTC  of their  purchases, but Beneficial
Owners are expected to  receive written confirmations  providing details of  the
transactions,  as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct
or Indirect Participants through which  the Beneficial Owners purchased  Capital
Securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the Capital Securities are to be
accomplished  by entries made on  the books of Participants  acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates  representing
their  ownership interests in  the Capital Securities, except  in the event that
use of the book-entry system for the Capital Securities is discontinued.
 
     To facilitate subsequent transfers, all the Capital Securities deposited by
Participants with DTC will be  registered in the name  of DTC's nominee, Cede  &
Co.  The deposit of  Capital Securities with  DTC and their  registration in the
name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC will  have
no  knowledge of the  actual Beneficial Owners of  the Capital Securities. DTC's
records will  reflect only  the identity  of the  Direct Participants  to  whose
accounts  such Capital  Securities are  credited, which  may or  may not  be the
Beneficial Owners. The Direct Participants and Indirect Participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
     So long as  DTC, or its  nominee, is the  registered owner or  holder of  a
Global Certificate in respect of the Capital Securities, DTC or such nominee, as
the  case may  be, will be  considered the sole  owner or holder  of the Capital
Securities represented thereby for all  purposes under the Declaration and  such
Capital  Securities. No Beneficial Owner of  an interest in a Global Certificate
will be  able  to  transfer  that  interest  except  in  accordance  with  DTC's
applicable procedures.
 
     DTC  has advised PXRE that it will take any action permitted to be taken by
a holder of Capital Securities (including the presentation of Capital Securities
for exchange  as  described  below)  only  at  the  direction  of  one  or  more
Participants  to whose accounts the DTC interests in the Global Certificates are
credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate liquidation amount
of Capital Securities as to which  such Participant or Participants has or  have
given  such direction. However, if there is  a Declaration Event of Default with
respect to the Capital  Securities, DTC will, upon  notice, exchange the  Global
Certificates  in respect of such Capital Securities for Certificated Securities,
which it will distribute to its Participants.
 
     Conveyance  of  notices   and  other  communications   by  DTC  to   Direct
Participants,  by Direct  Participants to  Indirect Participants,  and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed  by
arrangements  among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
 
     Redemption notices in respect of the Capital Securities held in  book-entry
form  will be sent to Cede & Co. If  less than all of the Capital Securities are
being redeemed, the Capital Securities will be redeemed on a pro rata basis.
 
     Although voting with respect to the Capital Securities is limited, in those
cases where a vote is required, neither  DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself  consent
or  vote with respect to the Capital Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC
would mail an omnibus proxy  to the Trust as soon  as possible after the  record
date.  The omnibus  proxy assigns  Cede & Co.'s  consenting or  voting rights to
those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Capital Securities are  credited
on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
 
     Distributions  on the  Capital Securities held  in book-entry  form will be
made to DTC in immediately available  funds. DTC's practice is to credit  Direct
Participants'  accounts on  the relevant payment  date in  accordance with their
respective holdings shown on DTC's records unless DTC has reason to believe that
it  will  not  receive  payments  on  such  payment  date.  Payments  by  Direct
 
                                       44
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Participants  and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility  of
such  Direct Participants and Indirect Participants and not of DTC, the Trust or
PXRE, subject to any  statutory or regulatory requirements  as may be in  effect
from  time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the
Trust,  disbursement   of  such   payments  to   Direct  Participants   is   the
responsibility  of  DTC, and  disbursement of  such  payments to  the Beneficial
Owners is the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.
 
     Except as provided herein,  a Beneficial Owner of  an interest in a  Global
Certificate  will  not  be  entitled to  receive  physical  delivery  of Capital
Securities. Accordingly, each Beneficial  Owner must rely  on the procedures  of
DTC,  the  Direct Participants  and the  Indirect  Participants to  exercise any
rights under the Capital Securities.
 
     Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to  facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Certificates among Participants of DTC, DTC
is  under no obligation to  perform or continue to  perform such procedures, and
such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of PXRE, the Trust or  the
Issuer  Trustees will have any responsibility for  the performance by DTC or its
Direct Participants  or Indirect  Participants under  the rules  and  procedures
governing  DTC.  DTC  may discontinue  providing  its services  as  a securities
depositary with respect to the Capital  Securities at any time by giving  notice
to the Trust. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depositary is not obtained, Capital Security certificates will be required to be
printed  and delivered. Additionally,  the Trust (with the  consent of PXRE) may
decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC  (or
a  successor depositary) with respect to the Capital Securities of the Trust. In
that event,  certificates  for  such  Capital Securities  will  be  printed  and
delivered.
 
     The  information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that PXRE  and the Trust believe to be  reliable,
but neither PXRE nor the Trust takes responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
 
     The  Old Capital Securities have been issued and may be transferred only in
blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities). Any such transfer of Capital Securities in a block having a  stated
liquidation  amount of less than  $100,000 shall be deemed to  be void and of no
legal effect  whatsoever. Any  such transferee  shall be  deemed not  to be  the
holder of such Old Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited
to,  the  receipt of  distributions  on such  Old  Capital Securities,  and such
transferee shall be deemed  to have no interest  whatsoever in such Old  Capital
Securities. The New Capital Securities will not be so restricted.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
 
     Payments  in respect  of the Capital  Securities represented  by the Global
Certificates shall be made to DTC,  which shall credit the relevant accounts  at
DTC on the applicable distribution payment dates or, in the case of Certificated
Securities  in non-book entry form, such payments  shall be made by check mailed
to the address of the  holder entitled thereto as  such address shall appear  on
the  books and records of  the Trust. The paying  agent for the Trust Securities
(the 'Paying Agent') shall  initially be First Union  National Bank. The  Paying
Agent  shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice
to the Institutional Trustee. In the event that First Union National Bank  shall
no  longer  be  the Paying  Agent,  the  Institutional Trustee  shall  appoint a
successor to act as Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company).
 
REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND PAYING AGENT
 
     The Institutional Trustee will act as registrar, transfer agent and  Paying
Agent for the Capital Securities of the Trust.
 
                                       45
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Registration  of  transfers  or  exchanges of  Capital  Securities  will be
effected without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, but upon payment (with the
giving of such indemnity as the Trust or PXRE may require) in respect of any tax
or other government charges which may be imposed in relation to it.
 
     The Trust will not be  required to register or  cause to be registered  the
transfer  or exchange of  Capital Securities after  such Capital Securities have
been called for redemption.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
 
     The Institutional  Trustee,  prior to  the  occurrence of  a  default  with
respect  to the Trust Securities  and after the curing  of any defaults that may
have occurred, undertakes to  perform only such duties  as are specifically  set
forth  in the Declaration and, after default,  shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by such Declaration, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as  a prudent individual would  exercise or use in  the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Institutional
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Declaration  at the request of any  holder of Capital Securities, unless offered
reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and  liabilities
which  might  be  incurred thereby.  The  Institutional Trustee  also  serves as
trustee under the Guarantee and the Indenture.
 
     Whenever in the exercise of its rights or powers or the performance of  its
duties  under the Declaration the Institutional  Trustee shall deem it desirable
to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or  taking
any   other  action  thereunder,  the  Institutional  Trustee  (i)  may  request
instructions from the holders of the Capital Securities, which instructions  may
only  be  given by  the  holders of  a majority,  or  such other  proportion, in
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct  the
Institutional  Trustee under the terms of  such Capital Securities in respect of
such remedy, right  or action, (ii)  may refrain from  enforcing such remedy  or
right  or taking  such other  action until  such instructions  are received, and
(iii) shall  be  protected  in  conclusively  relying on  or  acting  on  or  in
accordance with such instructions.
 
     PXRE and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business
maintain banking relationships with the Institutional Trustee and certain of its
affiliates.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The  Declaration and the Capital Securities  are governed by, and construed
in accordance  with,  the laws  of  the State  of  Delaware, without  regard  to
principles of conflict of laws.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The  Administrators  and  the  Institutional  Trustee  are  authorized  and
directed to operate  the Trust  in such  a way  so that  the Trust  will not  be
required  to  register as  an 'investment  company'  under the  1940 Act  nor be
characterized as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes. PXRE has agreed to conduct  its affairs so that the Subordinated  Debt
Securities  will be  treated as indebtedness  of PXRE for  United States federal
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Institutional Trustee and PXRE  are
authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the Amended
and  Restated Certificate of Incorporation  of PXRE, as the  same may be amended
and/or restated from time  to time, or the  Declaration, that the  Institutional
Trustee  and PXRE determine in their discretion  to be necessary or desirable to
achieve such end, as long as such action does not adversely affect the interests
of the holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect.
 
     Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive rights.
 
                                       46


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
 
     Set  forth below is a summary of information concerning the Guarantee which
has been executed and delivered by PXRE for the benefit of the holders from time
to time  of the  Capital Securities.  First  Union National  Bank is  acting  as
Guarantee  Trustee under  the Guarantee.  The New  Guarantee has  been qualified
under the  Trust  Indenture Act.  This  summary of  the  material terms  of  the
Guarantee  does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the
provisions of, and is qualified in  its entirety by reference to, the  Guarantee
(a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to PXRE's 1996 Form 10-K which has
been  incorporated by  reference into the  Registration Statement  of which this
Prospectus is a part). The Guarantee will  be held by the Guarantee Trustee  for
the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities of the Trust.
 
GENERAL
 
     Pursuant to the Guarantee, PXRE has irrevocably and unconditionally agreed,
to  the extent set forth therein, to pay  in full, to the holders of the Capital
Securities, the Guarantee  Payments (as  defined herein) (except  to the  extent
paid by the Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off
or  counterclaim which the Trust may have or assert. The following payments with
respect to  Capital  Securities,  to the  extent  not  paid by  the  Trust  (the
'Guarantee  Payments'), are subject to  the Guarantee (without duplication): (i)
any accrued and unpaid  distributions which are required  to be paid on  Capital
Securities,  to  the extent  the Trust  shall have  funds available  therefor in
accordance with the terms of the Declaration; (ii) the Redemption Price, to  the
extent  the Trust has funds  available therefor in accordance  with the terms of
the Declaration, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by
the Trust and (iii) upon Liquidation of the Trust (other than in connection with
the distribution  of Subordinated  Debt  Securities to  the holders  of  Capital
Securities  in  exchange  therefor), the  lesser  of  (a) the  aggregate  of the
liquidation amount  and all  accrued and  unpaid distributions  on such  Capital
Securities  to the date of payment, to  the extent the Trust has funds available
therefor in accordance with the terms of the Declaration, and (b) the amount  of
assets  of the  Trust remaining  available for  distribution to  holders of such
Capital Securities in  liquidation of  the Trust.  PXRE's obligation  to make  a
Guarantee  Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by
PXRE to the holders of  Capital Securities or by causing  the Trust to pay  such
amounts to such holders.
 
     The  Guarantee does not apply to any payment or distributions except to the
extent the Trust  shall have  funds available  therefor in  accordance with  the
terms of the Declaration, which funds will not be available except to the extent
PXRE  has made payments of  interest (or premium, if  any) or principal or other
payments on  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities purchased  by  the  Trust.  See
'Description  of  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  -- Certain  Covenants.' The
Guarantee, when taken  together with PXRE's  obligations under the  Subordinated
Debt Securities, the Declaration and the Indenture, including its obligations to
pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Trust (other than with respect
to  the  Trust Securities),  provides a  full and  unconditional guarantee  on a
subordinated basis by PXRE of payments due on the Capital Securities.
 
     Because the Guarantee  is a  guarantee of  payment and  not of  collection,
holders  of the Capital Securities may proceed directly against PXRE (subject to
certain limitations as a  result of subordination,  as described below),  rather
than having to proceed against the Trust before attempting to collect from PXRE,
and  PXRE  waives any  right or  remedy to  require that  any action  be brought
against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against  PXRE.
Such  obligations  will not  be discharged  except by  payment of  the Guarantee
Payments in full. The Guarantee has been deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to
be held  for  the  benefit of  the  holders  of Capital  Securities.  Except  as
otherwise  noted  herein, the  Guarantee Trustee  has the  right to  enforce the
Guarantee on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities.
 
     PXRE  has  also  agreed  separately  to  irrevocably  and   unconditionally
guarantee  the obligations of  the Trust with respect  to Common Securities (the
'Common Securities Guarantee') to the same extent as the Guarantee, except  that
upon  the occurrence and continuance of  a Declaration Event of Default, holders
of Capital Securities shall have priority over holders of Common Securities with
respect to any
 
                                       47
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
payments made  by PXRE  on  or in  respect of  the  Trust Securities  under  the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF PXRE UNDER THE GUARANTEE
 
     In  the Guarantee, PXRE  covenants that, so long  as any Capital Securities
remain outstanding, if  PXRE shall be  in default under  the Guarantee or  there
shall  have  occurred  and  be  continuing any  event  that  would  constitute a
Declaration Event of Default or  if an Extension Period  is in effect, then  (a)
PXRE  shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make a distribution with respect
to, or redeem, purchase or  make a liquidation payment  with respect to, any  of
PXRE's  capital stock or  rights to acquire  such capital stock  (other than (i)
purchases or  acquisitions of  shares of  any such  capital stock  or rights  to
acquire  such capital stock in  connection with the satisfaction  by PXRE of its
obligations  under  any  employee  benefit  plans,   (ii)  as  a  result  of   a
reclassification of PXRE's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock
or  the exchange or conversion of one class or series of PXRE's capital stock or
rights to  acquire such  capital stock  for another  class or  series of  PXRE's
capital  stock or rights  to acquire such  capital stock, (iii)  the purchase of
fractional  interests  in  shares  of  PXRE's  capital  stock  pursuant  to  the
conversion  or exchange provisions  of such capital stock  or the security being
converted or  exchanged  or (iv)  dividends  and distributions  made  on  PXRE's
capital  stock or rights to acquire such capital stock, in each case with PXRE's
capital stock or rights  to acquire such capital  stock), or make any  guarantee
payments  (other than  payments under  the Guarantee  and the  Common Securities
Guarantee) with  respect to  the foregoing)  and  (b) PXRE  shall not  make  any
payment  of interest, principal or  premium, if any, on  or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities issued by PXRE that rank pari passu with or junior to
the Subordinated Debt  Securities. The  Guarantee will  be subject  to the  same
subordination  provisions as are applicable to the Subordinated Debt Securities,
including the limitations on the ability to pursue remedies against PXRE in  the
event  there  has been  a default  on Senior  Indebtedness. See  'Description of
Subordinated Debt Securities -- Subordination.'
 
MODIFICATION OF THE GUARANTEE; ASSIGNMENT
 
     Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no  vote
of  such holders will be  required), the Guarantee may  be amended only with the
prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation  amount
of  the outstanding Capital Securities.  All guarantees and agreements contained
in the Guarantee  shall bind  the successors, assigns,  receivers, trustees  and
representatives  of PXRE and  shall inure to  the benefit of  the holders of the
Capital Securities then outstanding.
 
TERMINATION
 
     The Guarantee will  terminate as to  the Capital Securities  (a) upon  full
payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital Securities, (b) upon distribution
of  the Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the Capital Securities or
(c) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the  Declaration
upon  liquidation of the Trust.  The Guarantee will continue  to be effective or
will be reinstated, as  the case may be,  if at any time  any holder of  Capital
Securities  must restore payment of any  sums paid under such Capital Securities
or Guarantee.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An event of default under the Guarantee will occur upon the failure of PXRE
to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder.
 
     The holders of a majority in  liquidation amount of the Capital  Securities
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Guarantee or
to  direct  the exercise  of any  trust  or power  conferred upon  the Guarantee
Trustee under the Guarantee. Under certain circumstances, the Guarantee  Trustee
may  decline to  follow any such  direction if the  Guarantee Trustee determines
that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to holders not  taking
part  in such  direction or  would be  unlawful or  would involve  the Guarantee
Trustee in personal liability. A holder of record of the Capital Securities  may
 
                                       48
 
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<PAGE>
institute  a legal  proceeding directly  against PXRE  to enforce  the Guarantee
Trustee's  rights  under  the  Guarantee,  without  first  instituting  a  legal
proceeding  against  the Trust,  the Guarantee  Trustee or  any other  person or
entity. Pursuant to the  Guarantee, PXRE waives any  right or remedy to  require
that any action be brought first against the Trust or any other person or entity
before proceeding directly against PXRE.
 
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
 
     PXRE's  obligations under the Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right
of payment to  all present  and future Senior  Indebtedness of  PXRE, rank  pari
passu  with  the obligations  to  or rights  of  PXRE's other  general unsecured
creditors and are also effectively subordinated to claims of creditors of PXRE's
subsidiaries. The terms of  the Capital Securities provide  that each holder  of
Capital  Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions
and other terms of the Guarantee relating thereto, including certain limitations
on the ability to pursue remedies  set forth in the subordination provisions  of
the  Guarantee.  Because  PXRE  is  a holding  company,  the  right  of  PXRE to
participate in any distribution of assets  of any of its subsidiaries upon  such
subsidiary's  liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior
claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent PXRE may itself  be
recognized  as a  creditor of  that subsidiary.  Accordingly, PXRE's obligations
under the Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and  future
liabilities of PXRE's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets
of  PXRE for payments thereunder. The Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or
issuance  of  other  secured  or  unsecured  debt  of  PXRE,  including   Senior
Indebtedness of PXRE, under any indenture that PXRE may enter into in the future
or otherwise.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
     The Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to
the  Guarantee, undertakes to  perform only such duties  as are specifically set
forth in such Guarantee  and, after default, shall  exercise such of the  rights
and  powers vested in it by such Guarantee,  and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as  a prudent individual would  exercise or use in  the
conduct  of his or her  own affairs. Subject to  such provisions, the Trustee is
under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the  Guarantee
at  the request of  any holder of Capital  Securities, unless offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs,  expenses and liabilities  which might be  incurred
thereby.
 
     PXRE and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business
maintain  banking relationships  with the Guarantee  Trustee and  certain of its
affiliates.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Guarantee is governed by and  construed in accordance with the laws  of
the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
 
                DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The  Old Subordinated Debt Securities were issued, and the New Subordinated
Debt Securities will be  issued, as a separate  series under the Indenture.  The
Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Set forth below is a
description  of the  principal terms  of the  Subordinated Debt  Securities. The
following description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and  is
qualified  in its  entirety by reference  to, the description  in the Indenture,
dated as of  January 29,  1997 (the 'Base  Indenture'), between  PXRE and  First
Union National Bank, as trustee (the 'Debt Trustee'), as supplemented by a First
Supplemental  Indenture dated as of January 29,  1997 (the Base Indenture, as so
supplemented, is herein  referred to  as the  'Indenture'). Certain  capitalized
terms  used herein are  defined in the  Indenture. This summary  of the material
terms of the Indenture  does not purport  to be complete and  is subject in  all
respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the  Indenture (a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to PXRE's 1996 Form
10-K which has been incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part) and those terms made a part of the Indenture by
the Trust Indenture Act.
 
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<PAGE>
     In certain circumstances, Subordinated  Debt Securities may be  distributed
to  the  holders  of the  Trust  Securities  in liquidation  of  the  Trust. See
'Description  of  the  Capital  Securities  --  Liquidation  Distribution   Upon
Dissolution.'
 
GENERAL
 
     Concurrently  with the  issuance of the  Old Capital  Securities, the Trust
invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by PXRE  for
the  Common Securities, in the Old  Subordinated Debt Securities issued by PXRE.
The Old  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  were, and  the  New  Subordinated  Debt
Securities exchanged for the Old Subordinated Debt Securities under the Exchange
Offer  will be, issued as unsecured  debt under the Indenture. Subordinated Debt
Securities will be limited to an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate stated
liquidation amounts of the Trust Securities.
 
     The Subordinated  Debt  Securities  are  not  subject  to  a  sinking  fund
provision.  The entire principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities will
mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, including  Compounded  Interest  (as  defined  herein)  and  Additional
Interest, if any, on February 1, 2027.
 
     If  the Subordinated Debt Securities are  distributed to holders of Capital
Securities  in  liquidation  of  such  holders'  interests  in  the  Trust,  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities will,  with respect to  Capital Securities held in
book-entry only  form, initially  be issued  as a  Global Security  (as  defined
herein)  having an aggregate principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of
such Capital Securities  and, with respect  to such Capital  Securities held  in
certificated  non-book entry form, will initially be deemed to be represented by
such certificates  and  to have  an  aggregate  principal amount  equal  to  the
liquidation  amount  of  such  Capital Securities.  As  described  herein, under
certain limited circumstances,  Subordinated Debt  Securities may  be issued  in
certificated  non-book  entry  form  in  exchange  for  a  Global  Security. See
' -- Book-Entry  Issuance and  Settlement' below.  Subordinated Debt  Securities
deemed  to be represented  by a Capital  Security certificate will  be issued in
certificated form  upon presentation  for transfer  or reissuance.  Payments  on
Subordinated  Debt Securities issued as a Global Security will be made to DTC, a
successor depositary or, in the  event that no depositary  is used, to a  paying
agent  for  the Subordinated  Debt Securities.  In  the event  Subordinated Debt
Securities  are  issued  in  certificated  non-book  entry  form,  interest  and
principal   (and  premium,  if  any)  will  be  payable,  the  transfer  of  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  will   be  registrable  and  Subordinated   Debt
Securities  will  be  exchangeable  for Subordinated  Debt  Securities  of other
denominations of a like aggregate principal amount at the corporate trust office
of the Debt Trustee in New York, New York, or as otherwise designated;  provided
that  payment of interest may be made, at the option of PXRE, by check mailed to
the address of the  holder entitled thereto  or by wire  transfer to an  account
appropriately  designated by  the holder  entitled thereto.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long  as the  holder of any  Subordinated Debt  Securities is  the
Institutional  Trustee, the payment  of interest and  principal (and premium, if
any) on the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Institutional Trustee  will
be  made  at  such  place and  to  such  account  as may  be  designated  by the
Institutional Trustee.
 
     The Indenture  does  not contain  provisions  that afford  holders  of  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities protection  in the  event  of a  highly leveraged
transaction or  other  similar transaction  involving  PXRE that  may  adversely
affect such holders.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The   Indenture  provides   that  the  Subordinated   Debt  Securities  are
subordinated and junior  in right of  payment to all  present and future  Senior
Indebtedness  of PXRE. No payment  of principal (including redemption payments),
premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made (in
cash,  property,  securities,  by  set-off  or  otherwise)  if  (i)  any  Senior
Indebtedness  of PXRE is not paid when  due and any applicable grace period with
respect to a payment default under  such Senior Indebtedness has ended and  such
default  has not been cured or  waived or ceased to exist  or (ii) a default has
occurred with respect to Senior  Indebtedness which entitles the holder  thereof
to  accelerate such Senior Indebtedness  and such default has  not been cured or
waived or ceased to exist or (iii) the
 
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<PAGE>
maturity of any Senior  Indebtedness of PXRE has  been accelerated because of  a
default.  Upon  any  distribution  of  assets  of  PXRE  to  creditors  upon any
dissolution, winding-up,  liquidation or  reorganization, whether  voluntary  or
involuntary,  or in  bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership  or other proceedings,
all principal, premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on all  Senior
Indebtedness  of PXRE must  be paid in  full before the  holders of Subordinated
Debt Securities are entitled to receive or retain any payment. Upon satisfaction
of all claims  of all Senior  Indebtedness then outstanding,  the rights of  the
holders  of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subrogated to the rights of
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of PXRE to receive payments or  distributions
applicable  to Senior Indebtedness  until all amounts  owing on the Subordinated
Debt Securities are  paid in  full. The Indenture  also provides  that upon  the
occurrence and during the continuance of a payment default or a covenant default
with  respect to Senior  Indebtedness, the Institutional  Trustee and holders of
the Subordinated  Debt  Securities  may  not  accelerate  the  maturity  of  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities or initiate any judicial action to seek or enforce
collection of any amounts owed under the Subordinated Debt Securities (including
a filing of a petition for relief  under bankruptcy laws) until the earliest  to
occur  of (a)  any insolvency,  bankruptcy, dissolution,  liquidation or similar
proceeding of  PXRE,  (b)  the  acceleration  of  the  maturity  of  any  Senior
Indebtedness  or the  initiation of  judicial proceedings  by holders  of Senior
Indebtedness to collect any Senior Indebtedness, and (c) the expiration of  five
business days following delivery of notice to PXRE of an intent to accelerate or
pursue  remedies,  as  the  case  may  be,  if  payments  with  respect  to  the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  have   been  restricted  by  the   subordination
provisions  of the Indenture for more than 240 days in the immediately preceding
365-day period.
 
     The term  'Senior Indebtedness'  means, with  respect to  PXRE (except  any
other obligations which by their express terms specifically rank pari passu with
or  junior to  the Subordinated  Debt Securities),  (i) all  obligations of PXRE
(including, without limitation, with respect to interest, principal and premium,
if any) under the 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2003, issued under an Indenture  dated
as  of August 31, 1993 between PXRE and the State Street Bank and Trust Company,
as successor trustee, and any Refinancing thereof (as such term 'Refinancing' is
defined in such indenture), including, without limitation, interest that accrues
on or  after, or  which  would accrue  but  for, the  filing  of a  petition  in
bankruptcy  or  for reorganization,  whether or  not  a claim  for post-petition
interest is  allowed in  such proceeding  ('Post-Petition Interest'),  (ii)  all
obligations  of PXRE (including,  without limitation, with  respect to interest,
principal (and premium,  if any),  and including any  Post-Petition Interest  in
respect  thereof) in respect of (A) indebtedness of PXRE for money borrowed, and
(B) indebtedness  evidenced by  securities, debentures,  notes, bonds  or  other
similar  instruments issued by PXRE,  including, without limitation, any current
or future indebtedness under any indenture  (other than the Indenture) to  which
PXRE is party; (iii) all capital lease obligations of PXRE, (iv) all obligations
of  PXRE  issued or  assumed as  the  deferred purchase  price of  property, all
conditional sale obligations of PXRE and all obligations of PXRE under any title
retention agreement  (but  excluding  trade  accounts  payable  arising  in  the
ordinary  course of business), (v) all obligations of PXRE for the reimbursement
on any  letter  of  credit,  any  banker's  acceptance,  any  security  purchase
facility,  any repurchase  agreement or  similar arrangement,  any interest rate
swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar
credit or other  transaction, (vi) all  obligations of the  type referred to  in
clauses  (i) through (v) above of other persons for the payment of which PXRE is
responsible  or  liable  as  obligor,  guarantor  or  otherwise  and  (vii)  all
obligations  of the type referred to in  clauses (i) through (vi) above of other
persons secured by any  lien on any  property or asset of  PXRE (whether or  not
such  obligation is assumed by PXRE), except  for (1) any such indebtedness that
contains express terms, or is issued under a deed, indenture or other instrument
that contains express terms  providing that it is  subordinate to or ranks  pari
passu  with the  Subordinated Debt Securities,  (2) any  indebtedness between or
among PXRE or any  affiliate of PXRE  and (3) any  other debt securities  issued
pursuant  to the Indenture  and guarantees in respect  of those debt securities.
Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled  to
the  benefits  of the  subordination provisions  irrespective of  any amendment,
modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
 
     Because PXRE is a holding company, the right of PXRE to participate in  any
distribution  of assets of any subsidiary  upon such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of  that
subsidiary,  except to the  extent PXRE may  itself be recognized  as a creditor
 
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<PAGE>
of that subsidiary. Accordingly, PXRE's obligations under the Subordinated  Debt
Securities   will  be  effectively  subordinated  to  all  existing  and  future
liabilities of PXRE's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets
of PXRE for payments thereunder.
 
     The Indenture does not  limit the aggregate  amount of Senior  Indebtedness
that  may  be  issued by  PXRE.  PXRE  had approximately  $64,725,000  of Senior
Indebtedness as of December 31, 1996,  which has been reduced to $36,725,000  to
the date of this Prospectus by reason of repurchases in the market by PXRE.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     PXRE  may redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities,  in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time, on or after February 1, 2007 upon not less  than
30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the Call Price described under 'Description
of  the  Capital Securities  -- Redemption,'  together  with accrued  and unpaid
interest to  the redemption  date. In  certain limited  circumstances  described
herein,  the Subordinated Debt Securities also  are redeemable by PXRE, in whole
or in  part at  any time  at (i)  par,  in the  case of  a redemption  upon  the
occurrence  of  a  Tax  Event, (ii)  the  Make-Whole  Amount in  the  case  of a
redemption upon the occurrence of an Investment Company Event prior to  February
1, 2007, or (iii) the Call Price in the case of a redemption upon the occurrence
of  an  Investment Company  Event on  or after  February 1,  2007, in  each case
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of the redemption.
See 'Description of the Capital Securities  -- Tax Event and Investment  Company
Event Redemption.'
 
INTEREST
 
     Subordinated  Debt Securities bear interest at the rate of 8.85% per annum,
from the original  date of  issuance of  the Old  Subordinated Debt  Securities,
payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each an
'Interest Payment Date'), commencing August 1, 1997, to the person in whose name
such Subordinated Debt Security is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at
the  close of business on the Business  Day next preceding such Interest Payment
Date. The  term  'interest'  as  used  herein,  as  such  term  relates  to  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities,  includes any  Compounded Interest  or Additional
Interest payable unless  otherwise stated.  In the event  the Subordinated  Debt
Securities  are  not  held solely  in  book-entry  only form,  PXRE  will select
relevant record dates,  which shall be  15 days prior  to the relevant  Interest
Payment Date.
 
     The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis
of  a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the Subordinated  Debt Securities is not a Business  Day,
then  payment of  the interest  payable on such  date will  be made  on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the  next
succeeding  calendar  year,  such  payment  shall  be  made  on  the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with  the same force and effect as if  made
on such date.
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
 
     So  long as  PXRE is  not in default  in the  payment of  interest that has
become due  and payable  on  the Subordinated  Debt  Securities and  no  accrued
interest  from a prior completed Extension Period is unpaid, PXRE shall have the
right to  defer payments  of interest  on the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  by
extending  the interest payment period,  at any time and  from time to time, for
Extension Periods, each not exceeding 10 consecutive semiannual periods and none
extending  beyond  the  maturity  date  of  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities,
provided, however, that on the date on which each such Extension Period ends or,
if  such date  is not  an Interest  Payment Date,  on the  immediately following
Interest Payment Date,  PXRE shall  pay all  interest then  accrued and  unpaid,
together  with  interest thereon  at  the rate  of  8.85% per  annum, compounded
semiannually to the extent permitted by applicable law ('Compounded  Interest').
During any Extension Period (a) PXRE shall not declare or pay dividends on, make
any  distribution  with respect  to,  or redeem,  purchase,  acquire, or  make a
liquidation payment  with respect  to, any  of its  capital stock  or rights  to
acquire   such  capital  stock   (other  than  (i)   purchases  or  acquisitions
 
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<PAGE>
of shares of any such capital stock  or rights to acquire such capital stock  in
connection  with the satisfaction by PXRE  of its obligations under any employee
benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of PXRE's capital stock or
rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one  class
or  series of PXRE's capital  stock or rights to  acquire such capital stock for
another class  or series  of PXRE's  capital  stock or  rights to  acquire  such
capital  stock, (iii) the  purchase of fractional interests  in shares of PXRE's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such  capital
stock  or  the  security being  converted  or  exchanged or  (iv)  dividends and
distributions made on  PXRE's capital stock  or rights to  acquire such  capital
stock,  in each case with PXRE's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock), or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under the  Guarantee
and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing, and (b) PXRE
shall  not make  any payment of  interest, principal  or premium, if  any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem  any debt securities issued  by PXRE that rank  pari
passu  with  or  junior  to  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities.  Prior  to the
termination of any  such Extension Period,  PXRE may further  defer payments  of
interest  by extending the interest payment period; provided, however, that each
such Extension  Period,  including  all such  previous  and  further  extensions
thereof,  may not exceed 10 consecutive  semiannual periods or extend beyond the
maturity of  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities.  Upon the  termination  of  any
Extension  Period and the payment  of all amounts then  due, PXRE may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth herein. No interest  during
an  Extension  Period,  except  on  the  date  on  which  such  Extension Period
terminates (or if such date is not an Interest Payment Date, on the  immediately
following  Interest Payment Date), shall be due and payable. PXRE has no present
intention of  exercising  its  right  to  defer  payments  of  interest  on  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities.  See 'Risk Factors  -- Option  to Extend Interest
Payment Period for up to Five Years and Consequent Deferral of Distributions  on
Capital   Securities'  and  'United  States  Federal  Income  Taxation  --  U.S.
Holders -- Original Issue Discount.'
 
     If the Institutional Trustee shall be  the sole holder of the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities, PXRE shall give  the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee
and the  Debt Trustee  notice of  its  initiation of  any Extension  Period  one
Business  Day prior to the earlier of  (i) the date distributions on the Capital
Securities are payable or (ii) the date the Administrators are required to  give
notice to holders of the Capital Securities (or any national securities exchange
or other organization on which the Capital Securities are listed, if any) of the
record  date or  the Distribution  Payment Date,  in each  case with  respect to
distributions on the Trust Securities the payment of which is being deferred. An
Administrator shall give notice of PXRE's initiation of any Extension Period  to
the  holders of such Capital Securities.  If the Institutional Trustee shall not
be the sole  holder of  the Subordinated Debt  Securities, PXRE  shall give  the
holders  of such Subordinated  Debt Securities notice of  its initiation of such
Extension Period  ten  Business  Days prior  to  the  earlier of  (i)  the  next
succeeding Interest Payment Date or (ii) the date upon which PXRE is required to
give  notice to  holders of such  Subordinated Debt Securities  (or any national
securities exchange or  other organization  on which  the corresponding  Capital
Securities  are listed, if any) of the  record date or Interest Payment Date, in
each case  with respect  to interest  payments  the payment  of which  is  being
deferred.
 
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
 
     If  at  any time  the Trust  shall be  required to  pay any  taxes, duties,
assessments or governmental charges of  whatever nature (other than  withholding
taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then, in any
such  case, PXRE will pay as  additional interest ('Additional Interest') on the
Subordinated Debt Securities  such additional  amounts as shall  be required  so
that  the net amounts received  and retained by the  Trust after paying any such
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will equal the  amounts
the  Trust and the Institutional Trustee would  have received had no such taxes,
duties, assessments or other governmental charges been imposed.
 
PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION
 
     On February 6,  1997, President Clinton  proposed the Proposed  Legislation
which,  among other things,  would generally deny  corporate issuers a deduction
for interest in respect of certain debt obligations issued on or after the  date
of   first   Congressional   committee   action,   if   such   debt  obligations
 
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<PAGE>
have a maximum term in excess of fifteen years and are not shown as indebtedness
on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet filed with the Commission.
Under current law, PXRE will be able to deduct interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities and,  based upon  the  effective date  referred  to in  the  Proposed
Legislation,  such legislation would not apply retroactively to the Subordinated
Debt  Securities.  There  can  be  no  assurance,  however,  that  the  Proposed
Legislation,  if  enacted,  or that  other  legislation enacted  after  the date
hereof, will not otherwise  adversely affect the ability  of PXRE to deduct  the
interest  payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, there can be
no  assurance  that  a  Tax  Event  will  not  occur.  See  'Risk  Factors'  and
'Description of the Capital Securities -- Tax Event and Investment Company Event
Redemption.'
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     If  (i) there shall  have occurred and  be continuing any  event that would
constitute an Indenture  Event of Default,  (ii) PXRE shall  be in default  with
respect  to  its  payment  of  any obligations  under  the  Guarantee  or Common
Securities Guarantee, or (iii) PXRE shall  have given notice of its election  to
defer  payments of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the
interest payment period  as provided in  the Indenture and  such period, or  any
extension  thereof, shall be continuing, then (a)  PXRE shall not declare or pay
any dividend on,  make a distribution  with respect to,  or redeem, purchase  or
make  a liquidation payment with respect to,  any of its capital stock or rights
to acquire  such capital  stock (other  than (i)  purchases or  acquisitions  of
shares  of any  such capital stock  or rights  to acquire such  capital stock in
connection with the satisfaction by PXRE  of its obligations under any  employee
benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of PXRE's capital stock or
rights  to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class
or series of PXRE's capital  stock or rights to  acquire such capital stock  for
another  class  or series  of PXRE's  capital  stock or  rights to  acquire such
capital stock, (iii) the  purchase of fractional interests  in shares of  PXRE's
capital  stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or  the security  being  converted or  exchanged,  or (iv)  dividends  and
distributions  made on  PXRE's capital stock  or rights to  acquire such capital
stock, in each case with PXRE's capital stock or rights to acquire such  capital
stock),  or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under the Guarantee
and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and (b)  PXRE
shall  not make  any payment of  interest, principal  or premium, if  any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem  any debt securities issued  by PXRE that rank  pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, PXRE has covenanted
(i)  to maintain  direct or  indirect 100%  ownership of  the Common Securities;
provided, however, that any permitted successor of PXRE under the Indenture  may
succeed  to PXRE's  ownership of  such Common  Securities, and  (ii) to  use its
reasonable efforts (a) to cause the Trust to remain a statutory business  trust,
except  in connection with  the distribution of  Subordinated Debt Securities to
the holders of Trust Securities in  liquidation of the Trust, the redemption  of
all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations,
each  as  permitted by  the Declaration,  (b)  to cause  the Trust  to otherwise
continue to be classified  as a grantor trust  for United States federal  income
tax  purposes, (c)  to cause each  holder of  Trust Securities to  be treated as
owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities, and
(d) to cause the Trust to continue not to be classified as an investment company
for purposes of the 1940 Act.
 
LIMITATION ON MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS
 
     Nothing contained in the Indenture  or in the Subordinated Debt  Securities
shall  prevent  any consolidation  or  merger of  PXRE  with or  into  any other
corporation (whether or not affiliated  with PXRE) or successive  consolidations
or  mergers in which  PXRE or its successor  or successors shall  be a party, or
shall prevent  any  sale,  conveyance,  transfer or  other  disposition  of  the
property of PXRE or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially
as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with PXRE or
its  successor  or  successors)  authorized to  acquire  and  operate  the same;
provided, however, that PXRE shall,  upon any such consolidation, merger,  sale,
conveyance,  transfer or other disposition, cause  the obligations of PXRE under
the Subordinated  Debt  Securities  and  under the  Indenture  to  be  expressly
assumed,  by supplemental  indenture satisfactory  in form  to the  Debt Trustee
 
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<PAGE>
and executed and delivered to the  Debt Trustee, by the successor entity  formed
by  such consolidation or into which PXRE shall have been merged, or which shall
have acquired such property.  Upon execution and  delivery of such  supplemental
indenture  to the Debt Trustee, such  successor entity will be substituted under
the Indenture and thereupon  PXRE will be relieved  of any further liability  or
obligation thereunder.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
 
     The  Indenture provides  that any  one or  more of  the following described
events which has  occurred and is  continuing with respect  to the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities constitutes an  Indenture Event of Default  with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities:
 
          (a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the Subordinated
     Debt Securities, including any  Compounded Interest or Additional  Interest
     in  respect thereof, when due; provided, however, that a valid extension of
     the interest payment period by PXRE  shall not constitute a default in  the
     payment of interest for this purpose; or
 
          (b)  default  in payment  of  principal and  premium,  if any,  on the
     Subordinated Debt Securities when due either at maturity, upon  redemption,
     by declaration or otherwise; or
 
          (c)  default resulting in  acceleration of other  indebtedness of PXRE
     for borrowed  money where  the aggregate  principal amount  so  accelerated
     exceeds  $25 million  and such  acceleration is  not rescinded  or annulled
     within 30 days after the written notice thereof to PXRE by the Debt Trustee
     (provided that the Debt Trustee has  actual knowledge of such event) or  to
     PXRE  and the  Debt Trustee  by the holders  of 25%  in aggregate principal
     amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding; or
 
          (d) default by PXRE in the  performance of any other of the  covenants
     or  agreements in the  Indenture which shall  not have been  remedied for a
     period of 90 days after notice to PXRE  by the Debt Trustee or to PXRE  and
     the Debt Trustee by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
     Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding; or
 
          (e)  certain  events of  bankruptcy,  insolvency or  reorganization of
     PXRE; or
 
          (f) the  Liquidation  of the  Trust,  except in  connection  with  the
     distribution  of  Subordinated  Debt  Securities to  the  holders  of Trust
     Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the  Trust
     Securities,  or certain  mergers, consolidations or  amalgamations, each as
     permitted by the Declaration.
 
     The  Indenture  provides   that  the  Debt   Trustee  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  withhold from the holders notice  of default with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities (except for any default in payment of principal  of
or  interest or  premium, if  any, on the  Subordinated Debt  Securities) if the
Trustee considers it in the interest of such holders to do so.
 
     The Indenture provides that, subject to the subordination provisions in the
Indenture, if  an  Indenture  Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and  be
continuing,  either the  Debt Trustee  or the  holders of  not less  than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then  outstanding
may  declare  the principal  of and  accrued interest  on all  Subordinated Debt
Securities to be due and payable  immediately, but upon certain conditions  such
declarations may be annulled and past defaults may be waived (except defaults in
payment  of  principal  of  or  interest or  premium  on  the  Subordinated Debt
Securities, which must be cured or paid in full) by the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding.
(For a  description  of  the  subordination  provisions  in  the  Indenture  and
limitations  on the  ability to accelerate  the Subordinated  Debt Securities or
pursue  remedies  upon  default,  see  'Description  of  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities -- Subordination.')
 
     No  holder  of  any Subordinated  Debt  Security  shall have  any  right to
institute any suit,  action or proceeding  for any remedy  under the  Indenture,
unless  such  holder previously  shall have  given to  the Debt  Trustee written
notice  of  a  continuing  Indenture  Event  of  Default  with  respect  to  the
Subordinated  Debt Securities  and unless  the holders of  not less  than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then  outstanding
shall have given the Debt Trustee a written
 
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<PAGE>
request  to institute such action, suit or  proceeding and shall have offered to
the Debt Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the  costs,
expenses  and liabilities to  be incurred thereby,  and the Debt  Trustee for 60
days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have
failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that no holder
of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have any right to prejudice the rights  of
any  other holder of Subordinated Debt Securities, obtain priority or preference
over any other such holder  or enforce any right  under the Indenture except  as
provided  in the Indenture and for the  equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of  Subordinated Debt  Securities.  Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  the
right  of any holder of any Subordinated Debt Security to receive payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Subordinated Debt  Security
when  due, or to institute  suit for the enforcement  of any such payment, shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
 
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities then outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place  of  conducting  any  proceeding  for  any  remedy  available  to,  or
exercising  any  trust  or  power  conferred  on,  the  Debt  Trustee  under the
Indenture; provided, however, that, except under certain circumstances, the Debt
Trustee may decline to follow any such direction if the Debt Trustee  determines
that  the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to holders not taking
part in such direction or would be unlawful or would involve the Debt Trustee in
personal liability. The Indenture  requires the annual filing  by PXRE with  the
Debt  Trustee of a certificate  as to the absence  of certain defaults under the
Indenture.
 
     An Indenture  Event of  Default  also constitutes  a Declaration  Event  of
Default.   The  holders  of   Capital  Securities  of   the  Trust,  in  certain
circumstances, have the right to direct  the Institutional Trustee of the  Trust
to  exercise its rights as  the holder of the  Subordinated Debt Securities. See
'Description of the  Capital Securities  -- Declaration Events  of Default'  and
'  -- Voting  Rights.' Notwithstanding the  foregoing, if an  Indenture Event of
Default has occurred  and is continuing  and such event  is attributable to  the
failure  of  PXRE to  pay  interest or  principal (or  premium,  if any)  on the
Subordinated Debt Securities on the respective dates such interest or  principal
(or  premium, if any) is payable, as deferred,  if applicable (or in the case of
redemption, on the redemption date), PXRE  acknowledges that a holder of  record
of Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action for payment, on or after the
respective  due dates  specified in such  Subordinated Debt  Securities, to such
holder directly  of  the  principal of  (or  premium,  if any)  or  interest  on
Subordinated  Debt Securities having an aggregate  principal amount equal to the
aggregate  liquidation  amount  of  the  Capital  Securities  of  such   holder.
Notwithstanding  any payments made to such  holder of Capital Securities by PXRE
in connection  with a  Direct Action,  PXRE shall  remain obligated  to pay  the
principal  of  (or  premium,  if  any)  or  interest  on  the  Subordinated Debt
Securities, and PXRE shall be  subrogated to the rights  of such holder of  such
Capital  Securities under the Declaration to the  extent of any payments made by
PXRE to  such holder  in any  Direct  Action; provided,  however, that  no  such
subrogation right may be exercised so long as a Declaration Event of Default has
occurred  and  is  continuing.  Except  to  the  extent  described  above  under
'Description of the  Capital Securities  -- Declaration Events  of Default'  and
'  -- Voting  Rights,' the  holders of  Capital Securities  will not  be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the  Subordinated
Debt Securities.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The  Indenture contains  provisions permitting  PXRE and  the Debt Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal  amount
of  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities at  the time  outstanding, to  modify the
Indenture or any  supplemental indenture  or the rights  of the  holders of  the
Subordinated Debt Securities; provided, however, that no such modification shall
without the consent of the holder of each Subordinated Debt Security so affected
(i)  extend the fixed maturity of any  Subordinated Debt Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or any redemption  premium thereon, or reduce the  rate
or  extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or make the principal of, or
interest or premium on, the Subordinated Debt Securities payable in any coin  or
currency other than that provided in the Subordinated Debt Securities, or impair
or  affect the right of any holder  of Subordinated Debt Securities to institute
suit for  the  payment  thereof  or (ii)  reduce  the  aforesaid  percentage  of
Subordinated Debt Securities the consent of the holders of which is required for
any such
 
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<PAGE>

<PAGE>
modification;  provided, further,  that if  the Subordinated  Debt Securities of
such series are held by a PXRE Trust (as defined in the Indenture) or a  trustee
of  such trust, such modification shall not  be effective until the holders of a
majority in  liquidation amount  of Trust  Securities of  the trust  shall  have
consented  to such  modification; provided further,  that if the  consent of the
holder of each Subordinated Debt  Security is required, such modification  shall
not  be effective until each  holder of the Trust  Securities of the trust shall
have consented to such modification.
 
     PXRE and the Debt Trustee  may enter into supplemental indentures,  without
the  consent of any holder of the  Subordinated Debt Securities: (i) to evidence
the succession  of  another  corporation  to PXRE  and  the  assumption  by  the
successor  corporation  of the  covenants,  agreements and  obligations  of PXRE
pursuant to the Indenture;  (ii) to add  to the covenants  of PXRE such  further
covenants,  restrictions or conditions for the  protection of the holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities and to make  the occurrence, or the occurrence  and
continuance  (including any or  no grace periods),  of a default  in any of such
additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Indenture Event
of Default permitting  the enforcement  of remedies provided  in the  Indenture;
(iii)  to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained
in the Indenture  or in  any supplemental indenture  which may  be defective  or
inconsistent  with any other provision contained  therein or in any supplemental
indenture, or to make  such other provisions in  regard to matters or  questions
arising  under the Indenture, provided that  any such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities; (iv) to
add to, delete from, or revise the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities  to
provide  for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to those
applicable  to  the  Capital  Securities  (for  purposes  of  assuring  that  no
registration  of Subordinated Debt  Securities is required  under the Securities
Act); (v) to evidence  and provide for the  acceptance of appointment under  the
Indenture  by a  successor Debt  Trustee with  respect to  the Subordinated Debt
Securities and to add  to or change  any of the provisions  of the Indenture  as
shall  be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust
under the Indenture by  more than one Debt  Trustee, pursuant to the  Indenture;
(vi)  to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder
of any Subordinated Debt Security in  any material respect; or (vii) to  provide
for  the  issuance, and  establish the  form  and terms  and conditions,  of the
Subordinated Debt  Securities,  to  establish the  form  of  any  certifications
required  to  be  furnished  pursuant  to the  terms  of  the  Indenture  or the
Subordinated Debt Securities  or to  add to  the rights  of the  holders of  the
Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
DISCHARGE
 
     The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Subordinated Debt
Securities  not previously  delivered to the  Debt Trustee  for cancellation (i)
have become due and payable  or (ii) will become due  and payable at the  stated
maturity  within one  year or are  to be  called for redemption  within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the Debt Trustee, and PXRE deposits or causes
to be deposited with the Debt Trustee funds, in trust, for the purpose and in an
amount  sufficient  to  pay  and  discharge  the  entire  indebtedness  on   the
Subordinated  Debt Securities not  previously delivered to  the Debt Trustee for
cancellation, for the principal (and premium,  if any) and interest to the  date
of  the  stated  maturity or  redemption  date, as  the  case may  be,  then the
Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to PXRE's obligations to
pay all other sums due  pursuant to the Indenture  and to provide the  officers'
certificates and opinions of counsel described therein), and PXRE will be deemed
to have satisfied and discharged the Indenture.
 
THE DEBT TRUSTEE
 
     The  Debt Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default
with respect to  the Subordinated  Debt Securities, undertakes  to perform  such
duties  and only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man  would
exercise  or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Upon
prior written notice to PXRE and the Debt Trustee, the holders of a majority  in
aggregate  principal amount of the Subordinated  Debt Securities may at any time
remove the Debt Trustee  and nominate a successor  Debt Trustee, which shall  be
deemed   appointed  as  successor  Debt  Trustee  unless  PXRE  objects  thereto
 
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<PAGE>
within 10 Business Days, in which case the removed Debt Trustee or any holder of
Subordinated Debt Securities  may petition any  court of competent  jurisdiction
for appointment of a successor Debt Trustee.
 
     PXRE and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business
maintain  banking  relationships  with  the  Debt  Trustee  and  certain  of its
affiliates.
 
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE AND SETTLEMENT
 
     If distributed to holders of Capital Securities of the Trust in  connection
with  the involuntary or voluntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the
Trust, the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  will, with  respect to  such  Capital
Securities  held in book-entry form,  initially be issued in  the form of one or
more global certificates (each  a 'Global Security') registered  in the name  of
the  Depositary or its nominee. Except under the limited circumstances described
below, Subordinated Debt Securities represented by a Global Security will not be
exchangeable for,  and will  not  otherwise be  issuable as,  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  in definitive form. The Global Securities described above may not be
transferred except by  the Depositary to  a nominee  of the Depositary  or by  a
nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary
or to a successor depositary or its nominee.
 
     The   laws  of  some  jurisdictions  require  that  certain  purchasers  of
securities take physical delivery  of such securities  in definitive form.  Such
laws  may impair the ability  to transfer beneficial interests  in such a Global
Security.
 
     Except as  provided  below, owners  of  beneficial interests  in  a  Global
Security  will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Subordinated Debt
Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the holders (as defined
in the Indenture)  thereof for any  purpose under the  Indenture, and no  Global
Security representing Subordinated Debt Securities shall be exchangeable, except
for  another Global Security of like denomination  and tenor to be registered in
the name of the Depositary  or its nominee or to  a successor Depositary or  its
nominee.  Accordingly, each beneficial owner must  rely on the procedures of the
Depositary, or if such  person is not  a Participant, on  the procedures of  the
Participant  through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights
of a holder under the Indenture.
 
THE DEPOSITARY
 
     If Subordinated  Debt  Securities are  distributed  to holders  of  Capital
Securities  in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust, DTC will act
as securities  Depositary for  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  issued by  the
Trust  with  respect  to  Capital  Securities held  in  book-entry  form.  For a
description of DTC and  the specific terms of  the depositary arrangements,  see
'Description  of  the  Capital Securities  --  Book-Entry Only  Issuance  -- The
Depository Trust Company.' As  of the date of  this Prospectus, the  description
herein  of  DTC's  book-entry  system  and DTC's  practices  as  they  relate to
purchases,  transfers,  notices  and  payments  with  respect  to  the   Capital
Securities  would  apply  in  all  material  respects  to  any  debt obligations
represented by one or  more Global Securities  held by DTC.  PXRE may appoint  a
successor  to DTC or any successor depositary in the event DTC or such successor
depositary is unable or unwilling to  continue as the Depositary for the  Global
Securities.
 
     None  of PXRE, the Trust, the  Institutional Trustee, the Debt Trustee, any
paying agent and any other agent  of PXRE, the Trust, the Institutional  Trustee
or  the Debt Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of
the records relating  to or  payments made  on account  of beneficial  ownership
interests  in  a Global  Security for  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  or for
maintaining, supervising or  reviewing any records  relating to such  beneficial
ownership interests.
 
DISCONTINUANCE OF THE DEPOSITARY'S SERVICES
 
     A  Global Security shall  be exchangeable for  Subordinated Debt Securities
registered in the names of persons other than the Depositary or its nominee only
if (i) the Depositary notifies PXRE that  it is unwilling or unable to  continue
as  a depositary for such Global Security and no successor depositary shall have
been appointed, (ii) the Depositary, at any time, ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act at which time the Depositary is required to be
so registered to act as such
 
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<PAGE>
depositary and no successor depositary shall have been appointed, (iii) PXRE, in
its  sole  discretion,  determines  that  such  Global  Security  shall  be   so
exchangeable  or (iv) there  shall have occurred an  Indenture Event of Default.
Any Global  Security that  is exchangeable  pursuant to  the preceding  sentence
shall  be exchangeable for Subordinated Debt Securities registered in such names
as the Depositary shall  direct. It is expected  that such instructions will  be
based  upon directions  received by  the Depositary  from its  Participants with
respect to ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and  the Subordinated  Debt Securities are  governed by,  and
construed  in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard
to conflict of laws principles.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Indenture provides that PXRE will pay all fees and expenses related  to
(i)  the offering  and sale  of the Trust  Securities and  the Subordinated Debt
Securities, (ii) the  organization, maintenance  and dissolution  of the  Trust,
(iii)  the  retention of  the Issuer  Trustees and  Administrators and  (iv) the
enforcement by the  Institutional Trustee of  the rights of  the holders of  the
Capital Securities.
 
     PXRE  will have  the right  at all  times to  assign any  of its respective
rights or obligations under the Indenture  to a direct or indirect  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of PXRE; provided  that, in the  event of any  such assignment, PXRE
will remain liable  for all of  its obligations. Subject  to the foregoing,  the
Indenture  will be binding upon and inure  to the benefit of the parties thereto
and their respective  successors and  assigns. Except as  otherwise provided  in
'  -- Limitation on Mergers and Sales of Assets,' the Indenture provides that it
may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
 
          EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                               AND THE GUARANTEE
 
     As set forth in the Declaration, the sole purpose of the Trust is to  issue
and  sell the Trust Securities evidencing  undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and  to invest the proceeds from  such issuance and sale  in
the  Subordinated Debt Securities  issued by PXRE in  accordance with such Trust
Securities.
 
     As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities,  such  payments  will  be  sufficient  to  cover
distributions  and payments due on the Trust Securities because of the following
factors: (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt  Securities
will  be  equal  to  the  aggregate  stated  liquidation  amount  of  the  Trust
Securities; (ii) the interest rate and  the interest and other payment dates  on
the   Subordinated  Debt  Securities  will   match  the  distribution  rate  and
distribution and other payment dates for the Trust Securities; (iii) PXRE  shall
pay all, and the Trust shall not be obligated to pay directly or indirectly any,
costs, expenses, debts, and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to
such  Trust  Securities); and  (iv) the  Declaration  further provides  that the
Institutional Trustee shall not take any action or cause or permit the Trust to,
among other  things, engage  in any  activity that  is not  consistent with  the
purposes of the Trust.
 
     Payments  of distributions (to  the extent funds  therefor are available to
the Trust) and other payments due on the Capital Securities (to the extent funds
therefor are available to the Trust)  are guaranteed by PXRE as described  under
'Description  of the Guarantee.' If PXRE does  not make interest payments on the
Subordinated Debt  Securities, it  is  expected that  the  Trust will  not  have
sufficient  funds to pay distributions on such Capital Securities. The Guarantee
will not apply to  any payment of  distributions except to  the extent that  the
Trust  has funds available for the  payment of such distributions. The Guarantee
will cover  the payment  of distributions  and other  payments on  such  Capital
Securities  only if and to the extent that PXRE has made payments of interest or
principal (or premium, if any) on  the Subordinated Debt Securities held by  the
Trust  as  its  sole assets.  The  Guarantee,  when taken  together  with PXRE's
obligations under  the Subordinated  Debt Securities,  the Declaration  and  the
Indenture,   including  its  obligations  to  pay  costs,  expenses,  debts  and
liabilities of
 
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<PAGE>
the Trust (other than with respect to the Trust Securities), provide a full  and
unconditional  guarantee on a subordinated basis by  PXRE of amounts when due on
such Capital Securities.
 
     If PXRE fails to make interest  or other payments on the Subordinated  Debt
Securities  when  due  (after  giving  effect  to  any  Extension  Period),  the
Declaration provides a mechanism whereby the holders of the Capital  Securities,
using  the  procedures  described  herein  under  'Description  of  the  Capital
Securities --  Book-Entry Only  Issuance --  The Depository  Trust Company'  and
' -- Voting Rights,' may direct the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent
permitted  by law, to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities.
If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities after  a majority in  liquidation amount  of Capital Securities
have so directed the  Institutional Trustee, a holder  of record of the  Capital
Securities  may  institute  a  legal  proceeding  against  PXRE  to  enforce the
Institutional Trustee's rights  under the Subordinated  Debt Securities  without
first instituting any legal proceedings against the Institutional Trustee or any
other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Declaration Event of
Default  has occurred and  is continuing and  such event is  attributable to the
failure of  PXRE to  pay  principal (or  premium, if  any)  or interest  on  the
Subordinated Debt Securities on the respective dates such principal (or premium,
if  any) or interest is  payable, as deferred, if applicable  (or in the case of
redemption, on  the  redemption  date),  then a  holder  of  record  of  Capital
Securities  may institute a Direct Action for payment on or after the respective
due dates  specified  in  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  (subject  to  the
subordination  provisions  of the  Indenture).  In connection  with  such Direct
Action, PXRE  will  be  subrogated to  the  rights  of such  holder  of  Capital
Securities  under the Declaration to  the extent of any  payment made by PXRE to
such holder of Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that
no such subrogation right  may be exercised  so long as  a Declaration Event  of
Default has occurred and is continuing.
 
     Because PXRE is a holding company, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Guarantee  are effectively subordinated to  all existing and future liabilities,
including trade payables, of PXRE's subsidiaries, except to the extent that PXRE
is a creditor of the subsidiaries recognized as such.
 
                     UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
 
GENERAL
 
     In the opinion  of Morgan, Lewis  & Bockius  LLP, counsel to  PXRE and  the
Trust  ('Counsel'), the following discussion, insofar as it describes statements
of law  or  legal conclusions,  fairly  summarizes the  material  United  States
federal   income  tax  consequences   to  the  holders   of  Capital  Securities
attributable to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Capital Securities.
 
     This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
'Code'),  Treasury  regulations  thereunder,  and  administrative  and  judicial
interpretations thereof, each as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
 
     Except as otherwise stated, this summary deals only with a Capital Security
held  as  a  capital  asset by  a  holder  who or  which  (i)  purchased Capital
Securities upon original issuance (an 'Initial Holder') and (ii) is a US  Holder
(as  defined below). It does not deal  with all aspects of United States federal
income taxation,  nor  with the  particular  United States  federal  income  tax
(hereafter,  'income  tax')  consequences  which may  be  applicable  to certain
classes  of  US  Holders  (such  as  banks,  thrift  institutions,  real  estate
investment  trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, brokers
and  dealers  in  securities   or  currencies,  other  financial   institutions,
tax-exempt  organizations, persons holding Capital Securities as a position in a
'straddle,' as part of a 'synthetic security or hedge,' as part of a 'conversion
transaction' or as  part of any  other integrated investment,  persons having  a
functional  currency  other  than  the U.S.  Dollar  and  certain  United States
expatriates). Further,  this  summary  does  not  address  (a)  the  income  tax
consequences  to shareholders in,  or partners or beneficiaries  of, a holder of
Capital Securities,  (b)  the  United States  federal  alternative  minimum  tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Capital Securities, or
(c)  any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Capital Securities.
 
     A 'US Holder' is a holder of  Capital Securities who or which is a  citizen
or  individual resident (or is  treated as a citizen  or individual resident) of
the United States for income tax purposes, a corporation
 
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<PAGE>
or partnership created  or organized  (or treated  as created  or organized  for
income  tax purposes) in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, or an estate the income of which is includible in its gross
income for  United States  federal income  tax purposes  without regard  to  its
source  or a trust if, (i) a court  within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the  administration of the trust  and (ii) one or  more
United  States trustees have the authority  to control all substantial decisions
of the trust.
 
EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     The exchange of the Old Capital  Securities for the New Capital  Securities
pursuant  to  the Exchange  Offer  will not  constitute  a taxable  event  to US
Holders. Consequently, (i) no  gain or loss  should be realized  by a US  Holder
upon  receipt of  a New  Capital Security;  (ii) the  holding period  of the New
Capital Security should include the holding  period of the Old Capital  Security
exchanged therefor; and (iii) the adjusted tax basis of the New Capital Security
should  be  the same  as  the adjusted  tax basis  of  the Old  Capital Security
exchanged therefor immediately before the exchange.
 
US HOLDERS
 
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST
 
     In connection  with the  issuance of  the Old  Capital Securities,  Counsel
rendered  its opinion generally to  the effect that, under  then current law and
assuming  full  compliance  with  the  terms  of  the  Declaration  (and   other
documents),  and based on  certain assumptions and  qualifications referenced in
the opinion, the Trust  will be characterized for  United States federal  income
tax  purposes as a grantor trust and will not be characterized as an association
taxable as a  corporation for  such purposes.  The discussion  herein under  the
heading  'United States Federal Income Taxation'  assumes that the Trust will be
so characterized. Accordingly, for income  tax purposes, each holder of  Capital
Securities  generally will be  considered the owner of  an undivided interest in
the Subordinated Debt Securities owned by the Trust, and each US Holder will  be
required  to include all income or gain  recognized for income tax purposes with
respect to its allocable  share of the Subordinated  Debt Securities on its  own
income  tax  return. Investors  should be  aware  that such  tax opinion  is not
binding on the Internal Revenue Service ('IRS') or the courts.
 
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     In connection with the  issuance of the  Old Subordinated Debt  Securities,
Counsel  rendered its opinion  generally to the effect  that, under then current
law and assuming  full compliance  with the terms  of the  Indenture (and  other
documents),  and based on  certain assumptions and  qualifications referenced in
the opinion, the Subordinated Debt  Securities will be characterized for  United
States  federal income tax purposes as debt of PXRE. The discussion herein under
the  heading  'United   States  Federal  Income   Taxation'  assumes  that   the
Subordinated Debt Securities will be so characterized. Investors should be aware
that such tax opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
     Under the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities, PXRE has the option to
defer  payments of interest from time to  time by extending the interest payment
period for a  period not exceeding  10 consecutive semiannual  periods, but  not
beyond  the  maturity  of  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities.  Recently issued
Treasury  regulations  under  Section  1273  of  the  Code  provide  that   debt
instruments  like the Subordinated Debt Securities will not be considered issued
with OID  by reason  of  PXRE's option  to defer  payments  of interest  if  the
likelihood of deferral is 'remote.'
 
     PXRE  has concluded, and this  discussion assumes, that, as  of the date of
the issuance of the Old Subordinated Deb Securities, the likelihood of  exercise
of  that option is 'remote' within the meaning of the applicable regulations, in
part because exercising that option would prevent PXRE from declaring  dividends
on  its stock and  would prevent PXRE  from making any  payments with respect to
debt securities  that  rank  pari  passu or  junior  to  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities. Therefore, the
 
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Subordinated  Debt Securities should not be treated as issued with OID by reason
of PXRE's  deferral option.  Rather, stated  interest on  the Subordinated  Debt
Securities  will generally be taxable  to a US Holder,  as ordinary income, when
paid or accrued in accordance with that holder's method of accounting for income
tax purposes. It should be noted,  however, that these regulations have not  yet
been  addressed in any rulings or other interpretations by the IRS. Accordingly,
it is possible that the IRS could take a position contrary to the interpretation
described herein.
 
     In the event PXRE does exercise  its option to defer payments of  interest,
the  Subordinated Debt Securities  would be treated as  retired and reissued for
OID purposes and the sum of the remaining interest payments on the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities would thereafter be treated as  OID, which would accrue, and be
includible in  a  US Holder's  taxable  income,  on an  economic  accrual  basis
(regardless  of the  US Holder's method  of accounting for  income tax purposes)
over the  remaining term  of  the Subordinated  Debt Securities  (including  any
period of interest deferral), without regard to the timing of payments under the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities.  (Subsequent distributions  of  interest  on the
Subordinated Debt Securities generally would not be taxable.) The amount of  OID
that  accrues in any  period would generally  equal the amount  of interest that
accrues on  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  in  that period  at  the  stated
interest  rate. Consequently, during any period of interest deferral, US Holders
will include OID in  gross income in advance  of the receipt of  cash, and a  US
Holder which disposes of a Capital Security prior to the record date for payment
of  distributions on the Subordinated Debt Securities following that period will
be subject to income tax on OID accrued through the date of disposition (and not
previously included in income),  but will not receive  cash from the Trust  with
respect to that OID.
 
     If  PXRE's option to defer payments of interest were not treated as remote,
the Subordinated Debt Securities would be  treated as initially issued with  OID
in  an  amount equal  to  the aggregate  stated interest  over  the term  of the
Subordinated Debt.  That OID  would generally  be includible  in a  US  Holder's
taxable  income,  over  the term  of  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities,  on an
economic accrual basis, whether  or not PXRE does  exercise its option to  defer
payments  of interest. The  amount of OID  that accrues in  any period generally
would equal  the  amount of  interest  that  accrues on  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities in that period at the stated interest rate.
 
CHARACTERIZATION OF INCOME
 
     Because   the  income  underlying  the   Capital  Securities  will  not  be
characterized as dividends for income tax purposes, corporate holders of Capital
Securities will not be entitled to a dividends-received deduction for any income
recognized with respect to the Capital Securities.
 
MARKET DISCOUNT AND BOND PREMIUM
 
     Holders of Capital Securities other than Initial Holders may be  considered
to  have acquired their undivided interests  in the Subordinated Debt Securities
with market  discount or  acquisition premium  (as each  phrase is  defined  for
income tax purposes).
 
RECEIPT OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST
 
     Under  certain  circumstances  described herein  (see  'Description  of the
Capital Securities  -- Liquidation  Distribution Upon  Dissolution'), PXRE  will
have the right to distribute Subordinated Debt Securities to holders in exchange
for  the Capital Securities and in liquidation of the Trust. Except as discussed
below, such a distribution would not be a taxable event for income tax purposes,
and each US Holder  would have an aggregate  adjusted basis in its  Subordinated
Debt  Securities  for  income  tax purposes  equal  to  such  holder's aggregate
adjusted basis in its Capital Securities. For income tax purposes, a US Holder's
holding  period  in  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  received  in  such   a
liquidation  of  the Trust  would include  the period  during which  the Capital
Securities were held by  the holder. If,  however, the relevant  event is a  Tax
Event  which results in the  Trust being treated as  an association taxable as a
corporation, the  distribution would  likely constitute  a taxable  event to  US
Holders of the Capital Securities for income tax purposes.
 
                                       62
 
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<PAGE>
     Under  certain  circumstances  described herein  (see  'Description  of the
Capital Securities'), the Subordinated Debt Securities may be redeemed for  cash
and  the proceeds  of such  redemption distributed  to holders  in redemption of
their Capital Securities.  Such a  redemption would  be taxable  for income  tax
purposes,  and a US  Holder would recognize gain  or loss as if  it had sold the
Capital Securities for cash. See ' -- Sales of Capital Securities' below.
 
SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     A US Holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between its adjusted  basis in the Capital Securities and  the
amount  realized on the sale of such  Capital Securities. A US Holder's adjusted
basis in the Capital  Securities generally will be  its initial purchase  price,
increased  by OID previously included (or currently includible) in such holder's
gross income to the date of  disposition, and decreased by payments received  on
the  Capital Securities  (other than any  interest received with  respect to the
period prior to the  effective date of  PXRE's first exercise  of its option  to
defer  payments of interest).  Any such gain  or loss generally  will be capital
gain or loss,  and generally will  be a long-term  capital gain or  loss if  the
Capital Securities have been held for more than one year.
 
     A  holder who disposes  of his Capital Securities  between record dates for
payments of distributions thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid
interest (or  OID) on  the  Subordinated Debt  Securities  through the  date  of
disposition  in its taxable income for income tax purposes (notwithstanding that
the holder may  receive a separate  payment from the  purchaser with respect  to
accrued  interest), and to  deduct that amount from  the sales proceeds received
(including the separate payment, if any,  with respect to accrued interest)  for
the  Capital Securities (or as to OID only,  to add such amount to such holder's
adjusted tax basis in its Capital  Securities). To the extent the selling  price
is  less than the  holder's adjusted tax  basis (which will  include accrued but
unpaid OID, if any), a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to  certain
limited  exceptions, capital losses cannot be  applied to offset ordinary income
for income tax purposes.
 
TAX EVENT MATURITY ADVANCEMENT
 
     Under certain  circumstances  described  herein (see  'Description  of  the
Capital  Securities -- Tax Event and  Investment Company Event Redemption'), the
stated maturity date of the Subordinated  Debt Securities may be accelerated  at
the  option of PXRE. Such an advance of  the stated maturity date would not be a
modification of the Subordinated  Debt Securities for  income tax purposes  and,
thus, would not constitute a taxable sale or exchange.
 
NON-US HOLDERS
 
     The  following discussion  applies to  an Initial  Holder who  is not  a US
Holder (a 'Non-US Holder').
 
     Payments to a holder of  a Capital Security which  is a Non-US Holder  will
generally  not be subject  to withholding of  income tax, provided  that (a) the
beneficial owner  of the  Capital  Security does  not (directly  or  indirectly,
actually  or constructively) own 10% or more  of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock  of PXRE entitled to vote,  (b) the beneficial owner  of
the  Capital Security is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to
PXRE through stock  ownership, and (c)  either (i) the  beneficial owner of  the
Capital  Securities  certifies to  the Trust  or its  agent, under  penalties of
perjury, that it is a Non-US Holder and provides its name and address, or (ii) a
securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds
customers' securities  in  the ordinary  course  of  its trade  or  business  (a
'Financial  Institution'),  and holds  the  Capital Security  in  such capacity,
certifies to the Trust  or its agent,  under penalties of  perjury, that such  a
statement  has  been received  from the  beneficial  owner by  it or  by another
Financial Institution  between it  and  the beneficial  owner  in the  chain  of
ownership, and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy thereof.
 
     As discussed above (see 'Description of the Capital Securities -- Tax Event
and  Investment Company Event Redemption'), changes in legislation affecting the
income tax consequences of  the Subordinated Debt  Securities are possible,  and
could adversely affect the ability of PXRE to deduct the interest payable on the
Subordinated  Debt Securities.  Moreover, any  such legislation  could adversely
 
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<PAGE>
affect Non-US Holders  by characterizing  income derived  from the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities  as dividends,  generally subject  to  a 30%  income tax  (on a
withholding basis) when paid to a Non-US Holder, rather than as interest  which,
as discussed above, is generally exempt from income tax in the hands of a Non-US
Holder.  In addition, in the event that  such changes in legislation occur, PXRE
may effect  a  Tax Event  Maturity  Advancement  pursuant to  which  the  stated
maturity  date of  the Subordinated Debt  Securities is  accelerated. Such event
should not constitute a taxable event to Non-US Holders.
 
     A Non-US Holder  of a  Capital Security will  generally not  be subject  to
withholding  of  income  tax  on  any  gain  realized  upon  the  sale  or other
disposition of  a  Capital Security  provided  such  holder is  not  engaged  or
considered  to be engaged  in the conduct of  a trade or  business in the United
States or, in the case of an individual non-U.S. holder, such holder is  present
in  the United States for less than 183 days  in the taxable year of the sale or
other disposition of the Capital Security.
 
     A Non-US  Holder which  holds  Capital Securities  in connection  with  the
active  conduct of a United  States trade or business  will be subject to income
tax on all income and gains  recognized with respect to its proportionate  share
of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     The  exchange of the Old Capital  Securities for the New Capital Securities
in the Exchange Offer should not constitute a taxable event to Non-US Holders.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING
 
     In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments  made
on,  and proceeds from the sale of, Capital Securities held by a noncorporate US
Holder within the United States. In addition, payments made on, and payments  of
the  proceeds from  the sale  of, Capital  Securities to  or through  the United
States office of a broker are subject to information reporting unless the holder
thereof certifies as to its non-United States status or otherwise establishes an
exemption from information  reporting and  backup withholding. See  ' --  Backup
Withholding.'  Taxable  income on  the Capital  Securities  for a  calendar year
should be reported to US Holders on Forms 1099 by the following January 31st.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may
be subject to a 'backup' withholding tax of 31% unless the holder complies  with
certain  identification or exemption requirements.  Any amounts so withheld will
be allowed as a credit against  the holder's income tax liability, or  refunded,
provided the required information is provided to the IRS.
 
     THE  PRECEDING  DISCUSSION  IS ONLY  A  SUMMARY  AND DOES  NOT  ADDRESS THE
CONSEQUENCES TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER  OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND  DISPOSITION
OF  CAPITAL SECURITIES.  HOLDERS  OF CAPITAL  SECURITIES ARE  URGED  TO  CONTACT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THEIR PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account
pursuant to  the  Exchange  Offer  must  acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver  a
prospectus  in connection with  any resale of such  New Capital Securities. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be  used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received
in  exchange for Old  Capital Securities where such  Old Capital Securities were
acquired as a result  of market-making activities  or other trading  activities.
PXRE  and the Trust have agreed that, starting on the date on which the Exchange
Offer is consummated and  ending on the  close of business  one year after  such
date,  they will make this Prospectus,  as amended or supplemented, available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until
               , 1997, all  dealers effecting  transactions in  the New  Capital
Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
     PXRE  and the  Trust will  not receive  any proceeds  from any  sale of New
Capital  Securities  by  broker-dealers.  New  Capital  Securities  received  by
broker-dealers  for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold
from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions,  through the  writing  of options  on the  New  Capital
Securities or a
 
                                       64
 
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<PAGE>
combination  of such methods of resale, at  market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at  prices related  to such  prevailing market  prices or  negotiated
prices.  Any such  resale may be  made directly  to purchasers or  to or through
brokers or dealers who  may receive compensation in  the form of commissions  or
concessions  from any such  broker-dealer and/or the purchasers  of any such New
Capital Securities. Any broker-dealer that  resells New Capital Securities  that
were  received by it for its own account  pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any
broker or  dealer  that participates  in  a  distribution of  such  New  Capital
Securities  may  be deemed  to be  an  'underwriter' within  the meaning  of the
Securities Act and any profit on any  such resale of New Capital Securities  and
any  commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under  the Securities Act.  The Letter of  Transmittal
states  that  by  acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver  and  by  delivering  a
prospectus, a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is  an
'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     For  a period  of one year  after the date  on which the  Exchange Offer is
consummated, PXRE and  the Trust will  promptly send additional  copies of  this
Prospectus   and  any  amendment  or  supplement   to  this  Prospectus  to  any
broker-dealer that requests such  documents in the  Letter of Transmittal.  PXRE
has  agreed to pay  all expenses incident  to the Exchange  Offer (including the
expenses of one  counsel for the  holders of the  Old Capital Securities)  other
than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the
holders  of the  Old Capital  Securities (including  any broker-dealers) against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit  plan
subject  to  the Employee  Retirement Income  Security Act  of 1974,  as amended
('ERISA') (a 'Plan'), should  consider the fiduciary standards  of ERISA in  the
context  of the Plan's particular circumstances before authorizing an investment
in the  Capital  Securities. Accordingly,  among  other factors,  the  fiduciary
should   consider  whether  the  investment   would  satisfy  the  prudence  and
diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents
and instruments governing the plan.
 
     Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975  of the Code prohibit Plans, as  well
as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the
Code  (also  'Plans'), from  engaging  in certain  transactions  involving 'plan
assets' with persons who are 'parties in interest' under ERISA or  'disqualified
persons'  under the Code  ('Parties in Interest')  with respect to  such Plan. A
violation of these 'prohibited transaction' rules may result in an excise tax or
other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such  persons,
unless   exemptive  relief  is  available   under  an  applicable  statutory  or
administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as
defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in  Section
3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(5) of ERISA) are
not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
 
     Under  a  regulation  (the 'Plan  Assets  Regulation') issued  by  the U.S.
Department of Labor (the 'DOL'), the assets  of the Trust would be deemed to  be
'plan  assets' of a Plan for  purposes of ERISA and Section  4975 of the Code if
'plan assets' of the Plan were used to acquire an equity interest in such  Trust
and  no exception were  applicable under the Plan  Assets Regulation. An 'equity
interest' is defined  under the  Plan Assets Regulation  as any  interest in  an
entity  other  than  an  instrument  which  is  treated  as  indebtedness  under
applicable  local  law  and  which  has  no  substantial  equity  features   and
specifically includes a beneficial interest in a trust.
 
     Pursuant  to  an exception  contained in  the  Plan Assets  Regulation, the
assets of the Trust would not be  deemed to be 'plan assets' of Plans  acquiring
Capital  Securities if  (i) the  Capital Securities  constitute publicly offered
securities, or (ii) immediately after the most recent acquisition of any  equity
interest  in the  Trust, less  than 25%  of the  value of  each class  of equity
interests in  the trust  were held  by Plans  and other  benefit plan  investors
within  the meaning of  the Plan Assets  Regulation (collectively, 'Benefit Plan
Investors'), excluding  for  this purpose  any  Trust Securities  owned  by  the
Institutional  Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, PXRE, the Administrators or any of
their affiliates. The Plan Assets  Regulation states that a beneficial  interest
in  a trust is an equity interest.  The acquisition of Capital Securities (i) by
at least 100 persons who  are independent of one  another (at the completion  of
the
 
                                       65
 
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<PAGE>
initial  offering or otherwise)  for purposes of satisfying  the definition of a
publicly offered  security  or (ii)  by  Benefit  Plan Investors,  will  not  be
monitored.  Therefore, no assurances  can be provided  by the Initial Purchasers
that the assets  of the Trust  would not be  treated as 'plan  assets' of  Plans
owning Capital Securities at any time.
 
     Certain  transactions  involving the  Trust could  be deemed  to constitute
direct or indirect prohibited transactions under  ERISA and Section 4975 of  the
Code with respect to a Plan if the Capital Securities of the Trust were acquired
with  'plan assets' of such Plan and assets of the Trust were deemed to be 'plan
assets' of Plans  investing in the  Trust. For example,  if PXRE is  a Party  in
Interest  with respect to an investing Plan (either directly or by reason of its
ownership of its subsidiaries), extensions of credit between PXRE and the  Trust
(as  represented by the  Subordinated Debt Securities  and the Guarantees) would
likely be prohibited by Section 406(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and Section  4975(c)(1)(B)
of  the  Code,  unless  exemptive  relief  were  available  under  an applicable
administrative exemption (see below).
 
     The DOL has issued five  prohibited transaction class exemptions  ('PTCEs')
that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions
resulting  from the purchase or holding of the Capital Securities, assuming that
assets of the Trust were  deemed to be 'plan assets'  of Plans investing in  the
Trust   (see  above).  Those  class  exemptions  are  PTCE  95-60  (for  certain
transactions determined by  in-house asset  managers), PTCE  96-23 (for  certain
transactions  involving  insurance company  general  accounts), PTCE  91-38 (for
certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for
certain transactions involving  insurance company separate  accounts,) and  PTCE
84-14  (for  certain  transactions  determined  by  independent  qualified asset
managers).
 
     Because the Capital Securities may be deemed to be equity interests in  the
Trust  for purposes of applying ERISA and  Section 4975 of the Code, the Capital
Securities may not be purchased or held by any Plan, any entity whose underlying
assets include 'plan assets' by reason of any Plan's investment in the entity (a
'Plan Asset Entity') or any person  investing 'plan assets' of any Plan,  unless
such  purchaser or holder  is eligible for the  exemptive relief available under
PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14. Any purchaser or holder of the  Capital
Securities  or any interest  therein will be  deemed to have  represented by its
purchase and holding thereof that  it either (a) is not  a Plan or a Plan  Asset
Entity  and is not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with 'plan assets'
of any Plan or  (b) is eligible  for the exemptive  relief available under  PTCE
96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 with respect to such purchase or holding. See
'Notice to Investors' herein.
 
     Due  to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed
upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is  particularly
important  that  fiduciaries  or other  persons  considering  purchasing Capital
Securities on behalf of  or with 'plan  assets' of any  Plan consult with  their
counsel  regarding the  potential consequences if  the assets of  the Trust were
deemed to be 'plan assets' and  the availability of exemptive relief under  PTCE
96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the New Capital
Securities  and the formation of the Trust will  be passed upon on behalf of the
Trust by Potter Anderson  & Corroon, special Delaware  counsel to the Trust  and
PXRE.  The validity under New  York law of the  Subordinated Debt Securities and
the Guarantee will  be passed upon  for PXRE and  the Trust by  Morgan, Lewis  &
Bockius  LLP,  New York,  New  York. Certain  United  States federal  income tax
matters have been,  and will be  in connection with  the Exchange Offer,  passed
upon  for PXRE and the Trust by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York, New York.
Mr. F. Sedgwick Browne, a partner of  Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, is  Secretary
of PXRE and owns 5,115 shares of PXRE common stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The  financial  statements  of  PXRE  incorporated  in  this  Prospectus by
reference to the 1996  Form 10-K for  the year ended December  31, 1996 and  the
Transnational  Annual Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended December 31, 1995
have been  incorporated in  reliance on  the reports  of Price  Waterhouse  LLP,
independent  accountants,  given on  the authority  of said  firm as  experts in
auditing and accounting.
 
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_____________________________                      _____________________________
 
     NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON  OR OTHER  PERSON HAS  BEEN AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER
MADE HEREBY EXCEPT AS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, NO SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION SHOULD
BE RELIED  UPON  AS HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY  PXRE,  THE TRUST,  THE  INITIAL
PURCHASERS  OR  ANY OF  THEIR RESPECTIVE  AGENTS. NEITHER  THE DELIVERY  OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR BOTH TOGETHER, NOR  ANY
SALE  MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE  INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN THE  AFFAIRS
OF  PXRE  OR THE  TRUST  SINCE THE  DATE HEREOF.  NEITHER  THE DELIVERY  OF THIS
PROSPECTUS  NOR  THE  ACCOMPANYING  LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL  OR  BOTH   TOGETHER
CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER TO  SELL OR A SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER  TO BUY THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION  IS
NOT  AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON  MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
 
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                                                                                                                               -----
<S>                                                                                                                            <C>
Available Information.......................................................................................................       1
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.................................................................................................................       1
Summary.....................................................................................................................       3
Risk Factors................................................................................................................      10
PXRE Corporation............................................................................................................      15
Selected Financial Data.....................................................................................................      18
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of PXRE....................................................      20
Capitalization..............................................................................................................      21
Accounting Treatment........................................................................................................      21
Use of Proceeds.............................................................................................................      22
The Trust...................................................................................................................      22
The Exchange Offer..........................................................................................................      23
Description of the Capital Securities.......................................................................................      32
Description of the Guarantee................................................................................................      47
Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities.............................................................................      49
Effect of Obligations Under the
  Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee............................................................................      59
United States Federal Income Taxation.......................................................................................      60
Plan of Distribution........................................................................................................      64
ERISA Considerations........................................................................................................      65
Legal Matters...............................................................................................................      66
Experts.....................................................................................................................      66
</TABLE>
 
                                  $100,000,000
 
                              PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
 
                              8.85% CAPITAL TRUST
                      PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm'(TRUPS'sm')
 
                           (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000
                             PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
                           FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
                      GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY
 
                               PXRE CORPORATION
[LOGO]
 
                           --------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                           --------------------------
 
                            DATED            , 1997
 
_____________________________                      _____________________________


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     (i)  Section  102(b)(7) of  the  General Corporation  Law  of the  State of
Delaware provides that a Delaware corporation may include in its certificate  of
incorporation  a provision eliminating  or limiting the  personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for  breach
of  fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not eliminate
or limit the liability of  a director for any breach  of the director's duty  of
loyalty  to the corporation  or its stockholders,  for acts or  omissions not in
good faith or  which involve intentional  misconduct or a  knowing violation  of
law,  for the payment of  unlawful dividends, or for  any transaction from which
the director  derived an  improper personal  benefit. The  Amended and  Restated
Certificate  of Incorporation of PXRE contains a provision limiting the personal
liability of a director to PXRE and its stockholders for monetary damages for  a
breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the full extent permitted by law.
 
     (ii)  Additionally, Section  145, 'Indemnification  of Officers, Directors,
Employees and Agents; Insurance', of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware provides as follows:
 
          '(a) A corporation may indemnify any person  who was or is a party  or
     is  threatened to be made  a party to any  threatened, pending or completed
     action, suit  or proceeding,  whether  civil, criminal,  administrative  or
     investigative  (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
     by reason of the fact  that he is or was  a director, officer, employee  or
     agent  of  the corporation,  or is  or was  serving at  the request  of the
     corporation  as  a  director,  officer,   employee  or  agent  of   another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
     expenses  (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
     settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with  such
     action,  suit or proceeding  if he acted in  good faith and  in a manner he
     reasonably believed to be in  or not opposed to  the best interests of  the
     corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
     reasonable  cause to believe  his conduct was  unlawful. The termination of
     any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,  conviction,
     or  upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself,
     create a presumption that  the person did  not act in good  faith and in  a
     manner  which he reasonably  believed to be  in or not  opposed to the best
     interests of the corporation, and, with  respect to any criminal action  or
     proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
 
          (b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
     threatened  to  be made  a party  to any  threatened, pending  or completed
     action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a  judgment
     in  its favor by reason of the fact  that he is or was a director, officer,
     employee or agent of the corporation, or  is or was serving at the  request
     of  the corporation  as a director,  officer, employee or  agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise  against
     expenses  (including attorneys'  fees) actually and  reasonably incurred by
     him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit  if
     he  acted in good faith and in a  manner he reasonably believed to be in or
     not opposed to  the best interests  of the corporation  and except that  no
     indemnification  shall be made in respect of  any claim, issue or matter as
     to which  such  person  shall  have  been adjudged  to  be  liable  to  the
     corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the
     court  in  which  such action  or  suit  was brought  shall  determine upon
     application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of  all
     the  circumstances  of  the  case, such  person  is  fairly  and reasonably
     entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such
     other court shall deem proper.
 
          (c) To the  extent that a  director, officer, employee  or agent of  a
     corporation  has been successful  on the merits or  otherwise in defense of
     any action, suit or  proceeding referred to in  subsections (a) and (b)  of
     this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
     be  indemnified against  expenses (including attorneys'  fees) actually and
     reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this  section
     (unless  ordered  by a  court) shall  be  made by  the corporation  only as
     authorized in the specific case upon a
 
                                      II-1
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     determination that indemnification  of the director,  officer, employee  or
     agent  is proper  in the  circumstances because  he has  met the applicable
     standard of conduct set forth in  subsections (a) and (b) of this  section.
     Such  determination shall be made  (1) by a majority  vote of the directors
     who are not parties  to such action, suit  or proceeding, even though  less
     than  a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such directors
     so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
     stockholders.
 
          (e) Expenses (including  attorneys' fees)  incurred by  an officer  or
     director  in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
     action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
     final disposition of  such action, suit  or proceeding upon  receipt of  an
     undertaking  by or  on behalf  of such  director or  officer to  repay such
     amount if it shall ultimately be determined  that he is not entitled to  be
     indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses
     (including  attorneys' fees) incurred by other  employees and agents may be
     so paid upon such terms and conditions,  if any, as the board of  directors
     deems appropriate.
 
          (f)  The indemnification and  advancement of expenses  provided by, or
     granted pursuant to,  the other subsections  of this section  shall not  be
     deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
     or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote
     of  stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
     in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
     such office.
 
          (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain  insurance
     on  behalf of  any person who  is or  was a director,  officer, employee or
     agent of  the corporation,  or is  or was  serving at  the request  of  the
     corporation   as  a  director,  officer,   employee  or  agent  of  another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise  against
     any  liability  asserted  against  him  and incurred  by  him  in  any such
     capacity, or  arising  out  of his  status  as  such, whether  or  not  the
     corporation  would have the  power to indemnify  him against such liability
     under this section.
 
          (h) For  purposes of  this section,  references to  'the  corporation'
     shall  include, in addition  to the resulting  corporation, any constituent
     corporation (including  any constituent  of a  constituent) absorbed  in  a
     consolidation  or merger  which, if  its separate  existence had continued,
     would have had power  and authority to  indemnify its directors,  officers,
     and  employees or  agents, so  that any  person who  is or  was a director,
     officer, employee or agent  of such constituent corporation,  or is or  was
     serving  at  the  request  of  such  constituent  corporation  as director,
     officer, employee  or  agent  of another  corporation,  partnership,  joint
     venture,  trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
     this section with respect to the  resulting or surviving corporation as  he
     would  have with  respect to such  constituent corporation  if its separate
     existence had continued.
 
          (i) For purposes  of this section,  references to 'other  enterprises'
     shall  include employee benefit plans;  references to 'fines' shall include
     any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee  benefit
     plan;  and references to 'serving at  the request of the corporation' shall
     include any  service as  a  director, officer,  employee  or agent  of  the
     corporation  which  imposes  duties  on,  or  involves  services  by,  such
     director, officer, employee or  agent with respect  to an employee  benefit
     plan,  its participants  or beneficiaries; and  a person who  acted in good
     faith and in a manner he reasonably  believed to be in the interest of  the
     participants  and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed
     to have  acted in  a  manner 'not  opposed to  the  best interests  of  the
     corporation' as referred to in this section.
 
          (j)  The indemnification and  advancement of expenses  provided by, or
     granted pursuant to,  this section  shall, unless  otherwise provided  when
     authorized  or ratified,  continue as to  a person  who has ceased  to be a
     director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of  the
     heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
 
          (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction
     to   hear  and  determine  all  actions  for  advancement  of  expenses  or
     indemnification brought under this section  or under any bylaw,  agreement,
     vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of
     Chancery  may  summarily determine  a  corporation's obligation  to advance
     expenses (including attorneys' fees).'
 
                                      II-2
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     (iii) Article VI of the  Amended and Restated Certificate of  Incorporation
of  PXRE provides for indemnification of  directors and officers of PXRE against
liability they  may  incur  in their  capacities  as  such to  the  full  extent
permitted under Delaware law. In addition, pursuant to certain letter agreements
between  PXRE and each  of its directors,  PXRE has undertaken  to indemnify its
directors to  the fullest  extent permitted  by Article  VI of  the Amended  and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PXRE and applicable Delaware law.
 
     (iv)  There is in effect a Directors and Officers Liability and Corporation
Reimbursement Insurance  Policy  with  Reliance Insurance  Company.  The  policy
insures  the directors and officers of PXRE  against loss arising from any claim
or claims made against such directors or officers, individually or collectively,
by reason  of certain  wrongful acts  such as  any actual  or alleged  error  or
misstatement or misleading statement or act, omission, neglect or breach of duty
by  the officers and directors in the discharge of their duties. The policy also
insures PXRE against loss for which PXRE  is required to indemnify or for  which
PXRE,  to the extent permitted by law, has indemnified the officers or directors
arising from any  claim against  any of  the directors  or officers  of PXRE  by
reason  of the wrongful acts described above.  The policy does not insure PXRE's
directors and officers against loss in connection with any claim relating to any
deliberately dishonest or fraudulent act or omission, any criminal or  malicious
act  or omission, any willful violation of law or any accounting for profits for
the purchase or sale of securities of  PXRE within the meaning of Section  16(b)
of  the Exchange Act. The combined limit  of liability is $10,000,000 per policy
year for both  directors' and  officers' liability  and corporate  reimbursement
coverage.
 
     (v)  Under  the  Declaration, PXRE  has  agreed  to indemnify  each  of the
Trustees of the  Trust, and  to hold the  Trustees harmless  against, any  loss,
damage,  claim, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on
the Trustees'  part, arising  out of  or in  connection with  the acceptance  or
administration of the Declaration, including the costs and expenses of defending
themselves  against any  claim or liability  in connection with  the exercise or
performance of any of their powers or duties under the Declaration.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                                 DESCRIPTION
- -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>           <S>
    4.1       Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1997, between PXRE and First Union National Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit
              4.3 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428),
              and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.2       First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1997, between PXRE and First Union National  Bank,
              as  Trustee, in  respect of  PXRE's 8.85%  Junior Subordinated  Deferrable Interest  Debentures due 2027
              (Exhibit 4.4 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File  No.
              0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.3       Form  of PXRE's 8.85% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 (included in the First
              Supplemental Indenture filed  as Exhibit  4.2 to  this Registration  Statement) (Exhibit  4.4 to  PXRE's
              Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for the  fiscal year  ended  December 31,  1996  (File No.  0-15428), and
              incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.4       Certificate of Trust of PXRE Capital Trust I, dated January 21, 1997.*
 
    4.5       Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of PXRE Capital  Trust I, dated as of January 29, 1997,  among
              PXRE,  as sponsor, the Administrators thereof, First Union  Bank of Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, First
              Union National Bank, as Institutional Trustee, and the holders from time to time of undivided  interests
              in  the assets of PXRE Capital Trust I (Exhibit 4.5  to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.6       Form of Capital  Security Certificate for  PXRE Capital Trust  I (included in  the Amended and  Restated
              Declaration  of Trust filed as Exhibit 4.5 to this Registration Statement) (Exhibit 4.5 to PXRE's Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated  by
              reference herein).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                                 DESCRIPTION
- -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>           <S>
    4.7       Capital  Securities Guarantee  Agreement, dated  as of January  29, 1997,  between PXRE  and First Union
              National Bank, as Guarantee  Trustee (Exhibit 4.6 to  PXRE's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the  fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.8       Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated January 29,  1997, among PXRE,  PXRE Capital Trust  I and Salomon
              Brothers Inc, as Representative of the Initial Purchasers (Exhibit 10.1 to PXRE's Annual Report on  Form
              10-K  for the  fiscal year ended  December 31,  1996 (File No.  0-15428), and  incorporated by reference
              herein).
 
    4.9       Indenture, dated as of August 31, 1993, between PXRE and The First National Bank of Boston, as  Trustee,
              relating  to $75,000,000 principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes  of PXRE due 2003 (Exhibit 4.1 to PXRE's
              Quarterly Report  on  Form 10-Q  for  the quarter  ended  September 30,  1993  (File No.  0-15428),  and
              incorporated herein by reference).
 
    4.10      Supplemental  Indenture, dated  as of January  24, 1997,  between PXRE and  State Street  Bank and Trust
              Company, as Successor Trustee, relating to $75,000,000  original principal amount of 9.75% Senior  Notes
              due  2003 (Exhibit 4.2 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form  10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
              (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    5.1       Opinion of Potter Anderson & Corroon  as to the validity of the  New Capital Securities to be issued  by
              PXRE Capital Trust I.**
 
    5.2       Opinion  of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius  LLP as to the validity of  the New Subordinated Debt Securities and
              the New Guarantee to be issued by PXRE.**
 
    8         Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP regarding certain federal income tax matters.**
 
   12         Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to  Fixed Charges (Exhibit 12 to PXRE's Annual Report  on
              Form  10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference
              herein).
 
   23.1       Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.*
 
   23.2       Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).**
 
   23.3       Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 to this Registration Statement).**
 
   23.4       Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 8 to this Registration Statement).**
 
   24         Powers of Attorney.*
 
   25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National Bank to act as trustee under the Indenture.*
 
   25.2       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National  Bank to act as trustee under the Amended  and
              Restated Declaration of Trust.*
 
   25.3       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National Bank to act as trustee under the Guarantee for
              the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities.*
 
   99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal.*
 
   99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.*
 
   99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.*
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 * Filed herewith
 
** To be filed by amendment
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a)  Each  of  the  undersigned  registrants  hereby  undertakes  that, for
purposes of determining  any liability under  the Securities Act  of 1933,  each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
 
                                      II-4
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be  a
new  registration statement relating to the  securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial  bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of a
registrant  pursuant  to the  foregoing provisions,  or  otherwise, each  of the
undersigned registrants has been advised that  in the opinion of the  Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification  against  such liabilities  (other  than the  payment  by  a
registrant  of expenses incurred  or paid by a  director, officer or controlling
person of  a  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit  or
proceeding)  is  asserted by  such director,  officer  or controlling  person in
connection with  the  securities  being  registered,  each  of  the  undersigned
registrants  will, unless  in the  opinion of  its counsel  the matter  has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction
the  question whether  such indemnification  by it  is against  public policy as
expressed in the  Act and will  be governed  by the final  adjudication of  such
issue.
 
     (c)  Each of  the undersigned registrants  hereby undertakes  to respond to
requests for information that is  incorporated by reference into the  prospectus
pursuant  to Item 4,  10(b), 11 or 13  of this Form, within  one business day of
receipt of such request, and to  send the incorporated documents by first  class
mail  or  other equally  prompt means.  This  includes information  contained in
documents filed subsequent to the  effective date of the registration  statement
through the date of responding to the request.
 
     (d)  Each of  the undersigned  registrants hereby  undertakes to  supply by
means of a  post-effective amendment all  information concerning a  transaction,
and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-5


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration  Statement to be signed  on its behalf by  the
undersigned,  thereunto duly  authorized, in  the City  of Edison,  State of New
Jersey, on April 8, 1997.
 
                                          PXRE CORPORATION
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By /S/ GERALD L. RADKE
                                              ..................................
                                             GERALD L. RADKE
                                             CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT,
                                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE
                                             OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
 
     Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
Registration  Statement has  been signed below  by the following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                        TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
<C>                                         <S>                                            <C>
           /s/ GERALD L. RADKE              Chairman of the Board, President, Chief           April 8, 1997
 .........................................    Executive Officer and Director (Principal
             GERALD L. RADKE                  Executive Officer)
 
          /s/ SANFORD M. KIMMEL             Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief        April 8, 1997
 .........................................    Financial Officer (Principal Financial
            SANFORD M. KIMMEL                 Officer)
 
             /s/ JOAN L. CADD               Vice President and Controller                     April 8, 1997
 .........................................
               JOAN L. CADD
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
           ROBERT W. FIONDELLA
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
            FRANKLIN D. HAFTL
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
              BERNARD KELLY
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
              WENDY LUSCOMBE
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
             EDWARD P. LYONS
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                        TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
<C>                                         <S>                                            <C>
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
           PHILIP R. MCLOUGHLIN
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
            DAVID W. SEARFOSS
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
           DONALD H. TRAUTLEIN
 
                    *                       Director                                          April 8, 1997
 .........................................
               WILSON WILDE
 
                /S/ GERALD L. RADKE
*By  .....................................
             GERALD L. RADKE
             ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the  Registrant
has  duly caused this Registration  Statement to be signed  on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly  authorized, in  the City  of Edison,  State of  New
Jersey, on April 8, 1997.
 
                                          PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By /S/ GERALD L. RADKE
                                              ..................................
                                              GERALD L. RADKE
                                              ADMINISTRATOR
 
                                          By /S/ SANFORD M. KIMMEL
                                              ..................................
                                              SANFORD M. KIMMEL
                                              ADMINISTRATOR
 
                                      II-8


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                                 DESCRIPTION
- -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<C>           <S>
    4.1       Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1997, between PXRE and First Union National Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit
              4.3 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428),
              and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.2       First  Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1997, between PXRE and First Union National Bank,
              as Trustee, in  respect of  PXRE's 8.85%  Junior Subordinated  Deferrable Interest  Debentures due  2027
              (Exhibit  4.4 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No.
              0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.3       Form of PXRE's 8.85% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 (included in the  First
              Supplemental  Indenture filed  as Exhibit  4.2 to  this Registration  Statement) (Exhibit  4.4 to PXRE's
              Annual Report  on Form  10-K  for the  fiscal  year ended  December 31,  1996  (File No.  0-15428),  and
              incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.4       Certificate of Trust of PXRE Capital Trust I, dated January 21, 1997.*
 
    4.5       Amended  and Restated Declaration of Trust of PXRE Capital  Trust I, dated as of January 29, 1997, among
              PXRE, as sponsor, the Administrators thereof, First  Union Bank of Delaware, as Delaware Trustee,  First
              Union  National Bank, as Institutional Trustee, and the holders from time to time of undivided interests
              in the assets of PXRE Capital Trust I (Exhibit 4.5  to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.6       Form  of Capital Security  Certificate for PXRE  Capital Trust I  (included in the  Amended and Restated
              Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit 4.5 to this Registration Statement) (Exhibit 4.5 to PXRE's  Annual
              Report  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by
              reference herein).
 
    4.7       Capital Securities Guarantee  Agreement, dated  as of  January 29, 1997,  between PXRE  and First  Union
              National  Bank, as Guarantee Trustee  (Exhibit 4.6 to PXRE's  Annual Report on Form  10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    4.8       Registration Rights Agreement,  dated January 29,  1997, among PXRE,  PXRE Capital Trust  I and  Salomon
              Brothers  Inc, as Representative of the Initial Purchasers (Exhibit 10.1 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the  fiscal year  ended December 31,  1996 (File  No. 0-15428), and  incorporated by  reference
              herein).
 
    4.9       Indenture,  dated as of August 31, 1993, between PXRE and The First National Bank of Boston, as Trustee,
              relating to $75,000,000 principal amount of 9.75% Senior  Notes of PXRE due 2003 (Exhibit 4.1 to  PXRE's
              Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q  for the  quarter  ended September  30,  1993 (File  No.  0-15428), and
              incorporated herein by reference).
 
    4.10      Supplemental Indenture, dated  as of  January 24, 1997,  between PXRE  and State Street  Bank and  Trust
              Company,  as Successor Trustee, relating to $75,000,000  original principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes
              due 2003 (Exhibit 4.2 to PXRE's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,  1996
              (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by reference herein).
 
    5.1       Opinion  of Potter Anderson & Corroon as  to the validity of the New  Capital Securities to be issued by
              PXRE Capital Trust I.**
 
    5.2       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius  LLP as to the validity of  the New Subordinated Debt Securities  and
              the New Guarantee to be issued by PXRE.**
 
    8         Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP regarding certain federal income tax matters.**
 
   12         Statement  of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed  Charges (Exhibit 12 to PXRE's Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-15428), and incorporated by  reference
              herein).
 
   23.1       Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.*
 
   23.2       Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).**
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                                 DESCRIPTION
- -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<C>           <S>
   23.3       Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 to this Registration Statement).**
 
   23.4       Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 8 to this Registration Statement).**
 
   24         Powers of Attorney.*
 
   25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National Bank to act as trustee under the Indenture.*
 
   25.2       Form  T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National  Bank to act as trustee under the Amended and
              Restated Declaration of Trust.*
 
   25.3       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of First Union National Bank to act as trustee under the Guarantee for
              the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities.*
 
   99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal.*
 
   99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.*
 
   99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.*
</TABLE> 
- ------------
 
 * Filed herewith
 
** To be filed by amendment


                              STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
                              ------------------------

The British pound sign shall be expressed as............. 'L'
The section symbol shall be expressed as ................`SS'
The service mark symbol shall be expressed as ...........`sm'


<PAGE>




<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                              PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I

         The undersigned, being all of the Administrators and the sole Delaware
Trustee of PXRE Capital Trust I, desiring to form a business trust pursuant to
the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C. `SS'`SS' 3810, et seq., hereby
certify as follows:

         (a)      The name of the business trust being formed hereby (the
                  "Trust") is PXRE Capital Trust I

         (b)      The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust
                  which has its principal place of business in the State of
                  Delaware are as follows:

                  First Union Bank of Delaware
                  One Rodney Square, 1st Floor
                  920 King Street
                  Wilmington, Delaware 19801

         (c)      This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of the date of
                  filing, and may be executed in counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Certificate of
Trust to be executed this 21st day of January, 1997.

                                    FIRST UNION BANK OF DELAWARE,
                                      not in its individual capacity,
                                      but solely as Delaware Trustee

                                    By: /s/ Stephen J. Kaba
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Name:  Stephen J. Kaba
                                        Title: Vice President


                                        /s/ Gerald L. Radke
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Gerald L. Radke, not in his individual
                                        capacity, but solely as Administrator


                                        /s/ Sanford M. Kimmel
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Sanford M. Kimmel, not in his individual
                                        capacity, but solely as Administrator


                                        /s/ Joan L. Cadd
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Joan L. Cadd, not in her individual
                                        capacity, but solely as Administrator



<PAGE>




<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our reports
dated February 13, 1997 appearing on pages F-1 and F-29 of the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of PXRE Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996. We also
consent to the incorporation by reference of our reports dated February 13,
1996 appearing on pages F-1 and F-19 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Transnational Re Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1995. We also
consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in such Prospectus.

/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

April 8, 1997
New York, New York





<PAGE>




<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Robert W. Fiondella
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Robert W. Fiondella







<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Franklin D. Haftl
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Franklin D. Haftl








<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Bernard Kelly
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Bernard Kelly







<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Wendy Luscombe
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Wendy Luscombe







<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Edward P. Lyons
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Edward P. Lyons







<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Philip R. McLoughlin
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Philip R. McLoughlin







<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ David W. Searfoss
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  David W. Searfoss








<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Donald H. Trautlein
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Donald H. Trautlein







<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and/or
director of PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
constitutes and appoints Gerald L. Radke and Sanford M. Kimmel, and each of them
singly, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, acting in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company and
any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements (if any) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The undersigned does hereby grant unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents (and either of them) full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in such connection, as
fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents (and either
of them), or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March,
1997.

                                                  /s/ Wilson Wilde
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Wilson Wilde

<PAGE>




<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM T-1

         STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

          CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
                          PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ___

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

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                (Name of Trustee)

                                                            22-1147033
   (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                     (I.R.S. Employer
Organization if not a U.S. National Bank)               Identification No.)

 101 NORTHSIDE PLAZA, ELKTON, MARYLAND                         21921

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)

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

                                PXRE CORPORATION
                                (Name of Obligor)

                                                            06-1183996
              DELAWARE                                    (I.R.S. Employer)
       (State of Incorporation)                          Identification No.)

399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLR., EDISON, NJ                     08837
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)

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

       8.85% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES DUE 2027 OF
                                PXRE CORPORATION
                         (Title of Indenture Securities)




<PAGE>

<PAGE>





                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)    NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
                WHICH IT IS SUBJECT:

                Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
                Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, New York, N.Y.
                Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

         (b)    WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
                powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         None.

ITEM 3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 4.  TRUSTEESHIP UNDER OTHER INDENTURES:

         IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

         (a) TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH OTHER
INDENTURE.

         Not Applicable

         (b) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR THE CLAIM
THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 310(b)(1) OF THE ACT
ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER INDENTURE, INCLUDING
A STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES WILL RANK AS COMPARED WITH THE
SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER INDENTURE.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OBLIGOR OR
UNDERWRITERS.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, IDENTIFY EACH SUCH PERSON
HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE OF EACH SUCH CONNECTION.

         Not Applicable




<PAGE>

<PAGE>




ITEM 6.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                      <C>                          <C>
                                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF VOTING
                                                                                      SECURITIES REPRESENTED
       NAME OF                   TITLE OF                AMOUNT OWNED                   BY AMOUNT GIVEN IN
        OWNER                     CLASS                  BENEFICIALLY                        COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 7.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR
OFFICIALS.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY EACH UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
DIRECTOR, PARTNER, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                      <C>                          <C>
                                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF VOTING
                                                                                      SECURITIES REPRESENTED
       NAME OF                   TITLE OF                AMOUNT OWNED                   BY AMOUNT GIVEN IN
        OWNER                     CLASS                  BENEFICIALLY                        COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 8.  SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         Furnish the following information as to securities of the obligor owned
beneficially or held as collateral security for the obligations in default by
the trustee.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 9.  SECURITIES OF THE UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH UNDERWRITER ANY
OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                                        2




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                   COL. B                   COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                 <C>                                   <C>
                                                   AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY             PERCENT OF CLASS
       NAME OF                                       OR HELD AS COLLATERAL                REPRESENTED BY
     ISSUER AND                  AMOUNT            SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS              AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   TITLE OF CLASS              OUTSTANDING           IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                   COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 10.  OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR
OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                   COL. B                   COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                 <C>                                 <C>
                                                   AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY             PERCENT OF VOTING
       NAME OF                                       OR HELD AS COLLATERAL                  SECURITIES
     ISSUER AND                  AMOUNT            SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS            REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
   TITLE OF CLASS              OUTSTANDING           IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE              GIVEN IN COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
TRUSTEE, OWNS 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR,
FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON
ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                   COL. B                   COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                 <C>                                   <C>
                                                   AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY             PERCENT OF CLASS
       NAME OF                                       OR HELD AS COLLATERAL                REPRESENTED BY
     ISSUER AND                  AMOUNT            SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS              AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   TITLE OF CLASS              OUTSTANDING           IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                   COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 12.  INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

         EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS INDEBTED TO THE
TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       COL. A                                  COL. B                                       COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                                               <C>
NATURE OF INDEBTEDNESS                    AMOUNT OUTSTANDING                                 DATE DUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not  Applicable

                                        3




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

         (a) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

         (b) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
OUTSTANDING SERIES OF SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE HAS
BEEN DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE INDENTURE OR
SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

ITEM 14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

         IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

         IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN TRUSTEE IS
AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE ACT.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 16.  LISTS OF EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>

        <S>      <C>                                                                       
         1*       -COPY OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN EFFECT.
         2        -NO CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE BUSINESS IS FURNISHED
                   SINCE THIS AUTHORITY IS CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE.
         3*       -COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
         4*       -COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, AS NOW IN EFFECT.
         5        -NOT APPLICABLE.
         6*       -THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 321 (b) OF THE ACT.
         7        -A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO THE
                   LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING AUTHORITY.
         8        -NOT APPLICABLE
         9        -NOT APPLICABLE
</TABLE>
- -------------
*EXHIBITS THUS DESIGNATED HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, HAVE NOT BEEN AMENDED SINCE FILING AND ARE INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE (SEE EXHIBIT T-1 REGISTRATION NUMBER 22-13279).

         IN ANSWERING ANY ITEM IN THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND
QUALIFICATION WHICH RELATES TO MATTERS PECULIARLY WITHIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
OBLIGOR OR OF ITS DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS, OR AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, THE
UNDERSIGNED, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, HAS RELIED UPON INFORMATION FURNISHED TO
IT BY THE OBLIGOR OR SUCH UNDERWRITER.

                                        4




<PAGE>

<PAGE>






                                    SIGNATURE

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 THE
TRUSTEE, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS DULY CAUSED THIS STATEMENT OF
ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ON THE 2ND DAY
OF APRIL, 1997.

                                                FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                                (TRUSTEE)

(CORPORATE SEAL)

                                                BY:     /S/ RICK BARNES
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                        5




<PAGE>

<PAGE>





                                   EXHIBIT T-7
                               REPORT OF CONDITION

Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the First Union National Bank
of Elkton in the State of Maryland , at the close of business on December 31,
1996, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161. Charter Number 33869 Comptroller of
the Currency Northeastern District.

                     STATEMENT OF RESOURCES AND LIABILITIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ASSETS
                                                                        Thousands of Dollars
                                                                        --------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Cash and balance due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin.............            1,835,479
  Interest-bearing balances......................................               83,025
Securities.......................................................            /////////
  Hold-to-maturity securities....................................              431,623
  Available-for-sale securities..................................            2,429,818
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements                //////////
  to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its                      //////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                             //////////
  Federal funds sold.............................................              998,987
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell................              465,602
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loan and leases, net of unearned income........................           19,495,582
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses......................              258,533
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..........................                    0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
  reserve........................................................           19,237,049
Assets held in trading accounts..................................                    0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).........              395,941
Other real estate owned..........................................               49,984
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated                    //////////
  companies......................................................               26,336
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.....               44,524
Intangible assets................................................              398,568
Other assets.....................................................              731,433
Total assets.....................................................           27,128,369

                                      LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices............................................           21,604,197
    Noninterest-bearing..........................................            4,512,791
    Interest-bearing.............................................           17,091,406
  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
    and IBFs.....................................................              390,835
    Noninterest-bearing..........................................                   70
    Interest-bearing.............................................              390,765
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements                 /////////
  to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its                   /////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs:                                 /////////
  Federal fund purchased.........................................              305,422
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.................            1,308,107
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.........................               99,992
Trading liabilities..............................................                    0
Other borrowed money:                                                        /////////
  With original maturity of one year or less.....................                8,000
  With original maturity of more than one year...................                9,532
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases                   6,149
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.........               45,252
Subordinated notes and debentures................................              475,000
Other liabilities................................................              656,346
Total liabilities................................................           24,908,832
Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.................                    0
</TABLE>





<PAGE>

<PAGE>









<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                    <C>   
                                    EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus....................              160,540
Common Stock.....................................................              452,156
Surplus..........................................................            1,300,080
Undivided profits and capital reserves...........................              318,243
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale                  /////////
 securities......................................................              (11,482)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............                    0
Total equity capital.............................................            2,219,537
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock and equity                  //////////
  capital........................................................           27,128,369
</TABLE>


<PAGE>




<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM T-1

         STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

          CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
                          PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ___

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

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                (Name of Trustee)

                                                            22-1147033
   (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                     (I.R.S. Employer
Organization if not a U.S. National Bank)               Identification No.)

 101 NORTHSIDE PLAZA, ELKTON, MARYLAND                         21921

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)

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

                              PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
                                (Name of Obligor)

                                                            22-6721215
              DELAWARE                                   (I.R.S. Employer
      (State of Incorporation)                          Identification No.)

        C/O PXRE CORPORATION
399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLR., EDISON, NJ                     08837
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)

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

                8.85% CAPITAL SECURITIES OF PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
                         (Title of Indenture Securities)







<PAGE>

<PAGE>





                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
              WHICH IT IS SUBJECT:

              Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
              Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, New York, N.Y.
              Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.


         (b)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

              The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
              powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         None.

ITEM 3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 4.  TRUSTEESHIP UNDER OTHER INDENTURES:

         IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

         (a) TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH OTHER
INDENTURE.

         Not Applicable

         (b) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR THE CLAIM
THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 310(b)(1) OF THE ACT
ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER INDENTURE, INCLUDING
A STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES WILL RANK AS COMPARED WITH THE
SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER INDENTURE.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 5.  INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OBLIGOR OR
         UNDERWRITERS.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, IDENTIFY EACH SUCH PERSON
HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE OF EACH SUCH CONNECTION.

         Not Applicable







<PAGE>

<PAGE>




ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         COL. A                  COL. B                COL. C                    COL. D
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                         <C>                  <C>                   <C>
                                                                            PERCENTAGE OF VOTING
                                                                           SECURITIES REPRESENTED
         NAME OF                TITLE OF             AMOUNT OWNED            BY AMOUNT GIVEN IN
          OWNER                  CLASS               BENEFICIALLY                  COL. C
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 7.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR
         OFFICIALS.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY EACH UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
DIRECTOR, PARTNER, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         COL. A                  COL. B                COL. C                  COL. D
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                        <C>                   <C>                   <C>
                                                                            PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                           VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                            REPRESENTED BY
         NAME OF                                     AMOUNT OWNED          AMOUNT GIVEN IN
          OWNER                 TITLE OF CLASS       BENEFICIALLY             COL. C
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 8.  SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         Furnish the following information as to securities of the obligor owned
beneficially or held as collateral security for the obligations in default by
the trustee.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 9.  SECURITIES OF THE UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH UNDERWRITER ANY
OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                                        2







<PAGE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       COL. A            COL. B                 COL. C                           COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                            <C>             <C>                                  <C>
                                                        AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY            PERCENT OF CLASS
                     NAME OF                               OR HELD AS COLLATERAL              REPRESENTED BY
                     ISSUER AND           AMOUNT         SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS            AMOUNT GIVEN IN
                   TITLE OF CLASS       OUTSTANDING       IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                 COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 10.  OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
          AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR
OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                COL. A                COL. B                   COL. C                             COL. D
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                       <C>               <C>                                   <C>
                                                     AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY               PERCENT OF VOTING
               NAME OF                                 OR HELD AS COLLATERAL                    SECURITIES
              ISSUER AND             AMOUNT           SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS             REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
             TITLE OF CLASS        OUTSTANDING          IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                 GIVEN IN COL. C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
         OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
TRUSTEE, OWNS 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR,
FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON
ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             COL. A                   COL. B                   COL. C                     COL. D
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>                        <C>               <C>                              <C>
                                                      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY       PERCENT OF CLASS
           NAME OF                                      OR HELD AS COLLATERAL          REPRESENTED BY
          ISSUER AND                  AMOUNT          SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS        AMOUNT GIVEN IN
         TITLE OF CLASS             OUTSTANDING         IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE             COL. C
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 12.  INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

         EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS INDEBTED TO THE
TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             COL. A                     COL. B                   COL. C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                        <C>                         <C>
         NATURE OF INDEBTEDNESS     AMOUNT OUTSTANDING          DATE DUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not  Applicable

                                        3




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

         (a) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

         (b) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
OUTSTANDING SERIES OF SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE HAS
BEEN DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE INDENTURE OR
SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

ITEM 14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

         IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

         IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN TRUSTEE IS
AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE ACT.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 16.  LISTS OF EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       <S>       <C>
         1*       -COPY OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
                   EFFECT.
         2        -NO CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
                   BUSINESS IS FURNISHED SINCE THIS AUTHORITY IS CONTAINED IN
                   THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE.
         3*       -COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE
                   CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
         4*       -COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, AS NOW IN
                   EFFECT.
         5        -NOT APPLICABLE.
         6*       -THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 321 (b) OF THE
                   ACT.
         7        -A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE
                   PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO THE LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS
                   SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING AUTHORITY.
         8        -NOT APPLICABLE
         9        -NOT APPLICABLE
</TABLE>
- -----------------
*EXHIBITS THUS DESIGNATED HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, HAVE NOT BEEN AMENDED SINCE FILING AND ARE INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE (SEE EXHIBIT T-1 REGISTRATION NUMBER 22-13279).

         IN ANSWERING ANY ITEM IN THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND
QUALIFICATION WHICH RELATES TO MATTERS PECULIARLY WITHIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
OBLIGOR OR OF ITS DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS, OR AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, THE
UNDERSIGNED, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, HAS RELIED UPON INFORMATION FURNISHED TO
IT BY THE OBLIGOR OR SUCH UNDERWRITER.

                                        4






<PAGE>

<PAGE>






                                    SIGNATURE

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 THE
TRUSTEE, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS DULY CAUSED THIS STATEMENT OF
ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ON THE 2ND DAY
OF APRIL, 1997.

                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                       (TRUSTEE)

(CORPORATE SEAL)

                                       BY:     /S/RICK BARNES
                                          _____________________________________
                                              ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT




                                        5




<PAGE>

<PAGE>





                                   EXHIBIT T-7
                               REPORT OF CONDITION

Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the First Union National Bank
of Elkton in the State of Maryland, at the close of business on December 31,
1996, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161. Charter Number 33869 Comptroller of
the Currency Northeastern District.

STATEMENT OF RESOURCES AND LIABILITIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ASSETS
                                                                     Thousands of Dollars
                                                                     --------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>
Cash and balance due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ............     1,835,479
  Interest-bearing balances .....................................        83,025
Securities ......................................................     /////////
  Hold-to-maturity securities ...................................       431,623
  Available-for-sale securities .................................     2,429,818
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements         //////////
  to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its               //////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                      //////////
  Federal funds sold ............................................       998,987
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell ...............       465,602
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loan and leases, net of unearned income .......................    19,495,582
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses .....................       258,533
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve .........................             0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
   reserve ......................................................    19,237,049
Assets held in trading accounts .................................             0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ........       395,941
Other real estate owned .........................................        49,984
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated             //////////
 companies ......................................................        26,336
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ....        44,524
Intangible assets ...............................................       398,568
Other assets ....................................................       731,433
Total assets ....................................................    27,128,369

                                   LIABILITIES

Deposits:
  In domestic offices ...........................................    21,604,197
  Noninterest-bearing ...........................................     4,512,791
  Interest-bearing ..............................................    17,091,406
  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
   and IBFs .....................................................       390,835
  Noninterest-bearing ...........................................            70
  Interest-bearing ..............................................       390,765
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements          /////////
  to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its            /////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs:                          /////////
  Federal fund purchased ........................................       305,422
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ................     1,308,107
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury ........................        99,992
Trading liabilities .............................................             0
Other borrowed money:                                                 /////////
  With original maturity of one year or less ....................         8,000
  With original maturity of more than one year ..................         9,532
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases ..         6,149
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ........        45,252
Subordinated notes and debentures ...............................       475,000
Other liabilities ...............................................       656,346
Total liabilities ...............................................    24,908,832
Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus ................             0


</TABLE>



<PAGE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                   <C>      

                                 EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ...................       160,540
Common Stock ....................................................       452,156
Surplus .........................................................     1,300,080
Undivided profits and capital reserves ..........................       318,243
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale           /////////
 securities .....................................................       (11,482)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .............             0
Total equity capital ............................................     2,219,537
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock and equity           //////////
  capital .......................................................    27,128,369

</TABLE>


<PAGE>




<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.3

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM T-1

         STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

          CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
                          PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ___

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

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                (Name of Trustee)

                                                            22-1147033
   (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                     (I.R.S. Employer
Organization if not a U.S. National Bank)               Identification No.)

 101 NORTHSIDE PLAZA, ELKTON, MARYLAND                         21921

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                     (Zip Code)

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

                                PXRE CORPORATION
                                (Name of Obligor)

           DELAWARE                                         06-1183996
   (State of Incorporation)                              (I.R.S. Employer
                                                        Identification No.)

399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLR., EDISON, NJ                     08837
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)

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

          PXRE CORPORATION GUARANTEE WITH RESPECT TO CAPITAL SECURITIES
                         (Title of Indenture Securities)




<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)      NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
                  WHICH IT IS SUBJECT:

                  Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
                  Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,  New York,
                  N.Y.
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

         (b)      WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                  The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         None

ITEM 3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 4.  TRUSTEESHIP UNDER OTHER INDENTURES:

         IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

        (a) TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH OTHER INDENTURE.

        Not Applicable

        (b) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR THE CLAIM
THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 310(b)(1) OF THE ACT
ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER INDENTURE, INCLUDING
A STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES WILL RANK AS COMPARED WITH THE
SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER INDENTURE.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 5.  INTERLOCKING  DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR  RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
         OBLIGOR OR UNDERWRITERS.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, IDENTIFY EACH SUCH PERSON
HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE OF EACH SUCH CONNECTION.

         Not Applicable




<PAGE>

<PAGE>




ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         COL. A                             COL. B                              COL. C                         COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>                          <C>
                                                                                                            PERCENTAGE OF VOTING
                                                                                                           SECURITIES REPRESENTED
         NAME OF                          TITLE OF                           AMOUNT OWNED                    BY AMOUNT GIVEN IN
          OWNER                            CLASS                             BENEFICIALLY                         COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 7.  VOTING  SECURITIES  OF THE TRUSTEE  OWNED BY  UNDERWRITERS  OR
         THEIR OFFICIALS.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING  INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES
OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED  BENEFICIALLY BY EACH  UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
DIRECTOR, PARTNER, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         COL. A                             COL. B                              COL. C                         COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>                          <C>
                                                                                                              PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                                            VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                                                             REPRESENTED BY
         NAME OF                                                               AMOUNT OWNED                  AMOUNT GIVEN IN
          OWNER                        TITLE OF CLASS                          BENEFICIALLY                       COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 8.  SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         Furnish the following information as to securities of the obligor owned
beneficially or held as collateral security for the obligations in default by
the trustee.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 9.  SECURITIES OF THE UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH UNDERWRITER ANY
OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                                        2




<PAGE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              COL. A                        COL. B                                  COL. C                         COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>                              <C>
                                                                            AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY          PERCENT OF CLASS
              NAME OF                                                        OR HELD AS COLLATERAL              REPRESENTED BY
             ISSUER AND                    AMOUNT                           SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS           AMOUNT GIVEN IN
           TITLE OF CLASS               OUTSTANDING                          IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                 COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 10.  OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING  SECURITIES  OF CERTAIN
AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR
OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              COL. A                        COL. B                                  COL. C                         COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>                              <C>
                                                                            AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY          PERCENT OF VOTING
              NAME OF                                                         OR HELD AS COLLATERAL         SECURITIES REPRESENTED
             ISSUER AND                    AMOUNT                           SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS          BY AMOUNT GIVEN IN
           TITLE OF CLASS               OUTSTANDING                          IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                 COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
TRUSTEE, OWNS 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR,
FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON
ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              COL. A                        COL. B                                  COL. C                         COL. D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                                  <C>                              <C>
                                                                            AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY          PERCENT OF CLASS
              NAME OF                                                         OR HELD AS COLLATERAL             REPRESENTED BY
             ISSUER AND                    AMOUNT                           SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS           AMOUNT GIVEN IN
           TITLE OF CLASS                OUTSTANDING                          IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE                 COL. C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not Applicable

ITEM 12.  INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

         EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS INDEBTED TO THE
TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              COL. A                        COL. B                      COL. C
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                         <C>
       NATURE OF INDEBTEDNESS        AMOUNT OUTSTANDING                DATE DUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Not  Applicable

                                        3




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

         (a) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

         (b) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
OUTSTANDING SERIES OF SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE HAS
BEEN DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE INDENTURE OR
SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         None

ITEM 14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

         IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

         IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN TRUSTEE IS
AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE ACT.

         Not Applicable

ITEM 16.  LISTS OF EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       <C>      <S>
         1*       -COPY OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN EFFECT.
         2        -NO CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE BUSINESS IS FURNISHED
                   SINCE THIS AUTHORITY IS CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE.
         3*       -COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
         4*       -COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, AS NOW IN EFFECT.
         5        -NOT APPLICABLE.
         6*       -THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 321 (b) OF THE ACT.
         7        -A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO THE
                   LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING AUTHORITY.
         8        -NOT APPLICABLE
         9        -NOT APPLICABLE
</TABLE>
- ----------------
*EXHIBITS THUS DESIGNATED HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, HAVE NOT BEEN AMENDED SINCE FILING AND ARE INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE (SEE EXHIBIT T-1 REGISTRATION NUMBER 22-13279).

         IN ANSWERING ANY ITEM IN THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND
QUALIFICATION WHICH RELATES TO MATTERS PECULIARLY WITHIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
OBLIGOR OR OF ITS DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS, OR AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, THE
UNDERSIGNED, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, HAS RELIED UPON INFORMATION FURNISHED TO
IT BY THE OBLIGOR OR SUCH UNDERWRITER.

                                        4




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 THE
TRUSTEE, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS DULY CAUSED THIS STATEMENT OF
ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ON THE 2ND DAY
OF APRIL, 1997.

                                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                            (TRUSTEE)

(CORPORATE SEAL)

                                            BY: /S/RICK BARNES
                                                -----------------------------
                                                   ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                        5




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT T-7
                               REPORT OF CONDITION

Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the First Union National Bank
of Elkton in the State of Maryland, at the close of business on December 31,
1996, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161. Charter Number 33869 Comptroller of
the Currency Northeastern District.

STATEMENT OF RESOURCES AND LIABILITIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ASSETS
                                                                      Thousands of Dollars
                                                                      --------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Cash and balance due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin.................     1,835,479
  Interest-bearing balances..........................................        83,025
Securities...........................................................     /////////
  Hold-to-maturity securities........................................       431,623
  Available-for-sale securities......................................     2,429,818
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements             //////////
  to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its                   //////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                          //////////
  Federal funds sold.................................................       998,987
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell....................       465,602
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loan and leases, net of unearned income............................    19,495,582
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses..........................       258,533
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..............................             0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
  reserve............................................................    19,237,049
Assets held in trading accounts......................................             0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).............       395,941
Other real estate owned..............................................        49,984
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated                 //////////
 companies...........................................................        26,336
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.........        44,524
Intangible assets....................................................       398,568
Other assets.........................................................       731,433
Total assets.........................................................    27,128,369

                                         LIABILITIES

Deposits:
  In domestic offices................................................    21,604,197
  Noninterest-bearing................................................     4,512,791
  Interest-bearing...................................................    17,091,406
  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
  and IBFs...........................................................       390,835
  Noninterest-bearing................................................            70
  Interest-bearing...................................................       390,765
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements              /////////
  to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its                /////////
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs:                              /////////
  Federal fund purchased.............................................       305,422
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.....................     1,308,107
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.............................        99,992
Trading liabilities..................................................             0
Other borrowed money:                                                     /////////
  With original maturity of one year or less.........................         8,000
  With original maturity of more than one year.......................         9,532
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases.......         6,149
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.............        45,252
Subordinated notes and debentures....................................       475,000
Other liabilities....................................................       656,346
Total liabilities....................................................    24,908,832
Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.....................             0
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                <C>
                           EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus...................      160,540
Common Stock....................................................      452,156
Surplus.........................................................    1,300,080
Undivided profits and capital reserves..........................      318,243
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale         /////////
 securities.....................................................      (11,482)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.............            0
Total equity capital............................................    2,219,537
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock and equity         //////////
  capital.......................................................   27,128,369
</TABLE>

<PAGE>




<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                              PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
 
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
            8.85% CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm' (TRUPS'sm')
          WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
            8.85% CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm' (TRUPS'sm')
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
          PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED                     , 1997
 
        THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                ON                     , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
                TO: FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                       <C>
                By Mail:                               By Facsimile:                          By Overnight Courier
      First Union National Bank of                     (704) 383-7199                               or Hand:
             North Carolina                        For Information Call:                  First Union National Bank of
         230 South Tryon Street                        (800) 829-8432                            North Carolina
               9th Floor                                     or                              230 South Tryon Street
       Reorganization Department                       (704) 383-4105                              9th Floor
    Charlotte, North Carolina 28288                                                        Reorganization Department
        Attention: Michael Klotz                                                        Charlotte, North Carolina 28288
                                                                                            Attention: Michael Klotz
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     DELIVERY  OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION VIA A  FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER  THAN THE ONE  LISTED ABOVE WILL  NOT
CONSTITUTE  A  VALID  DELIVERY.  THE INSTRUCTIONS  ACCOMPANYING  THIS  LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL SHOULD  BE  READ CAREFULLY  BEFORE  THIS LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL  IS
COMPLETED.
 
     The  undersigned acknowledges that  he or she  has received the Prospectus,
dated                          , 1997 (the 'Prospectus'), of PXRE Capital  Trust
I  (the  'Issuer')  and PXRE  Corporation  (the 'Corporation'),  this  Letter of
Transmittal (the 'Letter of Transmittal') and the Notice of Guaranteed  Delivery
(the  'Notice of Guaranteed  Delivery'), which together  constitute the Issuer's
offer (the 'Exchange Offer')  to exchange its  8.85% Capital Trust  Pass-through
Securities'sm' (TRUPS'sm') (the 'New Capital Securities') for a like Liquidation
Amount  of  its  outstanding  8.85%  Capital  Trust Pass-through  Securities'sm'
(TRUPS'sm') (the  'Old Capital  Securities' and,  together  with the New Capital
Securities, the 'Capital Securities'). The  terms of the New Capital  Securities
are  identical in  all material respects  to the Old  Capital Securities, except
that the New Capital Securities have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'),  and, therefore, will not bear  legends
restricting their transfer and will not contain certain provisions providing for
an  increase in the Distribution rate  thereon. The term 'Expiration Date' shall
mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                           , 1997,  unless
the  Exchange Offer is extended as provided in the Prospectus, in which case the
term 'Expiration Date' shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange
Offer is  extended. Capitalized  terms  used but  not  defined herein  have  the
meanings given to them in the Prospectus.
 
     Holders  who wish to tender their Old  Capital Securities and (i) whose Old
Capital Securities are not  immediately available or (ii)  time will not  permit
their  Old Capital Securities, this Letter  of Transmittal or an Agent's Message
(as defined in the Prospectus and in Instruction 1 below) in lieu of such Letter
of Transmittal and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal to
be delivered to  the Exchange  Agent prior to  the Expiration  Date must  tender
their Old Capital Securities according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
under  the caption 'The  Exchange Offer -- Procedures  for Tendering Old Capital
Securities -- Guaranteed Delivery' in the Prospectus. See Instruction 1 below.
 
     The term 'Holder' with  respect to the Exchange  Offer means any person  in
whose  name Old Capital Securities are registered  on the books of the Issuer or
any other  person who  has obtained  a properly  completed bond  power from  the
registered  holder. The undersigned  has completed, executed  and delivered this
Letter of Transmittal  to indicate the  action the undersigned  desires to  take
with  resect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital
Securities must complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety.
 
         PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
                     COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>                <C>                    <C>
                                DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
                                                                                                 LIQUIDATION         NUMBER OF
                                                                             OLD CAPITAL        AMOUNT OF OLD        BENEFICIAL
                                                                             SECURITIES      CAPITAL SECURITIES   HOLDERS FOR WHOM
                                                                          TENDERED (ATTACH        TENDERED           OLD CAPITAL
         NAME AND ADDRESS OF REGISTERED HOLDER              CERTIFICATE    ADDITIONAL LIST        (IF LESS         SECURITIES ARE
               (PLEASE FILL IN IF BLANK)                      NUMBERS*      IF NECESSARY)        THAN ALL)**           HELD
                                                                                               $

                                                                                               $

                                                                                               $

         TOTAL AMOUNT TENDERED                                                                 $
 
</TABLE>
 
        *Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 
       **Old Capital Securities may  be tendered in whole  or in part  in
         denominations  of $100,000  and integral multiples  of $1,000 in
         excess thereof, provided that if any Old Capital Securities  are
         tendered for exchange in part, the untendered Liquidation Amount
         thereof  must be $100,000 or any  integral multiple of $1,000 in
         excess thereof. All Old Capital Securities held shall be  deemed
         tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column.
 
[ ] CHECK  HERE  IF  TENDERED  OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES  ARE  BEING  DELIVERED BY
    BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE  TO THE  ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY  THE EXCHANGE  AGENT
    WITH  DTC AND COMPLETE  THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS  IN DTC MAY DELIVER
    CAPITAL SECURITIES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER) (SEE INSTRUCTION 1):
 
    Name of Tendering Institution  .............................................
 
    DTC Account Number  ........................................................
 
    Transaction Code Number  ...................................................
 
[ ] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY  OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY  IF
    TENDERED  OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
    GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO  THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE  THE
    FOLLOWING (SEE INSTRUCTION 1):
 
    Name of Registered Holder  .................................................
 
    Window Ticket Number (if any)  .............................................
 
    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery  ........................
 
    Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery  .............................
 
            If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:
 
    Name of Tendering Institution  .............................................
 
    DTC Account Number  ........................................................
 
    Transaction Code Number  ...................................................
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
[ ] CHECK HERE IF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER BUT NOT
    EXCHANGED  ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING  THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH
    ABOVE.
 
[ ] CHECK HERE  IF  YOU  ARE  A  BROKER-DEALER  WHO  ACQUIRED  THE  OLD  CAPITAL
    SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
    ACTIVITIES   (A  'PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALER')  AND  WISH  TO  RECEIVE  10
    ADDITIONAL COPIES  OF THE  PROSPECTUS AND  10 COPIES  OF ANY  AMENDMENTS  OR
    SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
 
    Name:  .....................................................................
 
    Address:  ..................................................................
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     The  undersigned  hereby  tenders to  the  Issuer and  the  Corporation the
above-described aggregate Liquidation  Amount of the  Old Capital Securities  in
exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of the New Capital Securities.
 
     Subject  to and effective  upon the acceptance  for exchange of  all or any
portion of the Old Capital Securities  tendered herewith in accordance with  the
terms  and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or  amended,  the  terms  and  conditions  of  any  such  extension  or
amendment),  the undersigned hereby sells, assigns  and transfers to or upon the
order of the Issuer  all right, title  and interest in and  to such Old  Capital
Securities  as are being  tendered herewith. The  undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the  Exchange Agent as  its agent and  attorney-at-fact
(with  full knowledge  that the Exchange  Agent is  also acting as  agent of the
Corporation and the Issuer in connection  with the Exchange Offer) with  respect
to  the tendered Old  Capital Securities, with full  power of substitution (such
power of  attorney being  deemed to  be  an irrevocable  power coupled  with  an
interest),  subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus,
to (i) deliver Certificates  for Old Capital Securities  to the Issuer  together
with  all accompanying  evidences of transfer  and authenticity to,  or upon the
order of, the Issuer, upon receipt  by the Exchange Agent, as the  undersigned's
agent,  of the  New Capital  Securities to  be issued  in exchange  for such Old
Capital Securities, (ii)  present Certificates for  such Old Capital  Securities
for  transfer, and to  transfer the Old  Capital Securities on  the books of the
Issuer, and  (iii)  receive for  the  account of  the  Issuer all  benefits  and
otherwise  exercise  all  rights of  beneficial  ownership of  such  Old Capital
Securities, all in  accordance with  the terms  and conditions  of the  Exchange
Offer.
 
     THE  UNDERSIGNED HEREBY  REPRESENTS AND  WARRANTS THAT  THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE  OLD
CAPITAL  SECURITIES TENDERED  HEREBY AND  THAT, WHEN  THE SAME  ARE ACCEPTED FOR
EXCHANGE, THE  ISSUER  WILL  ACQUIRE GOOD,  MARKETABLE  AND  UNENCUMBERED  TITLE
THERETO,  FREE AND CLEAR  OF ALL LIENS,  RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES,
AND THAT  THE OLD  CAPITAL SECURITIES  TENDERED HEREBY  ARE NOT  SUBJECT TO  ANY
ADVERSE  CLAIMS  OR PROXIES.  THE UNDERSIGNED  WILL,  UPON REQUEST,  EXECUTE AND
DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS  DEEMED BY THE CORPORATION,  THE ISSUER OR  THE
EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT
AND  TRANSFER OF THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED
WILL COMPLY WITH ITS  OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  THE
UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
     The name and address of the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities
tendered  hereby should  be printed  above, if  they are  not already  set forth
above, as  they  appear  on  the  Certificates  representing  such  Old  Capital
Securities.  The Certificate  numbers and  the Old  Capital Securities  that the
undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
 
     If any tendered Old  Capital Securities are not  exchanged pursuant to  the
Exchange  Offer for any  reason, or if  Certificates are submitted  for more Old
Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates  for
such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Capital Securities will be returned (or, in
the  case of  Old Capital Securities  tendered by book-entry  transfer, such Old
Capital Securities will be  credited to an account  maintained at DTC),  without
expense   to  the  tendering  holder,   promptly  following  the  expiration  or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Capital Securities pursuant
to any one of the procedures  described under 'the Exchange Offer --  Procedures
for  Tendering Old Capital Securities' in the Prospectus and in the instructions
herein will, upon the Corporation's and the Issuer's acceptance for exchange  of
such tendered Old Capital Securities, constitute a binding agreement between the
undersigned,  the Corporation and the  Issuer upon the terms  and subject to the
conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain
circumstances set forth in  the Prospectus, the Corporation  and the Issuer  may
not  be  required to  accept  for exchange  any  of the  Old  Capital Securities
tendered hereby.
 
     Unless  otherwise  indicated   in  the  box   entitled  'Special   Issuance
Instructions'  below,  the  undersigned  hereby  directs  that  the  New Capital
Securities be  issued in  the name  of  the undersigned  or, in  the case  of  a
book-entry  transfer of Old Capital Securities, that such New Capital Securities
be credited to  the account indicated  above maintained at  DTC. If  applicable,
substitute Certificates representing Old Capital Securities not exchanged or not
accepted  for exchange will  be issued to the  undersigned or, in  the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities,  will be credited to the  account
indicated  above maintained at DTC.  Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under
'Special Delivery Instructions' below, please deliver New Capital Securities  to
the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature.
 
     BY   TENDERING  OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES   AND  EXECUTING  THIS  LETTER  OF
TRANSMITTAL, THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS EXCHANGE OFFER IS BEING MADE
BY THE CORPORATION AND THE ISSUER BASED UPON THE CORPORATION'S AND THE  ISSUER'S
UNDERSTANDING  OF AN INTERPRETATION BY THE  STAFF OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (THE 'COMMISSION') AS SET FORTH IN NO-ACTION LETTERS ISSUED TO  THIRD
PARTIES,  THAT THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THE OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES TO HOLDERS THEREOF  (OTHER THAN TO HOLDERS  THAT ARE 'AFFILIATES'  OF
THE  CORPORATION  OR  THE  ISSUER  WITHIN THE  MEANING  OF  RULE  405  UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT)  MAY BE  RESOLD  WITHOUT COMPLIANCE  WITH THE  REGISTRATION  AND
PROSPECTUS  DELIVERY PROVISIONS  OF THE SECURITIES  ACT, PROVIDED  THAT, AND THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS  AND AGREES  THAT (I)  THE UNDERSIGNED  IS NOT  AN
'AFFILIATE'  OF THE  CORPORATION OR  THE ISSUER WITHIN  THE MEANING  OF RULE 405
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (II) ANY NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES TO BE RECEIVED BY  THE
UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS, (III) THE
UNDERSIGNED  HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING  WITH ANY PERSON TO PARTICIPATE
IN A DISTRIBUTION  (WITHIN THE  MEANING OF THE  SECURITIES ACT)  OF NEW  CAPITAL
SECURITIES  TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (IV) IF THE UNDERSIGNED IS
NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT  ENGAGED IN, AND DOES NOT INTEND  TO
ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF SUCH NEW
CAPITAL  SECURITIES. HOWEVER, THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION HAS NOT CONSIDERED THE
EXCHANGE OFFER  IN  THE CONTEXT  OF  A NO-ACTION  LETTER  AND THERE  CAN  BE  NO
ASSURANCE  THAT THE STAFF  OF THE COMMISSION WOULD  MAKE A SIMILAR DETERMINATION
WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AS IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
     IF A HOLDER OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES  IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE  CORPORATION,
OR  IS ENGAGED  IN OR  INTENDS TO ENGAGE  IN A  DISTRIBUTION OF  THE NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES  OR  HAS  ANY  ARRANGEMENT  OR  UNDERSTANDING  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE
DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE NEW  CAPITAL  SECURITIES TO  BE  ACQUIRED PURSUANT  TO THE
EXCHANGE OFFER, SUCH HOLDER COULD NOT RELY ON THE APPLICABLE INTERPRETATIONS  OF
THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION AND MUST COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS
DELIVERY  REQUIREMENTS OF  THE SECURITIES ACT  IN CONNECTION  WITH ANY SECONDARY
RESALE TRANSACTION.
 
     BY TENDERING  OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES PURSUANT  TO THE  EXCHANGE OFFER  AND
EXECUTING  THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, A  HOLDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WHICH
IS A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS AND  AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN  INTERPRETIVE
LETTERS  ISSUED BY THE STAFF  OF THE COMMISSION TO  THIRD PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH
OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE,  OR
(B)  SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES  AND
IT  WILL  DELIVER  A  PROSPECTUS  (AS  AMENDED  OR  SUPPLEMENTED  FROM  TIME  TO
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
TIME) MEETING THE  REQUIREMENTS OF  THE SECURITIES  ACT IN  CONNECTION WITH  ANY
RESALE OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES (PROVIDED THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY
DELIVERING  A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT
IS AN 'UNDERWRITER' WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).
 
     THE CORPORATION AND THE ISSUER HAVE AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE  PROVISIONS
OF  THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT,  THE PROSPECTUS (AS IT  MAY BE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER  IN
CONNECTION  WITH RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL  SECURITIES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES,  WHERE SUCH  OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES WERE  ACQUIRED BY  SUCH
PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALER FOR  ITS OWN ACCOUNT  AS A  RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING
ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES, FOR  A PERIOD ENDING ONE YEAR AFTER  THE
EXPIRATION  DATE. IN THAT REGARD,  EACH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED
OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER
TRADING ACTIVITIES, BY TENDERING SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AND EXECUTING  THIS
LETTER  OF TRANSMITTAL, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM THE CORPORATION
OR THE ISSUER OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT  WHICH
MAKES  ANY STATEMENT  CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  IN THE PROSPECTUS
UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE A
MATERIAL  FACT  NECESSARY  IN  ORDER   TO  MAKE  THE  STATEMENTS  CONTAINED   OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  THEREIN, IN LIGHT  OF THE  CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH
THEY WERE MADE,  NOT MISLEADING  OR OF THE  OCCURRENCE OF  CERTAIN OTHER  EVENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER
WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL
THE  CORPORATION OR  THE ISSUER  HAS AMENDED  OR SUPPLEMENTED  THE PROSPECTUS TO
CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE CORPORATION OR
THE ISSUER HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE  SALE OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY  BE
RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
 
     Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for  exchange will  not receive  accumulated Distributions  on such  Old Capital
Securities for any  period from and  after the last  Distribution date to  which
Distributions have been paid or duly provided for on such Old Capital Securities
prior  to the original issue  date of the New Capital  Securities or, if no such
Distributions have been paid or duly provided for, will not receive any  accrued
Distributions  on such  Old Capital Securities,  and the  undersigned waives the
right to receive any  interest on such Old  Capital Securities accrued from  and
after such Distribution date or, if no such Distributions have been paid or duly
provided for, from and after January 29, 1997.
 
     All  authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive  the death or  incapacity of the  undersigned and  any
obligation  of  the  undersigned  hereunder shall  be  binding  upon  the heirs,
executors, administrators,  personal  representatives, trustees  in  bankruptcy,
legal  representatives,  successors and  assigns of  the undersigned.  Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
                                 HOLDERS SIGN HERE
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
                 (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE 19)
        (NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)
 
        Must  be  signed  by  registered  holder  exactly  as  name  appears  on
   Certificates  for the Old Capital Securities hereby tendered or on a security
   position listing, or by any person authorized to become the registered holder
   by endorsements and documents  transmitted herewith (including such  opinions
   of  counsel, certifications and  other information as may  be required by the
   Issuer or the Exchange  Agent for the Old  Capital Securities to comply  with
   the  restrictions on transfer  applicable to the  Old Capital Securities). If
   signature  is  by  an  attorney-in-fact,  executor,  administrator,  trustee,
   guardian,  officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity
   or representative capacity,  please set  forth the signer's  full title.  See
   Instruction 5.
 
    ............................................................................
 
    ............................................................................
                               (SIGNATURE OF HOLDER)
 
           Date:  ................................................ , 1997
 
           Name .........................................................
                                   (PLEASE PRINT)
 
           Capacity (full title) ........................................
 
           Address ......................................................
 
            .............................................................
                                     (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
           Area Code and
           Telephone Number .............................................
 
           Tax Identification or
           Social Security Number .......................................
 
                               GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE
                             (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)
 
            .............................................................
                               (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
 
           Date:  ................................................ , 1997
 
           Name of Firm  ................................................
                                   (PLEASE PRINT)
 
           Capacity (full title)  .......................................
 
           Address  .....................................................
 
            .............................................................
                                 (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
           Area Code and
           Telephone Number .............................................
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                         SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
 
     To  be completed ONLY if  the New Capital Securities  or any Old Capital
   Securities that are not tendered are to  be issued in the name of  someone
   other  than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name
   appears above.
 
   Issue
 
   [ ] New Capital Securities and/or
 
   [ ] Old Capital Securities not tendered
 
   to:
 
   Name  ....................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
   Address ..................................................................
    .........................................................................
    .........................................................................
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
                                 Area Code and
   Telephone Number .........................................................
    .........................................................................
                 (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)



                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
 
     To be completed ONLY  if the New Capital  Securities or any Old  Capital
   Securities  that are not tendered are to be sent to someone other than the
   registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name appears  above,
   or to such registered holder at an address other than that shown above.
 
   Mail
 
   [ ] New Capital Securities
 
   [ ] Old Capital Securities not tendered
 
   to:
 
   Name  ....................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
   Address ..................................................................
    .........................................................................
    .........................................................................
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
                                 Area Code and
   Telephone Number .........................................................
    .........................................................................
                 (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     1.  Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures. This  Letter  of  Transmittal  is to  be  completed  either  if  (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant
to  the  procedures  for tender  by  book-entry  transfer set  forth  under 'The
Exchange Offer  --  Procedures for  Tendering  Old Capital  Securities'  in  the
Prospectus  and an  Agent's Message  is not  delivered. Certificates,  or timely
book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Capital  Securities
into  the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any  required
signature  guarantees,  and  any  other documents  required  by  this  Letter of
Transmittal, must be  received by the  Exchange Agent at  its address set  forth
herein  on or prior to  the Expiration Date. Tenders  by book-entry transfer may
also be  made  by delivering  an  Agent's Message  in  lieu of  this  Letter  of
Transmittal.   The  term  'book-entry  confirmation'   means  a  timely  written
confirmation from the DTC of book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities  into
the  Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The term 'Agent's Message' means a written
message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming  a
part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment  from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that
such participant  has  received  and  agrees  to  be  bound  by  the  Letter  of
Transmittal (including the representations contained herein) and that the Issuer
and  the  Corporation  may  enforce  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  against  such
participant. Old Capital Securities may be tendered  in whole or in part in  the
Liquidation  Amount of $100,000 (100  Capital Securities) and integral multiples
of $1,000 in  excess thereof, provided  that if any  Old Capital Securities  are
tendered for exchange in part, the untendered Liquidation Amount thereof must be
$100,000  (100 Capital Securities) or any  integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof.
 
     Holders who wish to tender their  Old Capital Securities and (i) whose  Old
Capital  Securities are  not immediately  available or  (ii) who  cannot deliver
their Old Capital Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and all other  required
documents  to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who
cannot complete the procedures for delivery  by book-entry transfer on a  timely
basis,  may tender their Old Capital  Securities by properly completing and duly
executing a Notice of  Guaranteed Delivery pursuant  to the guaranteed  delivery
procedures  set forth under 'The Exchange  Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities' in  the Prospectus.  Pursuant to such  procedures: (i)  such
tender  must be made by  or through an Eligible  Institution (as defined below);
(ii) a  properly completed  and  duly executed  Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery,
substantially in the form made available by the Corporation and the Issuer, must
be  received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii)
the Certificates (or  a book-entry  confirmation (as  defined above  and in  the
Prospectus))  representing all tendered  Old Capital Securities,  in proper form
for transfer, together  with a Letter  of Transmittal (or  facsimile thereof  or
Agent's Message in lieu thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any
required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal,  must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock
Exchange Inc.  trading  days after  the  date of  execution  of such  Notice  of
Guaranteed  Delivery, all as  provided in 'The Exchange  Offer -- Procedures for
Tendering Old Capital Securities' in the Prospectus.
 
     The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may  be delivered by hand or  transmitted
by  facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent,  and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution  in the  form set  forth in  such Notice.  For Old  Capital
Securities   to  be  properly  tendered  pursuant  to  the  guaranteed  delivery
procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or
prior to the Expiration  Date. As used herein  and in the Prospectus,  'Eligible
Institution'  means a firm or other entity  identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Exchange Act as 'an  eligible guarantor institution,'  including (as such  terms
are  defined therein)  (i) a bank;  (ii) a broker,  dealer, municipal securities
broker or  dealer or  government securities  broker or  dealer; (iii)  a  credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing  agency;  or (v)  a  savings association  that  is a  participant  in a
Securities Transfer Association.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND  ALL
OTHER  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER
AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS  BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL  WITH RETURN RECEIPT  REQUESTED,
PROPERLY  INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT  DELIVERY SERVICE IS  RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Neither the  Corporation  nor  the  Issuer  will  accept  any  alternative,
conditional  or contingent  tenders. Each  tendering holder,  by execution  of a
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof),
waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
 
     2. Guarantee  of  Signatures. No  signature  guarantee of  this  Letter  of
Transmittal is required if:
 
          (i)  this Letter  of Transmittal  is signed  by the  registered holder
     (which term, for purposes of  this document, shall include any  participant
     in  DTC whose name appears  on a security position  listing as the owner of
     the Old Capital  Securities) of Old  Capital Securities tendered  herewith,
     unless  such holder has completed either the box entitled 'Special Issuance
     Instructions' or the box entitled 'Special Delivery Instructions' above, or
 
          (ii) such Old  Capital Securities are  tendered for the  account of  a
     firm that is an Eligible Institution.
 
     In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature on
this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
 
     3.   Inadequate  Space.  If  the  space   provided  in  the  box  captioned
'Description of Old Capital Securities Tendered' is inadequate, the  Certificate
numbers  and/or the Liquidation  Amount of Old Capital  Securities and any other
required information should  be listed on  a separate signed  schedule which  is
attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     4. Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights. Tenders of Old Capital Securities
will  be  accepted  only in  the  Liquidation  Amount of  $100,000  (100 Capital
Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that if
any Old Capital  Securities are tendered  for exchange in  part, the  untendered
Liquidation  Amount thereof  must be  $100,000 (100  Capital Securities)  or any
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than all the Old  Capital
Securities  evidenced by any  Certificate submitted are to  be tendered, fill in
the Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities which are to be tendered in the
box entitled 'Liquidation  Amount of  Old Capital Securities  Tendered (if  less
than all).' In such case, a new Certificate for the remainder of the Old Capital
Securities that were evidenced by the old Certificate will be sent to the holder
of  the  Old Capital  Security, promptly  after the  Expiration Date  unless the
appropriate boxes on this Letter of  Transmittal are completed. All Old  Capital
Securities  represented by Certificates delivered to  the Exchange Agent will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities  may
be  withdrawn at any  time on or  prior to the  Expiration Date. In  order for a
withdrawal to be  effective on or  prior to that  time, a written,  telegraphic,
telex  or facsimile  transmission of  such notice  of withdrawal  must be timely
received by  the  Exchange Agent  at  its address  set  forth above  or  in  the
Prospectus  on or prior  to the Expiration  Date. Any such  notice of withdrawal
must specify the name of the person  who tendered the Old Capital Securities  to
be  withdrawn, the aggregate Liquidation Amount  of Old Capital Securities to be
withdrawn, and (if Certificates for  Old Capital Securities have been  tendered)
the  name of the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on
the Certificates for the Old Capital  Securities, if different from that of  the
person  who tendered  such Old Capital  Securities. If Certificates  for the Old
Capital Securities have been delivered  or otherwise identified to the  Exchange
Agent,  then prior  to the  physical release  of such  Certificates for  the Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular Certificates for the Old  Capital Securities to be withdrawn  and
the  signature on  the notice  of withdrawal must  be guaranteed  by an Eligible
Institution, except  in the  case of  Old Capital  Securities tendered  for  the
account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth under 'The Exchange
Offer  --  Procedures  for  Tendering Old  Capital  Securities,'  the  notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited
with the  withdrawal  of Old  Capital  Securities, in  which  case a  notice  of
withdrawal  will be  effective if  delivered to  the Exchange  Agent by written,
telegraphic, telex  or facsimile  transmission. Withdrawals  of tenders  of  Old
Capital  Securities  may  not  be  rescinded.  Old  Capital  Securities properly
withdrawn will  not be  deemed validly  tendered for  purposes of  the  Exchange
Offer,  but  may  be  retendered at  any  subsequent  time on  or  prior  to the
Expiration Date by following any of  the procedures described in the  Prospectus
under 'The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities.'
 
     All  questions as to the validity,  form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal  notices will be determined  by the Corporation  and
the  Issuer, in  their sole discretion,  whose determination shall  be final and
binding on  all parties.  The  Corporation and  the  Issuer, any  affiliates  or
assigns  of the  Corporation and  the Issuer,  the Exchange  Agent or  any other
person  shall  not  be  under  any   duty  to  give  any  notification  of   any
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
which  have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder
thereof without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.
 
     5. Signatures on  Letter of Transmittal,  Assignments and Endorsements.  If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of the Old Capital
Securities  tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name
as written on the  face of the  Certificates or on  a security position  listing
without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
     If any of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of record by
two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     If any tendered Old Capital Securities are registered in different names on
several  Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal  (or facsimiles thereof  or Agent's Messages  in
lieu thereof) as there are different registrations of Certificates.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by  trustees, executors, administrators,  guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should  so  indicate  when  signing  and  must  submit  proper  evidence
satisfactory  to the  Corporation and the  Issuer, in their  sole discretion, of
such persons' authority to so act.
 
     When this Letter of  Transmittal is signed by  the registered owner of  the
Old  Capital  Securities  listed  and  transmitted  hereby,  no  endorsement  of
Certificates or separate bond powers are required unless New Capital  Securities
are  to be  issued in  the name of  a person  other than  the registered holder.
Signatures on such Certificate or bond powers must be guaranteed by an  Eligible
Institution.
 
     If  this  Letter  of Transmittal  is  signed  by a  person  other  than the
registered owner of the Old Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must  be
endorsed  or accompanied by appropriate bond  powers, signed exactly as the name
of  the  registered  owner  appears  on  the  Certificates,  and  also  must  be
accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as
the Corporation, the Issuer or the Exchange Agent may require in accordance with
the   restrictions  on  transfer  applicable  to  the  Old  Capital  Securities.
Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
 
     6. Special Issuance  and Delivery Instructions.  If New Capital  Securities
are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal,  or if New Capital Securities are  to be sent to someone other than
the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that  shown
above,  the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Capital Securities not  exchanged will be returned by  mail
or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are
completed. See Instruction 4.
 
     7.  Irregularities. The Corporation and the Issuer will determine, in their
sole  discretion,  all  questions  as  to  the  form  of  documents,   validity,
eligibility  (including  time of  receipt) and  acceptance  for exchange  of any
tender of Old Capital Securities, which determination shall be final and binding
on all parties.  The Corporation and  the Issuer reserve  the absolute right  to
reject any and all tenders determined by either of them not to be in proper form
or  the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of counsel to the
Corporation or the  Issuer, be  unlawful. The  Corporation and  the Issuer  also
reserve  the absolute  right, subject  to applicable  law, to  waive any  of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under 'The Exchange
Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer' or any conditions or irregularity  in
any  tender of Old  Capital Securities of  any particular holder  whether or not
similar conditions or irregularities  are waived in the  case of other  holders.
The Corporation's and the Issuer's interpretation of the terms and conditions of
the  Exchange Offer (including  this Letter of  Transmittal and the instructions
hereto) will be final and binding. No  tender of Old Capital Securities will  be
deemed  to have been validly made until  all irregularities with respect to such
tender have been cured or waived. The Corporation, the Issuer, any affiliates or
assigns of  the Corporation  or the  Issuer, the  Exchange Agent,  or any  other
person shall not be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in
tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
     8.  Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions and
requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and
telephone number  set  forth  on  the  front  of  this  Letter  of  Transmittal.
Additional  copes of the  Prospectus, the Notice of  Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of  Transmittal may  be obtained  from the  Exchange Agent  or from  your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
 
     9.  31% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form  W-9. Under U.S. Federal income
tax law,  a  holder whose  tendered  Old  Capital Securities  are  accepted  for
exchange    is   required   to   provide    the   Exchange   Agent   with   such
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
holder's correct taxpayer identification number  ('TIN') on the Substitute  Form
W-9,  included below. Failure to provide the Exchange Agent with the correct TIN
may subject distributions  and other payments  to such holders  or other  payees
with  respect to Old Capital Securities exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
to 31% backup withholding. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (the 'IRS')
may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty.
 
     The box  in Part  3  of the  Substitute  Form W-9  may  be checked  if  the
tendering  holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a  TIN in the  near future. If the  box in Part  3 is checked,  the
holder  or other payee  must also complete the  Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number (also included below) in order to avoid backup withholding
with respect to distributions or other payments. Notwithstanding that the box in
Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number
is completed, the Exchange Agent will withhold 31% of all payments made prior to
the time  a  properly certified  TIN  is provided  to  the Exchange  Agent.  The
Exchange  Agent  will retain  such  amounts withheld  during  the 60  day period
following the  date of  the Substitute  Form W-9.  If the  holder furnishes  the
Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the date of the Substitute Form
W-9,  the amounts  retained during  the 60  day period  will be  remitted to the
holder and no further amounts shall  be retained or withheld from payments  made
to  the holder thereafter. If, however, the holder has not provided the Exchange
Agent with its TIN within such 60 day period, amounts withheld will be  remitted
to  the  IRS  as backup  withholding.  In  addition, 31%  of  all  payments made
thereafter will be  withheld and  remitted to  the IRS  until a  correct TIN  is
provided.
 
     The  holder is required  to give the  Exchange Agent the  TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer  identification number) of  the registered owner  of
the  Old Capital Securities or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers
attached to, or  endorsed on,  the Old Capital  Securities. If  the Old  Capital
Securities  are registered in more than  one name or are not  in the name of the
actual owner, consult  the enclosed  'Guidelines for  Certification of  Taxpayer
Identification  Number on Substitute Form W-9'  for additional guidance on which
number to report.
 
     Certain  holders   (including,   among  others,   corporations,   financial
institutions  and certain  foreign persons) may  not be subject  to these backup
withholding  and  reporting  requirements.  Such  holders  should   nevertheless
complete  the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write 'exempt' on the face
thereof, to avoid possible  erroneous backup withholding.  A foreign person  may
qualify  as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties  of perjury,  attesting to that  holder's exempt  status.
Please   consult  the   enclosed  'Guidelines  for   Certification  of  Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form  W-9' for additional guidance on  which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.
 
     Backup  withholding is not  an additional U.S.  Federal income tax. Rather,
the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup  withholding
will  be reduced  by the amount  of tax  withheld. If withholding  results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
     10.  Lost,   Destroyed  or   Stolen  Certificates.   If  any   Certificates
representing  Old Capital  Securities have been  lost, destroyed  or stolen, the
holder should  promptly notify  the  Exchange Agent.  The  holder will  then  be
instructed  as  to  the  steps  that  must be  taken  in  order  to  replace the
Certificates. This  Letter  of  Transmittal  and  related  documents  cannot  be
processed   until  the  procedures  for  replacing  lost,  destroyed  or  stolen
Certificates have been followed.
 
     11.  Security  Transfer  Taxes.  Holders  who  tender  their  Old   Capital
Securities  for exchange  will not  be obligated  to pay  any transfer  taxes in
connection therewith. If, however,  New Capital Securities  are to be  delivered
to,  or are to  be issued in the  name of, any person  other than the registered
holder of the Old Capital Securities tendered,  or if a transfer tax is  imposed
for  any reason other than the exchange  of Old Capital Securities in connection
with the  Exchange Offer,  then the  amount of  any such  transfer tax  (whether
imposed  on the registered holder  or any other persons)  will be payable by the
tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption
therefrom is not submitted  with the Letter of  Transmittal, the amount of  such
transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
     IMPORTANT:  THIS  LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL (OR  FACSIMILE THEREOF  OR AGENT'S
MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF)  AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED  BY
THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                   <S>                                           <C>          <C>
           PAYER'S NAME:              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                      Part 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX     Social Security Number or Employer
                                      AT  RIGHT AND CERTIFY  BY SIGNING AND DATING           Identification Number
                                      BELOW.
                                                                                    ........................................
             SUBSTITUTE               Part  2  --   CERTIFICATION  --   Under  penalties   of  perjury,   I  certify   that:
              FORM W-9                (1)   The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I
     DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY       am waiting for a number to be issued to me) and
      INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE        (2)  I  am not  subject to backup  withholding either  because: (a) I  am exempt  from
                                      backup  withholding, or (b) I  have not been notified  by the Internal Revenue Service
                                           (the 'IRS') that I am subject to backup  withholding as a result of a failure  to
                                           report  all interest or  dividends, or (c) the  IRS has notified me  that I am no
                                           longer subject to backup withholding.
 
  PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER        CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross out item (2)  Part 3
  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)         above if you have been notified  by the IRS that you  are  Awaiting
                                      currently   subject  to  backup  withholding  because  of  TIN              [ ]
                                      underreporting interest or dividends on your tax  return.
                                      However,  if after being notified by the IRS that you are
                                      subject  to  backup  withholding,  you  received  another
                                      notification  from the IRS that you are no longer subject
                                      to backup withholding,  do not cross  out such item  (2).
                                      THE  INTERNAL  REVENUE  SERVICE  DOES  NOT  REQUIRE  YOUR
                                      CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENT OTHER THAN  THE
                                      CERTIFICATIONS  REQUIRED  TO  AVOID  BACKUP  WITHHOLDING.
                                      SIGNATURE  ..............................................
                                      DATE  ...................................................
                                      NAME (Please Print)  ....................................
                                      ADDRESS (Please Print)  .................................
                                      .........................................................
</TABLE>
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    NOTE: FAILURE TO  COMPLETE  AND  RETURN  THIS  FORM  MAY  RESULT  IN  BACKUP
          WITHHOLDING  OF  31%  OF ANY  PAYMENTS  MADE  TO YOU  PURSUANT  TO THE
          EXCHANGE  OFFER.   PLEASE   REVIEW   THE   ENCLOSED   GUIDELINES   FOR
          CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
          FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
    YOU  MUST  COMPLETE THE  FOLLOWING  CERTIFICATE IF  YOU  CHECKED THE  BOX IN
    PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification  number
has  not  been issued  to  me, and  either  (1) I  have  mailed or  delivered an
application to  receive  a taxpayer  identification  number to  the  appropriate
Internal  Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all reportable payments made  to me will be  withheld, but that such  amounts
will be refunded to me if I then provide a Taxpayer Identification Number within
sixty (60) days.
 
Signature  ..................................................... Date  .........
 
Name (Please Print)  ...........................................................
 
Address (Please Print)  ........................................................

<PAGE>




<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2
 
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                 FOR TENDER OF
            8.85% CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES'sm' (TRUPS'sm')
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
                                       OF
                              PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I
 
     As set forth in the Prospectus dated             , 1997 (the 'Prospectus'),
of  PXRE Capital Trust I (the 'Issuer') and PXRE Corporation (the 'Corporation')
under the caption 'The  Exchange Offer -- Procedures  for Tendering Old  Capital
Securities  --  Guaranteed  Delivery,' this  form  must  be used  to  accept the
Issuer's offer to exchange its  8.85% Capital Trust Pass-through  Securities'sm'
(TRUPS'sm') which have been registered under the Securities  Act  of  1933  (the
'New Capital Securities') for a like Liquidation Amount of its outstanding 8.85%
Capital   Trust   Pass-through  Securities'sm'  (TRUPS'sm')  (the  'Old  Capital
Securities'), by Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital Securities and (i)
whose Old Capital Securities  are not immediately available  or (ii) who  cannot
deliver  their Old Capital  Securities, the Letter of  Transmittal or an Agent's
Message (as defined in the Prospectus)  and any other documents required by  the
Letter  of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent  prior to the Expiration Date. This
form must be delivered by mail  or hand delivery or transmitted, via  facsimile,
to  the  Exchange  Agent at  its  address set  forth  below not  later  than the
Expiration Date. All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein  shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
 
                             The Exchange Agent is:
                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                       <C>
            By Mail:                    By Facsimile:               By Overnight Courier
  First Union National Bank of          (704) 383-7199                    or Hand:
         North Carolina             For Information Call:       First Union National Bank of
     230 South Tryon Street             (800) 829-8432                 North Carolina
           9th Floor                          or                   230 South Tryon Street
   Reorganization Department            (704) 383-4105                   9th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288                                  Reorganization Department
    Attention: Michael Klotz                                  Charlotte, North Carolina 28288
                                                                  Attention: Michael Klotz
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
     DELIVERY  OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN THE ONE LISTED ABOVE WILL  NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     The  undersigned hereby tenders  for exchange to the  Issuer upon the terms
and subject to  the conditions set  forth in  the Prospectus and  the Letter  of
Transmittal,  receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of Old  Capital Securities  set forth  below pursuant  to the  guaranteed
delivery  procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption 'The Exchange
Offer  --  Procedures  for  Tendering  Old  Capital  Securities  --   Guaranteed
Delivery.'
 
     The  undersigned understands and acknowledges  that the Exchange Offer will
expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 1997, unless  extended
by  the Issuer. The term  'Expiration Date' shall mean  5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on              , 1997, unless the Exchange Offer is extended as  provided
in  the Prospectus,  in which  case the  term 'Expiration  Date' shall  mean the
latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
 
     All authority  conferred  or agreed  to  be  conferred by  this  Notice  of
Guaranteed  Delivery shall survive  the death, incapacity  or dissolution of the
undersigned, and  every  obligation of  the  undersigned under  this  Notice  of
Guaranteed  Delivery  shall be  binding upon  the undersigned's  heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns.
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURE
 
X  ................................... Date:  ..................................
 
X  ................................... Date:  ..................................
     SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED  SIGNATORY
 
Area Code and Telephone Number:  ...............................................
 
Name(s)  .......................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Capacity (full title, if signing in a fiduciary or representative capacity):
 
 ...............................................................................
 
Address:  ......................................................................
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.:  ...............................
 
Aggregate Liquidation Amount
of Old Capital Securities Tendered
(must be $100,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof): $  ......................................
 
Certificate Number(s) of Old Capital Securities (if available):
 
Aggregate Liquidation Amount
Represented by Certificate(s): $  ..............................................
 
IF TENDERED OLD  CAPITAL SECURITIES  WILL BE DELIVERED  BY BOOK-ENTRY  TRANSFER,
PROVIDE THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ('DTC') ACCOUNT NUMBER AND TRANSACTION CODE
NUMBER (IF AVAILABLE):
 
Account No.  ...................................................................
 
Transaction No.  ...............................................................
 
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
         GUARANTY OF DELIVERY (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
     The  undersigned,  a  firm  or  other  entity  identified  as  an 'eligible
guarantor institution' within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under  the
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934, as  amended,  guarantees  deposit  with the
Exchange Agent of a  properly completed and executed  Letter of Transmittal  (or
facsimile  thereof),  or  an  Agent's Message,  as  well  as  the certificate(s)
representing all tendered Old Capital Securities in proper form for transfer, or
confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities into  the
Exchange  Agent's account at  the Book-Entry Transfer  Facility described in the
Prospectus under the caption 'The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities -- Book-Entry Transfer'  and other documents required by  the
Letter  of Transmittal, all by  5:00 p.m., New York City  time, on the third New
York Stock Exchange trading day following the Expiration Date.
 
Name of Eligible Institution:  .................................................
 
Address:  ......................................................................
 
 ...............................................................................
 
 ...............................................................................
 
Area Code and Telephone Number:  ...............................................
 
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
 
Name:  ...............................
 
Title:  ..............................
 
Date:  ...............................
 
NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE. ACTUAL SURRENDER  OF
OLD  CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST BE  PURSUANT TO, AND BE  ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY
EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

<PAGE>




<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.3


                                  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                   EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT

                                                            ________ __, 1997

First Union National Bank
765 Broad Street
Newark, NJ  07102
Attention: Rick Barnes

Ladies and Gentlemen:

               PXRE Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("PXRE"), and PXRE
Capital Trust I, a business trust created under the laws of Delaware (the
"Issuer"), are offering to exchange (the "Exchange Offer"), among other
securities, the 8.85% Capital Trust Pass-through Securities`sm' (TRUPS`sm') of
the Issuer which are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "New Capital Securities") for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the outstanding 8.85% Capital Trust Pass-through Securities`sm' (TRUPS`sm')
of the Issuer (the "Old Capital Securities" and, together with the New Capital
Securities, the "Capital Securities"), pursuant to a prospectus (the
"Prospectus") included in a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File Nos.
________ and ___________, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The term "Expiration Date"
shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on _________, 1997, unless the
Exchange Offer is extended as provided in the Prospectus, in which case the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange
Offer is extended. Upon execution of this Agreement, First Union National Bank
will act as the Exchange Agent (the "Exchange Agent") for the Exchange Offer. A
copy of the Prospectus is attached hereto as EXHIBIT A. Capitalized terms used
and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed
thereto in the Prospectus.

               PXRE and the Issuer expressly reserve the right to amend or
terminate the Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Capital
Securities not theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of
the conditions of the Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the
caption "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."

               A copy of each of the form of the letter of transmittal (the
"Letter of Transmittal") and the form of the notice of guaranteed delivery (the
"Notice of Guaranteed Delivery"; and, together with the Letter of Transmittal,
the "Tender Documents") to be used by Holders of Old Capital Securities to
surrender Old Capital Securities in order to receive New Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer are attached hereto as EXHIBIT B.


                                              



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



               PXRE and the Issuer hereby appoint you to act as Exchange Agent
in connection with the Exchange Offer. In carrying out your duties as Exchange
Agent, you are to act in good faith and in accordance with the following
provisions of this Agreement:

               1. You are to mail the Prospectus and the Tender Documents to all
of the Holders and participants in The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") system
on the day that you are notified in writing by PXRE and the Issuer that the
Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and to make subsequent mailings
thereof to any persons who you have been notified (by the DTC or PXRE) have
become Holders prior to the Expiration Date and to any persons as may from time
to time be requested by PXRE. All mailings pursuant to this Section 1 shall be
by first-class mail, postage prepaid, unless otherwise specified by PXRE or the
Issuer. You shall also accept and comply with telephone requests for information
relating to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information shall relate only
to the procedures for tendering Old Capital Securities in (or withdrawing
tenders of Old Capital Securities from) the Exchange Offer. All other requests
for information relating to the Exchange Offer shall be directed to PXRE,
Attention:_____________________.

               2. You are to examine the Letters of Transmittal and the Old
Capital Securities and other documents delivered to or received by you, by or
for the Holders (including any book-entry confirmations, as such term is defined
in the Prospectus), to ascertain whether (i) the Letters of Transmittal and any
other Tender Documents are duly executed and properly completed in accordance
with the instructions set forth therein and that the book-entry confirmations
are in due and proper form and contain the information required to be set forth
therein, (ii) the Old Capital Securities have otherwise been properly tendered,
(iii) the Old Capital Securities tendered in part are tendered in principal
amounts of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof and that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for exchange
in part, the untendered principal amount thereof is $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, and (iv)
Holders have provided their Tax Identification Number or required certification.
In each case where a Letter of Transmittal or other document has been improperly
executed or completed or, for any other reason, is not in proper form, or some
other irregularity exists, you will, subject to the following sentence, take
such action as you consider appropriate to notify the tendering Holder of such
irregularity and as to the appropriate means of resolving the same.
Determination of questions as to the proper completion or execution of the
Letters of Transmittal, or as to the proper form for transfer of the Old Capital
Securities or as to any other irregularity in connection with the submission of
Letters of Transmittal and/or Old Capital Securities and other documents in
connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be made by the officers of, or counsel
for, PXRE and the Issuer at their written instructions or oral direction
confirmed by facsimile. Any determination made by PXRE and the Issuer on such
questions shall be final and binding.

               3.     At the written request of PXRE and the Issuer or their
counsel, you shall notify tendering Holders of Old Capital Securities in the
event of any extension, termination or


                                        2



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



amendment of the Exchange Offer. In the event of any such termination, you will
return all tendered Old Capital Securities to the persons entitled thereto, at
the request and expense of PXRE.

               4. Tenders of the Old Capital Securities may be made only as set
forth in the Letter of Transmittal and in the section of the Prospectus entitled
"The Exchange Offer." Notwithstanding the foregoing, tenders which PXRE or the
Issuer shall approve in writing as having been properly tendered shall be
considered to be properly tendered. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of
Guaranteed Delivery shall be recorded by you as to the date and time of receipt
and shall be preserved and retained by you at PXRE's expense for six years. New
Capital Securities are to be issued in exchange for Old Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer only (i) upon receipt by you prior to the
Expiration Date (or, in the case of a tender pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery as outlined in Instruction 1 of the Letter of Transmittal, within three
New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date of the Exchange
Offer), a completed Letter of Transmittal, together with the corresponding
Capital Securities certificate, or (ii) in the event that the Holder is a
participant in the DTC system, a completed Letter of Transmittal (or an Agent's
Message in lieu thereof), together with book entry confirmation in accordance
with the DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP").

               You are hereby directed to establish an account with respect to
the Old Capital Securities at DTC (the "Book Entry Transfer Facility") within
two days after the Effective Date of the Exchange Offer in accordance with
Section 17A(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder. Any financial institution that is a participant in
the Book Entry Transfer Facility system may, until the Expiration Date, make
book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing the Book Entry
Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Capital Securities into your account in
accordance with the procedure for such transfer established by the Book Entry
Transfer Facility. In every case, however, a Letter of Transmittal (or a
manually executed facsimile thereof) or an Agent's Message, properly completed
and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents must be transmitted to and received by you prior to the Expiration
Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Exchange Offer must
be complied with.

               5. Upon the oral or written request of PXRE or the Issuer (with
written confirmation of any such oral request thereafter) , you will transmit by
telephone, and promptly thereafter confirm in writing, to ______________,
______________ or such other persons as PXRE or the Issuer may reasonably
request at the address and telephone number set forth in Section 23 hereof, the
aggregate number and principal amount of Old Capital Securities tendered to you
and the number and principal amount of Old Capital Securities properly tendered
that day. In addition, you will also inform the aforementioned persons, upon
oral request made from time to time (with written confirmation of such request
thereafter) prior to the Expiration Date, of such information as they or any of
them may reasonably request.



                                        3



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



               6. Upon acceptance by PXRE and the Issuer of any Old Capital
Securities duly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer (such acceptance if
given orally, to be confirmed in writing), PXRE and the Issuer will cause New
Capital Securities in exchange therefor to be issued as promptly as possible,
and deliver such New Capital Securities to you. As promptly as possible after
the Expiration Date you will deliver such New Capital Securities on behalf of
PXRE and the Issuer at the rate of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) principal
amount of New Capital Securities for each $100,000 principal amount of Old
Capital Securities tendered. Unless otherwise instructed by PXRE or the Issuer,
you shall issue New Capital Securities only in denominations of $100,000 (100
Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

               7. Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except
that, subject to the terms and the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and
the Letter of Transmittal, Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date
in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.

               8. Notice of any decision by PXRE and the Issuer not to exchange
any Old Capital Securities tendered shall be given to you by PXRE or the Issuer
either orally (if given orally, to be confirmed in writing) or in a written
notice.

               9. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, PXRE and the Issuer do not
accept for exchange all or part of the Old Capital Securities tendered because
of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" or otherwise, you shall, upon notice from PXRE and the Issuer (such
notice if given orally, to be confirmed in writing), promptly after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer, return the certificates
evidencing unaccepted Old Capital Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry
transfer), together with any related required documents and the Letters of
Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the persons who
deposited such certificates or effected such book-entry transfer.

               10. Certificates for reissued Old Capital Securities, unaccepted
Old Capital Securities or New Capital Securities shall be forwarded at PXRE's
expense (a) by first-class certified mail, return receipt requested under a
blanket surety bond obtained by you (at PXRE's expense) protecting you, PXRE and
the Issuer from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery
of such certificates, (b) by registered mail insured by you separately for the
replacement value of each such certificate or (c) by hand delivery.

               11. You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any
concessions, commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee or to engage or use any person to solicit
tenders.

               12.    If any Holder shall report to you that his or her failure
to surrender Old Capital Securities registered in his or her name is due to the
loss or destruction of a certificate or

                                        4



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



certificates, you shall request such Holder (i) to furnish to you an affidavit
of loss and, if required by PXRE and the Issuer, a bond of indemnity in an
amount and evidenced by such certificate or certificates of a surety, as may be
satisfactory to you, PXRE and the Issuer, and (ii) to execute and deliver an
agreement to indemnify PXRE, the Issuer and you, in such form as is acceptable
to you, PXRE and the Issuer. The obligees to be named in each such indemnity
bond shall include you, PXRE and the Issuer. You shall report to PXRE the names
of all Holders who claim that their Old Capital Securities have been lost or
destroyed and the principal amount of such Old Capital Securities.

               13. As soon as practicable after the Expiration Date, you shall
arrange for cancellation of the Old Capital Securities submitted to you or
returned by DTC in connection with ATOP. Such Old Capital Securities shall be
canceled and retired by you in your capacity as Trustee (the "Trustee") under
the Indenture dated January 29, 1997, as amended and supplemented by the First
Supplemental Indenture dated January 29, 1997, governing the Capital Securities,
as you are instructed by PXRE and the Trust (or a representative designated by
PXRE or the Trust) in writing.

               14. For your services as the Exchange Agent hereunder, PXRE shall
pay you in accordance with the schedule of fees attached hereto as EXHIBIT C.
PXRE also will reimburse you for your reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
expenses (including, but not limited to, all reasonable and documented
attorneys' fees not previously paid to you as set forth in EXHIBIT C) in
connection with your services promptly after submission to PXRE of itemized
statements.

               15.    As the Exchange Agent hereunder you:

               (a) shall have no duties or obligations other than those
specifically set forth herein or in the Exhibits attached hereto or as may be
subsequently requested in writing of you by PXRE or the Issuer and agreed to by
you in writing with respect to the Exchange Offer;

               (b) will be regarded as making no representations and having no
responsibilities as to the validity, accuracy, sufficiency, value or genuineness
of any Old Capital Securities deposited with you hereunder or any New Capital
Securities, any Tender Documents or other documents prepared by PXRE or the
Issuer in connection with the Exchange Offer or any signatures or endorsements
other than your own, and will not be required to make and will not make any
representations as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of the
Exchange Offer or any other disclosure materials in connection therewith;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no way will your general duty to act in good faith be
discharged by the foregoing;

               (c) shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder
which might in your judgment involve any expense or liability unless you shall
have been furnished with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to you;


                                        5



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



               (d) may rely on, and shall be fully protected and indemnified as
provided in Section 16 hereof in acting upon, the written or oral instructions
with respect to any matter relating to your acting as Exchange Agent
specifically covered by this Agreement or supplementing or qualifying any such
action of any officer or agent of such other person or persons as may be
designated by PXRE or the Issuer;

               (e) may consult with counsel satisfactory to you, including
counsel for PXRE, and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted
by you hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice of such
counsel;

               (f) shall not at any time advise any person whether to tender or
to refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Old Capital Securities in
the Exchange Offer or as to the market value or decline or appreciation in
market value of any Old Capital Securities or New Capital Securities; and

               (g) shall not be liable for any action which you may do or
refrain from doing in connection with this Agreement except for your negligence,
willful misconduct or bad faith.

               16. (a) PXRE and the Issuer covenant and agree to indemnify and
hold harmless First Union National Bank and its officers, directors, employees,
agents and affiliates (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and each an
"Indemnified Party") against any loss, liability or reasonable documented
expense of any nature (including reasonable documented attorneys' and other fees
and expenses) incurred in connection with the administration of the duties of
the Indemnified Parties hereunder in accordance with this Agreement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, such Indemnified Party shall use its best efforts to notify PXRE and
the Issuer by letter, or by cable, telex or facsimile confirmed by letter, of
the written assertion of a claim against such Indemnified Party, or of any
action commenced against such Indemnified Party, promptly after but in any event
within 15 days of the date such Indemnified Party shall have received any such
written assertion of a claim or shall have been served with a summons, or other
legal process, giving information as to the nature and basis of the claim;
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that failure to so notify PXRE and the Issuer shall not
relieve PXRE and the Issuer of any liability which they may otherwise have
hereunder except to the extent that PXRE is prejudiced by such failure to
notify. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither PXRE
nor the Issuer shall be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any loss,
liability, cost or expense to the extent arising out of an Indemnified Person's
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. PXRE and the Issuer shall be
entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any such claim or
legal action and, if PXRE or the Issuer so elects, PXRE or the Issuer may assume
the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim. In the event PXRE or
the Issuer elects to assume such defense, neither PXRE nor the Issuer shall be
liable for any fees and expenses thereafter incurred by such Indemnified Party.



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               (b) First Union National Bank agrees that, without the prior
written consent of PXRE and the Issuer (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding in respect of
which indemnification could be sought in accordance with the indemnification
provision of this Agreement (whether First Union National Bank, PXRE or the
Issuer or any of their directors, officers and controlling persons is an actual
or potential party to such claim, action or proceeding), unless such settlement,
compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of PXRE, the Issuer, and
their directors, officers and controlling persons from all liability arising out
of such claim, action or proceeding.

               17. This Agreement and your appointment as the Exchange Agent
shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York and shall inure to the benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall
be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the parties hereto. No other
person shall acquire or have any rights under or by virtue of this Agreement.

               18. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the venue and
jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of
Manhattan in New York City in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, and the parties hereby irrevocably agree that all
claims in respect of such action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, shall be heard and determined in such New York State or federal
court. The parties hereby consent to and grant to any such court jurisdiction
over the persons of such parties and over the subject matter of any such dispute
and agree that delivery or mailing of any process or other papers in the manner
provided herein, or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be
valid and sufficient service thereof.

               19. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or supplemented
without an express written agreement executed by the parties hereto. Any
inconsistency between this Agreement and the Tender Documents, as they may from
time to time be supplemented or amended, shall be resolved in favor of the
latter, except with respect to the duties, liabilities and indemnification of
you as Exchange Agent.

               20. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

               21. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

               22. Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this
Agreement shall terminate 90 days following the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Sections 14 and 16 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.

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               23. All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to be duly given if delivered against written receipt
thereof or mailed by first class certified or registered mail, postage prepaid,
or sent by facsimile transmission, as follows:

If to PXRE:                         PXRE Corporation
                                    399 Thornall Street
                                    14th Floor
                                    Edison, NJ 08837
                                    Telephone: (908) 906-8100
                                    Facsimile: (908) 906-9157
                                    Attention: President

If to the Issuer:                   PXRE Capital Trust I
                                    c/o PXRE Corporation
                                    399 Thornall Street
                                    14th Floor
                                    Edison, NJ 08837
                                    Telephone: (908) 906-8100
                                    Facsimile: (908) 906-9157
                                    Attention: Administrator

If to you:                          First Union National Bank
                                    765 Broad Street
                                    Newark, NJ  07102
                                    Telephone: (201) 430-4467
                                    Facsimile:  (201) 430-2117
                                    Attention: Rick Barnes

or such other address or facsimile number as any of the above may have furnished
to the other parties in writing for such purpose.

               24.    This Letter Agreement and all of the obligations hereunder
shall be assumed by any and all successors and assigns of the Issuer and PXRE.


                                        8



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               If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, would
you please indicate your agreement by signing and returning the enclosed copy of
this Agreement to PXRE.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            PXRE CORPORATION


                                            By: ________________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                            PXRE CAPITAL TRUST I


                                            By: ________________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Administrator


Agreed to this __ day of ________, 1997

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


By: ________________________________
    Name:
    Title:



                                        9



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                                                                  Exhibit A



                                                                  Prospectus










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<PAGE>



                                                                Exhibit B


                                                                Tender Documents








<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                                                  Exhibit C


                                Schedule of Fees


               Covers review of the Letter of Transmittal, DTC ATOP Voluntary
Offering Instruction, the Exchange Agent Agreement and other related
documentation, if any, as required by the Exchange Offer; set-up of records and
accounts; distribution of materials; all operational and administrative charges
and time in connection with the review, receipt and processing of Letters of
Transmittal, processing delivery of Guarantees, legal items, withdrawals, record
keeping, and answering securityholders' inquiries pertaining to the Exchange
Offer.

                                             Flat Fee:     $1,000


                                      NOTE

        These fees are also subject to change should circumstances warrant.
        Reimbursement for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses,
        disbursements (including postage, telex, facsimile, photocopying and
        advertising costs), and reasonable and documented fees of counsel
        (including their reasonable and documented disbursements and expenses)
        incurred in the performance of our duties will be added to the billed
        fees. Once appointed, if the Exchange Offer should fail to close for
        reasons beyond our control, we will require reimbursement in full for
        our reasonable and documented legal fees and any reasonable and
        documented out-of-pocket expenses related to our responsibilities under
        the Exchange Agent Agreement.

        Fees for any services not specifically covered in this or any other
        applicable schedule will be based on the appraisal of services rendered.



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