PXRE CORP
S-3, 1997-01-03
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 3, 1997

                                                   REGISTRATION NO. ____________

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                   ----------
                                PXRE CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                   ----------

            DELAWARE                                 06-1183996
  (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       OF INCORPORATION OR                      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
         ORGANIZATION)

                         399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLOOR
                            EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837
                                 (908) 906-8100
   (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                    REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                SANFORD M. KIMMEL
          SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                PXRE CORPORATION
                         399 THORNALL STREET, 14TH FLOOR
                            EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08837
                                 (908) 906-8100
   (NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA
                           CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                   ----------

                                    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 soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.[ ]
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.[x]
     If this Form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.[ ]________
     If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering.[ ]________
     If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.[ ]


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>



                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

===============================================================================================
                                                               Proposed
                                        Proposed Maximum       Maximum
  Title of Shares      Amount To Be      Aggregate Price      Aggregate          Amount of
 To Be Registered       Registered          Per Unit        Offering Price   Registration Fee
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>            <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, par
value $.01 per           3,171 (1)         $22.05 (2)         $69,920.55          $21.19
share
===============================================================================================

</TABLE>

(1) Any  additional  shares of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share,  of PXRE
    Corporation  ("PXRE  Common  Stock") which may become  issuable  pursuant to
    outstanding options under the Transnational Re Corporation ("Transnational")
    Director Stock Option Plan (the  "Director  Stock Option Plan") (in order to
    prevent dilution from stock splits,  stock dividends,  reclassification  and
    certain other events as provided in the Director Stock Option Plan) shall be
    covered  by  this  Registration   Statement  pursuant  to  Rule  416(a).  In
    connection with the merger of  Transnational  with and into PXRE Corporation
    ("PXRE"),  PXRE has assumed the outstanding options under the Director Stock
    Option Plan (the "Assumed Options").

(2) Calculated  pursuant to paragraph (h)(1) of Rule 457 (based on the price  at
    which Assumed Options may be exercised for PXRE Common Stock).

                                   ----------

    THE  REGISTRANT  HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT 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>

PROSPECTUS

                                  3,171 SHARES

                                PXRE CORPORATION

                                  COMMON STOCK

    This  Prospectus  relates to the offer and sale of up to 3,171  shares  (the
"Shares") of Common Stock of PXRE Corporation ("PXRE"), par value $.01 per share
(the "PXRE Common Stock"),  purchasable upon the exercise of certain outstanding
options issued pursuant to the  Transnational  Re Corporation  ("Transnational")
Director  Stock Option Plan (the  "Director  Stock Option  Plan") to each of the
non-employee directors of Transnational (each, an "Optionee"). Such options were
assumed by PXRE in  connection  with the merger of  Transnational  with and into
PXRE. See "Description of Options."

    The PXRE  Common  Stock is listed on the New York  Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE")
(Symbol:  "PXT").  On January 2,  1997,  the last sale price of the PXRE  Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE was $24 7/8  per share.

                                   ----------

  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 JANUARY __, 1997.


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>


    NO  PERSON  IS   AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY   INFORMATION   OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATION  NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE IN THIS  PROSPECTUS,
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH  INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY PXRE OR ANY UNDERWRITER, AGENT OR DEALER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES  OTHER THAN THE SHARES IN RESPECT OF WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS IS
DELIVERED OR AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES IN ANY  JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON WHERE
SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALES MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL,  UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION  THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE  AFFAIRS  OF PXRE SINCE  THEIR
RESPECTIVE DATES.

                              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
periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information  concerning  PXRE may be  inspected  and copied at the  Commission's
Public Reference Section,  Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Judiciary Plaza,
Washington,  D.C.  20549,  where copies may be obtained at prescribed  rates, as
well as at the following  regional offices:  Northeast  Regional Office, 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and Midwest Regional Office,
Citicorp  Center,  500  West  Madison  Street,  Suite  1400,  Chicago,  Illinois
60661-2511.  In addition,  the Commission maintains a site on the World Wide Web
service of the Internet which contains reports, proxy and information statements
and  other  information  regarding   registrants,   including  PXRE,  that  file
electronically   with  the  Commission.   The  address  of  such  Web  site  is:
http://www.sec.gov.  PXRE Common Stock is listed on the NYSE. Copies of reports,
proxy statements and other information concerning PXRE may also be inspected and
copied at the office of the NYSE, at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

    The following  documents,  previously filed with the Commission by PXRE, are
hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

    1. PXRE's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1995
(which incorporates by reference certain information from PXRE's Proxy Statement
relating to its 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; the "PXRE Form 10-K").

    2. PXRE's  Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters  ended March 31,
1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996 (the "PXRE Forms 10-Q").

    3. PXRE's Current  Reports on Form 8-K dated May 17, 1996,  August 22, 1996,
August 26, 1996, December 2, 1996, December 9, 1996 and December 11, 1996.

     4. All other  reports  filed by PXRE  pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.

    5. The  description  of PXRE Common  Stock set forth in PXRE's  Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

    All reports and other documents subsequently filed by PXRE after the date of
this Prospectus  pursuant to Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act and  prior  to the  termination  of this  offering  shall  be  deemed  to be
incorporated  by reference in this  Prospectus  and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing such documents or reports.

    Statements  contained in this  Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or document are not  necessarily  complete and in each instance such  statements
are  qualified in their  entirety by  reference to the copy of such  contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or incorporated
by reference  therein.  Any statement  contained in a document  incorporated  or
deemed to be  incorporated in this Prospectus by reference shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded  for the purpose of this  Prospectus to the extent that a
statement  contained  in this  Prospectus  or in any  other  subsequently  filed
document  which also is or is deemed to be  incorporated  in this  Prospectus by
reference 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.

    THIS PROSPECTUS  INCORPORATES  CERTAIN  DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT
PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH.  THESE DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO
SUCH  DOCUMENTS  UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE  SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED  HEREIN BY
REFERENCE) ARE AVAILABLE  WITHOUT CHARGE ON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST  DIRECTED TO
PXRE  CORPORATION,  399 THORNALL STREET,  EDISON,  NEW JERSEY 08837,  ATTENTION:
TREASURER, (908) 906-6785.



                                       4


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>


                                   THE COMPANY

    PXRE, through its subsidiary PXRE Reinsurance Company ("PXRE  Reinsurance"),
provides treaty and facultative  reinsurance to primary  insurers and reinsurers
on commercial and personal property risks, marine and aviation risks and certain
casualty risks.  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.

    PXRE  Reinsurance  is  licensed,  accredited,  or  otherwise  authorized  or
permitted  to  conduct  reinsurance  business  in all states  (except  Arkansas,
Hawaii, Kansas,  Oklahoma,  Vermont and Washington) and the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico. PXRE Reinsurance has an A.M. Best rating of "A (Excellent)" and
a Standard & Poors Corporation ("S&P") claims-paying rating of "A- (Good)".

    PXRE's  executive  offices are located at 399 Thornall Street,  Edison,  New
Jersey 08837 and its telephone number is (908) 906-6785.

    Additional  information  concerning  PXRE is included in the PXRE Form 10-K,
the PXRE Forms 10-Q and the PXRE  Current  Reports,  incorporated  by  reference
herein.

    On December 11, 1996,  pursuant to an Agreement  and Plan of Merger  between
Transnational and PXRE, dated as of August 22, 1996, as amended by Amendment No.
1 dated as of  September  27, 1996 and  Amendment  No. 2 dated as of October 24,
1996 (the "Merger  Agreement"),  Transnational  merged with and into PXRE,  in a
merger   transaction  (the  "Merger")  in  which  each   outstanding   share  of
Transnational  Class A Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per share  ("Transnational
Class A Common  Stock")  and each  outstanding  share of  Transnational  Class B
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share was canceled and converted into the right
to receive  1.0575 shares of PXRE Common Stock.  In connection  with the Merger,
each outstanding option to purchase shares of Transnational Class A Common Stock
issued  pursuant to the Director Stock Option Plan,  whether vested or unvested,
was assumed by PXRE. See "Description of Options."

    As a result  of the  Merger,  Transnational  ceased  to  exist  and PXRE has
continued  as the  surviving  corporation.  Prior to the Merger,  Transnational,
through  its  subsidiary   Transnational   Reinsurance  Company  ("Transnational
Reinsurance"),   specialized  in  providing  brokered  property   retrocessional
reinsurance and marine and aviation  retrocessional  reinsurance in the U.S. and
international markets.  Transnational also wrote marine and aviation reinsurance
and  facultative  excess of loss  reinsurance.  Upon  completion  of the Merger,
Transnational Reinsurance became a subsidiary of PXRE Reinsurance.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

    The proceeds  received by PXRE upon exercise of the Options will be used for
general corporate purposes.



                                       5


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>




                             DESCRIPTION OF OPTIONS

    Pursuant to the Director Stock Option Plan, on May 21, 1996 (the date of the
annual meeting of Transnational stockholders), each of the Optionees was granted
options to purchase  1,000  shares of  Transnational  Class A Common Stock at an
option price of $23.31 (the fair market value of such shares on such date).

    In connection with the Merger of Transnational  with and into PXRE, PXRE has
assumed  the  options  under  the  Director  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  "Assumed
Options").  Administration  of the Director Stock Option Plan will now be by the
Board of Directors of PXRE rather than the Board of Directors of  Transnational.
Pursuant  to  the  Merger  Agreement,  as of the  closing  of  the  Merger  each
outstanding  option,  whether  vested or unvested,  was deemed to  constitute an
Assumed Option to acquire,  on the same terms and conditions as applicable under
the Director  Stock Option Plan,  the same number of shares of PXRE Common Stock
as the Optionee  would have been entitled to receive  pursuant to the Merger had
such  Optionee   exercised   such  option  in  full  (whether  or  not  actually
exercisable) immediately prior to the closing of the Merger.  Accordingly,  each
of the three former non-employee  directors of Transnational has Assumed Options
to purchase 1,057 shares of PXRE Common Stock.

    All of the Assumed Options expire on March 7, 1997, and are exercisable at a
price of $22.05 per  share.  Such  exercise  price per share is equal to (x) the
aggregate  exercise price for the shares of  Transnational  Class A Common Stock
deemed otherwise purchasable pursuant to options under the Director Stock Option
Plan  divided by (y) the  number of full  shares of PXRE  Common  Stock that are
subject to Assumed  Options.  The exercise price is to be paid by an Optionee in
United States dollars by certified check or bank draft.  The Assumed Options are
not  transferable,  except in the event of the Optionee's  death.  The number of
shares  subject to Assumed  Options,  and the  exercise  price,  are  subject to
adjustment to reflect stock dividends, stock splits,  reclassifications,  merger
or other corporate  change.  No other options will be granted under the Director
Stock Option Plan.

    Shares  acquired upon exercise of an Assumed  Option should not be resold by
an Optionee  or other  person if then in  possession  of  material,  non-public,
adverse  information  about PXRE.  In addition,  any person who receives  Shares
pursuant  to  the  exercise  of  an  Assumed  Option  may  be  deemed  to  be an
"underwriter"  within  the  meaning  of Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act and,
therefore, may be restricted from selling, assigning or transferring such shares
unless such  transaction  complies  with Rules 144 and 145 under the  Securities
Act,  or is  covered  by an  effective  registration  statement  filed  with the
Commission under the Securities Act. Persons who are deemed "affiliates" of PXRE
must resell shares of PXRE Common Stock acquired  pursuant to the exercise of an
Assumed  Option in compliance  with Rule 144, or in a transaction  covered by an
effective  registration statement filed with the Commission under the Securities
Act. PXRE has not filed,  and does not intend to file, a registration  statement
covering reoffers and resales of Shares by Optionees.

    The  grant  of the  options  under  the  Director  Stock  Option  Plan,  and
assumption of such options by PXRE,  created no income tax  consequences for the
Optionees  or PXRE.  Upon  exercise  of an  Assumed  Option,  an  Optionee  must
generally  recognize  ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the PXRE
Common Stock acquired on the date of exercise minus the exercise price, and PXRE
will be  entitled  to a  deduction  equal to the amount  recognized  as ordinary
income  by the  Optionee.  A sale of Shares  acquired  upon the  exercise  of an
Assumed Option generally will result in short-term or long-term  capital gain or
loss measured by the  difference  between the sale price and the  Optionee's tax
basis  (generally,  the exercise  price plus the amount  recognized  as ordinary
income) in such Shares. There will be no tax consequences to PXRE from a sale by
an Optionee of the Shares.  This is only a general summary of federal income tax
consequences,  and does not cover all possible  transactions  involving  Assumed
Options and  Shares.  Optionees  are urged to consult  with their  personal  tax
advisors  concerning  the  application  of federal,  state and local tax laws to
their individual situations.

    The Assumed Options are non-qualified options,  meaning that such options do
not qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code").  The Director  Stock Option Plan is not
qualified  under  Section  401(a)  of  the  Code  and  is  not  subject  to  the
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.



                                       6


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>




                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The  Shares  covered  by  this  Prospectus  will  be  issued  by PXRE to the
Optionees  upon exercise of the Assumed  Options.  PXRE will pay all expenses in
connection  with the  issuance to the  Optionees  of the Shares  covered by this
Prospectus.

                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

    The  legality  of the  issuance  of the Shares has been passed on by the law
firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, a limited liability partnership,  New York,
New York, counsel for PXRE. Mr. F. Sedgwick Browne, a partner of Morgan, Lewis &
Bockius LLP, is Secretary of PXRE and owns 5115 shares of PXRE Common Stock.

                                     EXPERTS

    The consolidated  financial  statements and financial statement schedules of
PXRE as of  December  31,  1995 and 1994 and for each of the three  years in the
period ended December 31, 1995 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from
the PXRE Form  10-K  have been  audited  by Price  Waterhouse  LLP,  independent
accountants,  as  stated  in their  report,  which  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference and has been so  incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm
given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.



                                       7


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The following table  sets  forth  the  expenses  to  be  borne  by  PXRE  in
connection with the offering  described in this Registration  Statement.  All of
such amounts are estimated  except for the SEC  Registration  Fee.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
        SEC Registration Fee ......................... $    21.19
        Printing and Engraving Costs .................     500.00
        Legal Fees and Expenses ......................   1,000.00
        Accounting Fees and Expenses .................   1,000.00
        Miscellaneous ................................     250.00
        Total ........................................ $ 2,771.19
                                                       ===========
</TABLE>

ITEM 15. 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 Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of PXRE (the "PXRE Charter") 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.



                                       II-1


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

               (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  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).

        (iii)  Article VI of the PXRE Charter  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


                                      II-2


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

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 PXRE Charter 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.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        Exhibit
        Number                              Description
        ------                              -----------

<C>                 <S>

          2.1       Agreement  and  Plan  of  Merger  between  Transnational  Re
                    Corporation  and  PXRE,  dated as of  August  22,  1996,  as
                    amended by Amendment  No. 1 dated as of  September  27, 1996
                    and   Amendment   No.  2  dated  as  of  October  24,  1996,
                    incorporated by reference to Annex A to PXRE's  Registration
                    Statement  on Form S-4  dated  October  30,  1994  (File No.
                    333-15087).

          4.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PXRE,  incorporated
                    by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to PXRE's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 dated August 29,  1986,  as amended by Amendment
                    No. 1 thereto dated February 19, 1987 and by Amendment No. 2
                    thereto dated March 25, 1987 (File No. 33-8406).

          4.2       Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's  Restated  Certificate of
                    Incorporation, dated May 20, 1993, incorporated by reference
                    to Exhibit 4.3 to PXRE's Registration Statement on Forms S-8
                    and S-3 dated June 3, 1993 (File No. 33-63768).

          4.3       Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's  Restated  Certificate of
                    Incorporation, dated May 19, 1994, incorporated by reference
                    to  Exhibit 3 to PXRE's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
                    fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-15428).

          4.4       Certificate  of   Designations   designating  the  Series  A
                    Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of PXRE, incorporated
                    by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to PXRE's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-2 dated February 21, 1992, as amended by Amendment
                    No. 1 thereto  dated  April 1, 1992 and by  Amendment  No. 2
                    thereto  dated April 13, 1992 and by Amendment No. 3 thereto
                    dated April 23, 1992 (File No. 33-45893).

         *4.5       Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's  Restated  Certificate of
                    Incorporation, dated December 9, 1996.

          4.6       By-Laws of PXRE, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
                    PXRE's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1 dated August 29,
                    1986, as amended by Amendment  No. 1 thereto dated  February
                    19, 1987 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto dated March 25, 1987
                    (File No. 33-8406).

          4.7       Amendment to By-Laws of PXRE,  Article IV,  Section 1, dated
                    June 8,  1995,  incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 3 to
                    PXRE's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                    December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-15428).

          4.8       Specimen  Certificate  of Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per
                    share, of PXRE,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to
                    PXRE's Registration  Statement on Form S-2 dated January 29,
                    1993, as amended by Amendment  No. 1 thereto dated  February
                    11, 1993 and Amendment No. 2 thereto dated February 23, 1993
                    (File No. 33-57532).

         *5         Opinion  of  Morgan,  Lewis  &  Bockius  LLP  regarding  the
                    legality of the securities being registered.

        *23.1       Consent of Price  Waterhouse LLP as to financial  statements
                    of PXRE.


</TABLE>



                                      II-3


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>

        *23.2       Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (contained in Exhibit
                    5).

        *24         Powers of Attorney.

</TABLE>

- ---------------
* Filed herewith

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

    (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

    (1) To file,  during any period in which  offers or sales are being made,  a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

        (i) To  include  any  prospectus  required  by Section  10(a)(3)  of the
Securities Act of 1933;

        (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration  Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  represent  a
fundamental  change in the information set forth in the Registration  Statement;
and

        (iii) To include any  material  information  with respect to the plan of
distribution  not  previously  disclosed  in the  Registration  Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

    (2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933,  each  such  post-effective  amendment  shall be deemed to be a new
registration  statement  relating to the  securities  offered  therein,  and the
offering of such  securities  at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

    (3) To remove from  registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

    (b) The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that,  for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section 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.

    (c) Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the 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, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question 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.



                                      II-4


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and 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 the 3rd day of
January, 1997.

                                       PXRE CORPORATION

                                       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  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,      January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------        Chief Executive Officer and Director
Gerald L. Radke                    (Principal Executive Officer)



/s/ Sanford M. Kimmel              Vice President, Treasurer and          January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------        Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Sanford M. Kimmel                  Financial Officer)



/s/ Joan L. Cadd                   Vice President and Controller          January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------        
Joan L. Cadd



       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------        
Robert W. Fiondella



       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------        
Bernard Kelly



       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
Wendy Luscombe

</TABLE>


                                      II-5


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME                                  TITLE                           DATE
      ----                                  -----                           ----

<C>                                <S>                                    <C>



       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
Edward P. Lyons




       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
Philip R. McLoughlin




       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
David W. Searfoss




       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
Donald H. Trautlein




       *                           Director                               January 3, 1997
- ---------------------------
Wilson Wilde


</TABLE>



                                   */s/ Gerald L. Radke
                                   ---------------------------
                                   Gerald L. Radke
                                   Attorney-in-Fact






                                      II-6


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit
Number                              Description
- ------                              -----------

<C>                 <S>

2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger between Transnational Re Corporation and
         PXRE, dated as of August 22, 1996, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated
         as of September 27, 1996 and Amendment No. 2 dated as of October 24,
         1996, incorporated by reference to Annex A to PXRE's Registration
         Statement on Form S-4 dated October 30, 1994 (File No. 333-15087).

4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PXRE, incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 3.1 to PXRE's Registration Statement on Form S-1
         dated August 29, 1986, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated
         February 19, 1987 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto dated March 25, 1987
         (File No. 33-8406).

4.2      Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's Restated Certificate of
         Incorporation, dated May 20, 1993, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         4.3 to PXRE's Registration Statement on Forms S-8 and S-3 dated June 3,
         1993 (File No. 33-63768).

4.3      Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's Restated Certificate of
         Incorporation, dated May 19, 1994, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         3 to PXRE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-15428).

4.4      Certificate of Designations designating the Series A Cumulative
         Convertible Preferred Stock of PXRE, incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 4.5 to PXRE's Registration Statement on Form S-2 dated February
         21, 1992, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated April 1, 1992 and
         by Amendment No. 2 thereto dated April 13, 1992 and by Amendment No. 3
         thereto dated April 23, 1992 (File No. 33-45893).

*4.5     Certificate of Amendment to PXRE's Restated Certificate of
         Incorporation, dated December 9, 1996.

4.6      By-Laws of PXRE, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to PXRE's
         Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated August 29, 1986, as amended by
         Amendment No. 1 thereto dated February 19, 1987 and by Amendment No. 2
         thereto dated March 25, 1987 (File No. 33-8406).

4.7      Amendment  to By-Laws  of PXRE,  Article  IV,  Section 1, dated June 8,
         1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to PXRE's Annual Report on
         Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995  (File No.
         0-15428).

4.8      Specimen Certificate of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of
         PXRE, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to PXRE's Registration
         Statement on Form S-2 dated January 29, 1993, as amended by Amendment
         No. 1 thereto dated February 11, 1993 and Amendment No. 2 thereto dated
         February 23, 1993 (File No. 33-57532).

*5       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP regarding the legality of the
         securities being registered.

*23.1    Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP as to financial statements of PXRE.

*23.2    Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (contained in Exhibit 5).

*24      Powers of Attorney.


</TABLE>

- ----------
* Filed herewith.




                                      II-7



<PAGE>
 





<PAGE>


                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                PXRE CORPORATION

               THE  UNDERSIGNED,  being,  respectively,  the  President  and the
Secretary of PXRE  Corporation,  a corporation  organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY as follows:

        FIRST: The name of the Corporation is PXRE Corporation.

       SECOND: The Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was
               filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on the
               13th  day  of  March,   1987,  a  Certificate   of   Designations
               designating the Series A Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock
               of the  Corporation  was filed with the Secretary of State of the
               State of Delaware on the 23rd day of April, 1992 and Certificates
               of Amendment to the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of the
               Corporation  were filed with the  Secretary of State of the State
               of Delaware  on the 21st day of May,  1993 and on the 19th day of
               May, 1994.

        THIRD: The text of  Paragraphs  A and C of  Article  IV of the  Restated
               Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended
               to read as herein set forth:

                             "A. Authorized  Capital Stock. The aggregate number
                      of shares which the  Corporation  shall have  authority to
                      issue is 40,500,000 shares, consisting of:

                                    1. 500,000 shares of Serial  Preferred Stock
                             (par value $.01 per share); and

                                    2.  40,000,000  shares of Common  Stock (par
                             value $.01 per share).

              ...

                             C.  Common  Stock.  The  total  number of shares of
                      Common  Stock the  Corporation  has  authority to issue is
                      40,000,000 shares, par value of $.01 per share."


<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>


       FOURTH: The  foregoing   amendments  to  the  Restated   Certificate   of
               Incorporation  of the Corporation were duly adopted in accordance
               with Section 242 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of
               Delaware   and  Article  X  of  the   Restated   Certificate   of
               Incorporation of the Corporation.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  PXRE Corporation has caused this Certificate
of Amendment to be executed by Gerald L. Radke,  its President,  and attested to
by F. Sedgwick Browne, its Secretary, this 9th day of December, 1996.



                                                   PXRE CORPORATION



                                                   By: /s/ Gerald L. Radke
                                                       _________________________
                                                           Gerald L. Radke
                                                           President

ATTEST:



/s/ F. Sedgwick Browne
________________________
F. Sedgwick Browne
Secretary




<PAGE>
 





<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 5/
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                           MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
                                COUNSELORS AT LAW
                                 101 PARK AVENUE
                             NEW YORK, NY 10178-0060
                                  212-309-6000
                                FAX: 212-309-6273


                                       January 3, 1997


PXRE Corporation
399 Thornall Street
Edison, New Jersey 08837

Re:     PXRE Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-3
        ---------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special counsel to PXRE Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("PXRE"), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement
on Form S-3, including the exhibits thereto (the "Registration Statement"),
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), for the registration
by PXRE of the offer and sale of 3,171 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share ("PXRE Common Stock"), pursuant to the Transnational Re
Corporation ("Transnational") Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), which
Plan has been assumed by PXRE in accordance with the Agreement and Plan of
Merger between Transnational and PXRE, dated as of August 22, 1996, as amended
(the "Merger Agreement"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Transnational was
merged with and into PXRE on December 11, 1996, and each outstanding share of
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and Class B Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Transnational was converted into the right to receive
1.0575 shares of PXRE Common Stock.

        In connection with this opinion, we have examined (i) the Registration
Statement, (ii) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PXRE, as amended to
date, (iii) the By-Laws of PXRE, as amended to date, (iv) certain resolutions of
the Board of Directors of PXRE relating to the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, (v) the Plan and (vi) such other certificates, instruments,
documents and records as we have considered necessary or appropriate for
purposes of this opinion. We have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement,
and any amendments thereto, will have become effective; and (ii) all Shares will
be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. In
our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal
capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of
such copies. In addition, we have made such other examination of law and fact as
we have deemed appropriate in order to form a basis for the opinion hereinafter
expressed.

        With respect to the issuance of any Shares, we have assumed that the
Shares will be issued, and the certificates evidencing the same will be duly
delivered, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and against receipt of the
consideration stipulated therefor which will be no less than the par value
thereof.




<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

PXRE Corporation
January 3, 1997
Page Two

        Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have
been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Plan,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and we do not express
any opinion herein concerning any law other than the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the federal laws of the United States of America.

        We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this opinion and consent, we do not admit that
we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act.

                                       Very truly yours,



                                       Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP



<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-3 of PXRE Corporation
of our reports dated  February 15, 1996,  appearing on pages F-1 and F-22 of the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of PXRE  Corporation  for the year ended December 31,
1995. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption  "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

New York, New York
January 3, 1997





<PAGE>
 





<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  an officer and/or
director of PXRE 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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  23rd  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  23rd  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  19th  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  5th  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  23rd  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  19th  day of
December, 1996.



                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  3rd  day of
December, 1996.

                                       /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 (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-3 of the Company and any and all  amendments,
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  19th  day of
December, 1996.

                                       /s/ Wilson Wilde
                                       ____________________________________
                                       Wilson Wilde


<PAGE>





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