PRUDENTIALS ANNUITY PLAN ACCOUNT-2
497, 1997-05-08
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Prospectus
May 1, 1997
    

Variable Annuity                                            [Logo]
Contracts of
Prudential's
Annuity Plan
Account-2

(for use in connection with certain
plans qualifying for special Federal
income tax treatment, including: (1)
non-allocated corporate pension and
profit-sharing plans and (2) those
allocated pension, profit-sharing and
annuity purchase plans which have
Prudential Transfer Accounts that were
established before 1978)

   
Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.
    



The net proceeds derived from the sale of these Variable  Annuity  Contracts are
allocated to Prudential's  Annuity Plan Account-2,  which is a variable contract
account  of The  Prudential  Insurance  Company of  America.  The assets of this
account are invested solely in shares of a mutual fund concerned  primarily with
growth of capital to an extent  compatible with a concern for its  preservation.
Current income is a secondary  consideration.  The Fund's investment  objectives
are pursued  primarily  through the purchase of common stocks.

   
These  securities  have not been approved or  disapproved  by The Securities and
Exchange  Commission nor has the Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy
of this Prospectus.  Any  representation  to the contrary is a criminal offense.
    

                                Mailing Address:

   
                  The Prudential Insurance Company of America
                                Prudential Plaza
                         Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777
    

                           Telephone: (800) 445-4571

   
FSPQ 101 Ed 5-97
   YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
                                                               Printed in U.S.A.
    

<PAGE>



                               PROSPECTUS CONTENTS
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

   
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS .................................    1

SUMMARY ...................................................................    2

FEE TABLE .................................................................    5


PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC.-- FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................    6

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION ...............................................    7
  Eligibility for Purchase ................................................    7
  The Variable Annuity Contract ...........................................    7
  The Role of the Transfer Account ........................................    8
  Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2 .....................................    8
  Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc. .......................................    9
  The Prudential's Administrative Role ....................................    9

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS ..............................................   10
  Sales and Related Charges ...............................................   10
  Other Charges ...........................................................   11
  Right to Cancel .........................................................   11
  How Accumulation Shares are Credited ....................................   11
  Liquidation (Redemption) and Transfer of Accumulation Shares ............   12
  Results Under a Hypothetical Purchase Program ...........................   13
  Effecting a Variable Annuity ............................................   13
  Types of Annuity Available ..............................................   14
  How Variable Annuity Payments are Determined ............................   14
  The Risks Which The Prudential Assumes ..................................   15
  Payment Upon the Death of the Planholder ................................   16
  Exercising Rights Under the Contracts ...................................   16
  The Prudential-Sponsored Pension Plans ..................................   17

DESCRIPTION OF PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC. ..........................   17
  Investment Policies .....................................................   17
  Restrictions on Investment ..............................................   18
  New Jersey Investment Laws ..............................................   19
  Summary of Investment Advisory Contract .................................   20
  The Prudential as Manager of the Fund's Investments .....................   21
  Brokerage ...............................................................   21
  Determination of Net Asset Value ........................................   22
  Redemption of Fund Shares ...............................................   23
  Description of Fund Shares and Voting Rights ............................   23
  Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend-Paying Agent .....................   23


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION .................................................   24
  State Regulation ........................................................   24
  Federal Income Taxes ....................................................   24
  Withholding .............................................................   25
  Additional Information ..................................................   26
  Experts .................................................................   26
  Litigation ..............................................................   26

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND ........................................   27


THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA--DIRECTORS ....................   28

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA--OFFICERS .....................   30
    



<PAGE>


   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PRUDENTIAL'S ANNUITY PLAN ACCOUNT-2 ...............   A1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC. .................   B1

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS ...................................................   B2

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY
 OF AMERICA ...............................................................   C1



Effective  January 1, 1984, sales of the Contracts  described in this Prospectus
to new  customers  were  discontinued.  This  decision  does not affect  inforce
planholders who may continue to make subsequent  purchases on either a scheduled
or non-scheduled basis.
    

<PAGE>

                    GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

Accumulation  Period:  The  period  prior to  retirement  when  funds  are being
accumulated for a participant's benefit.

Accumulation  Share:  A measure  used to determine  the value of a  Planholder's
contract during the accumulation period.

Accumulation Share Value: The dollar value of one accumulation share.

Allocated Plan: A retirement plan under which Contracts are held in the names of
the individual participants.

Annuity:  A series of  payments  made each month as long as a person,  called an
annuitant, is living. In some forms of annuity,  payments may continue after the
annuitant's death.

Annuity  Share:  A measure  used to  determine  the value of a variable  annuity
payment.

Annuity Share Value: The monthly dollar value of one Annuity Share.

Business Day: Day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.

   
Contract:  The Variable Annuity Contract described in this Prospectus which is a
written agreement between The Prudential and the contract owner which sets forth
the rights, duties and privileges of all parties.
    

Mortality and Expense Risks: The risks The Prudential assumes because the amount
of variable  annuity  payments will not be affected by losses The Prudential may
incur if annuitants  live longer than expected or if actual  expenses are higher
than expected.

Non-Allocated Plan: A retirement plan under which contracts are held in the name
of the employer or plan trustee.

Planholder: Person in whose name a Contract is issued.

   
Prudential Financial Security Program (Program): A number of contracts issued by
The Prudential, including the Contract described in this Prospectus.

Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2 (APA-2 or Account):  The separate account in
which the Contracts described in this Prospectus participate.

Prudential's  Gibraltar Fund, Inc. (Fund): The mutual fund in whose shares APA-2
invests.
    

Purchase  Payment:  Money paid under a Contract on behalf of a participant  in a
retirement plan.

Retirement Plans: Corporate, qualified plans for self-employed individuals, IRA,
and public school and Section 501(c)(3) plans.

Separate  Account:  A separate  portfolio of assets held by an insurance company
and  whose  investment  experience  is kept  separate  from  that  of the  other
investment accounts of the company.

Transfer  Account:  Account used,  by agreement  between The  Prudential  and an
Accountholder,  to  facilitate  the  accumulation  and  allocation  of funds for
purchase under a retirement plan.

Variable Annuity:  An annuity whose payments vary with the investment results of
APA-2.

                                       1

<PAGE>


                                     SUMMARY

THESE PAGES  CONTAIN A BRIEF  SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE  IMPORTANT  FEATURES OF THE
VARIABLE  ANNUITY  CONTRACT  DESCRIBED IN THIS  PROSPECTUS,  PARTICULARLY  THOSE
RELATED TO THE CHARGES MADE BY THE  PRUDENTIAL.  THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT PROVIDE A
FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT.  THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ FOR THAT
PURPOSE.  YOU MAY FIND IT HELPFUL TO RE-READ THIS SUMMARY  AFTER HAVING READ THE
PROSPECTUS.

These Variable Annuity  Contracts are issued for use only in connection with the
following types of allocated and non-allocated  tax-qualified  retirement plans.
(A plan is considered to be allocated if assets of the plan represented by these
variable annuity contracts are held in the names of the individual participants.
It is  non-allocated  if the  contract is issued in the name of the  employer or
plan trustee.)

     Non-Allocated  Plans.  The Contracts are issued for use in connection  with
     non-allocated  corporate pension and  profit-sharing  plans qualified under
     Section  401(a) of the  Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended  (Code)
     (non-allocated corporate plan).

   
     Allocated  Plans.  The  Contracts  are  issued for use in  connection  with
     allocated  plans  only to add a  participant  under a  Prudential  Transfer
     Account which has already been  established for the plan in the name of the
     employer or trustee,  where the plan is one of the following  types:  (1) a
     corporate pension or profit-sharing  plan qualified under Section 401(a) of
     the Code  (corporate  plan);  or (2) an annuity  purchase plan adopted by a
     public school system or tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3)  organization pursuant
     to Section 403(b) of the Code (Section 403(b) annuities). Transfer Accounts
     are described on the following page and on page 7.
    

Many of these Contracts were also  previously  sold, and are currently in force,
in  connection  with  Individual  Retirement  Annuities  established  under  the
provisions of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 (IRA plans)
and 403(b) annuities where the Transfer Account is in the name of the employee.

The  Prudential  Insurance  Company  of America  (The  Prudential)  will  accept
purchase  payments in any amount if made under a Contract  issued in  connection
with a Prudential-sponsored corporate plan or qualified plan for a self-employed
individual. For all other Contracts, purchases of at least $300 per year must be
scheduled.

   
The net  purchase  payments  made  under the  Contracts,  after  the  deductions
described below, are allocated to Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2 (Account),
a variable  contract  account of The  Prudential.  The assets of the Account are
invested  at net asset  value in shares of  Prudential's  Gibraltar  Fund,  Inc.
(Fund).  The value of the Contracts before annuity payments begin and the amount
of monthly  annuity  benefits  payable  under them  thereafter  will increase or
decrease  depending  on  increases  or  decreases  in the  market  value  of the
portfolio securities owned by the Fund.

Subject  to any  limitations  contained  in the  applicable  pension  plan,  the
Contracts  may be  liquidated  at their net asset  value at any time  during the
period before annuity  payments begin,  although such a liquidation may have tax
consequences that should be considered carefully.  In addition,  federal tax law
imposes  restrictions  on  withdrawals  from annuity  purchase  plans subject to
Section  403(b) of the Code.  The net asset  value of a Contract is the value of
accumulation  shares  credited to it minus any  transfer  taxes and  transaction
charge.  Currently no transfer taxes are imposed. The maximum transaction charge
is $1. See Liquidation  (Redemption) and Transfer of Accumulation  Shares,  page
12. After annuity  payments begin the Contracts may no longer be liquidated,  in
whole or in part.

The Fund was organized by The Prudential to serve as the  investment  medium for
the variable  contract  accounts of the Prudential  Financial  Security  Program
(Program),  including  this  Account.  The Fund does not sell its  shares to the
public.  It is registered under the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,
as  a  diversified  open-end  management  investment  company  whose  investment
objective is concerned  primarily with growth of capital to an extent compatible
with  a  concern   for  its   preservation.   Current   income  is  a  secondary
consideration. The portfolio of the Fund consists primarily of common stock of a
diversified  group of companies in a variety of  industries.  The  Contracts are
subject to the risks associated with common stock investment, so there can be no
assurance that the investment  objectives will be achieved.  Investment policies
of the Fund permit,  investments in three  categories  that could entail special
risks: the Fund's assets may be invested in American Depository Receipts;  up to
10% of the value of the Fund's  assets may be invested in  securities  which are
not  readily  marketable;  and up to 3% may be invested in warrants or rights to
acquire stock. See Special Risks on page 18.
    

The Prudential,  a mutual insurance company,  was founded in 1875 under the laws
of New Jersey.  The  Prudential is subject to  regulation  by the  Department of
Insurance of the State of New Jersey and by the insurance departments of all the
other states and jurisdictions in which it does business.  The Prudential is the
investment  advisor  of the 

                                       2

<PAGE>

   
Fund.  See The  Prudential  as Manager of the Fund's  Investments,  page 21. The
Prudential's financial statements begin on page C1 and should be considered only
as  bearing  upon The  Prudential's  ability to meet its  obligations  under the
Contracts.
    

Pruco Securities  Corporation (Prusec),  an indirect wholly-owned  subsidiary of
The Prudential,  acts as the principal  underwriter of the Fund and the Account.
Prusec's principal business address is 1111 Durham Avenue, South Plainfield, New
Jersey 07080.

A transfer account is established with The Prudential for the retirement plan to
facilitate  the  accumulation  and  allocation of funds for purchases  under the
plan.   The  person   establishing   the  transfer   account  is  known  as  the
Accountholder.  For newly  established  non-allocated  corporate  plan  transfer
accounts  this will be the  employer  (employer  Accountholder)  or a trustee or
custodian  (trustee  Accountholder).  This  is  also  true  of  most  previously
established  transfer  accounts  for  corporate  plans and  qualified  plans for
self-employed  individuals.  Under previously  established transfer accounts for
IRA and  most  Section  403(b)  annuities,  the  employee  is the  Accountholder
(employee Accountholder).  Funds may be deposited in the transfer account at any
time by or for the Accountholder,  who authorizes their transfer to Prudential's
Annuity Plan Account-2 as purchase  payments under these Contracts.  The minimum
deposit  is $25.  A  person  for whom  purchase  payments  are made is  called a
Planholder.  Most  Planholders  will be employees under the retirement  plan. In
some  instances the  employer,  trustee or custodian  under a corporate  plan or
qualified plan for self-employed individuals will also be a Planholder.

   
At the time the  transfer  account is  established,  the  Accountholder  pays an
enrollment fee to cover the non-recurring  expenses of processing the Planholder
enrollment  and  creating  the initial  Program  records.  The fee is $40 for an
employer or trustee Accountholder. See The Role Of The Transfer Account, page 7.
    

Sales And Related  Charges.  A sales charge is deducted from  purchase  payments
during  a  Contract's  accumulation  period,  which is the  period  prior to the
retirement of a Planholder when funds are being accumulated for the Planholder's
benefit.  The charge  ranges from 8.5% on the first $5,000 to 0.6% on any excess
over $500,000.  In determining  what  percentage is used, all purchase  payments
made on the date of purchase  through the same transfer  account for Planholders
in the  accumulation  period are combined and added to the current  value of all
accumulation  shares,  if any,  then  credited  to all  Planholders  under  that
transfer account.  There is also a transaction  charge for each purchase payment
of $1, or 2% of the amount transferred if less.

The sales charge as a percentage of the net amount  invested  (purchase  payment
minus sales charge and  transaction  charge) is greatest when purchase  payments
are  smallest  and  being  made at the first  $5,000  rate.  For a $25  purchase
payment,  the maximum  sales  charge and the  maximum  deduction  from  purchase
payment  (including  sales  charge and  transaction  charge) are 9.5% and 11.8%,
respectively, of the net amount invested.

A sales charge is also deducted from purchase payments made to provide immediate
annuities with no accumulation  period. The same scale of sales charges applies,
except that in determining the percentage to be used, all purchase payments made
through the same  transfer  account to provide  annuities  without  accumulation
periods,  including payments under related Fixed-Dollar  Annuity Contracts,  are
combined  and added to all  purchase  payments  previously  made to provide such
annuities for Planholders using that transfer account.

No sales charge is deducted  from any purchase  payment to the extent that it is
made  with  the  proceeds  of  another  contract  issued  by The  Prudential  in
connection  with  a  tax-qualified   retirement  plan,  including  any  dividend
accumulations  or paid-up  additions  resulting from that  contract.  Nor is any
sales  charge  deducted at the time  accumulation  shares are used to provide an
annuity under the Program.

   
Currently  a few  states  impose a premium  tax on some  tax-qualified  variable
annuity purchases. The sales and transaction charges and state premium taxes are
discussed in greater detail under Sales and Related Charges on page 10.
    

Other Charges.  The above charges are made in connection with purchase payments.
In addition,  other charges are made daily against the assets of the Account and
of the Fund.  During  the  accumulation  period,  there are  charges  made at an
aggregate  rate of  0.675%  per year  for  administrative  services  and for the
assumption by The Prudential of mortality and expense  risks.  These charges are
applied against Account assets  attributable to these variable annuity contracts
in the accumulation period.

During the annuity payout period, there are charges made at an aggregate rate of
0.375%  per year,  for  administrative  charges  and for the  assumption  by The
Prudential of mortality  and expense  risks.  These charges are applied  against
Account assets attributable to these Contracts in the annuity payout period.

   
An investment  advisory charge is applied against the Fund assets underlying the
Account,  at a rate of 0.125% (1 @8 of 1%) per year.  In addition,  the Fund has
expenses which may be considered to be an indirect  charge against  assets.  See
Summary of Investment Advisory Contract, page 20.
    

                                       3

<PAGE>

   
In total,  these other  charges,  exclusive of enrollment  fees,  sales charges,
transaction charges and premium taxes, represent on a yearly basis approximately
0.8% (8 @10 of 1%) of net assets  attributable to the accumulation  period,  and
0.5% (1 /2 of 1%) of net assets  attributable to the annuity payout period under
these variable annuity contracts. See Other Charges, page 11.
    

Use of a Prudential-sponsored corporate plan or qualified plan for self-employed
individuals,  or  use  of  any  other  corporate  plan  or  qualified  plan  for
self-employed  individuals  pursuant to which a Transfer  Account  Agreement was
issued after April 30, 1974, will involve an annual charge of $5, payable by the
employer,  for each variable annuity  contract  provided under the Program for a
Planholder during the accumulation period.

Illustration.  To illustrate how the sales and other charges may operate, assume
that an  employer  begins a  non-allocated  corporate  plan.  After  paying  the
one-time  enrollment  fee of $40 and the first  annual $5 charge,  the  employer
makes  a  single  investment  of  $1,000.  An 8.5%  sales  charge  ($85)  and $1
transaction  charge are deducted from the purchase payment,  leaving $914 as the
net amount invested.  If the  accumulation  share value for that business day is
$10, this will result in 91.4 shares being credited under the Contract. If there
should be no daily  change in the  accumulation  share value  during the ensuing
year the total charges against assets for the year would be approximately $7.31.

   
If the employer makes a $1,000 purchase  payment each year  thereafter,  the net
amount  invested from each payment will be  determined as described  under Sales
and  Related  Charges  on page 10.  Whether  the  employer  makes  only a single
purchase payment or periodic purchases, the total value available when employees
retire  is  dependent  upon the  investment  results  of the Fund and  cannot be
guaranteed or projected.

Future Changes in Charges. Except as described under Exercising Rights Under the
Contracts,  page 16, The  Prudential  reserves  the right to change all charges,
including  the  sales  charge,   upon  90  days  notice  to  Accountholders  and
Planholders.
    

                                       4
<PAGE>


                                    FEE TABLE

PLANHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of purchase payments)

                                 First         $  5,000      8.50%
                                 Next          $  5,000      7.00%
                                 Next          $ 10,000      5.00%
                                 Next          $ 30,000      3.00%
                                 Next          $ 50,000      2.00%
                                 Next          $400,000      1.00%
                                 Excess over   $500,000      0.60%

Transaction Charges
     Purchase Payments ..........  $1.00 from each  purchase  payment,  or 2% of
                                     the purchase payment (whichever is less).

     Liquidations ...............  $1.00  for  any  liquidation,  or 1% of  the
                                     net amount liquidated (whichever is less).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE ACCOUNT VALUE)
<S>                                                                               <C>  
    Mortality and Expense Risk Fees .........................................     0.30%
    Account Fees and Expenses (Administrative Charge) .......................     0.38%
                                                                                  ---- 
      Total Separate Account Annual Expenses ................................     0.68%
                                                                                  ==== 

   
PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC. ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
 THE FUND'S AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
    Investment Management Fees ..............................................     0.125%
    Other Expenses ..........................................................     0.0.31%
                                                                                  ------ 
      Total Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc. Annual Expenses ...............     0.156%
                                                                                  ===== 
</TABLE>
    

                                    Examples
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1 Year          3 Years          5 Years             10 Years
                                                              ------          -------          -------             --------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>              <C>                  <C> 
   
If you surrender your Contract at the end
  of the applicable time period:

    You would pay the following expenses
      on a $1,000 investment, assuming 5%
      annual return on assets:                                  $95             $111             $129                 $181

If you annuitize at the end of the applicable
 time period or do not surrender your Contract:

    You would pay the following expenses
      on a $1,000 investment, assuming
      5% annual return on assets:                               $94             $110             $128                 $180
</TABLE>
    

The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist the Planholder in  understanding
the  expenses of the  Account  and the Fund that  he/she will bear,  directly or
indirectly.  Upon  effecting  an  annuity,  the  Annuitant  will be  subject  to
different expenses. See the sections on Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc., Sales
and Related  Charges and Other  Charges for more  complete  descriptions  of the
various costs and  expenses.  The above table does not include any state premium
taxes. 

The Examples should not be considered to be a  representation  of past or future
expenses; actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown.

                                       5

<PAGE>

   

             PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC.--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                  (For a share outstanding throughout the year)

The following  financial  highlights  for the year ended  December 31, 1996 have
been audited by Price  Waterhouse  LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose report
thereon was unqualified.  In addition,  the financial highlights for each of the
years  prior to and  including  the period  ended  December  31,  1995 have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon was
also unqualified. Their reports are included in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            01/01/96   01/01/95   01/01/94  01/01/93   01/01/92   01/01/91   01/01/90  01/01/89  01/01/88  01/01/87
                               to         to         to        to         to         to         to        to        to        to
                            12/31/96   12/31/95*  12/31/94* 12/31/93*  12/31/92*  12/31/91*  12/31/90* 12/31/89* 12/31/88* 12/31/87*
                            --------   ---------  -------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>   
Net Asset Value at
 beginning of year ......    $10.14      $9.40     $11.29     $11.13    $11.39      $9.40     $10.59     $10.29     $9.19    $12.44
                             ------      -----     ------     ------    ------      -----     ------     ------     -----    ------
Income From Investment
 Operations:
Net investment income ...      0.16       0.18       0.21       0.18      0.18       0.22       0.34       0.36      0.31      0.40
Net realized and
 unrealized gains
 (losses) on
 investments ............      2.56       1.65      (0.40)      2.43      1.77       2.90      (0.64)      1.92      2.00      0.23
                             ------      -----     ------     ------    ------      -----     ------     ------     -----    ------
 Total from investment
  operations ............      2.72       1.83      (0.19)      2.61      1.95       3.12      (0.30)      2.28      2.31      0.63
Distributions to
 Shareholders:
Distributions from net
 investment income ......     (0.15)     (0.17)     (0.22)     (0.19)    (0.19)     (0.26)     (0.37)     (0.37)    (0.37)    (0.65)
Distributions from
 realized gains .........     (1.28)     (0.92)     (1.48)     (2.26)    (2.02)     (0.87)     (0.52)     (1.61)    (0.84)    (3.23)
                             ------      -----     ------     ------    ------      -----     ------     ------     -----    ------
  Total  distributions ..     (1.43)     (1.09)     (1.70)     (2.45)    (2.21)     (1.13)     (0.89)     (1.98)    (1.21)    (3.88)
                                                                                                                              
Net Asset Value at
 end of year ............    $11.43     $10.14      $9.40     $11.29    $11.13     $11.39      $9.40     $10.59    $10.29     $9.19
                             ======     ======      =====     ======    ======     ======      =====     ======    ======     =====
Total Investment Rate
 of Return:** ...........     27.13%     19.13%     (1.33%)    23.79%    17.60%     34.40%     (2.80%)    22.30%    25.60%     2.53%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets at end of year
 (in millions) ..........    $301.3     $261.2     $242.5     $264.3    $230.1     $214.2     $174.4     $197.0    $183.3    $170.0
Ratio of expenses net of
 reimbursement to
 average net assets .....      0.16%      0.14%      0.15%      0.16%     0.19%      0.19%      0.21%      0.16%     0.16%     0.15%
Ratio of net investment
 income to average net
 assets .................      1.38%      1.68%      1.98%      1.45%     1.58%      1.98%      3.38%      3.19%     2.95%     3.11%
Portfolio turnover rate .        97%       105%        93%        92%       73%        76%       108%        67%       32%       32%
Average commission
 rate per share .........   $0.0576        N/A        N/A        N/A       N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A       N/A       N/A

</TABLE>

*    Calculations are based on average month-end shares outstanding.

**   Total  return is at the  portfolio  level and  excludes  contract  specific
     charges which would reduce returns.  Total return is calculated  assuming a
     purchase  of  shares  on the  first  day and a sale on the last day of each
     period  reported and includes  investment of dividends  and  distributions.
     Total returns for less than a full year are not annualized.

     Further  information  concerning  the Fund,  its  investment  policies  and
     restrictions   upon  its  investments  and  The  Prudential's  role  as  an
     investment  advisor  to the  Fund,  may be found  beginning  on page 17 The
     Fund's Directors and Officers are listed beginning on page 28.

     The above table does not reflect  charges  against  Account  assets.  Those
     charges are described under Other Charges on page 10.
    

                                       6

<PAGE>


                           GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Eligibility for Purchase

   
The Variable Annuity Contract  (Contract)  described in this Prospectus has been
offered by The Prudential  Insurance  Company of America (The Prudential)  since
the  beginning  of 1970 only for the  benefit of  persons  who are  entitled  to
favorable federal income tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code (Code) in
connection with retirement plans established for or by such persons.

Until a new series of tax-qualified variable annuity contracts (not described in
this  prospectus)  was  introduced by The  Prudential in September,  1977,  this
Contract was available to persons in the following categories:
    

(1)  employees of corporations under qualified plans described in Section 401(a)
     of the Code (corporate plans);

(2)  employees under annuity purchase plans adopted by public school systems and
     tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3)  organizations,  pursuant to Section 403(b) of
     the Code (public school and Section 501(c)(3) plans); and

(3)  employees  (including  former  employees  at the  time of  separation  from
     employment before  retirement),  and non-employed  spouses of participating
     employees,   under  Individual   Retirement  Annuities  (IRAs)  established
     pursuant to the provisions of the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act
     of 1974 (ERISA).

   
After  the  introduction  of the new  series of  contracts,  this  Contract  was
available  for  issue  only (1) in  connection  with  corporate  plans  that are
non-allocated (that is, where the Contract is issued in the name of the employer
or  plan  trustee,  rather  than  the  individual  participant),  and (2) to add
individual  participants  under  existing  programs  established  for corporate,
qualified plans for  self-employed  individuals,  and some 501(c)(3) plans where
the  transfer  account is in the name of the employer or plan  trustee.  See The
Role of the Transfer Account,page 8.
    

The Contract is offered by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a mutual
life  insurance  company  organized  in 1875  under the laws of the State of New
Jersey. Its corporate office is located at Prudential Plaza,  Newark, New Jersey
07102-3777.

   
The Contract is one of several that  together make up the  Prudential  Financial
Security  Program.  The  mailing  address  of  the  office  which  services  the
tax-qualified  contracts of the Program (which  include a  Fixed-Dollar  Annuity
Contract that is not described in this prospectus) is: The Prudential  Insurance
Company  of  America,  Prudential  Plaza,  Newark,  New Jersey  07102-3777.  The
Prudential is registered as a  broker-dealer  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended,  and is a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The Contracts are
sold by registered  representatives of Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec), an
indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary of The  Prudential.  Prusec acts as principal
underwriter  of the Contract.  It was organized in 1971 under New Jersey law, is
also registered as a broker and dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and is also a member of the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.
Prusec's principal business address is 1111 Durham Avenue, South Plainfield, New
Jersey 07080.

Requests for the enrollment of employees under the Program in connection with an
employer's  corporate  plan are usually  made  through the employer or through a
trustee or custodian for the employer's plan. For the employer who does not have
a corporate  plan in effect and is  interested  in the  establishment  of such a
plan,  The  Prudential  has  prepared  several  examples of plans which may meet
his/her requirements,  and which will be supplied upon request. The employer may
prefer to modify one of these forms or arrange  for the  drafting of his/her own
plan,  subject to The Prudential's  willingness to issue contracts under it. See
The Prudential-Sponsored Pension Plans, page 17.
    

Upon completion of a request for enrollment satisfactory to The Prudential,  the
Contracts  will be issued in the name of an employer,  trustee or custodian,  as
required by the plan, under a newly established corporate plan, and in the names
of individual  employees  where they are being added as participants to existing
plans. Those in whose names Contracts are issued are known as Planholders.

The Prudential  assumes no responsibility  for determining  whether a particular
retirement  plan  meets  the  requirements  for  favorable  federal  income  tax
treatment.  If,  however,  The Prudential  determines  that a plan,  intended to
qualify for such  treatment,  has not received  favorable  determination  of its
qualifications  by the  Internal  Revenue  Service and does not so qualify,  The
Prudential  may,  with  some  exceptions,   terminate  any  Contract  issued  in
connection with that plan.

The Variable Annuity Contract

The Contract provides for accumulation until retirement and for monthly payments
thereafter for life. The value of the  accumulated  funds and the amount of each
annuity  payment will vary,  reflecting the  investment  results of a 



                                       7
<PAGE>

designated portfolio  consisting  primarily of common stocks.  Investment during
the  accumulation  period does not, of course,  assure that you will realize any
profit from your  investment  or that you will be  protected  against  loss in a
declining  market.  Similarly,  the amount of each annuity payment is subject to
market  fluctuations of the portfolio,  and in declining markets is likely to be
lower than earlier payments. As an alternative to variable annuity payments, the
value  of the  Contract  at the end of the  accumulation  period  may be used to
provide  fixed-dollar  annuity payments,  or may be taken in one sum.

A Contract  may also be bought  with a single  purchase  payment to provide  for
variable annuity payments which begin immediately. In this event, the provisions
of the Contract pertaining to the accumulation period will not apply.

   
The  Contract  provides  that  net  purchase  payments  shall  be  allocated  to
Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2  (Account).  During the accumulation period,
the current value of a Contract is measured in terms of accumulation shares. See
How  Accumulation  Shares are Credited,  page 11. During the payout period,  the
amount of the monthly retirement benefit is measured in terms of annuity shares.
See How Variable Annuity Payments are Determined, page 14.
    

The Role of the Transfer Account

A transfer account is established with The Prudential through a Transfer Account
Agreement between The Prudential and the Accountholder.  The transfer account is
used to facilitate the  accumulation and allocation of funds for purchases under
the retirement plan.  Purchase payments for these Variable Annuity Contracts are
made only by the  transfer  of funds from a transfer  account,  and,  in certain
situations,  amounts may be deposited in the transfer account to pay premiums or
purchase payments due under other policies of The Prudential, or contracts which
are a part of the retirement plan. Funds to be transferred for such purposes may
be deposited in the transfer account at any time by or for the Accountholder.
The minimum deposit is $25.

At the time a transfer account is established, the Accountholder pays a one-time
enrollment fee to cover the non-recurring  expenses of processing the Planholder
enrollments  and creating  the initial  Program  records.  The fee is $40 for an
employer or trustee Accountholder under a corporate plan.

   
  Use  of  a   Prudential-sponsored   corporate   plan  or  qualified  plan  for
self-employed individuals,  or use of any other corporate plan or qualified plan
for self-employed individuals pursuant to which a Transfer Account Agreement was
issued after April 30,  1974,  involves an annual  charge of $5,  payable by the
employer,  for each Variable Annuity Contract issued to a Planholder  during the
accumulation  period.  This charge is for the  additional  expenses  involved in
servicing the corporate  plan or qualified plan for  self-employed  individuals.
During 1996 and 1995, The Prudential  received $815 and $405,  respectively,  in
such annual charges.
    

The  Accountholder  and The  Prudential  may establish a schedule which will set
forth  the use and  dates of the  payments  to be made  under  these  and  other
contracts of The Prudential through the transfer account.

The  Prudential  will permit any  purchase  payment  regardless  of size under a
Prudential-sponsored  plan;  scheduled purchases for all other plans are subject
to a $300 annual minimum per Planholder.

If  permissible  under a  corporate  plan or  qualified  plan for  self-employed
individuals,  a trustee or employer  Accountholder  may withdraw  funds from the
transfer account upon written request to The Prudential.  The minimum withdrawal
is $25, or the balance in the transfer account if less.

   
  The Prudential will credit interest as of the end of each calendar  quarter in
which the average  balance in the transfer  account during the quarter is $50 or
more.  Deposits  will  earn  interest  from the date of  deposit  to the date of
transfer or withdrawal. The interest rate will be determined by The Prudential's
Board  of  Directors  each  year.  The  rate of  interest  for  1997 is 4%.
    

The Prudential reserves the right to limit the amount maintained as a balance in
a transfer account,  the period during which it may be maintained and the amount
of any single deposit.

Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2

The  Account  was  established  on  August  13,  1968,  by  resolutions  of  The
Prudential's Board of Directors as a variable contract account of The Prudential
under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  It is administered by The Prudential
under the general  direction of The Prudential's  officers and managerial staff.
The Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange  Commission under the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended  (1940 Act),  as a unit  investment
trust.  Registration  does not imply  supervision by the Securities and Exchange
Commission of the management or investment policies and practices of the Account
or The Prudential.

The  Account  is used  only  in  connection  with  individual  Variable  Annuity
Contracts issued by The Prudential in connection with  tax-qualified  retirement
plans including the Contracts  described in this prospectus.  The assets 



                                       8
<PAGE>

held in the  Account  are  legally  segregated  from  all  other  assets  of The
Prudential and will always be equal to or greater in value than The Prudential's
liabilities  under the Contracts,  calculated in accordance with sound actuarial
principles.

   
The assets of the Account are invested in shares of Prudential's Gibraltar Fund,
Inc.  (Fund) at net asset value without sales load. See  Prudential's  Gibraltar
Fund, Inc. below. Any dividend or capital gain  distributions  received from the
Fund are credited in the form of additional Fund shares at net asset value. Fund
shares will be redeemed  without  redemption fee to the extent necessary to make
payments under the  Contracts.  The Contracts do not provide for a change in the
underlying  investment  of the Account.  If, with any  required  approval of the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  a change  were ever to take  place,  the
substituted  shares would be of  comparable  quality to Fund shares and would be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
    

Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.

   
The Fund was  incorporated  in the State of  Delaware  on March 14, 1968 and was
reincorporated in the State of Maryland  effective May 1, 1997. It is registered
under the 1940 Act as a  diversified  open-end  management  investment  company.
Registration   does  not  imply  supervision  by  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission of the management or investment policies and practices of the Fund or
The  Prudential.  The  Board of  Directors  of the Fund is  responsible  for the
management  of the Fund and, in addition to reviewing  the actions of the Fund's
investment advisor,  decides upon matters of general policy. The Fund's officers
conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.
    

The  Fund's  portfolio,  which is set  forth on  pages  B2 and B3,  is  composed
primarily of common stocks of a  diversified  group of companies in a variety of
industries.  The  investment  objective of the Fund is concerned  primarily with
growth of capital to an extent compatible with a concern for its preservation.
Current income is a secondary consideration.

The  investments  of the Fund are  subject  to the  risks of  changing  economic
conditions and the ability of management and the investment  advisor of the Fund
to anticipate such changes. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment
aims will be  achieved.

Fund  shares are sold only to  separate  accounts  of The  Prudential  including
Prudential's  Annuity Plan  Account-2.  The  investment  performance of the Fund
determines the dollar value of interests in these accounts.

   
The Prudential is the investment advisor to the Fund. The Prudential has entered
into a  service  agreement  with its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  The  Prudential
Investment  Corporation  (PIC),  which  provides  that PIC will  furnish  to The
Prudential  such services as The Prudential  may require in connection  with The
Prudential's  performance  of its  obligations  under advisory  agreements  with
clients which are registered investment  companies.  For its investment advisory
services,  The  Prudential  is paid 1 @8 of 1% (0.125%)  per year of the average
daily market  value of the Fund's net assets  ($1.25 per year for each $1,000 of
assets).  The Fund paid The Prudential $349,118 in 1996 and $325,596 in 1995. In
addition, the Fund has expenses which may be considered to be an indirect charge
against assets;  in 1996 these expenses amounted to 0.035% of average net assets
of the Fund.  In 1995 these  expenses  were slightly less than 0.015% of average
net assets of the Fund. See Summary of Investment  Advisory Contract on page 20,
The  Prudential As Manager of the Fund's  Investments  on page 21, and Financial
Statements  of  Prudential's   Gibraltar  Fund,  Inc.  and  Notes  to  Financial
Statements  on pages B1 through  B5. For the years ended  December  31, 1996 and
1995,  the Fund's  total  expenses  were 0.16% and 0.14%,  respectively,  of the
Fund's average net assets.

Investment Results. The financial highlights table on page 6 shows the net asset
value together with  operating  expense and net  investment  income ratios,  and
total investment rate of return for the years indicated.
    

The Prudential's Administrative Role

The Prudential acts as transfer agent and dividend-paying agent and performs all
administrative services relative to the Contracts and necessary to the operation
of the Account. The Account itself has no officers or employees.  The Prudential
pays all expenses relating to its operation.

The services performed by The Prudential  include  safekeeping of and accounting
for the assets in the Account,  applying the purchase  payments after making any
deductions  authorized by the Contracts,  recording all other  transactions with
respect to the Contracts,  furnishing confirmation notices, reports of the value
of the  Contracts  during their  accumulation  period and records of the details
relating to annuities effected, making the annuity payments, and maintaining the
pertinent  records.  As part of its services  The  Prudential  also  arranges to
furnish periodic financial reports of the Account and of the Fund, prospectuses,
tax notices,  other notices and voting  material.  The  Prudential  has periodic
audits made of the books of the Account and prepares and renders for the Account
tax reports and other periodic statements required by law. The charges discussed
under the first two headings in the next section of this  prospectus  compensate
The Prudential for its services.


                                       9
<PAGE>


                          DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS

Sales and Related Charges

A sales charge and any  applicable  premium  taxes are deducted  from each gross
purchase  payment  transferred  from the transfer  account.  The sales charge is
expressed as a percentage of the adjusted gross purchase  payment,  which is the
gross purchase payment reduced by any applicable  premium taxes. These Contracts
do not provide for use of a Letter of Intent by the purchaser.

The applicable sales charges are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Total Purchase Payments
            Received During The                  Percent of Adjusted Gross        Percent of Net Amount
               Contract Year                         Purchase Payment                   Invested*
      -------------------------------            -------------------------        ---------------------
<S>                          <C>                           <C>                             <C>  
      First                  $ 5,000                       8.50%                           9.29%
      Next                   $ 5,000                       7.00                            7.53
      Next                   $ 10,000                      5.00                            5.26
      Next                   $ 30,000                      3.00                            3.09
      Next                   $ 50,000                      2.00                            2.04
      Next                   $400,000                      1.00                            1.01
      Excess over            $500,000                      0.60                            0.60
</TABLE>
- ----------
      *  Without  taking  into  account   deduction  for  any  premium  tax  (or
transaction charges during the accumulation period).

Purchase  Payments  During the  Accumulation  Period.  In determining  the sales
charge rate, all purchase payments made on the date of purchase through the same
transfer  account for  Planholders in the  accumulation  period are combined and
added to the current value of all accumulation  shares, if any, then credited to
all Planholders under the transfer account.  For example,  an employer submits a
purchase payment of $5,000.  As of the current purchase date,  Planholders under
the employer's  transfer account are already credited with  accumulation  shares
with a total value of $10,000.  When the $5,000 is added to the $10,000,  it can
be seen from the above table that the sales charge rate applicable to the $5,000
purchase is 5%. The amount of the sales  charge on the current  purchase  would,
therefore, be $250.

A transaction  charge is also deducted from each purchase  payment made for each
Planholder during the accumulation period, to cover the administrative  services
connected with receipt of money and crediting of the  accumulation  shares.  The
transaction  charge  for each  purchase  payment  is $1,  or 2% of the  purchase
payment if less,  with a maximum of $1 for all  purchases  made for a Planholder
under any one Contract on a single day.

For initial  purchase  payments of $25 and $300,  for example,  the sales charge
will be 9.5% and 9.3%, respectively,  of the net amount that will be invested in
the Account.  These figures do not include any initial enrollment fee, any state
premium  tax  that  may  be  applicable,  or  the  transaction  charge.  If  the
transaction charge is considered with the sales charge, the amount deducted will
be 11.8% and 9.7%, respectively, of the net amount invested.

Purchase Payments to Provide a Variable Annuity with no Accumulation Period. The
sales  charge is computed  separately  and somewhat  differently  than the sales
charge for purchase payments made during the accumulation  period.  Although the
table above is  applicable,  in this case it is the amount of prior  purchase of
annuities with no accumulation period that is combined with the current purchase
amount to determine the sales charge rate,  and not the current value of shares,
as in the case of  purchases  during  the  accumulation  period.  All such prior
annuity  purchases  through the same transfer  account are  combined,  including
purchases of related  fixed-dollar  annuities  under the Program.  To illustrate
this,  assume  that a current  purchase  payment of $10,000 is made to provide a
variable  annuity for a  Planholder.  Prior annuity  purchases  through the same
transfer  account totaled  $20,000.  By combining the two amounts it can be seen
from the above table that the sales charge rate for the current $10,000 purchase
is 3%. Therefore, the sales charge for that purchase is $300.

For payments of $2,000 and $100,000,  for example, the sales charge will be 9.3%
and 3.3%, respectively,  of the net amount that will be invested in the Account.
These do not consider any enrollment fee or any applicable premium tax.

Purchase  Payments Derived from the Proceeds of other  Prudential  Tax-qualified
Contracts.  No sales charge is deducted from a purchase  payment,  either during
the  accumulation  period or when made to effect an annuity with no accumulation
period,  to the extent  that such  payment is derived  from the  proceeds of any
other  contract  issued by The  Prudential  in connection  with a  tax-qualified
retirement  plan,  including  any dividend  accumulations  or paid-up  additions
resulting from that contract,  but excluding  cash  dividends.  Nor is any sales
charge deducted at the time  accumulation  shares are used to provide an annuity
under the Program.



                                       10
<PAGE>

   
During  1996,  The  Prudential  received  $4,410  in sales  charges  and $906 in
transaction charges for purchases under these Contracts.  The equivalent figures
for 1995 were $4,404 and $933.

The sales and  transaction  charges may be changed by The Prudential  subject to
certain conditions. See Exercising Rights Under the Contracts, page 16.
    

The amount of any applicable  premium tax varies depending on the  jurisdiction,
and is  subject  to  change  by the  legislature  or  other  authority.  In many
jurisdictions there is no tax at all. The tax rates currently in effect in those
states  that  impose a tax range  from 0.5% to 5%. On any  Contract  subject  to
premium tax, the tax will be deducted at the rate and incidence  provided  under
applicable law, either from the purchase  payments when received or from amounts
applied to provide an annuity under the Program.

Other Charges

   
Transaction  charges are made to cover  expenses  involved in the  processing of
liquidations  of  accumulation  shares.  The  transaction  charge  is $1 for any
partial or total  liquidation,  or 1% of the net amount being liquidated  (after
any transfer taxes) if less. There is no transaction  charge or any other charge
at the time the value of  accumulation  shares is used to effect a variable or a
fixed-dollar  annuity under the Program, but such value is adjusted by deducting
any applicable  premium tax not previously  deducted.  During 1996 and 1995, The
Prudential  received $160 and $183,  respectively,  in  transaction  charges for
liquidations.

An administration charge is applied daily on the value of the portion of the net
assets in  Prudential's  Annuity Plan  Account-2  attributable  to  accumulation
shares under these Contracts. This charge is to cover services that are rendered
in connection with Contracts during their  accumulation  period but that are not
identified with individual  Contracts.  On the first $250 million of assets, the
charge is made at an effective  annual rate of 3/8 of 1%  (0.375%);  on the next
$250 million,  the rate is 13/40 of 1% (0.325%);  on the next $500 million,  the
rate is 11/40 of 1%  (0.275%);  and on the excess over $1  billion,  the rate is
9/40 of 1% (0.225%).  The  administration  charge is designed to  reimburse  The
Prudential for the development,  administration  and  modification  costs of the
Program allocable to the Contracts.

During the  accumulation  period,  a mortality  risk charge and an expense  risk
charge, at effective annual rates of 0.1% and 0.2%,  respectively,  (for a total
of 0.3%,  or 3/10 of 1%, per year) are  applied  daily  against  Account  assets
attributable to these Contracts in the accumulation  period.  During the annuity
payout  period,  a  mortality  risk  charge,  an  expense  risk  charge  and  an
administrative  charge, at effective annual rates of 0.075%, 0.150%, and 0.150%,
respectively,  (for a total of 0.375%, or 3/8 of 1%, per year) are applied daily
against  Account assets  attributable  to these  Contracts in the annuity payout
period.  These  charges  are to cover The  Prudential's  general  administrative
expenses  in  operating  the  Account  and to  provide  a  surplus  for use,  if
necessary,  to help The  Prudential  to  fulfill  its  contractual  obligations,
discussed under the heading The Risks which The Prudential Assumes on page 15.

During  1996  and  1995,   The  Prudential   received   $344,522  and  $326,670,
respectively,  under these Contracts from the charges described in the preceding
two paragraphs.

In addition,  an investment advisory fee, determined daily at the rate of 0.125%
(1/8 of 1%) per year of the average net assets of the Fund,  is paid by the Fund
to The Prudential.  Thus, at present,  a total charge against assets at a yearly
rate of about 0.8% (8/10 of 1%) is made during the accumulation  period and 0.5%
(1 /2 of  1%)  during  the  annuity  payout  period  for  these  Contracts.  See
Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc. page 9.

The charges  described  above may all be changed by The  Prudential,  subject to
certain conditions. See Exercising Rights Under the Contracts, page 16.
    

Right to Cancel

You have the  right,  within  ten days  after  you  receive  your  Contract,  to
surrender the Contract by delivering or mailing it, with written notice that you
wish to surrender  it, to an office of The  Prudential  or to the agent  through
whom the Contract was purchased.  Upon such surrender The Prudential will cancel
the Contract and pay the owner an amount equal to the sum of (1) the  difference
between any  purchase  payments  paid and the amounts  allocated to any separate
accounts  under the  Contract and (2) the net asset value of the Contract on the
date  of  surrender  attributable  to the  amounts  so  allocated.  However,  if
applicable  state law so requires,  the amount of the  purchase  payment will be
returned instead.

How Accumulation Shares are Credited

Each net purchase  payment made during the  accumulation  period  increases  the
value of the Planholder's  current interest under the Contract.  That value will
vary, up and down, to reflect the investment  results of Prudential's



                                       11
<PAGE>

   
Gibraltar Fund, Inc. To provide a convenient means of measuring the value of the
Planholder's interest,  that interest is described and recorded in terms of full
or  fractional  accumulation  shares.  Each  net  purchase  payment  made  for a
Planholder  results  in  the  crediting  of a  number  of  accumulation  shares,
determined by dividing the net amount invested by the current accumulation share
value.  Crediting of accumulation  shares is effected at the close of the day on
which the purchase payment is transferred from the transfer account,  if that is
a  business  day (a day on  which  the New  York  Stock  Exchange  is  open  for
business); otherwise on the first business day thereafter.

For these  Contracts the  accumulation  share value for July 18, 1969 was set at
$10. On each subsequent business day, the accumulation share value is determined
by  multiplying  the  accumulation  share  change  factor  for  that  day by the
accumulation  share value for the last  preceding  business day.  Sales of these
Contracts  to the  public  commenced  January  2,  1970.  Shown  below  are  the
accumulation  share values for these  Contracts  as of the last  business day of
each year of the 10 year period ending December 31, 1996.
    

       Last Business                           Last Business
       Day Of:                                 Day Of:

   
       1987             $38.56                 1992             $ 87.71
       1988              48.11                 1993              107.85
       1989              58.36                 1994              105.47
       1990              56.33                 1995              124.80
       1991              75.13                 1996              157.59

The  accumulation  share  change  factor for any business day is obtained by (1)
adding to 1.00 the rate of net  investment  income  earned and the rate of asset
value changes in the Account, after provision for any taxes, from the end of the
last  preceding  business  day to the end of the current  business  day, and (2)
deducting therefrom the rates of the administration charge and the mortality and
expense risk charges  described  under the heading  Other Charges on page 11. No
provision is currently made for federal  income taxes in determining  the change
factor. See Federal Income Taxes, page 24.
    

Liquidation (Redemption) and Transfer of
Accumulation Shares

   
The  Contracts  provide  that  accumulation  shares  credited  under them may be
liquidated,  either  totally  or in part,  at any  time.  For the  possible  tax
consequences  of a liquidation,  including any effect a liquidation  may have on
the  qualification  of the  retirement  plan  for  special  tax  treatment,  The
Prudential recommends that the parties involved seek competent tax advice before
requesting liquidation of accumulation shares. See Federal Income Taxes,page 24.

In addition there are certain restrictions on the withdrawal of salary reduction
contributions  and  earnings  invested in annuity  contracts  subject to Section
403(b) of the Internal  Revenue Code.  Under such contracts,  withdrawals may be
made prior to  attaining  age 59 1/2 in the event of  severance  of  employment,
death, total and permanent disability and, in limited  circumstances,  hardship.
The  value of your  Contract  as of  December  31,  1988 is  exempt  from  these
restrictions.  In  addition,  the  withdrawal  restrictions  do not apply to the
direct  transfer of all or a part of your  interest in the Contract to a Section
403(b) tax-deferred annuity contract of another insurance company or to a mutual
fund custodial  account under Section  403(b)(7).  See Section 403(b) Annuities,
page 25.
    

Under certain types of retirement  arrangements,  the  Retirement  Equity Act of
1984 provides that, in the case of a married  participant,  a withdrawal request
must include the consent of the participant's spouse.  Generally,  this consent,
which  must  contain  the  notarized  or  properly  witnessed  signature  of the
participant's  spouse, is required except for withdrawals in the form of a joint
and 50% spouse survivor annuity. See Types of Annuity Available,  page 14. These
spousal consent  requirements are effective  beginning January 1, 1985 and apply
to married participants in most qualified pension plans and those Section 403(b)
annuities which are considered employee pension benefit plans under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

A liquidation of  accumulation  shares is effected as of the end of the business
day on which the written request for liquidation is received by The Prudential.

In the case of total  liquidation The Prudential will pay the total value of the
accumulation shares credited under the Contract, determined as of the end of the
business day on which  liquidation  is effected,  less any  applicable  transfer
taxes and  transaction  charge.  In the case of partial  liquidation the minimum
payment  permitted is $100, and accumulation  shares of a value of at least $200
must remain credited under the Contract after the transaction. Sufficient shares
and  fractions of shares will be  liquidated  to pay the amount  requested,  any
applicable  transfer  taxes and the  transaction  charge.  Currently no transfer
taxes are being imposed. (The method of determining the value of an accumulation
share is described in the section just preceding this one.)



                                       12
<PAGE>

   
Any liquidation  payment is made within 7 days after the request for liquidation
is  received,  except as The  Prudential  may be  permitted  under any valid and
applicable law to suspend the payment.  Circumstances under which suspension may
be permissible are described under Redemption of Fund Shares on page 23.
    

Accumulation  shares may be transferred only to other Planholders to fulfill the
purposes of the retirement plan involved.

Results Under a Hypothetical Purchase Program

   
The following table  illustrates  results under a hypothetical  purchase program
for a Planholder,  calling for a $25 purchase  payment on the first business day
of each month prior to retirement.  The results shown are those which would have
been achieved had the hypothetical  program  commenced on the first business day
of 1987. Results are shown for the ten years ending December, 1996.
    

The results shown are based upon the present charge structure.  They do not take
into  account  any  reduction  in sales  charges  that might have been  obtained
through the combined purchase payment procedure described in the first paragraph
after the table of sales charges on page 10. The initial  purchase  payment does
not reflect any  initial  enrollment  charge that may then have been paid by the
Accountholder for enrolling Planholders and establishing program records for the
retirement plan.

   
The results shown are  representative  of those which might have been  obtained,
assuming a minimum  purchase  schedule  and  assuming  no  deductions  for state
premium taxes or tax upon liquidation.  They do not reflect the $5 annual charge
per  Planholder  required from the employer  under certain  corporate  plans and
qualified  plans  for   self-employed   individuals.   The  results  are  for  a
hypothetical  program  established  in the past and are not to be  considered as
predictive of future results.  The results shown are those which would have been
achieved had the  hypothetical  program  commenced on the first  business day of
1987. Results are shown for the ten years ending December, 1996.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Gross Purchase                           Yearly                     Net Amount
                 Payments                            Deductions                    Invested
           -------------------------          -----------------------    -----------------------------
                                               Sales      Transaction                                        Liquidation
Year       Current Year   Cumulative          Charges       Charges      Current Year       Cumulative          Value*
- ----       -----------    ----------          -------     -----------    -----------        ----------       -----------

<S>            <C>          <C>               <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>               <C>      
   
1987           $300         $  600            $25.56          $6            $268.44         $  536.88         $  509.30
1988            300            900             25.56           6             268.44            805.32            921.68
1989            300          1,200             25.56           6             268.44          1,073.76          1,405.94
1990            300          1,500             25.56           6             268.44          1,342.20          1,626.26
1991            300          1,800             25.56           6             268.44          1,610.64          2,475.70
1992            300          2,100             25.56           6             268.44          1,879.08          3,192.81
1993            300          2,400             25.56           6             268.44          2,147.52          4,217.52
1994            300          2,700             25.56           6             268.44          2,415.96          4,388.25
1995            300          3,000             25.56           6             268.44          2,684.40          5,476.89
1996            300          3,000             25.56           6             268.44          2,684.40          6,075.02
</TABLE>

*  At  end  of  calendar  year,  after  deduction  of  transaction  charge  upon
liquidation.  The  liquidation  value is calculated upon the basis of the actual
investment  results  realized by the Account that are net of the actual separate
account  and  Prudential's  Gibraltar  Fund,  Inc.  annual  expenses  that  were
incurred.
    

Effecting a Variable Annuity

For any variable  annuity to be effected,  The Prudential  must receive  written
instructions in a form  satisfactory to The Prudential as to the type of annuity
desired and proof  satisfactory  to The  Prudential  of the date of birth of the
Planholder  and, if a last survivor life annuity is provided,  of the contingent
annuitant.

The net amount  applied to provide the annuity,  adjusted by deducting any sales
charge (for an annuity with no  accumulation  period) and any  applicable tax on
annuity considerations,  is converted to annuity shares, which measure the value
of the monthly retirement benefit.

   
The purchase of the variable  annuity is made on the first business day on which
the office of The  Prudential  which  services  these  Contracts  has all of the
above.  That day is called the  effective  date.  The  Prudential  will send the
Planholder  his/her first monthly  annuity payment on the first day of the first
calendar  month that is at least one month  after the  effective  date.  This is
called the initial payment date.
    

In the  absence of prior  instructions  to effect an annuity  or  liquidate  the
accumulation shares credited to a Planholder,  the value of any shares remaining
outstanding  will be used to provide an annuity when the  individual  Planholder
attains  age  75 or at  such  earlier  time  as may  be  required  by law or the
applicable pension plan.



                                       13
<PAGE>

The effecting of a variable annuity is subject to The Prudential's rules then in
effect in respect to age and amount, and to any requirements  imposed by federal
or state laws or regulations.  Currently there is no minimum amount that must be
applied  to effect an annuity  under a  Prudential-sponsored  corporate  plan or
qualified plan for a self-employed  individual,  but for other  retirement plans
the  current  minimum  amount  requirement  is $2,000  for the  initial  annuity
effected and $1,000 for any subsequent annuity effected for the same Planholder.
Annuities  effected under these  Contracts and under the qualified  Fixed-Dollar
Annuity  Contracts  included in the Prudential  Financial  Security  Program are
considered  together  for the  purpose  of  meeting  the  minimum  requirements.
Whenever an annuity is to be  effected  by the use of the value of  accumulation
shares under the terms of the Contract or the  applicable  retirement  plan, and
such value does not meet the minimum amount requirement, The Prudential will pay
the value of the accumulation shares in one sum as a total liquidation.

Types of Annuity Available

The following types of variable annuity are described in the Contract.

Type A -- Life Annuity. Annuity payments are payable only during the lifetime of
the Planholder.  This type provides a larger monthly payment than do Types B and
C,  described  below,  because  payments  cease when the  Planholder  dies.  For
example,  it would be possible under this type for the annuitant to receive only
one  annuity  payment if death were to occur  within the first  month  after the
first monthly annuity payment.  Accordingly,  this type is primarily appropriate
where larger income during the  Planholder's  lifetime is of greater  importance
than preservation of a remainder for dependents.

Type B -- Life Annuity -- 10 Years Certain.  Annuity payments are payable during
the lifetime of the Planholder.  If the Planholder dies before the 120th monthly
payment is due,  monthly  annuity  payments do not continue to the  beneficiary.
Instead,  the  discounted  value of the remaining  unpaid  installments,  to and
including the 120th monthly payment, is payable to the beneficiary in one sum.

Type C -- Last Survivor Life  Annuity.  Annuity  payments are payable as long as
either the Planholder or the designated  contingent  annuitant is living.  Under
plans other than corporate plans, only the spouse of the Planholder can be named
as contingent  annuitant.  As with the Type A --Life Annuity above,  it would be
possible under this type of annuity for only one monthly  annuity  payment to be
made, if both the Planholder and the contingent  annuitant died within the first
month after annuity payments begin.

Where the Planholder is not married, and under IRA, or Section 403(b) annuities,
in the absence of specific instructions at the time an annuity is to be effected
and subject to the terms of the retirement  plan, a Type B -- Life Annuity -- 10
Years Certain will be provided.

How Variable Annuity Payments are Determined

   
The  amount of the  monthly  variable  annuity  payment  depends  on (1) the net
purchase payment for the annuity, (2) the type of annuity selected, (3) the date
of birth  of the  Planholder,  and of the  contingent  annuitant  under a Type C
Annuity,  (4) the  annuity  rate  table  selected  by The  Prudential  for these
Contracts (see Schedules of Annuity Rates below), and (5) the investment results
of Prudential's  Annuity Plan Account-2,  which, in turn, reflect the investment
results of the Fund.
    

The first four  items  together  provide  the basis for  determining  the dollar
amount of  monthly  annuity  that  would be paid if there  were no change in the
monthly  value of an annuity  share.  This  dollar  amount is called the tabular
monthly  annuity.  It is  converted  to a monthly  number of  annuity  shares by
dividing  that amount by the  annuity  share value on the  effective  date.  The
monthly number of annuity shares thus  established  remains the same through the
duration of the  annuity  except for the  possibility  of  temporary  additional
annuity shares as described in the third  paragraph  under  Schedules of Annuity
Rates, below.

   
The investment results of the Account, item (5), are reflected in changes in the
monthly  value of the annuity share (the annuity share value) to the extent that
the rate of net investment return (after deducting the  administrative  and risk
charges  described  under Other  Charges on page 11) is greater or less than the
effective  annual  interest rate assumed in the  applicable  schedule of annuity
rates.  The amount  payable on the first day of each  month  beginning  with the
initial  payment date is the product of (a) the monthly number of annuity shares
and (b) the annuity share value  calculated as of one month and one business day
prior to the due date of the payment.
    

Schedules of Annuity Rates.  The schedules  currently  contained in the Variable
Annuity  Contract  are based on the  Annuity  Table  for 1949  with  adjustments
described  in the  Contract  to reflect  improving  mortality  trends,  and with
assumed  effective  annual  interest  rates of 3.5% and 5%. The 5%  schedule  is
applicable in all but a few states in which it is currently not available  under
the state law or regulations.  In these few states (Florida,  New Mexico,  Texas
and West Virginia) the 3.5% schedule applies.

The 5%  schedule,  because it is based upon a higher  assumed  effective  annual
interest rate,  results in a greater  initial  monthly  annuity  payment than is
provided  under the 3.5%  schedule.  For  example,  under a Type B Annuity,



                                       14
<PAGE>

the initial  monthly  annuity  payment per $1,000 of net purchase  payment for a
person born in 1931 and age 65 on the initial  payment date would be $6.70 under
the 5% schedule and $5.84 under the 3.5%  schedule.  However,  in reflecting the
investment results of the Fund, the annuity share value for an annuity using the
5% schedule  will  increase  more slowly and decrease more quickly than will the
annuity share value for an annuity using the 3.5%  schedule.  As a rough rule of
thumb, the 3.5% schedule should turn out to be more advantageous for Planholders
who live longer  than the  average,  while the 5% schedule  should be better for
Planholders for whom the larger early payments are especially important.

   
The  Contracts  are  entitled to  participate  in the  divisible  surplus of The
Prudential,  as  may  be  determined  annually  at the  sole  discretion  of The
Prudential's  Board of  Directors.  The board has  determined  that  Planholders
receiving annuity payments will so participate in 1997. They will be temporarily
credited with an additional  number of monthly  annuity  shares on which annuity
payments in 1997 are based. There is no assurance that such participation in the
divisible  surplus of The  Prudential or temporary  crediting of annuity  shares
will occur for any future year. In the example given in the previous  paragraph,
the initial  payments are  increased for 1997 from $6.70 to $7.24 and from $5.84
to $6.41 for the 5% and 3.5% schedules, respectively.
    

Annuity Share Value. For these  Contracts,  the annuity share value for July 18,
1969 was set at $1. The annuity share value for any  subsequent  business day is
determined  by  multiplying  the annuity  share change  factor for that day (see
below) by the annuity share value for the immediately preceding business day.

   
The annuity  share change  factor for any business day is obtained by (1) adding
to 1.00 the rate, after provision for any taxes, of net investment income earned
and of asset value changes in  Prudential's  Annuity Plan Account-2 from the end
of the last preceding  business day to the end of the current  business day, and
(2) deducting from such sum the applicable  administrative and risk charges. See
the section  headed Other  Charges on page 11. The  remainder is then divided by
the sum of 1.00  and the rate of  interest  on a daily  basis  at the  effective
annual rate assumed in the applicable schedule of annuity rates. No provision is
currently made for federal income taxes in  determining  the change factor.  See
Federal Income Taxes, page 24.
    

Each share value  listed was used to determine  annuity  payments for the second
succeeding  month.  For example,  the share value as of the last business day in
December is used to compute the February  annuity  payment.  Shown below are the
annuity  share  values as of the last  business  day of each year of the 10 year
period ending December 31, 1996.

   
    Last Business                               Last Business
    Day of:       3.5%*         5%              Day of:       3.5%*          5%
                                             
    1987          $2.17       $1.66             1992          $4.23        $3.03
    1988           2.62        1.98             1993           5.04         3.55
    1989           3.08        2.30             1994           4.78         3.32
    1990           2.89        2.13             1995           5.48         3.75
    1991           3.74        2.71             1996           6.71         4.53
    
                                       
    * 3.5% schedule currently applies only in a few states.

The  Prudential  provides an  alternative  arrangement  under which a person who
purchases a variable  annuity with no accumulation  period may do so by starting
out with a  fixed-dollar  annuity and  converting  it gradually  over a 36-month
period,  a 1/36th  portion in each month,  to a variable  annuity.  This gradual
conversion  arrangement permits the purchaser to reduce the chance of making the
purchase at a time when the value of common  stock may be  relatively  high,  by
making in effect 36 separate  investments in the Account.  Of course,  this also
reduces the chance of  investing  in annuity  shares at a time when the value of
common stocks may be relatively  low. The 5% rate schedule is not available with
gradual conversion.

   
The Risks Which The Prudential Assumes

The Prudential  assumes the risk (1) that  annuitants as a class may live longer
than  estimated,  with the result that  payments  will  continue for longer than
expected,  and (2) that charges  under the  Contracts may not be enough to cover
the  actual  expenses  incurred.  In  either  event,  the loss  will fall on The
Prudential. These risks assumed by The Prudential must be evaluated in the light
of  The   Prudential's   right,   upon  90  days  notice  to   Planholders   and
Accountholders,  to make certain changes in the Contracts, including the charges
and the schedule of annuity rates, thereby reducing exposure to loss as a result
of the guarantee.  However, such changes would apply only to new purchases after
the effective date of the change and not to any annuities or accumulation shares
already in effect. See The Prudential's Right to Change the Contract on page 17.

Even though the assets of  Prudential's  Annuity Plan  Account-2 are  separately
accounted for, the entire general account assets of The Prudential are available
to meet the expenses and fulfill The Prudential's obligations
    



                                       15
<PAGE>

   
under the  Variable  Annuity  Contracts.  The charges The  Prudential  makes for
assuming these risks are described in the section headed Other Charges, page 11.
    

On the other  hand,  the  charges may exceed the  expenses  that The  Prudential
ultimately  incurs under these Contracts.  As the actual experience is realized,
the  amount by which any such  excess is  greater  than the  amount  which  must
prudently be retained to fulfill The Prudential's obligations will become a part
of the divisible surplus of The Prudential.

In the event the Fund  suspends  the  redemption  of its  shares  because of the
closing of the New York Stock Exchange or other emergency reason, The Prudential
will make annuity  payments  during the period of suspension  out of its general
account  assets.  The amount of such  payments  will be determined in a fair and
equitable manner satisfactory to the Department of Insurance of the State of New
Jersey.

Payment Upon the Death of the Planholder

Subject to The Prudential's  approval and the terms of the applicable retirement
plan, a beneficiary may be designated (1) for the  accumulation  shares credited
to a Planholder if the Planholder dies during the accumulation  period,  (2) for
the  termination  value of an  annuity  if the  Planholder  dies on or after its
effective date but before its initial  payment date, and (3) if a Type B Annuity
is  effected,  for  the  discounted  value  of the  unpaid  installments  if the
Planholder  dies  after the first but before the 120th  monthly  installment  is
payable.

The Prudential  reserves the right, prior to making payment in accordance with a
beneficiary designation, to require due proof of the Planholder's death and such
completed  claim  forms  and  other  evidence  as may be  required  to  properly
establish the claim.

Subject  to the  above,  at the death of the  individual  Planholder  during the
accumulation  period,  the  designated  beneficiary  will be credited  with that
number of the Planholder's accumulation shares which represent the beneficiary's
interest.  If such beneficiary is not already a Planholder,  The Prudential will
establish a Plan for the beneficiary, but only to the extent of the accumulation
shares so credited, and transfer those accumulation shares to that Plan, in both
cases without charge.

If an annuity is effected  and the  Planholder  dies before the initial  payment
date,  The  Prudential  will  cancel the annuity on the first  business  day not
earlier  than the day on which The  Prudential  receives  due proof of death and
claim  forms  satisfactory  to it,  and  will pay the  termination  value to the
beneficiary entitled to settlement.

The  termination  value is  approximately  equal  to the net  amount  which  was
required to provide the annuity as of the effective date (after deduction of any
applicable  premium tax and sales  charge),  increased at the assumed  effective
annual  interest rate and increased or decreased in accordance  with the rate of
change in the annuity  share value  between the annuity  effective  date and the
cancellation  date.  There will also be an adjustment  for any annuity  payments
that may have been made  before  notice of death is  received.  Payment  of this
termination  value is in full  settlement of all liability of The Prudential for
the cancelled annuity.

Certain minimum  distribution  rules apply to the case where the Planholder dies
before annuity  payments begin.  Federal tax law requires that if the Planholder
dies before the initial payment date of an annuity,  the entire value of his/her
Contract  must  generally  be  distributed  within 5 years of the date of death.
Special rules may apply to the spouse of a deceased Planholder.

   
No amount is payable  upon the death of a Planholder  after the initial  payment
date of an annuity,  except for any amount  which may be payable  under a Type B
Annuity,  as described  in this section and under Types of Annuity  Available on
page 14. Of course,  upon the death of either the  Planholder or the  designated
contingent  annuitant  under a Type C  Annuity  (described  on page 14)  monthly
payments will continue in accordance  with the provisions of the annuity for the
remaining lifetime of the survivor.
    

If the death benefit is payable as a result of the Annuitant's  coverage under a
qualified  plan for  self-employed  individuals,  other  qualified  plan, IRA or
Section 403(b) Annuity, the Annuitant's death benefit must be distributed within
5 years after the date of his/her death.  However,  if payments begin within one
year of the Annuitant's  death,  the death benefits may be distributed  over the
Beneficiary's  life or over a period not extending beyond the Beneficiary's life
expectancy.  For example,  if the  Beneficiary's  life  expectancy  is 12 years,
he/she may only elect to receive monthly  installments  for a fixed period of up
to 12 years. If the Annuitant's  spouse is the  Beneficiary,  payments need only
begin on or before April 1 of the calendar  year  following the calendar year in
which the Annuitant  would have attained age 70 1/2 or, in some  instances,  the
remaining interest in the Contract may be rolled over to an IRA.

Exercising Rights Under the Contracts

The Rights of the Planholder and  Accountholder.  Under many retirement plans an
employer or trustee  Accountholder,  rather than the  Planholder in whose name a
Contract is issued, may be legally entitled,  during the



                                       16
<PAGE>

accumulation period, to many or all of the benefits, rights and privileges under
the  Contract.  In each  case the  Contract,  which  includes  any  endorsements
attached  thereto as to  ownership  and  limitations  of rights,  will set forth
explicitly  which rights and privileges  may be exercised by the  Accountholder.
The terms of the retirement  plan itself may also affect the  respective  rights
and privileges of the parties.  Neither the Contracts nor any values or payments
thereunder are assignable except to The Prudential.

The  Continuing  Right to Effect an  Annuity.  While The  Prudential  expects to
continue to provide variable annuities under the Program,  it reserves the right
to discontinue doing so upon 90 days notice to  Accountholders  and Planholders.
Even after such  discontinuance,  Planholders with accumulation  shares credited
will have a  continuing  right to  effect  an  annuity  under  the  Program.  In
addition,  Planholders  with  interests  in  other  qualified  contracts  of The
Prudential on the date notice of  discontinuance is given will have a continuing
right to exchange those interests for accumulation  shares or variable annuities
without sales  charge,  but only to the extent of the  Planholder's  interest in
such other contracts on the date of the notice.

   
The Prudential's Right to Change the Contract. The Prudential may not change the
Contract with respect to any annuity after its effective  date.  Neither may The
Prudential change the schedules of annuity rates, the  administration  charge or
the mortality risk and expense risk charges  applicable to  accumulation  shares
already   credited.   Otherwise,   upon  90  days  notice  to  Planholders   and
Accountholders,  The Prudential  may change the terms and provisions  concerning
the schedules of annuity rates, the charges by The Prudential and the applicable
minimum requirements.  The Prudential may also add or substitute contracts under
the  Program,  provided,  however,  that unless the change is required by law or
regulation,  it will not affect purchases  already made unless the Planholder or
Accountholder  accepts  the  substituted  contracts  as  applying  to  any  such
purchases.
    

Except as provided  above, or as required by federal or state law or regulation,
no changes which would  adversely  affect  rights  acquired by  Planholders  and
Accountholders under Contracts of the Program will be made without consent.

The Prudential-Sponsored Pension Plans

The Prudential has prepared several examples of pension and profit-sharing plans
for corporations,  designed to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code. Each of
these plans provides that The Prudential  will provide the insurance and annuity
contracts called for under the plan. 

The  form of The  Prudential-sponsored  master  and  prototype  plans  has  been
approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Approval by the IRS of a plan as
a master  or  prototype  plan is  limited  to the  form of a plan,  and does not
constitute  approval of any particular  plan using the master or prototype.  IRS
approval of a particular plan may have to be requested by the employer.

   
                DESCRIPTION OF PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC.
    

Investment Policies

The Fund invests  primarily in common  stocks and other  securities  convertible
into common stocks.  Notwithstanding its growth objective, the Fund may invest a
relatively  small percentage of assets,  which Fund management  interprets to be
not more than 15%,  in  preferred  stocks,  bonds,  debentures,  notes and other
evidences of indebtedness,  of a character customarily acquired by institutional
investors,  whether  or not  publicly  distributed.  These  may  or  may  not be
convertible into stock or accompanied by warrants or rights to acquire stock.

   
At times, when economic  conditions or general levels of common stock prices are
such that it may be deemed  temporarily  advisable  to  curtail  investments  in
common  stocks,  a larger  than usual  proportion  of the  Fund's  assets may be
invested in such preferred stocks and evidences of indebtedness,  or may be held
in cash or its equivalents, as a defensive measure.  Nevertheless, not more than
10% of the assets of the Fund may be invested in loans made through the purchase
of  privately  placed  evidences  of  indebtedness  of a  character  customarily
acquired by institutional investors. See the subheading Special Risks, page 18.

In  addition,  the  Fund  may  hold  at  times a  moderate  amount  of cash  and
high-grade,  short-term  debt  securities to facilitate the orderly and flexible
programming of investments. Such debt securities may include securities acquired
through short-term repurchase transactions which will be "fully collateralized,"
i.e., the value of the securities held by the Fund will be at least equal to the
repurchase price, including accrued interest.

Normally the Fund will hold securities  purchased for one year or more, although
it will sell  individual  securities  when their  current  price  seems  clearly
excessive in relation to estimated present or future value or when the situation
of the issuer  appears to be  deteriorating.  The Fund's  portfolio  turnover is
discussed under the heading The Prudential as Manager of the Fund's  Investments
on page 21. The Fund does not plan to trade for short-term
    



                                       17
<PAGE>

profits, but may take advantage of occasional  opportunities for such profits if
circumstances make this advisable.  To the extent that the Fund makes short-term
investments,  it would incur greater  brokerage  charges than would otherwise be
the case, and any short-term capital gains would constitute ordinary income.

Restrictions on Investment

   
The Fund operates under a number of investment  restrictions.  Some arise out of
state laws and are summarized under New Jersey Investment Laws on page 19. Those
which  follow,  as  well  as  the  investment   policies  described  above,  are
self-imposed,  fundamental policies of the Fund. They may not be changed without
the vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.
    

The Fund does not:

(1)  underwrite the  securities of other issuers,  except where it may be deemed
     to be an  "underwriter"  for  purposes  of the  Securities  Act of  1933 as
     indicated below;

(2)  buy or sell commodities or commodity contracts;

(3)  sell short or buy on margin,  or buy,  sell or write put or call options or
     combinations of such options;

(4)  invest for the purpose of exercising control or management;

(5)  buy or hold the securities of any issuer if those officers and directors of
     the Fund or officers of its investment  advisor who own  individually  more
     than  one-half of 1% of the  securities of such issuer or together own more
     than 5% of the securities of such issuer;

(6)  with respect to 75% of the value of its assets,  buy the  securities  of an
     issuer if the purchase  would cause more than 5% of the value of the Fund's
     total assets to be invested in the securities of any one issuer (except for
     obligations of the United States government and its  instrumentalities)  or
     result in the Fund  owning more than 10% of the voting  securities  of such
     issuer;

(7)  concentrate  its  investments  in any one industry (no more than 25% of the
     value of the Fund's assets will be invested in any one industry);

(8)  borrow money;

(9)  buy or sell real estate,  although  the Fund may purchase  shares of a real
     estate investment trust;

(10) invest in the securities of other investment companies; or

(11) issue senior securities.

Securities Lending. The Fund may from time to time lend its portfolio securities
to  broker-dealers  and/or banks,  provided that such loans are made pursuant to
written  agreements  and are  continuously  secured by collateral in the form of
cash, U.S. government  securities or irrevocable standby letters of credit in an
amount equal to at least the market value at all times of the loaned securities.
During  the time  portfolio  securities  are on loan,  the lender  continues  to
receive the interest and dividends, or amounts equivalent thereto, on the loaned
securities  while  receiving a fee from the  borrower or earned  interest on the
investment of the cash  collateral.  The right to terminate the loan is given to
either party subject to appropriate  notice.  Upon  termination of the loan, the
borrower returns to the lender  securities  identical to the loaned  securities.
The  Prudential  has advised the Fund's  Directors that the lender does not have
the right to vote  securities on loan,  but The Prudential  would  terminate the
loan and cause the  loaned  securities  to be  returned  to the Fund in order to
exercise the voting rights if that were considered important with respect to the
investment.  The primary  risk in lending  securities  is that the  borrower may
become  insolvent on a day on which the loaned security is rapidly  advancing in
price. In such event, if the borrower fails to return the loaned securities, the
existing  collateral  might be  insufficient to purchase back the full amount of
stock loaned, and the borrower would be unable to furnish additional collateral.
The  borrower  would  be  liable  for any  shortage;  but the  Fund  would be an
unsecured  creditor to such shortage and might not be able to recover all or any
of it. However,  this risk may be minimized by a careful  selection of borrowers
and securities to be lent.

The Fund will not lend its  portfolio  securities to  broker-dealers  affiliated
with The Prudential, including Prudential Securities Incorporated. This will not
affect the Fund's ability to maximize its securities lending opportunities.

   
American  Depository  Receipts.  The Fund may also invest in American Depository
Receipts  (ADRs)  which  are U.S.  dollar-denominated  certificates  issued by a
United  States  bank or  trust  company  and  represent  the  right  to  receive
securities of a foreign issuer deposited in a domestic bank or foreign branch of
a  United  States  bank  and  traded  on a  United  States  exchange  or  in  an
over-the-counter market.
    

Special Risks. In addition to the previously  mentioned  restrictions,  the Fund
may  invest  no more than 10% of the value of its  assets in  securities  which,
because of legal or contractual  restrictions  upon resale or for other reasons,

                                       18
<PAGE>

   
are not  readily  marketable.  Such  securities  include  the  privately  placed
evidences of  indebtedness  referred to above. As of December 31, 1996, the Fund
did not hold any such restricted securities.
    

Any  investment  in  such   securities  may  entail  special  risks  because  of
difficulties  in selling them. If the securities  were to be sold publicly,  the
Fund may be deemed an  "underwriter"  for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933
and may be required to register the securities under that Act. In that case, the
Fund might have to bear the expense of such registration,  and the delays in the
sale pending the  registration  could result in a lower  selling  price.  If the
securities were to be sold privately,  the price  obtainable might be lower than
would be obtained if the securities could be publicly marketed.

The value of any such  securities  will be  determined in good faith by or under
the authority of the Fund's Board of Directors.  A determination  that the value
of  particular  securities  is less  than  would  have  been  the  case  had the
securities  been freely  marketable will make the net asset value of Fund shares
correspondingly lower.

   
Investment  in  ADRs  has  certain  advantages  over  direct  investment  in the
underlying foreign securities because they are easily transferable, have readily
available  market  quotations,  and the foreign  issuers are usually  subject to
comparable  auditing,  accounting and financial  reporting standards as domestic
issuers.  Nevertheless,  as foreign securities, ADRs involve certain risks which
should be  considered  fully by  investors.  These risks  include  political  or
economic  instability in the country of the issuer, the difficulty of predicting
international  trade  patterns,  and the fact that  there  may be less  publicly
available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company.
    

Investment  by the Fund in warrants  or rights to acquire  stock may also entail
risks.  The Fund will not purchase  any such  warrants or rights if after giving
effect to such  purchase  the total cost to the Fund of all  warrants and rights
then  held by it  will  exceed  3% of the  value  of its  assets.  Warrants  are
basically  options to purchase  securities  at a specified  price within a given
time. They are highly speculative,  have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and
have no rights with respect to the assets of the  corporation  that issues them.
The price of warrants does not  necessarily  move parallel with the price of the
underlying securities.

New Jersey Investment Laws

   
As long as The Prudential, or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof, continues to be
the  investment   advisor  of  the  Fund,  the  Fund's   investments  must  meet
requirements set forth in the Revised  Statutes of New Jersey.  The Fund has, to
the extent required by law, adopted such  requirements as part of its investment
policy while The  Prudential,  or a subsidiary  or  affiliate,  continues as the
investment advisor.

The following is a summary of current  provisions of New Jersey law which impose
additional  limitations on the investment  policies of the Fund described in the
preceding two sections.
    

1.   Evidences  of  indebtedness  of a  corporation,  joint  stock  association,
     business trust,  business joint venture or business  partnership may not be
     purchased if in default as to interest.

2.   The stock of a corporation may not be purchased  unless (i) the corporation
     has paid a cash dividend on the class of stock during each of the past five
     years preceding the time of purchase,  or (ii) during the five-year  period
     the  corporation  had  aggregate  earnings  available for dividends on such
     class of stock sufficient to pay average dividends of 4% per annum computed
     upon the par value of such stock,  or upon stated value if the stock has no
     par value.  This  limitation  does not apply to any class of stock which is
     preferred  as to  dividends  over a class of stock  whose  purchase  is not
     prohibited.

   
3.   Any common stock  purchased  must be (i) listed or admitted to trading on a
     securities exchange in the United States or Canada; or (ii) included in the
     National  Association  of Securities  Dealers'  national  price listings of
     "over-the-counter"  securities;  or (iii) determined by the Commissioner of
     Insurance  of New  Jersey to be  publicly  held and  traded and as to which
     market quotations are available.
    

4.   Additional  securities of a  corporation  may not be purchased if after the
     purchase  more than 10% of the market value of the assets of the Fund would
     be invested in the securities of such corporation.

These currently  applicable  requirements  of New Jersey law impose  substantial
limitations on the ability of the Fund to invest in the stock of companies whose
securities are not publicly traded or who have not recorded a five-year  history
of dividend payments or earnings sufficient to support such payments. This means
that the  Fund  will  not  generally  invest  in the  stock  of newly  organized
corporations.  Nonetheless,  an investment not otherwise  eligible under items 1
and 2 of this section may be made if, after giving effect to the investment, the
total  cost of all  such  non-eligible  investments  does not  exceed  5% of the
aggregate market value of the assets of the Fund.

Investment  limitations  may also arise under the insurance laws and regulations
of other states where  Contracts  of the Program are sold.  Although  compliance
with the  requirements of New Jersey law set forth above will ordinarily  result
in compliance with any applicable laws of other states, under some circumstances
the  limitations  of other states could impose  additional  restrictions  on the
portfolio of the Fund.



                                       19
<PAGE>

Summary of Investment Advisory Contract

Under an Investment  Advisory  Contract,  The  Prudential  has agreed to furnish
investment  management  to the Fund.  Such  investment  management  entails  the
selection  of  securities  for  purchase  or sale by the Fund and the  resulting
placement of orders.  Periodic reports of such purchases and sales are submitted
to the Fund for review by the Board of Directors.

Subject to The  Prudential's  supervision,  substantially  all of the investment
management services provided by The Prudential are furnished by its wholly-owned
subsidiary,  PIC,  pursuant to the Service  Agreement between The Prudential and
PIC which  provides  that The  Prudential  will  reimburse PIC for its costs and
expenses.  PIC is  registered  as an  investment  advisor  under the  Investment
Advisers Act of 1940.

   
The Prudential bears the expenses for investment  advisory  services incurred in
connection  with the  purchase  and  sale of  securities  (but not the  brokers'
commissions  and  transfer  taxes and other  charges  and fees  attributable  to
investment  transactions),  the  salaries  and  expenses  of  all  officers  and
employees reasonably  necessary for the Fund's operations  (excluding members of
the  Fund's  Board  of  Directors  who  are not  officers  or  employees  of The
Prudential),  and the office  facilities  of the Fund.  The  amount  paid to The
Prudential for its investment  advisory  services to the Fund is shown under the
heading Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc. on page 9.
    

The  Investment  Advisory  Contract and the Service  Agreement  will continue in
effect from year to year provided  renewal is approved at least  annually by the
Fund's Board of Directors,  including  approval by a majority of those directors
who are not interested persons of either party to the Contract or Agreement.

   
The  Investment   Advisory   Contract  also  grants  the  Fund  a  royalty-free,
non-exclusive  license  to  use  the  words  "Prudential's  Gibraltar"  and  the
registered  service  mark of a rock  representing  the Rock of  Gibraltar  which
appears on the cover of this Prospectus.  However,  The Prudential may terminate
this license if The  Prudential  or a company  controlled by it ceases to be the
Fund's investment advisor. The Prudential may also terminate the license for any
other reason upon 60 days written notice; but, in this event, the Contract shall
also terminate 120 days following  receipt by the Fund of such notice,  unless a
majority of the outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund vote to continue the
Contract notwithstanding termination of the license.

The Investment  Advisory Contract may be terminated by the Board of Directors or
by the vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities on 60 days
notice to The Prudential.  The Prudential may terminate the Investment  Advisory
Contract on 90 days notice to the Fund.  The Investment  Advisory  Contract will
also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
    

The Prudential will continue to have  responsibility for all investment advisory
services  under its  advisory  or  subadvisory  agreements  with  respect to its
clients.

   
The Investment  Advisory Contract with The Prudential was approved at the annual
meeting  of  stockholders  held on May 21,  1970.  The  Board of  Directors  has
unanimously  approved  continuance of the Contract in each year since then, most
recently at a meeting held on February 12, 1997.
    

The Service  Agreement between The Prudential and PIC will continue in effect as
to the Fund for a period of more than two years from its execution, only so long
as such  continuance  is  specifically  approved  at least  annually in the same
manner as the Investment  Advisory Contract between The Prudential and the Fund.
The Agreement may be terminated by either party upon not less than 30 days prior
written notice to the other party, will terminate  automatically in the event of
its assignment and will terminate  automatically  as to the Fund in the event of
the assignment or termination of the Investment  Advisory  Contract  between The
Prudential and the Fund.  The  Prudential is not relieved of its  responsibility
for all investment  advisory  services under the  Investment  Advisory  Contract
between The Prudential  and the Fund. The Agreement  provides for The Prudential
to reimburse PIC for its costs and expenses  incurred in  furnishing  investment
advisory services.

  The  Service  Agreement  between  The  Prudential  and  PIC  was  ratified  by
stockholders  at their annual  meeting held on September 27, 1985.  The Board of
Directors has  unanimously  approved  continuance  of the Agreement in each year
since then, most recently at a meeting held on February 12, 1997.

A separate  contract  between The Prudential and the Fund provides that, as long
as the Fund sells its shares only to The  Prudential,  its separate  accounts or
organizations  approved by it, The Prudential  will pay all expenses of the Fund
not  covered  by the  Investment  Advisory  Contract  (except  for the  fees and
expenses of members of the Fund's  Board of  Directors  who are not  officers or
employees of The  Prudential,  brokers'  commissions,  transfer  taxes and other
charges and fees attributable to investment  transactions,  and any other local,
state or federal taxes).  The Prudential has accordingly paid the organizational
expenses  of the Fund and such other  expenses as those  incurred in  connection
with  the  registration  of the Fund and Fund  shares  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission,  the cost of preparing and printing Fund prospectuses,  and
fees for auditors and lawyers.  Under the present contractual  arrangements,  it
will continue to pay any such expenses incurred in the future.



                                       20
<PAGE>

The Prudential as Manager of the Fund's Investments

   
Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Investment  Management  (PMFIM),  a  division  of PIC,
supplies  the  services  with  respect  to  equity  securities.  PMFIM  analyzes
industries and companies within these industries in order to recommend purchases
and sales of equity  securities.  The  personnel of PMFIM,  formerly  Prudential
Investment Advisors, comprised the Asset Management Department of The Prudential
until  transferred  to PIC on  December  31,  1984,  which  Department  had been
responsible  since 1950 for  recommending  and supervising the investments  that
comprise  the  substantial  portfolio  of  common  stocks  held  as  part of The
Prudential's general assets. This portfolio approximated $303 million at the end
of 1996. That Department had also been responsible for a significant  percentage
of the common  stock  investments  of The  Prudential's  mutual  funds,  pension
accounts and other accounts.

Gregory P. Goldberg,  Managing  Director,  PMFIM, has been the portfolio manager
for the Gibraltar  Fund,  Inc. since 1995. Mr.  Goldberg also selects stocks for
the  Prudential  Multi-Sector  Fund and is portfolio  manager of the  Prudential
Allocation Fund-Balanced Portfolio.
    

PMFIM's investment staff selects companies and diversifies investments over many
firms and industries. It provides continuous supervision and management over the
performance of the investments. This is to reduce the risk of developments which
may  adversely  affect  the market  value of the  securities  of one  company or
industry.  But the emphasis is on the careful choice of investments  believed to
have potential for growth, rather than upon diversification alone.

In implementing the Fund's  investment  objectives,  each securities  analyst is
assigned  the  responsibility  of keeping  abreast of  developments  in specific
industries  and  companies  within  those  industries.  On the basis of periodic
contacts with company managements, consultants and research staffs of investment
banking and brokerage  firms, as well as analyses of company  reports,  business
periodicals and standard statistical services, each analyst makes projections of
earnings and dividends,  and determines the relative attraction of the companies
he/she follows based on these projections in the light of current conditions and
market price.  Securities  will be purchased  for the Fund's  portfolio and sold
from it on the basis of these analyses.

These methods of selection and supervision, like diversification,  while they do
not guarantee successful investment or eliminate the risks involved therein, are
ones which the average individual may not have the time, facilities, training or
funds to employ on his/her own.

Portfolio  Turnover.  The Fund's portfolio turnover rates for the last ten years
are shown in the table on page 6. (This rate is used to measure the  activity of
a fund's portfolio securities.  It is calculated by dividing purchases or sales,
whichever is less, by the average monthly value of the portfolio securities,  in
each case excluding  securities  with  maturities of one year or less.)

   
As noted  elsewhere  in this  Prospectus,  the Fund  seeks  long-term  growth of
capital rather than short-term trading profits.  However, during any period when
changing  economic or market conditions are anticipated,  successful  management
requires an aggressive response to such changes,  which may increase the rate of
portfolio  turnover.  The rate of portfolio  activity  will  usually  affect the
brokerage costs of the Fund. It is anticipated  that under normal  circumstances
the  portfolio  turnover  rate would not exceed  100%.  During 1996 and 1995 the
portfolio turnover rates were 97% and 105% respectively.
    

The  Prudential  manages  several  other  securities  portfolios,  including the
portfolios of The Prudential Series Fund, Inc., The Prudential Variable Contract
Account-2,  The  Prudential  Variable  Contract  Account-10  and The  Prudential
Variable  Contract  Account-11,  registered  under  the  1940  Act  as  open-end
management  investment  companies.  Some of these  portfolios  invest  in common
stock. Investment  opportunities may become available from time to time that are
suitable both for the Fund and for these other common stock portfolios. On these
occasions,  an allocation of the securities  available will be made, taking into
account  the  suitability  of the  security  in  the  light  of  the  investment
objectives  of each  portfolio,  the  size  and  composition  of the  respective
portfolios and the availability of cash.

Brokerage

The Prudential is responsible  for decisions to buy and sell  securities for the
Fund,  the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the  transactions  and the
negotiation of brokerage  commissions,  if any. Transactions on a stock exchange
in equity  securities  will be  executed  primarily  through  brokers  that will
receive a commission  paid by the Fund.  Fixed income  securities,  on the other
hand, as well as equity securities traded in the  over-the-counter  market, will
not normally  incur any brokerage  commissions.  These  securities are generally
traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts
without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes
a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a
fixed  price  that  includes  an  amount  of  compensation  to the  underwriter,
generally  referred to as the underwriter's  concession or 



                                       21
<PAGE>

discount.  Certain of these  securities  may also be purchased  directly from an
issuer, in which case neither commissions nor discounts are paid.

In placing orders for securities transactions, primary consideration is given to
obtaining the most favorable price and efficient  execution.  An attempt is made
to effect each transaction at a price and commission,  if any, that provides the
most   favorable   total  cost  of  proceeds   reasonably   attainable   in  the
circumstances.  However,  a higher  commission than would otherwise be necessary
for a particular transaction may be paid if to do so appears to further the goal
of obtaining the best available execution.

In  connection  with any  securities  transaction  that  involves  a  commission
payment,  the  commission  is  negotiated  with the  broker  on the basis of the
quality and quantity of execution services that the broker provides, in light of
generally  prevailing  commission  rates.  Periodically,  The Prudential and PIC
review the  allocation  among  brokers of orders for equity  securities  and the
commissions that were paid.

When  selecting  a broker or dealer in  connection  with a  transaction  for any
portfolio,  consideration is given to whether the broker or dealer has furnished
The Prudential or PIC with certain  services,  provided this does not jeopardize
the objective of obtaining the best price and execution.  These services,  which
include  statistical  and  economic  data and  research  reports  on  particular
companies and industries, are services that brokerage houses customarily provide
to  institutional  investors.  The  Prudential  or PIC  use  these  services  in
connection  with all  investment  activities,  and some of the data or  services
obtained in connection  with the execution of  transactions  for the Fund may be
used in  connection  with the  execution of  transactions  for other  investment
accounts.

Conversely, brokers and dealers furnishing such services may be selected for the
execution of transactions of such other accounts,  while the data or service may
be  used  in  providing  investment   management  for  the  Fund.  Although  The
Prudential's  present  policy is not to permit higher  commissions to be paid on
transactions in order to secure research and statistical  services from brokers,
The Prudential might in the future authorize the payment of higher  commissions,
but only with the prior concurrence of the Board of Directors of the Fund, if it
is  determined  that the higher  commissions  are  necessary  in order to secure
desired  research and are reasonable in relation to all of the services that the
broker provides.

When  investment  opportunities  arise that may be appropriate for more than one
entity for which The  Prudential  serves as investment  manager or advisor,  one
entity will not be favored over another and allocation of investments among them
will be made in an  impartial  manner  believed to be  equitable  to each entity
involved.  The allocations will be based on each entity's investment  objectives
and its current cash and investment positions.  Because the various entities for
which The  Prudential  acts as  investment  manager  or advisor  have  different
investment objectives and positions, from time to time a particular security may
be  purchased  for one or  more  such  entities  while  at the  same  time  such
securities may be sold for another.

Prudential  Securities  Incorporated   (Prudential  Securities)  may  act  as  a
securities broker for the Fund. In order for Prudential Securities to effect any
portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received by Prudential  Securities  must be reasonable  and fair compared to the
commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with
comparable  transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on
an  exchange  during a  comparable  period of time.  This  standard  would allow
Prudential  Securities  to receive no more than the  remuneration  that would be
expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm's-length
transaction. The Fund may not engage in any transactions in which The Prudential
or its affiliates, including Prudential Securities, acts as principal, including
over-the-counter purchases and negotiated trades in which such a party acts as a
principal.

The  Prudential  or its  affiliates,  including  PIC  may  enter  into  business
transactions  with brokers or dealers for purposes  other than the  execution of
portfolio  securities  transactions for accounts The Prudential  manages.  These
other  transactions  will not  affect  the  selection  of  brokers or dealers in
connection with portfolio transactions for the Fund.

   
During  the  calendar  year  1996,  $662,074  was  paid to  various  brokers  in
connection  with  securities   transactions   for  the  Fund.  Of  this  amount,
approximately   64.9%  was  allocated  to  brokers  who  provided  research  and
statistical  services to The  Prudential.  The equivalent  figures for 1995 were
$756,838 and 77.52% and for 1994 were $774,338 and 74.6%.

Of the total  brokerage  fees paid by the Fund during 1996,  $19,301 or 2.9% was
paid to Prudential  Securities  Incorporated,  an affiliated  broker.  For 1996,
Prudential Securities effected 2.2% of the transactions involving the payment of
commissions,  on an  aggregate  dollar  basis.  For 1995 and  1994,  no money or
percentage was paid.
    

Determination of Net Asset Value

Shares  of  the  Fund  are  sold  to   Prudential's   Investment  Plan  Account,
Prudential's Annuity Plan Account and Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2, which
invest   the   money   paid  for   purchases   under   the   tax-qualified   and



                                       22
<PAGE>

non-tax-qualified contracts of the Program. Sales of Fund shares are made at the
net asset value next determined after such purchases are made.

The  Prudential  determines  the net asset value of Fund shares on each business
day (a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for  business).  The net
asset value is computed by dividing the net assets by the number of  outstanding
shares of the Fund. Net assets are the total of cash and other assets, including
investment securities taken at value, minus liabilities.

   
Each  security  traded on a national  securities  exchange will be valued at the
price  which,  on the date of  valuation,  is the last sales  price (or the mean
between the last bid and asked price if there were no sales of the security that
day) on the New York Stock  Exchange,  or if not traded on such  exchange,  such
last sales or mean price at the time of close of the New York Stock  Exchange on
the principal  exchange on which such  security is traded.  For any security not
traded on a national  securities  exchange  but  traded in the  over-the-counter
market, the value will be the mean between the last reported bid and asked price
available at the time of close of the New York Stock  Exchange,  except that the
securities  for which  quotations are furnished  through a nationwide  automated
quotation  system  approved by the National  Association of Securities  Dealers,
Inc.  (NASDAQ) will be valued at the last sale price or, if there was no sale on
such day, at the mean between the most  recently  quoted bid and asked prices on
the date of  valuation  provided  by a pricing  service  which  utilizes  NASDAQ
quotations.  Debt obligations with maturities of less than 60 days are valued at
amortized cost.  Portfolio  securities or assets for which market quotations are
not readily  available  will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith
by or under authority of the Fund's Board of Directors.
    

Redemption of Fund Shares

   
Redemptions  of Fund shares  result from  liquidations  of  interests  under the
Contracts  of the Program,  and are made at the net asset value next  determined
after such liquidations are made. Payment for shares redeemed will ordinarily be
made within 7 days after the redemption request is received from The Prudential.

This right of redemption may, however,  be suspended for any period during which
the New York  Stock  Exchange  is closed  on other  than a  regular  holiday  or
weekend,  or trading  thereon is  restricted,  or for any period during which an
emergency  exists as a result of which it is not reasonably  practicable for the
Fund either to dispose of  securities  owned by it or to determine  the value of
its assets fairly.  Redemption may also be suspended in the event the Securities
and Exchange  Commission has provided for such  suspension for the protection of
security  holders.  See  withdrawal  restrictions  applicable to Section  403(b)
annuities discussed in Section 403(b) Annuities, page 15.
    

Description of Fund Shares and Voting Rights

The Fund's  authorized  capital is  75,000,000  shares of common  stock,  $1 par
value.  Common stock is purchased  with amounts  arising from  payments  made by
participants  in the  separate  accounts of the  Prudential  Financial  Security
Program.  All  shares of Fund  stock are  entitled  to  participate  equally  in
dividends and  distributions  of the Fund and in its net assets  remaining  upon
liquidation after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Fund shares are fully
paid and  nonassessable  when  issued  and  have no  preemptive,  conversion  or
exchange  rights.  Such shares are  redeemable  upon  request,  except under the
circumstances described in the preceding section, Redemption of Fund Shares.

After a  distribution  of  investment  income and realized net capital  gains in
December of each year, the balance of the Fund's  investment income and realized
net capital  gains for the calendar  year then ending are  normally  distributed
during the first calendar  quarter after the end of that calendar year. Any such
distributions  to the  accounts  will  ordinarily  be  credited  in the  form of
additional Fund shares at net asset value. However, partial distributions may be
made in cash to meet expenses of the accounts. See Federal Income Taxes, below.

   
Each share of common stock  outstanding is entitled to one vote. Fund shares are
held  only by  separate  accounts  of The  Prudential.  At  December  31,  1996,
Prudential's  Annuity Plan Account-2,  the account discussed in this Prospectus,
held approximately 19% of all Fund shares outstanding.  Prudential's  Investment
Plan Account and  Prudential's  Annuity Plan Account,  separate  accounts of The
Prudential which are not discussed in this Prospectus,  held  approximately  80%
and 1%, respectively. Fund shares are voted by The Prudential in accordance with
voting  instructions  received from participants in those accounts.  Instruction
forms for this purpose will be  furnished by The  Prudential.  If there are Fund
shares held in the Account for which voting  instructions are not received,  The
Prudential  will vote those shares on each matter in the same  proportion  as it
votes the Fund shares held in the Account for which it received instructions.
    

Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend-Paying Agent

   
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Chase MetroTech Center,  Brooklyn,  New York 11245, is
currently  custodian of the Fund's assets and transfer agent and dividend-paying
agent  of the  Fund.  Subject  to Board  approval,  on or  about  
    



                                       23
<PAGE>

   
May 31, 1997,  Investors Fiduciary Trust Company,  127 West 10th Street,  Kansas
City,  Missouri  64105-1716,  will become the custodian of the Fund's assets and
transfer  agent and  dividend-paying  agent of the Fund.  The  Fund's  custodian
maintains  certain  financial and accounting  books and records on behalf of the
Fund pursuant to an agreement with the Fund.
    

                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

State Regulation

The  Prudential is subject to  regulation by the  Department of Insurance of the
State of New  Jersey as well as by the  insurance  departments  of all the other
states and jurisdictions in which it does business.  The Prudential must file an
annual statement in a form promulgated by the National  Association of Insurance
Commissioners.  This annual statement is reviewed and analyzed by the New Jersey
Department,  which makes an independent  computation of The Prudential's reserve
liabilities under all outstanding life insurance and annuity contracts.

New Jersey law requires a quinquennial examination of The Prudential to be made.
Examination involves extensive audit,  including but not limited to an inventory
check of assets,  sampling techniques to check the performance by The Prudential
of its contracts,  and an examination of the manner in which  divisible  surplus
has been apportioned and distributed to policyholders and contractholders.

The laws of New Jersey also contain  special  provisions,  which are codified as
Sections 17B:28-1 through 17B:28-14 of the New Jersey Statutes,  which relate to
the issuance and regulation of contracts on a variable basis. These statutes set
forth a number of mandatory  provisions which must be included in contracts on a
variable  basis and prohibit such  contracts  from  containing  other  specified
provisions.

In  addition  to the annual  statement  referred  to above,  The  Prudential  is
required to file with New Jersey and other  states a separate  annual  statement
with respect to the operations of all its variable contract accounts,  in a form
promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Regulation  by the New Jersey  Department  does not involve any  supervision  or
control  over  the  investment  policy  of the  Fund or over  the  selection  of
investments   therefor,   except  for  verification   that  certain   investment
requirements of New Jersey law are met.

Federal Income Taxes

   
Prudential's  Gibraltar Fund, Inc. Under the provisions of the Internal  Revenue
Code  applicable to regulated  investment  companies,  the Fund, by distributing
substantially  all of its net investment income and realized capital gains, will
be relieved of federal  income tax on the income and gains so  distributed.  The
Fund has qualified for such tax treatment and intends to continue to so qualify.
Qualification  of the Fund as a regulated  investment  company  does not involve
government supervision of management or of investment practices or policies. See
Description  of Fund Shares and Voting  Rights on page 23.  There is a 4% excise
tax on a portion of the undistributed  income of a regulated  investment company
if that company fails to distribute required  percentages of its ordinary income
and capital  gain net income.  The Fund  intends to employ  practices  that will
eliminate or minimize the imposition of this excise tax.
    

Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2. The operations of Prudential's Annuity Plan
Account-2 form a part of, and are taxed with, the operations of The  Prudential.
No federal income tax is currently  payable on  distributions of income received
on the Fund  shares  held in the  Account  for the  benefit of  Planholders,  on
capital gains realized by The  Prudential on  redemptions of Fund shares,  or on
capital gains dividends received by the Account from the Fund.

   
Retirement  Plans Under the Program.  The  provisions  of the Code that apply to
retirement plans are complex, and Planholders would be well advised to consult a
qualified  tax  advisor,   particularly  if  liquidation  under  a  Contract  is
contemplated.  Withdrawals may be subject to income tax consequences,  including
tax penalties. In general, assuming that the requirements and limitations of the
applicable provisions of the Code are adhered to by Accountholders,  Planholders
and employers,  contributions  made to a qualified  retirement  plan (other than
after-tax  employee  contributions)  are  deductible  by the  employer  and  not
currently taxable to Planholders.
    

The principal tax  advantages to  Planholders  under these plans derive from the
facts that within  certain limits the amounts set aside each year are in pre-tax
rather  than  after-tax  dollars,  and that no federal  income tax is  currently
imposed upon investment  income or realized gains earned by the Account in which
the  accumulated  purchase  payments are held.  When an annuity  becomes payable
under  these  plans all or a portion  of the  monthly  payments  are  taxable as
ordinary  income  under  Section  72 of the  Code.  Lump sum  distributions  are
generally  treated  as  ordinary  income,  but may in certain  circumstances  be
treated part as long-term capital gains and part as ordinary income.  The amount
of tax may also be limited in some cases by a special income averaging rule.



                                       24
<PAGE>

Taxable  payments under the Contract will generally be subject to withholding by
the payer. In some circumstances, recipients of pensions and annuities may elect
for withholding not to apply.

Recipients,  including  those who have elected out of  withholding,  must supply
their  Taxpayer  Identification  Number  (Social  Security  Number) to payers of
distributions  for tax reporting  purposes.  Failure to furnish this number when
required  may  result  in  the  imposition  of a tax  penalty  and  subject  the
distribution to the back up withholding requirements of the law.

Withholding

   
Certain  distributions from qualified retirement plans and 403(b) annuities will
be subject to mandatory 20% withholding  unless the  distribution is an eligible
rollover  distribution  that is  "directly"  rolled over into another  qualified
plan,  403(b) annuity or IRA.  Unless the Contract owner elects to the contrary,
the portion of any taxable  amounts  received under the Contract will be subject
to withholding to meet federal income tax  obligations.  The rate of withholding
on  annuity  payments  where  mandatory  withholding  is not  required  will  be
determined  on the basis of the  withholding  certificate  filed by the Contract
owner with The Prudential. For payments not subject to mandatory withholding, if
no such certificate is filed,  the Contract owner will be treated,  for purposes
of determining the withholding  rate, as a married person with three exemptions;
the rate of withholding  on all other payments made under the Contract,  such as
amounts  received upon  withdrawals,  will be 10%.  Thus, if the Contract  owner
fails to elect that there be no  withholding,  The Prudential will withhold from
every withdrawal or annuity payment the appropriate  percentage of the amount of
the payment that is taxable. The Prudential will provide the Contract owner with
forms and instructions  concerning the right to elect that no amount be withheld
from payments.  Generally, there will be no withholding for taxes until payments
are actually received under the Contract. Distributions to Contract owners under
an eligible  deferred  compensation  plan subject to Section 457 of the Code are
treated as the payment of wages for  federal  income tax  purposes  and thus are
subject the general withholding requirements.

The few additional  comments which follow  concerning  possible tax consequences
under qualified plans for  self-employed  individuals,  IRA,  savings  incentive
match plans for employees  (SIMPLE) under Code Section 408(p) and Section 403(b)
annuities  are intended  merely to call  attention to certain  features of those
plans. They do not purport to be a complete discussion,  and are not intended as
tax advice.  As suggested above, a qualified tax advisor should be consulted for
advice and answers to any questions.

Qualified Plans for Self-employed Individuals. For self-employed individuals who
establish such plans,  contributions are deductible within the limits prescribed
by the Code. Annual deductible contributions cannot exceed the lesser of $30,000
or 25% of "earned  income."  "Earned income" is computed after the deduction for
contributions to the plan is considered.

Under  these  plans,  payments  are  subject  to  certain  minimum  distribution
requirements  and generally must begin by April 1 of the calendar year following
the later of the  calendar  year in which the  employee:  attains age 70 1/2; or
retires.

Ira Plans. For persons who establish such plans, the annual  contribution  limit
is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of earned income.  An IRA  contribution of up to
$2,000 for each spouse is  permitted  (including  a  non-working  spouse) if the
combined  compensation  of both  spouses  is at least  equal to the  contributed
amount,  provided that the non-working spouse earns less than the working spouse
and  they  file a  joint  return.  As with  qualified  plans  for  self-employed
individuals,  payments  to the  Planholder  must  begin  by  April 1 of the year
following  the calendar  year in which age 701 @2 is attained and are subject to
certain minimum distribution  requirements.  Any distributions before age 591 @2
generally may result in certain penalty taxes.  Certain  penalties may result if
the contribution or age limitations are exceeded.

Deductions  for IRA  contributions  in those  cases  where an  individual  or an
individual's  spouse is an active  participant in an employer  sponsored pension
plan,  Simplified  Employee  Pension  (SEP),  SIMPLE,  Section 403(a) or Section
403(b)  annuity are limited to  individuals  whose adjusted gross income is less
than certain specified amounts.
    

For married  individuals  who file a joint tax return,  a full deduction will be
available if adjusted gross income is $40,000 or less. For a single  individual,
the limit is $25,000.  Partial deduction for IRA contributions will be available
for married,  joint filers who have  adjusted  gross income of more than $40,000
and less than $50,000 and single individuals whose adjusted gross income is less
than $35,000.  Married individuals filing separately will be permitted to take a
partial  deduction if their adjusted gross income is less than $10,000.

Section  403(b)  Annuities.  The  amounts  contributed  under  these  plans  and
increments thereon are not taxable as income until distributed as annuity income
or otherwise.  In general,  the maximum amount that can be contributed by salary
reduction is $9,500.  However under certain  special  rules,  the limit could be
increased  as much as  $3,000.



                                       25
<PAGE>

In addition,  the Code permits certain total distributions from a Section 403(b)
Annuity to be "rolled over" to another  Section 403(b)  Annuity or IRA.  Certain
partial  distributions  from a Section 403(b) Annuity may be "rolled over" to an
IRA.

An annuity  contract will not qualify as a Section  403(b)  Annuity unless under
such contract  distributions  from salary reduction  contributions  and earnings
thereon (other than distributions attributable to assets held as of December 31,
1988) may be paid only on account of death, disability, separation from service,
attainment of age 59 1/2 or hardship.  (Such hardship withdrawals are permitted,
however,  only to the extent of salary reduction  contributions and not earnings
thereon.) The Section  403(b)(11)  withdrawal  restrictions  do not apply to the
transfer of all or part of a  participant's  interest in his/her  Contract among
the available  investment  options offered by The Prudential and do not apply to
the direct transfer of all or part of the Participant's interest in the Contract
to a Section 403(b)  tax-deferred  annuity contract of another insurance company
or to a mutual fund custodial account under Section 403(b)(7).

In imposing the  restrictions on withdrawals as described  above, The Prudential
is relying upon a no-action letter dated November 28, 1988 from the Chief of the
Office of Insurance Products and Legal Compliance of the Securities and Exchange
Commission to the American Council of Life Insurance.

   
Employer  contributions  are subject  generally  to the same  coverage,  minimum
participation and nondiscrimination rules applicable to qualified plans.

Distributions from a IRA generally must commence by April 1 of the calendar year
following the later of (1) the calendar  year in which the employee  attains age
701 @2, or (2) the calendar  year in which the employee  retires.  Distributions
must satisfy minimum  distribution  requirements  similar to those that apply to
qualified plans generally.

Penalty for Early  Withdrawals.  A 10% penalty tax will  generally  apply to the
taxable part of distributions  received from an IRA, SEP, SIMPLE (25% penalty in
certain situations),  Section 403(b) annuity,  qualified plans for self-employed
individuals, and other qualified plans before age 591 @2. Limited exceptions are
provided,  such as  where  amounts  are  paid in the  form of a  qualified  life
annuity,  upon death of the employee,  to pay certain  medical  expenses,  or in
certain  instances,  disability,  or upon  separation  from  service on or after
attainment  of age 55. The terms of your  retirement  arrangement  will  control
application of the limited exceptions.
    

Additional Information

   
This  Prospectus  does  not  contain  all  the  information  set  forth  in  the
registration statement,  certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to
the rules  and  regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  The
information so omitted may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C., upon payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
    

Experts

   
The financial  statements and financial  highlights  included in this Prospectus
for the fiscal year 1996 have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,  independent
accountants,  as  stated  in  their  reports  appearing  herein.  The  financial
statements and financial  highlights  included in this Prospectus for all fiscal
years prior to 1996,  have been  audited by  Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent
auditors, as stated in their reports appearing herein. Such financial statements
and financial  highlights have been included herein in reliance upon the reports
of such firms given upon their  authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Price  Waterhouse  LLP's  principal  business  address  is  1177  Avenue  of the
Americas,  New York, New York 10036.  Deloitte & Touche LLP's principal business
address is Two Hilton Court, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054-0319.
    

Litigation

   
On October 28, 1996, The Prudential  entered into a Stipulation of Settlement in
a multidistrict  proceeding involving  allegations of various claims relating to
The  Prudential's  life insurance sales practices.  (In re Prudential  Insurance
Company of America Sales  Practices  Litigation,  D.N.J.,  MDL No. 1061,  Master
Docket No. 95-4704  (AMW).) On March 7, 1997,  the United States  District Court
for the District of New Jersey  approved the  Stipulation of Settlement as fair,
reasonable and adequate.

Pursuant to the Settlement,  The Prudential has agreed to provide an alternative
dispute  resolution  process  for class  members  who  believe  they were misled
concerning  the  sale or  performance  of their  life  insurance  policies.  The
Settlement  also  provides  certain  no-fault  relief.  The ultimate cost of the
Settlement  will  depend  on a  variety  of  factors,  including  the  number of
policyowners  who participate in the Settlement,  the number of policyowners who
    



                                       26
<PAGE>

   
are afforded relief and the remediation  option they select.  The administrative
costs of  implementing  the  Settlement  are also subject to a number of complex
uncertainties.  In light of the  uncertainties  attendant  to  these  and  other
factors,  it is  difficult  at this time to estimate  the  ultimate  cost of the
Settlement to The Prudential.

In  addition,  a number of actions  have been filed  against The  Prudential  by
policyowners  who have excluded  themselves from the settlement;  The Prudential
anticipates that additional suits may be filed by other policyowners.

Also,  on July 9, 1996, a Multi-State  Life  Insurance  Task Force  comprised of
insurance  regulators  from 29 states and the District of  Columbia,  released a
report on The Prudential's  activities.  As of February 24, 1997, The Prudential
had  entered  into  consent  orders or  agreements  with all 50  states  and the
District of  Columbia  to  implement a  remediation  plan,  whose terms  closely
parallel the Settlement  approved in the MDL proceeding,  and agreed to a series
of payments allocated to all 50 states and the District of Columbia amounting to
a total of approximately $65 million.

Litigation is subject to many uncertainties,  and given the complexity and scope
of these suits,  their outcome cannot be predicted. 

Accordingly, management is unable to make a meaningful estimate of the amount or
range of loss that could  result  from an  unfavorable  outcome  of all  pending
litigation.  It is possible  that the results of  operations or the cash flow of
The  Prudential,  in particular  quarterly or annual periods could be materially
affected by an ultimate  unfavorable  outcome of certain pending  litigation and
regulatory matters.  Management believes,  however, that the ultimate outcome of
all pending  litigation and regulatory matters referred to above should not have
a material adverse effect on The Prudential's financial position.
    

                       DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND

   
The directors and executive officers of the Fund are listed below, together with
their  addresses and information as to their  principal  occupations  during the
past five years. Collectively,  they own, on record or beneficially, less than a
1% interest  in separate  accounts  of The  Prudential  which hold Fund  shares.
Directors'  meeting  fees and  expenses  are paid by the Fund only in respect to
those  directors  or former  directors  who are not officers or employees of The
Prudential.   Such  payments   totaled  $9,600  in  1996  and  $7,200  in  1995,
representing equal amounts paid to Messrs. Fenster, McDonald and Weber.

MENDEL A. MELZER*, Chairman of the Board--Chief Investment Officer of Prudential
Investments  since  1996;  1995 to 1996:  Chief  Financial  Officer of the Money
Management  Group of Prudential;  1993 to 1995:  Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Prudential  Preferred  Financial  Services;  Prior to 1993:
Managing Director,  The Prudential  Investment  Corporation.  Address: 751 Broad
Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

JONATHAN GREENE*,  President and  Director.--President of Investment Management,
Prudential Investments, since 1996; Vice President and Portfolio Manager T. Rowe
Price Associates,  Inc, 1974 to 1996.  Address:  751 Broad Street,  Newark,  New
Jersey 07102.

SAUL K.  FENSTER,  Director--President  of New Jersey  Institute of  Technology.
Address: 323 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

W. SCOTT MCDONALD,  JR.,  Director--Principal,  Kaludis  Consulting  Group since
1997;  1995 to 1996:  Principal,  Scott  McDonald &  Associates;  Prior to 1995:
Executive Vice President of Fairleigh  Dickinson  University.  Address:9  Zamrok
Way, Morristown, New Jersey 07960.

JOSEPH WEBER,  Director--Vice  President,  Interclass  (international  corporate
learning). Address: 37 Beachmont Terrace, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006.

SUSAN COTE, Vice President--Vice  President  Prudential  Investments since 1996;
1995 to 1996: Chief Operating Officer and Managing  Director,  Prudential Mutual
Fund Investment  Management;  Prior to 1995: Senior Vice President and Treasurer
of Prudential  Mutual Funds.  Address:  100 Mulberry  Street,  Gateway Center 3,
Newark, New Jersey 07102.

THOMAS EARLY, Secretary--General Counsel, Mutual Funds and Annuities, Prudential
Investments  since 1996; 1994 to 1996:  General Counsel,  Prudential  Retirement
Services,  Prudential Investments;  Prior to 1994: Associate General Counsel and
Chief Financial Services Counsel,  Frank Russell Company.  Address: 100 Mulberry
Street, Gateway Center 3, Newark, New Jersey 07102.
    


                                       27
<PAGE>


   
EUGENE  STARK,  Comptroller,  Principal  Financial  Officer and  Treasurer--Vice
President, Prudential Investments since 1996; prior thereto First Vice President
of Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC. Address: 100 Mulberry Street,  Gateway
Center 3, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

* These  members  of the Board are  interested  persons of The  Prudential,  its
affiliates or the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Certain actions of the Board,
including the annual continuance of the Investment Advisory Contract between the
Fund and The  Prudential,  must be  approved by a majority of the members of the
Board who are not interested  persons of The  Prudential,  its affiliates or the
Fund.  Mr.  Melzer and Mr.  Greene,  two of the five  members of the Board,  are
interested  persons of The  Prudential  and the Fund, as that term is defined in
the 1940  Act,  because  they are  officers  and/or  affiliated  persons  of The
Prudential,  the investment advisor to the Fund. Messrs.  Fenster,  McDonald and
Weber are not interested persons of The Prudential,  its affiliates or the Fund.
However, Mr. Fenster is President of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. The
Prudential  has issued a group  annuity  contract to the  Institute and provides
group life and group health insurance to its employees.

                   THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                                    DIRECTORS

FRANKLIN E. AGNEW,  Director  since 1994  (current  term expires  April,  2000).
Member, Committee on Dividends;  Member, Finance Committee.  Business consultant
since 1987. Senior Vice President H.J. Heinz from 1971 to 1986. Mr.Agnew is also
a director of Bausch & Lomb Inc. and John Wiley & Sons,  Inc.  Age 62.  Address:
One Mellon Bank Center, Suite 2120, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

FREDERICK K. BECKER,  Director  since 1994 (current term expires  April,  1999).
Member,  Auditing Committee,  Member,  Committee on Business Ethics.  President,
Wilentz Goldman and Spitzer (law firm) since 1989, with firm since 1960. Age 61.
Address: 90 Woodbridge Center Drive,
Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

JAMES G. CULLEN, Director since 1994 (current term expires April, 2001). Member,
Compensation  Committee;  Member,  Committee on Business Ethics.  Vice Chairman,
Bell Atlantic  Corporation.  President,  Bell Atlantic  Corporation from 1993 to
1995.  President New Jersey Bell 1989 to 1993.  Mr. Cullen is also a director of
Johnson&  Johnson.  Age 54.  Address:  1310 North Court House Road,  11th Floor,
Alexandria, VA 22201.

CAROLYNE K. DAVIS,  Director  since 1989  (current  term expires  April,  1997).
Member,  Finance  Committee;   Member  Committee  on  Business  Ethics;  Member,
Compensation Committee.  National and International Health Care Advisor, Ernst &
Young since 1985.  Dr.  Davis is also a director of Merck & Co.,  Inc.,  Beckman
Instruments,   Inc.,   Pharmaceutical   Marketing  Services,  Inc.  and  Science
Applications  International  Corporation.  Age  65.  Address:  1225  Connecticut
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

ROGER A. ENRICO, Director since 1994 (current term expires April, 1998). Member,
Committee on Nominations;  Member,  Compensation  Committee.  CEO PepsiCo,  Inc.
since 1996. Vice Chairman,  PepsiCo,  Inc. from 1993 to 1996.  Chairman and CEO,
Pepsi Co.  Worldwide  Food,  from  1991 to 1993.  President  and CEO,  Pepsi Co.
Worldwide  Beverage  from  1986-1991.  Mr.  Enrico is also a director  of Dayton
Hudson Corporation and A.H.Belo Corporation. Age 52. Address: 14841 North Dallas
Parkway, Dallas, TX, 75240.

ALLAN D.  GILMOUR,  Director  since 1995  (current  term expires  April,  1999).
Retired since 1995.  Vice Chairman,  Ford Motor Company,  from 1993 to 1995. Mr.
Gilmour  originally  joined  Ford in 1960.  Mr.  Gilmour is also a  director  of
USWest,  Inc.,  Whirlpool  Corporation  and The Dow  Chemical  Company.  Age 62.
Address: 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102.

WILLIAM H. GRAY,  III,  Director since 1991 (current term expires April,  2000).
Member, Finance Committee; Member, Committee on Nominations. President and Chief
Executive Officer,  The College Fund/UNCF since 1991. Mr.Gray served in Congress
from 1979 to 1991.  Mr.Gray  is also a director  of  Warner-Lambert  Co.,  Chase
Manhattan Corp., Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp., Westinghouse Electric
Corp., Union Pacific Corp., Lotus Development Corp., and Rockwell  International
Corp. Age 55. Address: 8260 Willow Oaks Corp. Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.

JON F. HANSON,  Director since 1991 (current term expires April, 1997).  Member,
Finance  Committee;   Member,  Committee  on  Dividends.   Chairman,   Hampshire
Management  Co.  since  1976.  Mr.  Hanson is also a  director  of United  Water
Resources. Age 60. Address: 235 Moore Street, Suite 200, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
    


                                       28

<PAGE>

   
GLEN H. HINER, JR., Director since 1997.  Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer,
Owens Corning. Age 62. Address: One Owens Corning Parkway, Toledo, OH 43659.

CONSTANCE J. HORNER,  Director  since 1994 (current term expires  April,  1998).
Member, Auditing Committee; Member, Committee on Nominations. Guest Scholar, The
Brookings  Institution  since 1993.  Assistant to the  President and Director of
Presidential Personnel, U.S. Government, 1991-1992. Deputy Secretary, Department
of Health & Human  Services from 1989 to 1991.  Ms. Horner is also a director of
Pfizer, Inc.,  Ingersoll-Rand  Company and Foster Wheeler  Corporation.  Age 55.
Address: 1775 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-2188.

GAYNOR N. KELLEY,  Director.--Former  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  The
Perkin Elmer Corporation.  Age 65. Address: 751 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey
07102-3777.

BURTON G.  MALKIEL,  Director  since 1978 (current  term expires  April,  1998).
Chairman, Finance Committee;  Member, Executive Committee;  Member, Committee on
Nominations.  Professor, Princeton University, since 1988. Dr. Malkiel is also a
director of The Jeffrey Co.,  Vanguard Group,  Inc., Amdahl  Corporation,  Baker
Fentress & Company,  and  Southern  New England  Telecommunications  Co. Age 64.
Address: 110 Fisher Hall, Prospect Avenue,  Princeton University,  Princeton, NJ
08544-1021.

ARTHUR F. RYAN, Chairman of the Board,  President and Chief Executive Officer of
Prudential since 1994.  President and Chief Operating  Officer,  Chase Manhattan
Corp.  from 1990 to 1994,  with Chase since  1972.  Age 54.  Address:  751 Broad
Street, Newark, NJ 07102-3777.

IDA F. S. SCHMERTZ,  Director.  Principal,  Investment Strategies International.
Age 62. Address: 90 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10024.

CHARLES R. SITTER,  Director  since 1995  (current  term expires  April,  1999).
Member, Committee on Dividends.  President, Exxon Corporation from 1993 to 1996.
Mr.  Sitter  began his career with Exxon in 1957;  he is currently a director of
Exxon. Age 66. Address: 5959 Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039.

DONALD L.  STAHELI,  Director  since 1995 (current  term expires  April,  1999).
Member,   Compensation   Committee.   Chairman  and  Chief  Executive   Officer,
Continental  Grain Company since 1994.  Mr.  Staheli was Chairman of Continental
Grain from 1988 to 1994. Age 65. Address: 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172.

RICHARD M. THOMSON,  Director  since 1976 (current  term expires  April,  2000).
Chairman,  Compensation  Committee;  Member,  Committee on Nominations,  Member,
Executive  Committee.  Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer,  The
Toronto-Dominion  Bank since 1978.  Mr. Thomson is also a director of CGC, Inc.,
Eaton's of Canada,  Ltd., INCO,  Ltd., The Thomson Corp.  National Retail Credit
Services Limited, TEC Leaseholds Limited,  Thomglen Corporation and S.C. Johnson
& Son,  Ltd. Age 63.  Address:  P.O. Box 1,  Toronto-Dominion  Centre,  Toronto,
Ontario, M5K 1A2, Canada.

JAMES A. UNRUH, Director since 1996 (current term expires April, 2000). Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Unisys  Corporation since 1990. Mr. Unruh is also
a director of  Ameritech  Corporation.  Age 56.  Address:  Township  Line& Union
Meeting Roads, Blue Bell, PA 19424.

P. ROY VAGELOS,  M.D.,  Director since 1989 (current term expires April,  1997).
Chairman, Auditing Committee;  Member, Committee on Dividends; Member, Executive
Committee.  Chairman,  Regeneron  Pharmaceuticals since 1995. Chairman and Chief
Executive  Officer,  Merck & Co., Inc. from 1986 to 1994.  Dr. Vagelos is also a
director of Pepsi Co.,  Inc.,  The Estee Lauder  Companies  Inc.  and  McDonnell
Douglas Corp. Age 67. Address: One Crossroads Drive, Bedminster, NJ 07921.

STANLEY C. VAN NESS,  Director  since 1990 (current term expires  April,  2002).
Chairman,  Committee on Business Ethics;  Member,  Auditing  Committee;  Member,
Executive  Committee.  Attorney,  Picco  Herbert  Kennedy  (law firm) from 1990.
Partner of Jamieson,  Moore,  Peskin & Spicer from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Van Ness is
also a director of Jersey Central Power & Light Company.  Age 63.  Address:  One
State Street Square, Suite 1000, Trenton, NJ 08607-1388.

PAUL A. VOLCKER, Director since 1988 (current term expires April, 2000). Member,
Committee on Dividends;  Member,  Committee on Nominations.  Chairman,  James D.
Wolfensohn,  Inc. since 1988; Chief Executive Officer, James D. Wolfensohn, Inc.
since 1995.  Chairman,  J.  Rothschild,  Wolfensohn & Co. from 1992 to 1995.  Mr
Volcker is also a director of Fuji-Wolfensohn  International,  Nestle, S.A., UAL
Corp. and the Board of Governors,  American Stock Exchange. Age 69. Address: 599
Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

JOSEPH H.  WILLIAMS,  Director  since 1994 (current term expires  April,  1998).
Member,  Auditing  Committee;  Member,  Committee on Dividends.  Chairman of the
Board, The Williams  Companies since 1994.  Chairman & Chief Executive  Officer,
The  Williams  Companies  1979-1993.  Mr.Williams  is also a  director  of Flint
Industries and The Orvis Company. Age 63. Address:  One Williams Center,  Tulsa,
OK 74102.
    

                                       29
<PAGE>

   
                   THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
                               PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

ARTHUR F. RYAN, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President since 1994. Age
54.

E. MICHAEL  CAULFIELD,  Chief Executive  Officer,  Prudential  Investments since
1996;  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Money  Management  Group since 1995;  1989-92
Managing Director. Age 50.

MICHELE S. DARLING, Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Age 43.

RODGER LAWSON, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Planning. Age 50.

MARK B. GRIER, Chief Financial Officer since 1995. Age 44.

JOHN V.  SCICUTELLA,  Executive Vice  President,  Operations and Systems,  since
1995. Age 48.

WILLIAM F. YELVERTON, Chief Executive Officer,  Individual Insurance Group since
1995. Age 55.

R. BROCK ARMSTRONG, Senior Vice President, Individual Insurance Development. Age
50.

MARTIN BERKOWITZ, Senior Vice President and Comptroller since 1995. Age 48.

WILLIAM M. BETHKE, President, Capital Markets Group, Senior Vice President since
1986. Age 49.

LEO J. CORBETT, Senior Vice President, Individual Insurance Marketing. Age 48.

MARK R. FETTING, President, Prudential Retirement Services. Age 42.

WILLIAM D. FRIEL,  Senior Vice  President  and Chief  Information  Officer since
1993; 1988-92: Vice President. Age 57.

JAMES R. GILLEN, Senior Vice President and General Counsel since 1984. Age 59.

BRUCE J. GOODMAN,  Chief Executive Officer,  Prudential Service Company,  Senior
Vice President since 1993.Age 55.

JONATHAN M. GREENE,  President,  Investment Management,  Prudential Investments.
Age 53.

JEAN D. HAMILTON, President, Diversified Group. Age 50.

RONALD JOELSON, Senior Vice President, Guaranteed Products. Age 39.

IRA J. KLEINMAN, Executive Vice President, International Insurance Group; Senior
Vice President since 1992; 1978-92: Vice President. Age 49.

DONALD  C.  MANN,  Senior  Vice  President,  Community  Resources;  Senior  Vice
President since 1990; 1985-90: Vice President. Age 54.

NEIL A. McGUINNESS,  Senior Vice President,  Marketing,  Prudential Investments.
Age 50.

PRISCILLA A. MYERS, Senior Vice President,  Audit,  Compliance and Investigation
since 1995. Age 47.

RICHARD O. PAINTER,  President,  Prudential  Insurance& Financial Services since
1995. Age 49.

KIYOFUMI SAKAGUCHI, President, International Insurance Group since 1995. Age 54.

GREGORY W. SCOTT,  Chief Financial  Officer,  Prudential  Healthcare Group since
1995. Age 43.

BRIAN M. STORMS, President,  Mutual Funds and Annuities,  Prudential Investments
since 1996. Age 42.

ROBERT J. SULLIVAN,  Senior Vice President,  Sales, Prudential Investments.  Age
58.

SUSAN L. BLOUNT, Vice President and Secretary since 1995. Age 39.

C. EDWARD CHAPLIN, Vice President and Treasurer since 1995. Age 40.
    


                                       30
<PAGE>
                            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
                      PRUDENTIAL'S ANNUITY PLAN ACCOUNT-2
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
December 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
  Investment in 4,984,507 shares of
    Prudential's Gibraltar Fund at net asset
    value of $11.4274 per share (Cost:
    $46,574,629)...............................  $   56,959,863
  Accrued expenses.............................          (9,859)
                                                 --------------
  NET ASSETS...................................  $   56,950,004
                                                 --------------
                                                 --------------
 
NET ASSETS, representing:
    Equity of planholders [Notes 8]............  $   54,320,588
    Equity of annuitants [Note 8]..............         533,348
    Equity of The Prudential Insurance Company
      of America...............................       2,096,068
                                                 --------------
                                                 $   56,950,004
                                                 --------------
                                                 --------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 1996
<S>                                <C>           <C>
  INVESTMENT INCOME
    Dividend distributions received............  $       695,470
  EXPENSES
    Charges to planholders and annuitants for
      assuming mortality and expense risks and
      for administration [Note 3]..............  $       355,141
                                                 ---------------
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME........................          340,329
                                                 ---------------
  NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON
  INVESTMENTS
    Capital gains distributions received.......        5,956,471
    Realized gain on shares redeemed
      [identified cost basis] [Note 2].........          891,850
    Net unrealized gain on investments.........        5,257,088
                                                 ---------------
  NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS......................       12,105,409
                                                 ---------------
  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS...................................  $    12,445,738
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                                                                                    1996                1995
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>                 <C>
  OPERATIONS:
    Net investment income..................................................................   $        340,329     $       431,193
    Capital gains distributions received...................................................          5,956,471           4,111,693
    Realized gain (loss) on shares redeemed................................................            891,850            (177,333)
    Net unrealized gain on investments.....................................................          5,257,088           4,141,643
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS.....................................         12,445,738           8,507,196
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  ACCUMULATION AND ANNUITY TRANSACTIONS:
    Purchase payments......................................................................            636,829           1,430,749
    Accumulation Shares liquidated.........................................................         (5,978,227)         (9,866,473)
    Annuity benefit payments...............................................................            (73,649)            (88,116)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM ACCUMULATION AND ANNUITY TRANSACTIONS..........         (5,415,047)         (8,523,840)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM EQUITY TRANSFERS [Note 5]......................            579,007             533,030
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS.............................................................          7,609,698             516,386
  NET ASSETS:
    Beginning of year......................................................................         49,340,306          48,823,920
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
    End of year............................................................................   $     56,950,004     $    49,340,306
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
</TABLE>
 
            SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON PAGES A2 THROUGH A3.
 
                                       A1

<PAGE>
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
PRUDENTIAL'S ANNUITY PLAN ACCOUNT-2
 
NOTE 1:  GENERAL
 
The  Annuity Plan Account-2 (the "Account")  was established on August 13, 1968,
by resolutions  of  Prudential's Board  of  Directors, as  a  variable  contract
account  of The Prudential Insurance Company of America ("Prudential") under the
laws of the  State of New  Jersey. It  is administered by  Prudential under  the
general  direction of Prudential's officers and managerial staff. The Account is
registered with  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission under  the  Investment
Company  Act  of  1940, as  amended  (1940  Act), as  a  unit  investment trust.
Registration  does  not  imply  supervision  by  the  Securities  and   Exchange
Commission of the management or investment policies and practices of the Account
or  Prudential. The assets of the Account are invested in shares of Prudential's
Gibraltar Fund (the "Fund") at the net asset value without sales load.
 
PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND
 
The Fund was  incorporated in the  State of Delaware  on March 14,  1968. It  is
registered  under the 1940  Act as a  diversified open-end management investment
company. Registration does not imply supervision by the Securities and  Exchange
Commission of the management or investment policies and practices of the Fund or
Prudential. The Board of Directors of the Fund is responsible for the management
of  the Fund and, in addition to  reviewing the actions of the Fund's investment
advisor, decides upon matters of general policy. The Fund's officers conduct and
supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.
 
NOTE 2:  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The accompanying financial statements are prepared in conformity with  generally
accepted   accounting  principles  (GAAP).  The  preparation  of  the  financial
statements in conformity  with GAAP  requires management to  make estimates  and
assumptions  that affect  the reported  amounts and  disclosures. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
 
Investment--The investment in  shares of  the Fund is  stated at  the net  asset
value.
 
Security  Transactions--Realized gains  and losses on  security transactions are
reported on  an  identified  cost  basis. Purchase  and  sale  transactions  are
recorded as of the trade date of the security being purchased or sold.
 
Distributions  Received--Dividend  and capital  gain distributions  received are
reinvested in additional  shares of the  Fund and are  recorded on the  dividend
payment date.
 
Equity  of The Prudential Insurance  Company--Prudential maintains a position in
the Account  for the  purpose  of administering  activity  in the  Account.  The
activity  includes  unit  transactions,  fund  share  transactions,  and expense
processing. Prudential monitors the balance daily and transfers funds based upon
anticipated activity. At  times, Prudential may  owe an amount  to the  Account,
which  is reflected in  Prudential's equity as a  negative balance. The position
does not have  an effect on  the Contract  owner's account or  the related  unit
value.
 
NOTE 3:  MORTALITY RISK, EXPENSE RISK, AND ADMINISTRATION CHARGES
 
The  following charges, at effective annual rate as indicated, are applied daily
against the net assets of the  Account attributable to the respective  contracts
and are paid to Prudential.
 
A.  MORTALITY RISK AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES
 
    For  the  class of  contracts  introduced prior  to  September 16,  1977 the
    mortality  risk  charge  and  expense  risk  charge  are  0.10%  and  0.20%,
    respectively,   during  the  accumulation  period   and  0.075%  and  0.15%,
    respectively, during the payout period.
 
    For the class of  contracts introduced on September  16, 1977 the  mortality
    risk  charge  and expense  risk charge  are  0.60% and  0.20%, respectively,
    during both the accumulation and the payout period.
 
                                       A2
<PAGE>
    Mortality risk is that annuitants may live longer than estimated and expense
    risk is that the cost of  issuing and administering the policies may  exceed
    the  estimated expenses. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the amount of
    these charges paid to Prudential was $159,973.
 
B.  Administration Charge
 
    For the  class  of contract  introduced  prior  to September  16,  1977  the
    administration  charge is  0.375% during  the accumulation  period and 0.15%
    during the payout period.
 
    For  the  class  of   contracts  introduced  on   September  16,  1977   the
    administration  charge is 0.50% during both  the accumulation and the payout
    period.
 
    These charges, which were paid to Prudential, include costs associated  with
    issuing  the Contract,  establishing and maintaining  records, and providing
    reports to Contract owners. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the amount
    of these charges paid to Prudential was $195,168.
 
NOTE 4:  TAXES
 
Prudential is taxed  as a "life  insurance company" under  the Internal  Revenue
Code  and the operations of the Account form  a part of and are taxed with those
of Prudential. Under current federal law, no federal income taxes are payable by
the Account. As such, no provision for tax liability has been recorded.
 
NOTE 5:  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM EQUITY TRANSFERS
 
The increase in net  assets resulting from equity  transfers represents the  net
contributions of Prudential to the Account.
 
NOTE 6:  PURCHASE AND SALES OF INVESTMENTS
 
The  aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds  from sales of investments in the
Fund for the year ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>          <C>
Purchases:           $0
Sales:       $5,186,772
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 7:  ACCUMULATION SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
The number of Accumulation  Shares purchased and liquidated  for the year  ended
December 31, 1996, was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
Accumulation Shares Purchased:            4,202
Accumulation Shares Liquidated:          41,763
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 8:  EQUITY OF PLANHOLDERS AND ANNUITANTS
 
Equity of Planholders at December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SHARES       SHARE VALUE      EQUITY
                                                                -------------  -------------  -------------
 
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>            <C>
Class of contracts introduced prior to September 16, 1977        339,186.467    $ 157.59074   $  53,452,647
Class of contracts introduced on September 16, 1977                6,579.578    $ 131.91443   $     867,941
                                                                                              -------------
                                                                                              $  54,320,588
                                                                                              -------------
                                                                                              -------------
</TABLE>
 
Equity of Annuitants at December 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Annuity Contracts assuming 3.5% investment result          11,241.118    $  6.70516   $    75,374
Annuity Contracts assuming 5% investment result           101,192.154    $  4.52579   $   457,974
                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                      $   533,348
                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       A3

<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Contract Owners of
Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2
and the Board of Directors of
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets and the related
statements of operations and of changes in net assets present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2
at December 31, 1996, and the results of each of their operations and the
changes in each of their net assets for the year then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the
responsibility of The Prudential Insurance Company of America's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit, which included confirmation of shares owned in
Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc. at December 31, 1996, provides a reasonable
basis for the opinion expressed above.
 
Price Waterhouse LLP
New York, New York
March 31, 1997
 
                                       A4
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Planholders of
Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2
and the Board of Directors of
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Newark, New Jersey
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of changes in net assets of
Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2 of The Prudential Insurance Company of
America for the year ended December 31, 1995. This financial statement and
share information are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on
our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such financial statement presents fairly, in all material
respects, the changes in net assets of each of the respective subaccounts
constituting Prudential's Annuity Plan Account-2 for the stated period in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
February 15, 1996
 
                                       A5

<PAGE>

                            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
                          PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
  ASSETS
    Investments, at value (cost:
      $258,445,755)............................  $  303,562,622
    Receivable for investments sold............       4,733,056
    Interest and dividends receivable..........         306,071
                                                 --------------
      Total Assets.............................     308,601,749
                                                 --------------
  LIABILITIES
    Payable for investments purchased..........       4,643,337
    Bank overdraft.............................       2,528,378
    Due to investment adviser..................          94,424
    Accrued expenses...........................          38,989
                                                 --------------
      Total Liabilities........................       7,305,128
                                                 --------------
  NET ASSETS...................................  $  301,296,621
                                                 ==============

  Net assets were comprised of:
    Common stock, at $1 par value..............  $   26,366,193
    Paid-in capital, in excess of par..........     217,244,277
                                                 --------------
                                                    243,610,470
  Undistributed net investment income..........         602,554
  Accumulated net realized gain on
    investments................................      11,966,730
  Net unrealized appreciation on investments...      45,116,867
                                                 --------------
    Net assets, December 31, 1996..............  $  301,296,621
                                                 ==============

    Net asset value and redemption price per
      share (26,366,193 shares of common stock
      outstanding; 75,000,000 shares
      authorized)..............................  $        11.43
                                                 ==============
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 1996
<S>                                <C>           <C>
  INVESTMENT INCOME
    Dividends (net of $6,523 foreign
      withholding taxes).......................  $     2,959,611
    Interest...................................        1,344,964
                                                 ---------------
                                                       4,304,575
                                                 ---------------
  EXPENSES
    Investment advisory fee....................          349,118
    State franchise tax expense................           73,666
    Excise tax expense.........................           71,422
    Directors' fees............................            8,500
    Custodian expense..........................            5,000
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses...........................          507,706
    Less: expense reimbursement for excise
      tax......................................          (71,422)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses.............................          436,284
                                                 ---------------
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME........................        3,868,291
                                                 ---------------
  NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON
  INVESTMENTS
    Net realized gain on investments...........       35,522,025
    Net change in unrealized appreciation on
      investments..............................       28,188,380
                                                 ---------------
  NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS......................       63,710,405
                                                 ---------------
  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS...................................  $    67,578,696
                                                 ===============
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
                                                                                                     Years Ended December 31
                                                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                                                                                    1996                1995
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>                 <C>
  INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
  OPERATIONS:
    Net investment income..................................................................   $      3,868,291     $     4,381,133
    Net realized gain on investments.......................................................         35,522,025          31,242,770
    Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments...................................         28,188,380           9,457,438
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS.....................................         67,578,696          45,081,341
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS:
    Dividends from net investment income...................................................         (3,659,501)         (4,026,639)
    Distributions from net realized capital gains..........................................        (31,301,947)        (21,543,401)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  TOTAL DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS........................................................        (34,961,448)        (25,570,040)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
    Reinvestment of dividends and distributions [2,971,950 and 2,396,099 shares,
     respectively].........................................................................         33,969,659          24,867,217
    Capital stock repurchased [(2,374,885) and (2,430,032) shares, respectively]...........        (26,513,694)        (25,659,420)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS................          7,455,965            (792,203)
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
  TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS.............................................................         40,073,213          18,719,098
  NET ASSETS:
    Beginning of year......................................................................        261,223,408         242,504,310
                                                                                             ------------------  -------------------
    End of year............................................................................   $    301,296,621     $   261,223,408
                                                                                             ==================  ===================

</TABLE>

              SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON PAGES B4 AND B5.

                                       B1
<PAGE>

December 31, 1996            
                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                           PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS -- 87.9%
                                                                       Value
COMMON STOCKS -- 84.4%                                 Shares         (Note 1)
                                                    -------------  --------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
AEROSPACE -- 1.1%
  Coltec Industries, Inc. (a).....................        175,000  $    3,303,125
                                                                   --------------
ALUMINUM -- 1.6%
  Aluminum Co. of America.........................         75,000       4,781,250
                                                                   --------------
AUTOS - CARS & TRUCKS -- 1.4%
  LucasVarity PLC, ADR (United Kingdom) (a).......         72,200       2,743,600
  Miller Industries, Inc. (a).....................         74,550       1,491,000
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        4,234,600
                                                                   --------------
CHEMICALS -- 1.7%
  Agrium, Inc.....................................        257,000       3,533,750
  Polymer Group, Inc. (a).........................        108,300       1,502,662
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        5,036,412
                                                                   --------------
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT -- 4.7%
  Cisco Systems, Inc. (a).........................        124,000       7,889,500
  Comverse Technology, Inc. (a)...................         50,000       1,881,250
  VeriFone, Inc. (a)..............................         45,100       1,330,450
  Westell Technologies, Inc. (a)..................        133,000       3,009,125
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       14,110,325
                                                                   --------------
COMPUTER HARDWARE -- 1.0%
  Larscom, Inc. (Class 'A' Stock) (a).............        125,100       1,423,012
  Western Digital Corp. (a).......................         29,700       1,689,187
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        3,112,199
                                                                   --------------
COMPUTER SOFTWARE SERVICES -- 6.5%
  C/NET, Inc. (a).................................         32,800         943,000
  Computer Associates International, Inc..........         60,000       2,985,000
  Edify Corp. (a).................................         52,200         835,200
  Macromedia Inc. (a).............................        130,200       2,343,600
  Microsoft Corp. (a).............................         86,000       7,105,750
  Oracle Corp. (a)................................         66,000       2,747,250
  Softkey Intl., (a)..............................        171,000       2,458,125
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       19,417,925
                                                                   --------------
DIVERSIFIED GAS -- 1.4%
  Weatherford Enterra, Inc. (a)...................        135,000       4,050,000
                                                                   --------------
DRUGS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES -- 4.3%
  Pfizer, Inc.....................................         55,000       4,558,125
  St. Jude Medical, Inc. (a)......................         65,100       2,774,887
  United States Surgical Corp.....................        144,400       5,685,750
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       13,018,762
                                                                   --------------
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -- 2.0%
  UCAR International, Inc. (a)....................        162,500       6,114,062
                                                                   --------------
ELECTRONICS -- 8.6%
  Burr-Brown Corp. (a)............................        106,000       2,703,000
  Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (a)....................        117,400       2,905,650
  Intel Corp......................................         56,000       7,329,000
  SGS Thomson Microelectronics, N.V...............         50,500       3,535,000
  Uniphase Corp. (a)..............................        179,700       9,434,250
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       25,906,900
                                                                   --------------
FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 10.6%
  Advanta Corp. (Class 'B' Stock).................        109,600       4,466,200
  E*TRADE Group, Inc. (a).........................         49,700         559,125
  Federal National Mortgage Association...........        300,000      11,175,000
  Imperial Credit Industries, Inc. (a)............        193,800       4,045,575
</TABLE>
 
December 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Value
Common Stocks (Continued)                              Shares         (Note 1)
                                                    -------------  --------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
  Student Loan Marketing Association..............         51,100  $    4,758,688
  The Money Store, Inc............................        249,800       6,900,725
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       31,905,313
                                                                   --------------
FOREST PRODUCTS -- 2.4%
  Stone Container Corp............................        255,000       3,793,125
  Willamette Industries, Inc......................         50,000       3,481,250
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        7,274,375
                                                                   --------------
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT -- 1.0%
  Physican Corp. of America (a)...................        211,800       2,118,000
  Sierra Health Services, Inc. (a)................         34,600         852,025
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        2,970,025
                                                                   --------------
INSURANCE -- 5.0%
  Aetna Inc.......................................         76,000       6,080,000
  Equitable of Iowa Companies.....................         23,600       1,082,650
  Travelers Group, Inc............................        173,333       7,864,985
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       15,027,635
                                                                   --------------
LEISURE -- 2.3%
  Carnival Corp. (Class 'A' Stock)................        120,000       3,960,000
  La Quinta Inns, Inc.............................        135,600       2,593,350
  Prime Hospitality Corp. (a).....................         34,500         556,313
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        7,109,663
                                                                   --------------
Oil Services -- 6.6%
  B.J. Services Co. (a)...........................         83,000       4,233,000
  Bouyges Offshore SA, ADR (France) (a)...........         68,100         876,788
  Input/Output, Inc. (a)..........................        146,000       2,701,000
  J. Ray McDermott SA.............................         82,000       1,804,000
  Smith International, Inc. (a)...................        125,000       5,609,375
  YPF SA, ADR (Argentina).........................        189,000       4,772,250
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       19,996,413
                                                                   --------------
Petroleum -- 3.3%
  Alberta Energy Company Ltd......................        102,900       2,469,600
  Exxon Corp......................................         75,000       7,350,000
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        9,819,600
                                                                   --------------
Real Estate Development -- 3.9%
  Crescent Real Estate Equities Trust.............         51,500       2,716,625
  Equity Residential Properties Trust.............         80,000       3,300,000
  Manufactured Home Communities, Inc..............         74,000       1,720,500
  Meditrust Corp..................................          9,300         372,000
  Patriot American Hospitality, Inc...............         85,000       3,665,625
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       11,774,750
                                                                   --------------
Regional Banks -- 2.7%
  Citicorp........................................         80,000       8,240,000
                                                                   --------------
Restaurants -- 1.8%
  Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. (a).........         93,100       2,490,425
  McDonald's Corp.................................         67,000       3,031,750
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        5,522,175
                                                                   --------------
Retail -- 2.5%
  Galoob Toys, Inc. (a)...........................        135,000       1,890,000
  The Gap, Inc....................................        190,000       5,723,750
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        7,613,750
                                                                   --------------
</TABLE>




                                       B2
<PAGE>

                    PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND (CONTINUED)
December 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Value
Common Stocks (Continued)                              Shares         (Note 1)
                                                    -------------  --------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Steel -- 1.7%
  AK Steel Holding Corp...........................        131,200  $    5,198,800
                                                                   --------------
Telecommunications -- 3.1%
  ADC Telecommunications, Inc. (a)................        222,700       6,903,700
  Nextel Communications, Inc. (Class 'A'
    Stock) (a)....................................        180,000       2,340,000
                                                                   --------------
                                                                        9,243,700
                                                                   --------------
Tobacco -- 2.6%
  RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.......................        230,000       7,820,000
                                                                   --------------
Utility - Electric -- 0.6%
  Long Island Lighting Co.........................         75,900       1,679,288
                                                                   --------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (cost $208,840,593)............................................     254,281,047
                                                                   --------------
PREFERRED STOCKS -- 2.2%

Financial Services -- 0.5%
  Advanta Corp. (Class 'B' Stock).................         40,000       1,600,000
                                                                   --------------
RETAIL -- 1.7%
  Kmart Corp. (Cum. Conv.)........................        105,000       5,118,750
                                                                   --------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
  (cost $6,829,050)..............................................       6,718,750
                                                                   --------------
 
                                                      Principal
                                                       Amount
CONVERTIBLE BONDS -- 1.3%                               (000)
                                                    -------------
Computer Software Services -- 0.3%
  Softkey Intl.,
    5.50%, 11/01/00...............................     $1,230           1,017,825
                                                                   --------------
Retail -- 1.0%
  Sunglass Hut Intl.,
    5.25%, 06/15/03...............................      4,000           2,870,000
                                                                   --------------
Total Convertible Bonds
  (cost $4,101,112)..............................................       3,887,825
                                                                   --------------
Total Long-term Investments
  (cost $219,810,025)............................................     264,887,622
                                                                   --------------
</TABLE>
 
December 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Principal
                                                       Amount          Value
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS -- 12.9%                         (000)         (Note 1)
                                                    -------------  --------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Commercial Paper -- 10.0%
  Associates Corp. of North America,
    6.202%, 01/02/97..............................     $15,000     $   15,000,000
  Smith Barney, Inc.,
    6.00%, 01/02/97...............................     15,000          15,000,000
                                                                   --------------
                                                                       30,000,000
                                                                   --------------
Time Deposit -- 2.9%
  Toronto Dominion Holdings,
    6.50%, 01/02/97...............................      8,675           8,675,000
                                                                   --------------
 
Total Short-term Investments
  (cost $38,675,000).............................................      38,675,000
                                                                   --------------
 
Total Investments -- 100.8%
  (cost $258,445,755; Note 3)....................................     303,562,622
  Liabilities in excess of other assets -- (0.8%)................      (2,266,001)
                                                                   --------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0%.......................................  $  301,296,621
                                                                   ==============

</TABLE>

The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
 
    ADR                 American
                        Depository
                        Receipt
    N.V.                Naamloze Vennootschap (Dutch Corporation)
    SA                  Sociedad Anonima (Spanish Corporation) or Societe
                        Anonyme (French Corporation)
 
(a)          Non-income poducing security.
             
             

                                       B3
<PAGE>



                      NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
                        PRUDENTIAL'S GIBRALTAR FUND, INC.

Note 1:  Accounting Policies

Prudential's  Gibraltar Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a Delaware Corporation and is
registered as an  open-end,diversified  management  investment company under the
Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as  amended.  The Fund was  organized  by The
Prudential to serve as the investment medium for the variable contracts accounts
of The Prudential  Financial Security Program. The Fund does not sell its shares
to the  public.  The  accounts  will  redeem  shares  of the Fund to the  extent
necessary to provide  benefits under the contracts or for such other purposes as
may be consistent with the contracts.
 
Securities  Valuation:  Securities traded on  a national securities exchange are
valued at the last sales price (or the last bid price if there were no sales  of
the  security that day) on the New York Stock Exchange, or if not traded on such
exchange, such last  sales or bid  price at the  time of close  of the New  York
Stock  Exchange on the principal exchange on which such securities are traded on
the last business day of the year.  For any securities not traded on a  national
securities  exchange but traded in the over-the-counter market, the value is the
last bid  price  available, except  that  securities for  which  quotations  are
furnished  through  a  nationwide  automated quotation  system  approved  by the
National Association  of Securities  Dealers, Inc.  (NASDAQ) are  valued at  the
closing  best bid price on  the date of valuation  provided by a pricing service
which utilizes NASDAQ quotations. Short-term investments are valued at amortized
cost which, with accrued interest, approximates market value. Amortized cost  is
computed  using  the  cost  on  the  date  of  purchase  adjusted  for  constant
amortization of discount or premium to maturity.
 
Short-term securities which mature  in more than 60  days are valued at  current
market  quotations. Short-term  securities which mature  in 60 days  or less are
valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.
 
In connection with  transactions in  repurchase agreements  with U.S.  financial
institutions,  it  is  the  Fund's  policy  that  its  custodian  or  designated
subcustodians, as the  case may  be under triparty  repurchase agreements,  take
possession  of the underlying collateral securities,  the value of which exceeds
the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued  interest.
If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy
proceedings   are  commenced  with  respect  to  the  seller  of  the  security,
realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
 
Securities Transactions And Net Investment Income:  Securities transactions  are
recorded  on the trade date.  Realized gains and losses  on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on  the
ex-dividend  date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.
 
Dividends And Distributions:  Dividends from net investment income are  declared
and  paid semi-annually. The Fund will  distribute at least annually net capital
gains in excess of loss carryforwards,  if any. Dividends and distributions  are
recorded  on the ex-dividend date. Dividends  from net investment income and net
realized capital gains of the Fund  will normally be declared and reinvested  in
additional full and fractional shares twice a year.
 
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with  income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
Taxes:  It  is the Fund's  policy to continue  to meet the  requirements of  the
Internal  Revenue  Code  applicable  to regulated  investment  companies  and to
distribute all of its taxable net income  and net capital gains, if any, to  its
shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
 
Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with
the Fund's understanding of the applicable country's tax rules and rates.
 
Reclassification  Of  Capital  Accounts:   The  Fund  accounts  and  reports for
distributions  to  shareholders  in  accordance  with  A.I.C.P.A.  Statement  of
Position  93-2: Determination, Disclosure,  and Financial Statement Presentation
of Income,  Capital Gain,  and  Return of  Capital Distributions  by  Investment
Companies.  The effect of applying this  statement was to increase undistributed
net investment income by $333,913, decreased  net realized gains by $54,498  and
decreased  paid-in capital in  excess of par  by $279,415. Such reclassification
had no effect  on net  assets, results  of operations,  or net  asset value  per
share.
                          
                                       B4
<PAGE>


Note 2:  Investment Advisory Fee And Other Transactions With Affiliates
 
Investment  Advisory Fee:  The investment  advisory fee, which is computed daily
at an effective annual rate of 0.125% of the net assets of the Fund, is  payable
quarterly  to The Prudential Insurance Company  of America ("The Prudential") as
required under the investment advisory  agreement. Prudential pays all  expenses
of the Fund except for fees and expenses of those members of the Fund's Board of
Directors  who  are  not  officers  or  employees  of  The  Prudential  and  its
affiliates; transfer and any other local,  state or federal taxes; and  brokers'
commissions and other fees and charges attributable to investment transactions.
 
During  the year ended December 31, 1996, Prudential Securities Incorporated, an
affiliate  of  The  Prudential,   earned  approximately  $19,000  in   brokerage
commissions  as a  result of executing  transactions in  portfolio securities on
behalf of the Fund.
 
Note 3:  Portfolio Securities
 
Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments,
for the year ended December 31, 1996 aggregated  $247,883,005 and  $294,407,725,
respectively.
 
The federal income tax basis of the Fund's investments at December 31, 1996  was
$258,485,025  and, accordingly,  net unrealized appreciation  for federal income
tax purposes was $45,077,597 (gross unrealized appreciation--$56,645,190;  gross
unrealized depreciation--$11,567,593).





                                       B5

<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities,  including
the Schedule of  Investments,  and the related  Statements of Operations  and of
Changes  in Net Assets  and the  Financial  Highlights  present  fairly,  in all
material respects,  the financial position of Prudential's  Gibraltar Fund, Inc.
(the "Fund") at December 31, 1996, the result of its operations,  the changes in
its net assets,  and financial  highlights for the year ended December 31, 1996,
in conformity with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  These financial
statements  and  financial  highlights  (hereafter  referred  to  as  "financial
statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these  financial  statements  based on our audit. We
conducted our audit of these  financial  statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing  standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable  assurance about whether the financial  statements are free of
material  misstatement.  An audit includes examining,  on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and  disclosures in the financial  statements,  assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We believe that our
audit,  which  included  confirmation  of  securities  at  December  31, 1996 by
correspondence with the custodian and brokers and the application of alternative
auditing procedures where confirmations from brokers were not received,  provide
a reasonable basis for the opinion  expressed above.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the America
New York, NY 10036
February 13, 1997




                                       B6
<PAGE>

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Shareholders and Board of Directors of Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  statement  of  changes  in net  assets  of
Prudential's  Gibraltar Fund, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the
financial  highlights  contained in the Prospectus for each of the nine years in
the period then ended. This financial statement and financial highlights are the
responsibility  of the Fund's  management.  Our  responsibility is to express an
opinion  on this  financial  statement  and  financial  highlights  based on our
audits.  

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statement  and  financial
highlights are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  such  financial  statement  and  financial  highlights  present
fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the changes in net assets of  Prudential's
Gibraltar  Fund  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1995,  and  the  financial
highlights  for each of the nine  years in the period  then ended in  conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
February 15, 1996

                                       B7

<PAGE>





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

STATEMENTS OF ADMITTED ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS (STATUTORY BASIS)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                     1996                     1995
                                                                                                   --------                 --------
                                                                                                             (In Millions)
<S>                                                                                                <C>                      <C>
ASSETS
Bonds ............................................................................                 $ 75,006                 $ 77,494
Preferred stock ..................................................................                      239                      396
Common stock .....................................................................                    7,076                    6,133
Mortgage loans on real estate ....................................................                   17,039                   20,280
Real estate ......................................................................                    2,094                    2,488
Policy loans and premium notes ...................................................                    6,023                    6,208
Cash and short-term investments ..................................................                    5,982                    4,803
Other invested assets ............................................................                    2,591                    3,304
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

TOTAL CASH AND INVESTED ASSETS ...................................................                  116,050                  121,106

Premiums due and deferred ........................................................                    1,925                    1,917
Accrued investment income ........................................................                    1,640                    1,688
Other assets .....................................................................                    1,208                    1,120
Assets held in separate accounts .................................................                   57,797                   53,903
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

TOTAL ASSETS .....................................................................                 $178,620                 $179,734
                                                                                                   ========                 ========

LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS

LIABILITIES

Policy liabilities and insurance reserves:
    Future policy benefits and claims ............................................                 $ 87,582                 $ 93,346
    Unearned premiums ............................................................                      619                      624
    Policy dividends .............................................................                    1,878                    1,893
    Policyholder account balances ................................................                    7,968                    7,966
Notes payable and other borrowings ...............................................                      763                      807
Asset valuation reserve ..........................................................                    2,682                    2,705
Federal income tax payable .......................................................                      729                    1,278
Other liabilities ................................................................                    9,588                    9,191
Liabilities related to separate accounts .........................................                   57,436                   53,256
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

TOTAL LIABILITIES ................................................................                  169,245                  171,066
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 11)

SURPLUS

Capital notes ....................................................................                      985                      984
Special surplus fund .............................................................                    1,268                    1,274
Unassigned surplus ...............................................................                    7,122                    6,410
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

TOTAL SURPLUS ....................................................................                    9,375                    8,668
                                                                                                   --------                 --------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS ....................................................                 $178,620                 $179,734
                                                                                                   ========                 ========
</TABLE>

                   SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN SURPLUS (STATUTORY BASIS)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                     1996                1995                1994
                                                                                                     (In Millions)

<S>                                                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
REVENUE

Premiums and annuity considerations ....................................           $ 20,674            $ 21,088            $ 23,612
Net investment income ..................................................              8,677               8,637               7,387
Other income ...........................................................                571                 363                 367
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

TOTAL REVENUE ..........................................................             29,922              30,088              31,366
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES

Death benefits .........................................................              2,943               2,858               2,798
Annuity benefits .......................................................              3,582               3,495               3,354
Disability benefits ....................................................              5,630               5,765               5,201
Other benefits .........................................................                806                 853                 845
Surrender benefits and fund withdrawals ................................             11,844              12,538              11,714
Net (decrease) increase in reserves ....................................             (1,572)             (2,178)              1,251
Commissions ............................................................                477                 535                 610
Other expenses .........................................................              2,690               2,650               3,727
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES ............................................             26,400              26,516              29,500
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------


Operating income before dividends and income taxes .....................              3,522               3,572               1,866
Dividends to policyholders .............................................              2,526               2,464               2,290
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

Operating income (loss) before income taxes ............................                996               1,108                (424)
Income tax provision ...................................................                 51                 590                 453
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS ..........................................                945                 518                (877)

NET REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES) ....................................                457                (183)                (24)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

NET INCOME  (LOSS) .....................................................           $  1,402            $    335            $   (901)
                                                                                   ========            ========            ========


SURPLUS

SURPLUS, BEGINNING OF YEAR .............................................              8,668               7,449               8,004

Net income (loss) ......................................................              1,402                 335                (901)
Change in net unrealized capital gains (losses) ........................                191                 661                 (51)
Change in non-admitted assets ..........................................               (206)                717                  82
Change in asset valuation reserve ......................................                 11                (694)                653
Other changes, net .....................................................               (691)                200                (338)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------

SURPLUS, END OF YEAR ...................................................           $  9,375            $  8,668            $  7,449
                                                                                   ========            ========            ========
</TABLE>


                   SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (STATUTORY BASIS)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    1996             1995                1994
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------
                                                                                                (In Millions)
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>                 <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Premiums and annuity considerations ......................................       $  20,669        $  21,030           $  23,635
Net investment income ....................................................           8,629            8,511               7,261
Other income received ....................................................             599              479                 502
Separate account transfers ...............................................           1,183            1,002                (494)
Benefits and claims paid .................................................         (24,952)         (25,524)            (24,403)
Policyholders' dividends paid ............................................          (2,453)          (2,393)             (2,594)
Federal income taxes (paid) received .....................................            (230)            (847)                179
Other operating expenses .................................................          (4,224)          (3,738)             (3,636)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES ......................            (779)          (1,480)                450
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from investments sold, matured, or repaid
     Bonds ...............................................................         119,195           93,178              80,668
     Stocks ..............................................................           4,328            2,985               4,263
     Mortgage loans on real estate .......................................           3,140            4,997               4,205
     Real estate .........................................................             537              573                 935
     Net gains (losses) on cash and short-term investments ...............              13               (9)                 (5)
     Miscellaneous proceeds ..............................................           2,128            3,707               2,671
Payments for investments acquired
     Bonds ...............................................................        (118,009)        (101,018)            (81,677)
     Stocks ..............................................................          (6,029)          (2,199)             (2,312)
     Mortgage loans on real estate .......................................          (1,841)          (2,810)             (3,282)
     Real estate .........................................................            (120)            (425)               (194)
     Miscellaneous applications ..........................................            (718)          (1,213)             (1,275)
Net (tax) benefit on capital gains and losses ............................            (622)             107                (275)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES ......................           2,002           (2,127)              3,722
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net (repayments of) proceeds from borrowed money .........................             (44)             123                   1
Net proceeds from the issuance of capital notes ..........................               0              686                   0
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY  FINANCING ACTIVITIES .....................             (44)             809                   1
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS ...............           1,179           (2,798)              4,173
Cash and short-term investments, beginning of year .......................           4,803            7,601               3,428
                                                                                 ---------        ---------           ---------

CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, END OF YEAR .............................       $   5,982        $   4,803           $   7,601
                                                                                 =========        =========           =========
</TABLE>

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest payments of $253 million, $144 million and $85 million were made during
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

                   SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>


                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

1.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES

     A.   Business and basis of presentation - The statutory financial
          statements include the accounts of The Prudential Insurance Company of
          America ("the Company"), a mutual life insurance company. The
          activities of the Company include a broad range of financial services,
          including life and health insurance, asset management, and investment
          advisory services.

          These financial statements were prepared on an unconsolidated
          statutory basis of accounting, which differs from the 1995 and 1994
          financial statements prepared for general distribution on a
          consolidated statutory basis of accounting, both of which differ from
          generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The financial
          statements for 1995 and 1994 have been restated on an unconsolidated
          statutory basis of accounting adopted in 1996 for purposes of general
          distribution. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 and
          1994 financial statement amounts to conform to the 1996 presentation.

          The Company, domiciled in the State of New Jersey, prepares its
          statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices
          prescribed or permitted by the New Jersey Department of Banking and
          Insurance ("the Department"). Prescribed statutory accounting
          practices include publications of the National Association of
          Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), state laws, regulations, and general
          administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices
          encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed. The financial
          statements are substantially the same as those included in the
          Statutory Annual Statement except for certain reclassifications and
          adjustments. These financial statements differ from those filed with
          the Department in that changes to estimated income and premium taxes
          applicable to prior periods, which are recorded as direct charges or
          credits to surplus in the Annual Statement, have been included in the
          "Income tax provision" and "Other expenses" in the Statements of
          Operations and Changes in Surplus. This item has the net effect of
          increasing (decreasing) net income by $396 million, ($143) million and
          $6 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

          Pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation
          No. 40 "Applicability of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to
          Mutual Life Insurance and Other Enterprises," as amended, which is
          effective for 1996 financial statements, statutory accounting
          practices ("SAP") are no longer considered GAAP for mutual life
          insurance companies. SAP differs from GAAP primarily as follows:

     (a)  the Commissioner's Reserve Valuation Method ("CRVM") is used for the
          majority of individual insurance reserves under SAP, whereas for
          individual insurance, policyholder liabilities are generally
          established using the net level premium method under GAAP. Policy
          assumptions used in the estimation of policyholder liabilities are
          generally prescribed under SAP, but are based upon actual company
          experience under GAAP;

     (b)  for investment-type contracts that do not contain mortality or
          morbidity risk and universal life-type contracts, cash receipts are
          recorded as premiums and reserves are established using prescribed
          reserving methods under SAP. Under GAAP, premium from investment-type
          and universal life-type contracts are generally recognized as
          deposits. Revenues from these contracts represent amounts assessed
          against policyholders and are reported in the period of assessment;

     (c)  policy acquisition costs are expensed when incurred under SAP rather
          than being deferred and charged against earnings over the periods
          covered by the related policies;

     (d)  deferred income taxes are not recorded for the tax effect of temporary
          differences between book and tax basis of assets and liabilities under
          SAP;

     (e)  certain "non-admitted assets" must be excluded under SAP through a
          charge against surplus, e.g. fixed assets, prepaid pensions and
          impaired investments;

     (f)  investments in the common stock of the Company's wholly-owned
          subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method under SAP
          rather than consolidated;

     (g)  bonds are carried at amortized cost under SAP rather than categorized
          as "held to maturity", "available for sale", or "trading". Under GAAP,
          bonds classified as "available for sale" and "trading" are carried at
          market value;

     (h)  certain reclassifications would be required with respect to the
          balance sheet and statement of cash flows under SAP;

     (i)  the Asset Valuation Reserve ("AVR") and Interest Maintenance Reserve
          ("IMR") are required for life insurance companies under SAP.

          The following is a summary of accounting practices permitted by the
          state of New Jersey and reflected in these financial statements:

          o    Prescribed statutory accounting practices require Department
               approval of each and every interest payment at the time of
               payment in order to classify the Company's Capital Notes as a
               component of surplus. Otherwise, such notes are required to be
               classified as a liability. Interest payments on $300 million in
               Capital Notes issued in 1993 are pre-approved by the Department,
               and permitted to be classified in surplus.

          o    The Company sells synthetic guaranteed interest contracts
               ("GICs") containing minimum investment related guarantees on
               qualified pension plan assets. The assets are owned by the
               trustees of such plans, who invest the assets

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

               under the terms of investment guidelines agreed to with the
               Company. The investment related guarantees may include a minimum
               rate of return on the underlying assets and/or a guarantee of
               liquidity to meet plan cash flow requirements. The Company, with
               the approval of the Department, reports both the plan liabilities
               associated with the synthetic GICs and the trust assets
               supporting this potential liability. In addition, the Company
               files detailed schedules of trust assets and related statements
               with the Department. Currently, prescribed statutory accounting
               practices do not address accounting for synthetic GICs.

          o    The Company establishes guaranty fund liabilities for the
               insolvencies of certain life insurance companies. The liabilities
               are established net of estimated premium tax credits and federal
               income tax. Prescribed statutory accounting practices do not
               address the establishment of liabilities for guaranty fund
               assessments.

     B.   Divestiture - On July 31, 1996, Prudential sold a substantial portion
          of its Canadian Branch business to the London Life Insurance Company
          ("London Life"). The transaction was structured as an assumption
          reinsurance transaction, whereby London Life assumed total liabilities
          of the Canadian Branch equal to $3,146 million as well as a related
          amount of total assets equal to $3,040 million. A net gain of $138
          million was recorded for this transaction.

     C.   Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in
          conformity with SAP requires management to make estimates and
          assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
          and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
          financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses
          during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those
          estimates.

     D.   Investments - Bonds, which consist of long-term bonds, are stated
          primarily at amortized cost.

          Preferred stock is generally valued at amortized cost.

          Common Stock is carried at fair value. Investments in subsidiaries,
          which are included in "Common stock", are accounted for using the
          equity method. The subsidiaries' change in net assets, excluding
          capital contributions and distributions, is included in "Net
          investment income." The subsidiaries are engaged principally in the
          businesses of life and health insurance, property and casualty
          insurance, group health care, securities brokerage, asset management,
          investment advisory services, retail banking and real estate and
          brokerage.

          Mortgage loans on real estate are stated primarily at unpaid principal
          balances.

          Real estate, except for real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt,
          is carried at cost less accumulated straight-line depreciation,
          encumbrances and permanent impairments in value. Properties acquired
          in satisfaction of debt are valued at lower of depreciated cost or
          fair value less disposition costs.

          Policy loans and premium notes are stated at unpaid principal
          balances.

          Cash includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks and money market
          instruments. Short term investments, including highly liquid debt
          instruments purchased with an original maturity of twelve months or
          less, are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

          Other invested assets primarily include the Company's investment in
          joint ventures and other forms of partnerships. These investments are
          accounted for using the equity method where the Company has the
          ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and
          financial policies of the entity. The cost method is used for all
          other assets.

          Derivatives used in asset/liability risk management activities, which
          support life and health insurance and annuity contracts, are recorded
          at either fair value or statement value, depending upon the underlying
          instrument, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in "Change in
          net unrealized capital gains (losses)." Upon termination of
          derivatives, the interest-related gains and losses are amortized
          through the IMR.

     E.   Separate accounts - These assets and liabilities, reported at
          estimated fair value, represent segregated funds invested for pension
          and other clients. Investment risks associated with fair value changes
          are generally borne by the clients, except to the extent of minimum
          guarantees made by the Company with respect to certain accounts.

     F.   Revenue recognition of insurance income and related expenses - Life
          premiums are recognized as income over the premium paying period of
          the related policies. Annuity considerations are recognized as revenue
          when received. Health premiums are earned ratably over the terms of
          the related insurance and reinsurance contracts or policies. Expenses
          incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance business,
          including such acquisition costs as sales commissions, are charged to
          operations as incurred.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>


                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

     G.   Policyholder dividends - Substantially all of the policies issued by
          the Company are participating. The amount of dividends to be paid to
          policyholders is determined annually by the Company's Board of
          Directors. The aggregate amount of policyholders' dividends is related
          to actual interest, mortality, morbidity, and expense experience for
          the year and judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus
          to be retained by the Company. Dividends declared by the Board of
          Directors which have not been paid are included in "Policy dividends".

2. POLICY LIABILITIES AND INSURANCE RESERVES

     A.   For life insurance and annuities, future policy benefits and claims
          include estimates of benefits and associated settlement expenses on
          reported claims and those which are incurred but not reported.

          Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment
          expenses for accident and health business, which is included in
          "Future policy benefits and claims", is as follows:

                                          1996             1995            1994
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                     (In Millions)             
                                                                           
Balance at January 1                   $ 2,636          $ 2,440         $ 2,416
  Less reinsurance recoverables             15               23              15
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Net balance at January 1                 2,621            2,417           2,401
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Incurred related to:                                                      
  Current year                           5,734            5,759           5,398
  Prior years                              (87)              42             (87)
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Total incurred                           5,647            5,801           5,311
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Paid related to:                                                          
  Current year                           4,135            4,028           3,856
  Prior years                            1,467            1,569           1,439
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Total paid                               5,602            5,597           5,295
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Net balance at December 31               2,666            2,621           2,417
  Plus reinsurance recoverables             10               15              23
                                       -------          -------         -------
                                                                          
Balance at December 31                 $ 2,676          $ 2,636         $ 2,440
                                       =======          =======         =======

                                                               
          As a result of changes in reserve estimates for insured events of
          prior years, the provision for claims and claim adjustment expenses
          changed by ($87) million and $42 million in 1996 and 1995,
          respectively, due to changes in claim cost trends and changed by ($87)
          million in 1994 because of faster-than-expected shrinkage in the
          indemnity health business.

     B.   Reserves for individual life insurance are calculated using various
          methods, interest rates and mortality tables, which produce reserves
          that meet the aggregate requirements of state laws and regulations.
          Approximately 39% of individual life insurance reserves are determined
          using the net level premium method, or by using the greater of the net
          level premium reserve or the policy cash value. About 52% of
          individual life insurance reserves are calculated according to CRVM
          or methods which compare CRVM to policy cash values. The remaining
          reserves include universal life reserves which are equal to the
          greater of the policyholder account value less the unamortized expense
          allowance and the policy cash value, or are for supplementary benefits
          whose reserves are calculated using methods, interest rates and tables
          appropriate for the benefit provided.

          For group life insurance, about 56% of the reserves are associated
          with extended death benefits. These reserves are primarily calculated
          using modified group tables at various interest rates. The remainder
          are unearned premium reserves (calculated using the 1960
          Commissioner's Standard Group Table), reserves for group life fund
          accumulations and other miscellaneous reserves.

          Reserves for deferred individual annuity contracts are determined
          using the Commissioner's Annuity Reserve Valuation Method. These
          account for 72% of the individual annuity reserves. The remaining
          reserves are equal to the present value of future payments with the
          annuity mortality table and interest rates based on the date of issue
          or maturity as appropriate.

          Reserves for other deposit funds or other liabilities with life
          contingencies reflect the contract deposit account or experience
          accumulation for the contract and any purchased annuity reserves.

          Accident and health reserves represent the present value of the future
          potential payments, adjusted for contingencies and interest. The
          remaining material reserves for active life reserves and unearned
          premiums are valued using the preliminary term method, gross premium
          valuation method, or a pro rata portion of gross premiums. Reserves
          are also held for amounts not yet due on hospital benefits and other
          coverages.


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

          The reserve for guaranteed interest contracts, deposit funds and other
          liabilities without life contingencies equal either the present value
          of future payments discounted at the guaranteed rate or the fund
          value.

          Policyholders, at their discretion, may withdraw funds from their
          annuity policies. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, approximately 55% of
          total annuity actuarial reserves and deposit liabilities of $92,536
          million and $95,092 million, respectively, were not subject to
          discretionary withdrawal.

3. INCOME TAXES

   The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income
   tax return. The Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") taxes the Company on its
   operating income after dividends to policyholders. In calculating this tax,
   the Code requires the capitalization and amortization of policy acquisition
   expenses.

   The Code also imposes an "equity tax" on mutual life insurance companies
   which, in effect, imposes an additional amount of taxable income to the
   Company. "Income tax provision" includes an estimate for the total equity tax
   to be paid with respect to the year. Income from sources outside the United
   States is taxed under applicable foreign statutes.

   The Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") has completed an examination of
   the consolidated federal income tax return through 1989. The Service is
   examining the years 1990 through 1992. Discussions are being held with the
   Service with respect to proposed adjustments. However, management believes
   there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient reserves to provide for,
   such adjustments.

4. INVESTED ASSETS

     A.   Bonds and stocks - The Company invests in both investment grade and
          non-investment grade public and private bonds. The Securities
          Valuation Office of the NAIC rates the bonds held by insurers for
          regulatory purposes and classifies investments into six categories
          ranging from highest quality bonds to those in or near default. The
          lowest three NAIC categories represent primarily high-yield securities
          and are defined by the NAIC as including any security with a public
          agency rating equivalent to B+ or B1 or less. Securities in these
          lowest three categories approximated 2.8% and 1.0%, of the Company's
          bonds at December 31, 1996, 1995, respectively.

          The following tables provide additional information relating to bonds
          and preferred stock as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1996
                                                          -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           GROSS           GROSS         ESTIMATED
                                                          CARRYING       UNREALIZED      UNREALIZED         FAIR
                                                           AMOUNT          GAINS           LOSSES           VALUE
                                                          -------         -------          ------          -------
Bonds                                                                           (In Millions)
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
  U.S. government corporations and agencies                $ 9,504        $   353         $    74         $ 9,783

Obligations of U.S. states and their
  political subdivisions                                       206              7               6             207

Foreign government bonds                                     2,420            133              11           2,542

Corporate securities                                        57,282          2,625             323          59,584

Mortgage-backed securities                                   5,594            131              15           5,710
                                                           -------        -------         -------         -------

     Total                                                 $75,006        $ 3,249         $   429         $77,826
                                                           =======        =======         =======         =======

Preferred Stock
Redeemable                                                 $   142        $     3         $     6         $   139

Non-redeemable                                                  97             23               0             120
                                                           -------        -------         -------         -------

     Total                                                 $   239        $    26         $     6         $   259
                                                           =======        =======         =======         =======

</TABLE>




                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>




                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1995
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
                                                                              GROSS        GROSS
                                                                CARRYING    UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED        FAIR
                                                                 AMOUNT       GAINS        LOSSES          VALUE
                                                                -------      -------      -------         -------
Bonds                                                                           (In Millions)
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
  U.S. government corporations and agencies                     $15,715      $ 1,392      $     1          $17,106

Obligations of U.S. states and their
  political subdivisions                                            214           22            1              235

Foreign government bonds                                          3,196          260            1            3,455

Corporate securities                                             54,411        4,609           97           58,923

Mortgage-backed securities                                        3,958          241            8            4,191
                                                                -------      -------      -------          -------

     Total                                                      $77,494      $ 6,524      $   108          $83,910
                                                                =======      =======      =======          =======

Preferred Stock
Redeemable                                                      $   304      $    16      $     4          $   316

Non-redeemable                                                       92            2            0               94
                                                                -------      -------      -------          -------

      Total                                                     $   396      $    18      $     4          $   410
                                                                =======      =======      =======          =======

</TABLE>

          The carrying amount and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31,
          1996, categorized by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual
          maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
          may prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

                                                          CARRYING    ESTIMATED
                                                           AMOUNT     FAIR VALUE
                                                          --------    ----------
                                                              (In Millions)

Due in one year or less                                    $ 1,999       $ 2,012
Due after one year through five years                       19,125        19,445
Due after five years through ten years                      19,406        20,081
Due after ten years                                         28,882        30,578
                                                           -------       -------
                                                            69,412        72,116
                                                           -------       -------

Mortgage-backed securities                                   5,594         5,710
                                                           -------       -------

       Total                                               $75,006       $77,826
                                                           =======       =======

          Proceeds from the sale and maturity of bonds during 1996, 1995 and
          1994 were $119,195 million, $93,178 million and $80,668 million,
          respectively. Gross gains of $1,516 million, $1,913 million and $618
          million and gross losses of $988 million, $782 million and $1,841
          million were realized on such sales during 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          respectively. Realized gains and losses are determined using the
          specific identification method.

     B.   Mortgage loans on real estate - Mortgage loans on real estate at
          December 31 are as follows:

                                                1996                1995
                                         ------------------  ------------------
                                         CARRYING  PERCENT   CARRYING  PERCENT
                                          AMOUNT   OF TOTAL   AMOUNT   OF TOTAL
                                          ------   --------   ------   --------
                                                     (In Millions)
Commercial and agricultural loans:
    In good standing                      $15,546    91.3%    $17,649    87.0%
    In good standing
      with structured terms                   809     4.7%        966     4.8%
    Past due 90 days or more                  229     1.3%        144     0.7%
    In process of foreclosure                  68     0.4%        157     0.8%

Residential loans                             387     2.3%      1,364     6.7%
                                          -------   -----     -------   -----

    Total                                 $17,039   100.0%    $20,280   100.0%
                                          =======   =====     =======   =====


          At December 31, 1996, the Company's mortgage loans on real estate were
          collateralized by the following property types: office buildings
          (34%), retail stores (22%), residential properties (2%), apartment
          complexes (18%), industrial buildings (11%), agricultural properties
          (9%) and other commercial properties (4%). The maximum percentage of
          any one loan to the value of collateral at the time of the loan,
          exclusive of insured, guaranteed, purchase money mortgages or
          mortgages supported by high credit leases is 80%. The mortgage loans
          are geographically dispersed throughout the United States and



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

          Canada with the largest concentrations in California (26%) and New
          York (8%). Included in these balances are mortgage loans with
          affiliated joint ventures of $560 million and $653 million at December
          31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     C.   Real estate - Real estate at December 31 was as follows:

                                                   1996           1995      
                                                  ------         ------     
                                                      (In Millions) 
                                                                            
                                                                            
Investment real estate                            $1,201         $1,484     
Properties occupied by the Company                   525            533     
Properties acquired in                                                      
     satisfaction of debt                            368            471     
                                                  ------         ------     
                                                                            
    Total                                         $2,094         $2,488     
                                                  ======         ======     

          Accumulated depreciation on real estate was $808 million and $853
          million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     D.   Other invested assets - Other invested assets of $2,591 million and
          and $3,304 million as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
          principally include the Company's net equity in joint ventures and
          other forms of partnerships. The Company's share of net income from
          other invested assets was $283 million, $240 million and $348 million
          for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     E.   Investment in subsidiaries - Included in "Common stock" is the
          Company's investment in subsidiaries of $4,610 million and $4,328
          million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Included in "Net
          investment income" for 1996, 1995 and 1994 is $370 million, $143
          million and $(936) million, respectively, attributable to
          undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries.

          In October 1995, the Company completed the sale of Prudential
          Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., through an initial public offering of
          common stock. As a result of the sale, an after-tax gain of $72
          million was recorded in 1995.

          In March 1995, the Company announced its intention to sell its
          mortgage banking unit. On January 26, 1996, the Company entered into a
          definitive agreement to sell substantially all the assets of
          Prudential Home Mortgage Company, Inc. ("PHMC") and it also
          liquidated certain mortgage-backed securities and extended warehouse
          loans. In 1995, PHMC recorded an after-tax loss of $98 million which
          includes operating gains and losses, asset write downs, and other
          costs directly related to the sale. The Company continues to have
          discussions with prospective buyers for the sale of the remaining
          assets.

     F.   Net unrealized capital gains (losses) - Changes in net unrealized
          capital gains (losses), which result principally from changes in the
          differences between cost and carrying amounts of invested assets, were
          $191 million and $661 million for the years ended December 31, 1996
          and 1995, respectively, and are reflected in "Unassigned surplus."

     G.   Asset valuation reserve and interest maintenance reserve - These
          reserves are required for life insurance companies under NAIC
          requirements. The AVR is calculated based on a statutory formula and
          is designed to mitigate the effect of valuation and credit-related
          losses on unassigned surplus. The IMR captures realized capital gains
          and losses, net of tax, resulting from changes in the general level of
          interest rates. These gains and losses are amortized into net
          investment income utilizing grouped amortization schedules over the
          expected remaining life of the investments sold. At December 31, 1996,
          AVR is comprised of 68% for bonds, stocks, and short-term investments;
          17% for mortgage loans on real estate; and 15% for real estate and
          other invested assets. The IMR balance at December 31, 1996 and 1995
          was $1,365 million and $1,163 million, respectively, and is recorded
          in "Other liabilities". During 1996, 1995 and 1994, $327 million, $766
          million and ($910) million, respectively, of net realized capital
          gains (losses) were deferred and $126 million, $82 million and $102
          million, respectively, was amortized and included in income.

     H.   Restricted assets and special deposits - Assets in the amounts of $941
          million and $5,072 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
          respectively, were on deposit with governmental authorities or
          trustees as required by law. Assets valued at $2,994 million and
          $3,121 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were
          maintained as compensating balances or pledged as collateral for bank
          loans and other financing agreements. Letter stock or other securities
          restricted as to sale amounted to $720 million in 1996 and $354
          million in 1995.

     I.   Loan backed and structured securities - A retrospective method is
          employed to recalculate the values of the loan backed and structured
          securities holdings with the exception of interest only bonds. Each
          acquisition lot was reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The
          recalculated effective yield was used to derive a book value as if the
          new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding
          principal

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

          factors from the time of acquisition to adjustment date were used to
          calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities.
          Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor
          histories and weighted average maturities, were used to affect the
          calculation of projected payments for pass through, interest only and
          principal only security types. Interest only bond adjustments are
          developed on a prospective basis with adjustments made for permanent
          impairments if needed.

     J.   Securities lending is a program whereby the Company loans securities
          to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms. As of December 31,
          1996 and 1995, the estimated fair values of loaned securities were
          $6,362 million and $5,939 million respectively. Company and NAIC
          policies require a minimum of 102% and 105% of the fair value of the
          domestic and foreign loaned securities, respectively, to be separately
          maintained as collateral for the loans. Cash collateral received is
          invested in short-term investments. The offsetting collateral
          liability as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 is $4,813 million and
          $3,625 million, respectively. Non-cash collateral is not reflected in
          the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities and Surplus.

5. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     A.   Pension plans - The Company has several defined benefit pension plans,
          which cover substantially all of its employees. Benefits are generally
          based on career average earnings and credited length of service. The
          Company's funding policy for U.S. plans is to contribute annually the
          amount necessary to satisfy the Internal Revenue Service contribution
          guidelines.

          Employee pension benefit plan status is as follows:

                                                       1996         1995    
                                                     -------      -------   
                                                         (In Millions)
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:       
                                                     
  Vested benefit obligation                          $(3,878)     $(3,270)
                                                     =======      =======   
                                                     
  Accumulated benefit obligation                     $(4,174)     $(3,572)
                                                     =======      =======   
                                                     
Projected benefit obligation                         $(4,989)     $(4,330)
                                                     
Plan assets at fair value                              7,326        6,688
                                                     -------      -------   
                                                     
Plan assets in excess of projected                   
  benefit obligation                                   2,337        2,358
                                                     
Unrecognized transition amount                          (769)        (904)
                                                     
Unrecognized prior service cost                          356          199
                                                     
Unrecognized net gain                                   (916)        (753)
                                                     -------      -------   
                                                     
                                                     
Prepaid pension cost                                 $ 1,008      $   900
                                                     =======      =======   
          Plan assets consist primarily of equity securities, bonds, real estate
          and short-term investments, of which $5,668 million and $4,788 million
          are included in separate account assets and liabilities at December
          31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

          The components of the net periodic pension benefit for 1996, 1995 and
          1994 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996      1995      1994
                                                               ----      ----      ----
                                                                     (In Millions)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>      <C>   
Service cost                                                 $  119     $ 110    $  141
Interest cost                                                   336       371       293
Actual return on assets                                        (720)   (1,249)       62
Net amortization and deferral                                    57       604      (633)
Net curtailment gains and special termination benefits           63         0       156
                                                             ------    ------    ------

Net periodic pension benefit                                 $ (145)   $ (164)   $   19
                                                             ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>
          The net increase to surplus relating to the Company's pension plans is
          $37 million, $30 million and $0 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          respectively, which considers the changes in the non-admitted prepaid
          pension asset of $108 million, $134 million and ($19) million,
          respectively.

          The accounting assumptions used by the Company were:

                                                 AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              ------------------------
                                               1996     1995     1994
                                              ------   ------   ------

Discount rate                                  7.75%    7.50%    8.50%
Rate of increase in compensation levels        4.50%    4.50%    5.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets    9.50%    9.00%    9.00%

          The Company maintains non-qualified supplemental retirement plans
          providing benefits that may not be paid from the Company's two
          qualified plans since qualified plans have limits imposed by Section
          415 and 401(a)(17) of the Code. One of these plans also provides
          certain participants with a subsidized early retirement benefit.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

     B.   Postretirement benefits - The Company provides certain life insurance
          and health care benefits for its retired employees. Substantially all
          of the Company's employees may become eligible to receive these
          benefits if they retire after age 55 with at least 10 years of
          service.

          Postretirement benefits are accounted for in accordance with
          prescribed NAIC policy. The Company has elected to amortize its
          transition obligation over 20 years. During 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          funding of its postretirement benefit obligations totaled $35 million,
          $47 million and $31 million, respectively.

          The postretirement benefit plan status is as follows:

                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                             ------------------
                                                               1996       1995
                                                               ----       ----
                                                                 (In Millions)

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for:
  Retirees                                                   $(1,418)   $(1,465)
  Fully eligible active plan participants                        (35)      (103)
Plan assets at fair value                                      1,341      1,309
                                                             -------    -------
Funded status                                                   (112)      (259)
Unrecognized transition amount                                   355        378
Unrecognized net gain                                           (177)       (19)
                                                             -------    -------
Prepaid postretirement benefit cost                          $    66    $   100
                                                             =======    =======

          Plan assets consist of group and individual variable life insurance
          policies, group life and health contracts and short-term investments,
          of which $1,003 million and $990 million are included in the separate
          account assets and liabilities at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
          respectively.

          Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1996, 1995 and 1994
          includes the following components:

                                                     1996       1995       1994
                                                    -----      -----      -----
                                                           (In Millions)

Service cost                                        $  24      $  30      $  36
Interest cost                                         115        117        107
Actual return on plan assets                         (104)      (144)       (98)
Amortization of transition obligation                  22         22         23
Other                                                  12         49         52
                                                    -----      -----      -----
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost            $  69      $  74      $ 120
                                                    =====      =====      =====

          The net reduction to surplus relating to the Company's postretirement
          benefit plans is $35 million, $46 million, and $30 million in 1996,
          1995 and 1994, respectively, which considers the changes in the
          prepaid postretirement benefit cost of $34 million, $28 million and
          $90 million in 1996 , 1995 and 1994, respectively.

          The assumptions used for the postretirement benefit plan were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    ---------------------------------------------
                                                        1996             1995            1994   
                                                        ----             ----            ----   
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>       
Discount rate                                          7.75%            7.50%            8.50%   
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets       9.00%            8.00%            9.00%   
Rate of increase in compensation levels                4.50%            4.50%            5.50%   
Health care cost trend rates                        8.50-12.50%      8.90-13.30%      9.10-13.90%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate at 2006           5.00%            5.00%            6.00%   
</TABLE>
                                                                                
          A 1% increase in health care cost trend rates would increase the
          September 30, 1996 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and
          service/interest costs by $115 million and $12 million, respectively.

     C.   Postemployment benefits - The Company accrues for postemployment
          benefits primarily for life and health benefits provided to former or
          inactive employees who are not retirees. The net accumulated liability
          for these benefits at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $99 million and
          $96 million, respectively.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

6.   NOTES PAYABLE AND OTHER BORROWINGS

     Notes payable and other borrowings consisted of the following at December
     31:

Short-term:                                                  1996          1995
                                                             ----          ----
                                                                (In Millions)
Notes payable to affiliate                                   $ 99           $  0
Current portion of long term
     notes payable                                             11            128
                                                             ----           ----
                                                             $110           $128

Long-Term:                                                   1996           1995
                                                             ----           ----
                                                        
8.173% note due 2002                                         $249           $249
7.501% note due 1999                                          248            248
5.0819% note due 2004                                          56             66
12.00% note due 1999                                            0             16
Secured demand note                                     
        due 1998                                              100            100
                                                             ----           ----
                                                              653            679
                                                             ----           ----
    Total principal repayments and accrued interest          $763           $807
                                                             ====           ====
                                                      
          Scheduled principal repayments as of December 31, 1996, are as
          follows: $110 million in 1997, $100 million in 1998, $239 million in
          1999, $0 in 2000, $0 in 2001 and $294 million thereafter.


7.   SURPLUS

     A.   Capital notes - The Company issues Capital Notes that are subordinate
          in right of payment to policy claims, prior claims and senior
          indebtedness. A summary of the outstanding Capital Notes as of
          December 31, 1996 is as follows:


                     PRINCIPAL       CARRYING      INTEREST         MATURITY
ISSUE DATE             (PAR)          AMOUNT         RATE             DATE  
- ----------           ---------       --------      --------         --------
                          (In Millions)
April 28, 1993      $   300            $ 299        6.875%        April 15, 2003
July 1, 1995            350              340        8.300%        July 1, 2025
July 1, 1995            250              246        7.650%        July 1, 2007
July 15, 1995           100              100        8.100%        July 15, 2015
                    -------            -----
    Total           $ 1,000            $ 985
                    =======            =====
                                            
     B.   Special surplus fund - In accordance with the requirements of various
          states, a special surplus fund has been established for contingency
          reserves of $1,268 million and $1,274 million as of December 31, 1996
          and 1995, respectively.

     C.   Non-admitted assets - Non-admitted assets were $1,367 million and
          $1,167 million as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

8.   FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The fair values presented below have been determined using available
     information and reasonable valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment
     is applied in interpreting data to develop the estimates of fair value.
     Accordingly, such estimates presented may not be realized in a current
     market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation
     methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values.
     The following methods and assumptions were used in calculating the fair
     values. (For all other financial instruments, the carrying value is a
     reasonable estimate of fair value.)

          Bonds and preferred stock - Fair values for bonds and preferred stock,
          other than private placement securities, are based on quoted market
          prices or estimates from independent pricing services. Fair values for
          private placement securities are estimated using a discounted cash
          flow model which considers the current market spreads between the U.S.
          Treasury yield curve and corporate bond yield curve, adjusted for the
          type of issue, its current credit quality and its remaining average
          life. The fair value of certain non-performing private placement
          securities is based on amounts provided by state regulatory
          authorities.

          Common stock - Fair value of unaffiliated common stock is based on
          quoted market prices, where available, or prices provided by state
          regulatory authorities.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

          Mortgage loans on real estate - The fair value of residential
          mortgages is based on recent market trades or quotes, adjusted where
          necessary for differences in risk characteristics. The fair value of
          the commercial mortgage and agricultural loan portfolio is primarily
          based upon the present value of the scheduled cash flows discounted at
          the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate, adjusted for the current market
          spread for a similar quality mortgage. For certain non-performing and
          other loans, fair value is based upon the value of the underlying
          collateral.

          Policy loans and premium notes - The estimated fair value of policy
          loans is calculated using a discounted cash flow model based upon
          current U.S. Treasury rates and historical loan repayments.

          Derivative financial instruments - The fair value of swap agreements
          is estimated based on the present value of future cash flows under the
          agreements discounted at the applicable zero coupon U.S. Treasury rate
          and swap spread. The fair value of forwards, futures and options is
          estimated based on market quotes for a transaction with similar terms.
          The fair value of loan commitments is derived by comparing the
          contractual future stream of fees with such fee streams adjusted to
          reflect current market rates that would be applicable to instruments
          of similar type, maturity and credit standing.

          Investment-type insurance contract liabilities - Fair values for the
          Company's investment-type insurance contract liabilities are estimated
          using a discounted cash flow model, based on interest rates currently
          being offered for similar contracts. Carrying amounts are included in
          "Future policy benefits and claims."

          Notes payable and other borrowings - The estimated fair value of notes
          payable is derived using discount rates based on the borrowing rates
          currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and
          remaining maturities.

          The following table discloses the carrying amounts and estimated fair
          values of the Company's financial instruments at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996                                 1995
                                                              ----                                 ----
                                                     CARRYING      ESTIMATED             CARRYING       ESTIMATED
                                                      AMOUNT       FAIR VALUE             AMOUNT        FAIR VALUE
                                                      ------       ----------             ------        ----------
                                                                             (In Millions)
FINANCIAL ASSETS:

<S>                                                  <C>             <C>                 <C>             <C>    
  Bonds                                              $75,006         $77,826             $77,494         $83,910
  Preferred stock                                        239             259                 396             410
  Common stock *                                       2,466           2,466               1,805           1,805
  Mortgage loans on real estate                       17,039          17,364              20,280          20,839
  Policy loans and premium notes                       6,023           5,942               6,208           6,452
  Short-term investments                               5,817           5,817               4,633           4,633
  Cash                                                   165             165                 170             170
  Assets held in separate accounts                    57,797          57,797              53,903          53,903
  Derivative financial instruments                         9              16                  15              64
                                                                                     
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:                                                               
                                                                                     
  Investment-type insurance                                                          
    contracts                                         30,194          30,328              34,799          35,720
  Notes payable and other borrowings                     763             794                 807             829
  Liabilities related to separate accounts            57,436          57,436              53,256          53,256
  Derivative financial instruments                        60              63                  94             108
</TABLE> 
                                                              
*    Excludes investments in subsidiaries of $4,610 million and $4,328 million
     at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.



                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

9.   DERIVATIVE AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET CREDIT-RELATED INSTRUMENTS

     A.   Derivative financial instruments - Derivatives include swaps,
          forwards, futures, options and fixed-rate loan commitments subject to
          market risk, all of which are used by the Company in the normal course
          of business in activities other than trading. The Company does not
          issue or hold derivatives for trading purposes. This classification is
          based on management's intent at the time of contract inception and
          throughout the life of the contract. The Company uses derivatives
          primarily for asset/liability risk management and to reduce exposure
          to interest rate, currency and other market risks. Of those
          derivatives held at December 31,1996, 35% of the notional amounts
          consisted of interest rate derivatives and 65% consisted of foreign
          currency derivatives.


          The tables below summarize the Company's outstanding positions on a
          gross basis before netting pursuant to rights of offset, qualifying
          master netting agreements with counterparties or collateral
          arrangements at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
                                                1996                                            1995
                                                ----                                            ----
                                                                 (In Millions)
                                               CARRYING     ESTIMATED                        CARRYING      ESTIMATED
                                 NOTIONAL       AMOUNT     FAIR VALUE        NOTIONAL         AMOUNT      FAIR VALUE
                                 --------       ------     ----------        --------         ------      ----------
<S>                              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>   
Swaps:
  Assets                         $  159         $    1         $    6         $  418         $   (1)         $   32
  Liabilities                       479             50             53            371             76              79

Forwards:
  Assets                            453              8              8            235             13              17
  Liabilities                       980              9              9          1,074             13              13

Futures:
  Assets                              0              0              0            683              5               5
  Liabilities                       399              1              1            864              5               7

Options:
  Assets                            175              0              0            195              0               0
  Liabilities                         0              0              0              3              0               0

Loan Commitments:
  Assets                            164              0              2            122             (2)             10
  Liabilities                         9              0              0            532              0               9
                                 ------         ------         ------         ------         ------          ------

Total:
  Assets                         $  951         $    9         $   16         $1,653         $   15          $   64
                                 ======         ======         ======         ======         ======          ======

  Liabilities                    $1,867         $   60         $   63         $2,844         $   94          $  108
                                 ======         ======         ======         ======         ======          ======
</TABLE>


     B.   Off-balance sheet credit-related instruments - During the normal
          course of its business, the Company utilizes financial instruments
          with off-balance sheet credit risk such as commitments, financial
          guarantees and letters of credit. Commitments include variable rate 
          commitments to purchase and sell mortgage loans and the unfunded
          portion of commitments to fund investments in private placement
          securities. The Company also provides financial guarantees incidental
          to other transactions and letters of credit that guarantee the
          performance of customers to third parties. These credit-related
          financial instruments have off-balance sheet credit risk because only
          their origination fees, if any, and accruals for probable losses, if
          any, are recognized until the obligation under the instrument is
          fulfilled or expires. These instruments can extend for several years
          and expirations are not concentrated in any period. The Company seeks
          to control credit risk associated with these instruments by limiting
          credit, maintaining collateral where customary and appropriate, and
          performing other monitoring procedures.

          The notional amount of these instruments, which represents the
          Company's maximum exposure to credit loss from other parties'
          non-performance, was $785 million and $1,254 million at December 31,
          1996 and 1995, respectively. Because many of these amounts expire
          without being advanced in whole or in part, the notional amounts do
          not represent future cash flows.

          The estimated fair value of these instruments, which represents the
          Company's current exposure to credit loss from other parties'
          non-performance, was $8 million and $56 million at December 31, 1996
          and 1995, respectively.

10.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     A.   Service agreements - The Company has entered into service agreements
          with various subsidiaries. Under these agreements, the Company
          furnishes services of officers and employees and provides supplies,
          use of equipment, office space, and makes payment to

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

          third parties for general expenses, state and local taxes. The
          agreements obligate the subsidiaries to reimburse the Company for the
          approximate cost of providing such services. The amounts receivable
          from subsidiaries, reported in "Other assets" at December 31, 1996 and
          1995, were $490 million and $509 million, respectively. The
          subsidiaries also furnish similar services to the Company in
          connection with such agreements. The amount payable to subsidiaries,
          reported in "Other liabilities" at December 31, 1996 was $87 million.
          There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 1995.

          Certain of the Company's group health care subsidiaries provide health
          insurance to certain employees of the Company. Enrollment contract
          costs reported in "Other expenses" were $126 million, $111 million and
          $104 million for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          respectively.

          The Company purchases corporate owned life insurance policies from one
          of its life insurance subsidiaries for certain employees. The premium
          charged for these policies reported in "Other expenses" was $3
          million, $12 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31,
          1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The cash value associated with
          these policies was $118 million and $102 million at December 31,
          1996 and 1995, respectively.

          Certain of the Company's subsidiaries perform services for the Company
          in connection with the Company's obligations under investment advisory
          or subadvisory agreements. The costs incurred in connection with
          performing such services, primarily reported in "Other expenses," were
          $145 million, $327 million and $342 million for the years ended
          December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company also
          provides these services to subsidiaries in connection with such
          agreements. The investment advisory fees received from affiliates by
          the Company, reported in "Other income" were $161 million, $92 million
          and $110 million for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          respectively.

          The Company borrows short-term funds from Prudential Funding
          Corporation ("Funding"), a wholly owned subsidiary. The interest
          expense for these borrowings was $131 million, $66 million and $21
          million for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
          respectively. The outstanding balance at December 31, 1996 was $99
          million. There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 1995.

     B.   Net worth maintenance agreement - The Company has entered into a
          support agreement with Funding under which it agrees to maintain
          Funding's tangible net worth, including subordinated debt, at not less
          than $1.00. As of December 31, 1996, the tangible net worth of Funding
          was $44 million. Since the inception of the agreement, no support
          payments have been required.

11.  CONTINGENCIES

     The Company is reviewing its obligations under certain managed care
     arrangements for possible failure to comply with contractual and regulatory
     requirements. It is the opinion of management that appropriate reserves
     have been established in accordance with applicable accounting standards to
     provide for appropriate reimbursements to customers.

     Various lawsuits against the Company have arisen in the course of the
     Company's business. In certain of these matters, large and/or indeterminate
     amounts are sought.

     Twenty-six purported class actions and over 280 individual actions are
     pending against the Company on behalf of those persons who purchased life
     insurance policies allegedly because of deceptive sales practices engaged
     in by the Company and its insurance agents in violation of state and
     federal laws. The Company anticipates additional suits may be filed by
     individuals who opted out of the class action settlement described below.
     The sales practices alleged to have occurred are contrary to Company
     policy. Some of these cases seek very substantial damages while others seek
     unspecified compensatory, punitive and treble damages. The Company intends
     to defend these cases vigorously.

     A Multi-State Life Insurance Task Force (the "Task Force"), comprised of
     insurance regulators from 29 states and the District of Columbia, was
     created to conduct a review of sales and marketing practices throughout the
     life insurance industry. As the largest life insurance company in the
     United States, the Company was the initial focus of the Task Force
     examination. On July 9, 1996, the Task Force released its report on the
     Company's activities. In it, the Task Force found that some sales of life
     insurance policies made by the Company were improper. The report criticizes
     the Company's training, oversight, discipline and compliance programs
     related to insurance sales. Based on these findings, the Task Force
     recommended, and the Company agreed to, a series of fines allocated to all
     50 states and the District of Columbia amounting to a total of $35 million.
     In addition, the Task Force recommended a remediation program pursuant to
     which the Company would offer relief to policyowners who purchased 10.7
     million whole life insurance policies in the United States from the Company
     from 1982 through 1995. In subsequent negotiations with several states, the
     Company agreed to pay additional amounts aggregating approximately $30
     million by way of fine, reimbursement of investigation expenses and costs
     associated with outreach to residents of Florida and California.

     On October 28, 1996, the Company entered into a Stipulation of Settlement
     with attorneys for the plaintiffs in the class actions consolidated in a
     Multi-District Litigation involving alleged improprieties in connection
     with the Company's sale of whole life

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

     insurance policies from 1982 through 1995. Pursuant to the proposed
     settlement, the Company has agreed to provide certain enhancements and
     changes to the remediation program previously accepted by the Multi-State
     Task Force, including some additional remedies. In addition, the Company
     agreed that a minimum cost of $410 million (which was recorded in the
     Statement of Operations and Changes in Surplus) would be incurred in
     providing remedies to policyowners under the program, and agreed to certain
     other payments and guarantees. Under the terms of the guarantees, the
     Company has agreed that the average cost per remedy will not be less than
     $2,364 for up to 330,000 claims remedied. For claims remedied in excess of
     330,000, the Company has not guaranteed an average cost per remedy. The
     Company has also agreed to provide additional compensation to be
     distributed by formula that will range in an aggregate amount from $50
     million to $300 million depending on the total number of claims remedied.
     The Company cannot predict how many claims ultimately will be remedied. The
     Company has also recorded in the Statement of Operations and Changes in
     Surplus, its estimate of the minimum administrative costs related to the
     remediation program. As of March 5, 1997, all 50 states and the District of
     Columbia have directed the Company to offer a remediation plan based on the
     program accepted by the Task Force and containing many of the enhancements
     of the class action settlement.

     Also on October 28, 1996, the U.S. District Court of the District of New
     Jersey, in which the Multi-District Litigation is pending, conditionally
     certified a class for settlement purposes and scheduled a hearing on the
     fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the proposed settlement. This
     hearing was held on February 24, 1997. On March 7, 1997, the Court
     rendered its decision approving the settlement. The owners of approximately
     23,000 policies have taken steps to exclude themselves from the class
     action and are not bound by the settlement.

     To date, the Company has mailed packages to 8.5 million policyowners
     eligible for the remediation program, informing policyowners in all 50
     states and the District of Columbia of their rights under the program. The
     deadline for electing to participate in the Alternative Dispute Resolution
     Process ("ADR") or Basic Claim Relief is June 1, 1997. Policyowners who
     believe that they were misled can file a claim through the ADR.
     Policyowners who do not believe they were misled, or who do not wish to
     file a claim under the ADR, may choose from several options available under
     Basic Claim Relief, such as preferred rate premium loans, or the purchase
     of enhanced annuities, mutual fund shares or life insurance policies.

     It is not possible on any reliable basis to estimate how many policyowners
     will participate in the settlement. The cost of the settlement is dependent
     upon complex and varying factors, including the number of policyowners that
     participate in the settlement, the relief options chosen and the ultimate
     dollar value of the settlement. The administrative costs to the Company of
     remediation of policyowner claims are also subject to a number of complex
     uncertainties in addition to the unknown quantity and cost of policyowner
     claims. In light of the uncertainties attendant to these and other factors,
     management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the ultimate cost of
     the remediation program to the Company.

     A purported class action was brought against the Company and certain
     subsidiaries alleging common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation and
     violations of the New Jersey RICO statute arising out of the plaintiffs'
     purchase of certain subordinated mortgage pass-through securities and
     seeking compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief. The
     Company will deny the substantive allegations of the complaint in its
     answer and will vigorously defend the suit. The case is at a preliminary
     stage, and management is not now in a position to predict the outcome or
     effect of the litigation.

     Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and given the complexity and
     scope of these suits, their outcome cannot be predicted. It is also not
     possible to predict the likely results of any regulatory inquiries or their
     effect on litigation which might be initiated in response to widespread
     media coverage of these matters. Accordingly, management is unable to make
     a meaningful estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from
     an unfavorable outcome of all pending litigation and the regulatory
     inquiries. It is possible that the results of operations or the cash flow
     of the Company, in particular quarterly or annual periods, could be
     materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable outcome of certain pending
     litigation and regulatory matters. Management believes, however, that the
     ultimate outcome of all pending litigation and regulatory matters referred
     to above should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
     financial position, after consideration of applicable reserves.

     In 1993, Prudential Securities, Inc. ("PSI"), a subsidiary of Prudential,
     entered into an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
     National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and state securities
     commissions whereby PSI agreed to pay $330 million into a settlement fund
     to pay eligible claims on certain limited partnership matters. Under this
     agreement, if partnership matter claims exceed the established settlement
     fund, PSI is obligated to pay such additional claims. The agreement also
     required PSI to take measures to enhance the adequacy of its sales
     practices compliance controls.

     In October 1994, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of
     New York (the "U.S. Attorney") filed a complaint against PSI in connection
     with its sale of certain limited partnerships. Simultaneously, PSI entered
     into an agreement to comply with certain conditions for a period of three
     years, and to pay an additional $330 million into the settlement fund. At
     the end of the three year period, assuming PSI has fully complied with the
     terms of the agreement, the U.S. Attorney will institute no further action.
     In the opinion of management, PSI is in compliance with all provisions of
     the aforementioned agreements.

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

                  THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                    NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

     The Company has entered into a reinsurance agreement with The Prudential
     Life Insurance Company, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary, under which it has
     agreed to reinsure certain individual life insurance policies through a
     yearly renewable term contract. The reinsurance assumed premiums and
     reserves for 1996 were $27 million and $17 million, respectively.
         
     The Company as a result of the sale of Prudential Reinsurance Inc. (a PRUCO
     Inc. subsidiary), agreed to guarantee up to $775 million of Gibraltar
     Casualty Company (a Prudential subsidiary) obligations with respect to a
     Stop Loss Agreement and PRUCO Inc.'s (a Prudential subsidiary) payment
     obligations under an Indemnity Agreement, subject to maximum aggregate
     payments of $400 million. The maximum aggregate payments under the
     Prudential Guarantee of the Gibraltar Casualty Company obligations will be
     reduced in certain circumstances to take account of payments made and
     collateral provided in respect of the guaranteed obligations. The Stop Loss
     Agreement is intended to mitigate the impact on Prudential Reinsurance Inc.
     of adverse development of loss reserves, as of June 30, 1995, of up to $375
     million of the first $400 million of adverse development. The Company has
     recorded a loss reserve of $175 million as of December 31, 1996.

     Gibraltar Casualty Company and other property and casualty insurance
     subsidiaries receive claims under expired contracts which assert alleged
     injuries and/or damages relating to or resulting from toxic torts, toxic
     waste and other hazardous substances. The liabilities for such claims
     cannot be estimated by traditional reserving techniques. As a result of
     judicial decisions and legislative actions, the coverage afforded under
     these contracts may be expanded beyond their original terms. Extensive
     litigation between insurers and insureds over these issues continues and
     the outcome is not predictable. In establishing the unpaid claim reserves
     for these losses, management considered the available information and
     established these reserves in accordance with applicable accounting
     standards. However, given the expansion of coverage and liability by the
     courts and legislatures in the past, and potential for other unfavorable
     trends in the future, the ultimate cost of these claims could increase from
     the levels currently established.

     The Company and a number of other insurers (the "Consortium") entered into
     a Reinsurance and Participation Agreement ("the Agreement") with MBL Life
     Assurance Corporation ("MBLLAC") and others, under which the Company and
     the other insurers agreed to reinsure certain payments to be made to
     contractholders by MBLLAC in connection with the plan of rehabilitation of
     Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company. Under the Agreement, the Consortium,
     subject to certain terms and conditions, will indemnify MBLLAC for the
     ultimate net loss sustained by MBLLAC on each contract subject to the
     Agreement. The ultimate net loss represents the amount by which the
     aggregate required payments exceed the fair market value of the assets
     supporting the covered contracts at the time such payments are due. The
     Company's share of any net loss is 30.55%. The Company has determined that
     it does not expect to make any payments to MBLLAC under the agreement. The
     Company concluded this after testing a wide range of potentially adverse
     scenarios during the rehabilitation period for MBLLAC.


                                     ******


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and Policyholders of
The Prudential Insurance Company of America

We have audited the accompanying statement of admitted assets, liabilities and
surplus (statutory basis) of The Prudential Insurance Company of America as of
December 31, 1996, and the related statements of operations and changes in
surplus (statutory basis), and of cash flows (statutory basis) for the year then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As described in Note 1, these financial statements were prepared in conformity
with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the New Jersey Department
of Insurance, which practices differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the
statutory basis of accounting and generally accepted accounting principles,
although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.

In our opinion, because of the effects of the matters referred to in the
preceding paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present
fairly, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the
financial position of The Prudential Insurance Company of America at December
31, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then
ended.

Also, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and surplus of The
Prudential Insurance Company of America at December 31, 1996, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, on the basis of
accounting described in Note 1.



 
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE, LLP
New York, New York

March 10, 1997


                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors of
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Newark, New Jersey

We have audited the accompanying statement of admitted assets, liabilities and
surplus--statutory basis of The Prudential Insurance Company of America as of
December 31, 1995, and the related statements of operations and changes in
surplus--statutory basis, and cash flows--statutory basis for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our report dated March 1, 1996, we expressed an opinion that the 1995 and
1994 financial statements, prepared using accounting practices prescribed and
permitted by the New Jersey Department of Insurance, presented fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of The Prudential Insurance Company of
America as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. As described in Note 1 to these financial statements,
pursuant to the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the
1995 and 1994 financial statements of The Prudential Insurance Company of
America, prepared using accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
insurance regulators (statutory financial statements) are no longer considered
presentations in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The
effects on the financial statements of the differences between the statutory
basis of accounting and generally accepted accounting principles are material
and are also described in Note 1. Accordingly, our present opinion on the
presentation of the 1995 and 1994 financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, as presented herein, is different from
that expressed in our previous report.

In our opinion, because of the effects of the matter discussed in the third
paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the admitted assets,
liabilities and surplus of the Company as of December 31, 1995, and its
operations, changes in surplus and its cash flows for each of the two years in
the period ended December 31, 1995.

However, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and surplus
of The Prudential Insurance Company of America as of December 31, 1995, and the
results of its operations, changes in surplus and its cash flows for each of the
two years in the period then ended, on the basis of accounting described in Note
1.

Also, as described in Note 1 to the financial statements, these financial
statements were prepared on an unconsolidated statutory basis of accounting,
which differs from the 1995 and 1994 financial statements prepared for general
distribution on a consolidated statutory basis of accounting, both of which
differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The financial statements
for 1995 and 1994 have been restated on an unconsolidated statutory basis of
accounting adopted in 1996 for purposes of general distribution. Further, these
financial statements differ from the previously issued unconsolidated statutory
financial statements because certain permitted financial statement presentation
practices are no longer being used.



/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey

March 1, 1996, except for Note 1A,
as to which the date is March 10, 1997

                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>


Variable Annuity Contracts
(for use in connection with pension, profit-sharing
and annuity purchase plans and Individual Retirement
Annuities qualifying for special federal income tax treatment)






Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.



The Prudential Insurance Company of America



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This  prospectus does not constitute an offer in any State to any person to whom
such offer would be unlawful in such State.

No one is  authorized  to give any  information  or to make any  representations
other  than  those  contained  in  this  prospectus  or in  the  sales  material
authorized by The Prudential  Insurance Company of America for use in connection
with the offer contained in this prospectus.
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The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Prudential Plaza, Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777


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