ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORP
10-Q, 1998-11-12
LIFE INSURANCE
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<PAGE>

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


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   -----------


                                    FORM 10-Q

                                   -----------

             |X| Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                       OR

            |_| Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                   -----------

                          Commission File Number 0-3722


                          ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
            Incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia

                                   -----------

             Internal Revenue Service-- Employer Identification No.
                                   58-1027114


                     Address of Principal Executive Offices:
                4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319
                                 (404) 266-5500


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

The total  number of shares of the  registrant's  Common  Stock,  $1 par  value,
outstanding on November 9, 1998, was 18,665,148.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>



                          ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

                                      INDEX


Part 1. Financial Information                                           Page No.
- -----------------------------                                           --------

Item 1.   Financial Statements:

          Consolidated Balance Sheets -
          September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                           2

          Consolidated Statements of Operations -
          Three months and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997     3

          Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity -
          Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                      4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
          Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                      5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                         6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations                                          8

Part II.  Other Information
- --------------------------------

Item 6.   Exhibits and report on Form 8-K                                   12

Signature                                                                   13


<PAGE>
                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
- ----------------------------

                 ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                     ASSETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>                                                              
                                                                       September 30,   December 31,

                                                                            1998           1997
                                                                        ----------------------------
<S><C>                                                                     <C>            <C>
 Cash, including short-term investments of $23,765 and $46,167            $ 27,480       $ 51,044
                                                                        ----------------------------
 Investments:
    Bonds (cost: $100,357 and $91,143)                                     102,762         92,184
    Common and preferred stocks (cost: $31,308 and $18,359)                 59,068         46,876
    Investments in limited partnerships (cost: $4,412 and $4,001)            4,213          3,941
    Mortgage loans                                                           3,875          4,243
    Policy and student loans                                                 3,613          5,293
    Real estate                                                                 46             46
                                                                        ----------------------------
       Total investments                                                   173,577        152,583
                                                                        ----------------------------
 Receivables:
    Reinsurance                                                             24,246         25,164
    Other (net of allowance for bad debts: $1,105 and $916)                 22,761         17,470
 Deferred acquisition costs                                                 17,146         16,483
 Other assets                                                                4,576          4,510
 Goodwill                                                                    3,926          4,606
                                                                        ============================
       Total assets                                                       $273,712       $271,860
                                                                        ============================


                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Insurance reserves and policy funds:
    Future policy benefits                                                 $38,744       $ 39,188
    Unearned premiums                                                       25,520         24,412
    Losses and claims                                                       85,207         86,721
    Other policy liabilities                                                 4,203          3,997
                                                                        ----------------------------
       Total policy liabilities                                            153,674        154,318
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                      11,290         10,759
 Debt payable                                                               26,000         28,600
                                                                        ----------------------------
        Total liabilities                                                  190,964        193,677
                                                                        ----------------------------

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $1 par,  4,000,000 shares  authorized;  
      Series A preferred, 30,000 shares issued and outstanding,
        $3,000 redemption value                                                 30             30
      Series B preferred, 134,000 shares issued and outstanding,
        $13,400 redemption value                                               134            134
    Common stock, $1 par, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 18,935,993
      shares issued in 1998 and 18,920,728 shares issued in 1997; 
      18,719,001 shares outstanding in 1998 and 18,907,267 shares 
      outstanding in 1997                                                   18,936         18,921
    Additional paid-in capital                                              52,211         53,316
    Accumulated deficit                                                    (17,498)       (23,653)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized investment
      gains, net                                                            29,965         29,498
    Treasury stock, at cost, 216,992 shares in 1998 and 13,461 shares 
      in 1997                                                               (1,030)           (63)
                                                                        ----------------------------
         Total shareholders' equity                                         82,748         78,183
                                                                        ============================
                 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity               $273,712       $271,860
                                                                        ============================
</TABLE>

       The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                 ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
                                                           Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                                             September 30,              September 30,
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------
 (In thousands, except per share data)                                                           
                                                              1998         1997         1998         1997
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------
<S><C>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Insurance premiums                                         $ 22,848     $ 21,950     $ 68,677     $ 64,953
  Investment income                                             2,825        2,915        8,466        8,627
  Realized investment gains, net                                1,093          344        2,005          630
  Other income                                                     29           40          198           69
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------
      Total revenue                                            26,795       25,249       79,346       74,279
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------

Benefits and expenses:
  Insurance benefits and losses incurred                       15,084       14,748       46,076       44,216
  Commissions and underwriting expenses                         6,715        5,777       20,436       17,569
  Interest expense                                                545          726        1,660        2,197
  Other                                                         1,597        1,580        4,790        4,435
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------
      Total benefits and expenses                              23,941       22,831       72,962       68,417
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------

Income before income tax benefit (expense)                      2,854        2,418        6,384        5,862
Income tax benefit (expense)                                        8          (23)        (124)         (83)
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------

        Net income                                           $  2,862     $  2,395     $  6,260     $  5,779
                                                          ===================================================

Net income per common share (basic and diluted)               $   .13      $   .11      $   .27      $   .25
                                                          ===================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic              18,750       18,599       18,846       18,622
                                                          ===================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted            19,035       18,763       19,141       18,806
                                                          ===================================================
</TABLE>




        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                              financial statements.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>
                          ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
Balance, December 31, 1997                 $ 164      $ 18,921      $ 53,316     $ (23,653)     $ 29,498        $ (63)     $ 78,183
<S><C>                                     <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>     
Comprehensive income:
      Net income                                                                     6,260                                    6,260
      Increase in unrealized investment gains                                                        467                        467
                                                                                                                        -----------

Total comprehensive income                                                                                                    6,727
                                                                                                                        -----------

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock                                  (236)                                                  (236)
Dividends accrued on preferred stock                                    (905)                                                  (905)
Purchase of shares for treasury                                                                                  (967)         (967)
Issuance of shares for employee benefit plans
      and stock options                                                  (15)         (105)                                    (120)
Issuance of shares for acquisition of
      Self-Insurance Administrators, Inc.                   15            51                                                     66

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

Balance, September 30, 1998                $ 164      $ 18,936      $ 52,211     $ (17,498)     $ 29,965     $ (1,030)     $ 82,748
                                     ============  ============  ============  ============ ============= ============  ===========

Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
- ----------------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1996                 $ 164      $ 18,712      $ 54,062     $ (31,426)     $ 17,713        $ (89)     $ 59,136

Comprehensive income:
      Net income                                                                     5,779                                    5,779
      Increase in unrealized investment gains                                                      7,649                      7,649
                                                                                                                        -----------

Total comprehensive income                                                                                                   13,428
                                                                                                                        -----------

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock                                  (236)                                                  (236)
Dividends accrued on preferred stock                                    (905)                                                  (905)
Purchase of shares for treasury                                                                                  (532)         (532)
Issuance of shares for employee benefit plans
      and stock options                                                               (189)                       297           108

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

Balance, September 30, 1997                $ 164      $ 18,712      $ 52,921     $ (25,836)     $ 25,362       $ (324)     $ 70,999
                                     ============  ============  ============  ============ ============= ============  ===========
</TABLE>
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                              financial statements.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
                 ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
                                                                            Nine Months Ended
                                                                              September 30,
                                                                        ------------------------
                                                                           1998         1997
                                                                        ------------------------
<S><C>                                                                  <C>          <C>           
(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                                             $  6,260    $  5,779
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
      Amortization of deferred acquisition costs                             8,039       5,394
      Acquisition costs deferred                                            (8,797)     (6,644)
      Realized investment gains                                             (2,005)       (630)
      Increase in insurance reserves                                          (644)      5,524
      Depreciation and amortization                                          1,030         959
      Increase in receivables, net                                          (4,373)     (2,249)
      Decrease in other liabilities                                           (372)     (2,569)
      Other, net                                                              (442)     (2,706)
                                                                          -----------------------
         Net cash (used) provided by operating activities                   (1,304)      2,858
                                                                          -----------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from investments sold or matured                                50,924      47,935
   Investments purchased                                                   (69,479)    (44,957)
   Reduction in minority interest liability payable                             -          (96)
   Additions to property and equipment                                        (333)       (527)
   Bulk reinsurance transactions, net                                          552          -
                                                                          -----------------------
        Net cash used by investing activities                              (18,336)      2,355
                                                                          -----------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Preferred stock dividends                                                  (236)       (237)
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                     (55)         62
   Purchase of treasury shares                                              (1,033)       (532)
   Proceeds from bank financing                                                 -        5,617
   Repayments of debt                                                       (2,600)     (8,617)
                                                                          -----------------------
        Net cash used by financing activities                               (3,924)     (3,707)
                                                                          -----------------------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                  (23,564)      1,506
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                            51,044      45,499
                                                                          -----------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                $ 27,480    $ 47,005
                                                                          =======================

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest                                                    $  1,630    $  2,491
                                                                          =======================
Cash paid for income taxes                                                $    330    $     71
                                                                          =======================

</TABLE>






        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>
                 ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 (In thousands)


Note 1. Basis of presentation.
- -------

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles for
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article
10 of Regulation  S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting  principles for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring accruals)  considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. All significant  intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in  consolidation.  Operating results for the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998,  are not  necessarily  indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. For further  information,  refer
to the  financial  statements  and footnotes  thereto  included in the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

Note 2.  Adoption of New Accounting Standards
- -------

    In April 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB)  issued
Statement   No.  132,   Employers'   Disclosures   about   Pensions   and  Other
Postretirement  Benefits. This statement only modifies the disclosures companies
make about their  pension and  nonpension  benefit  plans and does not alter the
accounting for these plans.  The FASB's  intention in modifying the  disclosures
for  postretirement  benefits  is to make the  disclosures  more  uniform and to
provide  better  information  to investors  about the economics of these benefit
plans  rather than  focusing on current  period  costs.  The  provisions  of the
statement are effective for years beginning after December 15, 1997. Adoption of
Statement No. 132, when  implemented,  will provide the required  information as
well as the restatement of previous disclosures.

     In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No. 133,  Accounting for Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging  Activities.  This
statement  establishes  accounting and reporting  standards requiring that every
derivative  instrument  (including  certain derivative  instruments  embedded in
other  contracts)  be  recorded  in the  balance  sheet  as  either  an asset or
liability measured at its fair value. The Statement requires that changes in the
derivative's  fair value be  recognized  currently in earnings  unless  specific
hedge  accounting  criteria are met.  Special  accounting for qualifying  hedges
allows a derivative's  gains and losses to offset related  results on the hedged
item  in the  income  statement,  and  requires  that a  company  must  formally
document,  designate,  and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive
hedge accounting.

    Statement 133 is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after June 15, 1999.
Statement  133 must be applied to (a)  derivative  instruments  and (b)  certain
derivative instruments embedded in hybrid contracts that were issued,  acquired,
or  substantively  modified  after  December  31,  1997 (and,  at the  company's
election, before January 1, 1998).

    The  Company  does  not  believe  it has any  such  instruments  nor does it
currently  engage in hedging  activities and therefore  believes the adoption of
this Statement will not have a material impact on the Company.




                                       -6-
<PAGE>
Note 3.  Segment Information
- -------

    The  following  summary  sets forth  information  for each of the  Company's
business  segments  by  revenue  and income  (loss)  before  income tax  expense
(benefit).  The Company  divides its  operations  into 3 segments:  Property and
Casualty Insurance, Life Insurance, and Accident and Health Insurance.

<TABLE>
                                           Property                  Accident     Corporate    Adjustments
                                             and                       and           and           and
                                           Casualty       Life        Health        Other      Eliminations  Consolidated
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S><C>                         <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>           
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998:

     Revenue                                  49,059       12,388      17,548           305            46        79,346
     Income (loss) before income 
       tax expense (benefit)                   6,403        2,522         260        (2,801)            0         6,384

Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997:

     Revenue                                  51,041       10,760      12,469            47           (38)        74,279
     Income (loss) before income
       tax expense (benefit)                   5,432        1,935         105        (1,610)            0          5,862

Three Months Ended September 30, 1998:

     Revenue                                  16,115        4,553       6,006            49            72         26,795
     Income (loss) before income
       tax expense (benefit)                   2,375        1,181         201          (903)            0          2,854

Three Months Ended September 30, 1997:

     Revenue                                  17,300        3,736       4,192            34           (13)        25,249
     Income (loss) before income
       tax expense (benefit)                   1,802          939          79          (402)            0          2,418
</TABLE>



Note 4.  Reconciliation of Other Comprehensive Income
- -------

                                                            September 30,
                                                          1998         1997
                                                       -----------------------
                                                     
Gain on sale of securities included in 
  net income                                              2,005          630
                                                       =======================
Other comprehensive income:
     Net unrealized gain arising during year              2,472        8,279
     Reclassification adjustment                         (2,005)        (630)
                                                       -----------------------

Net unrealized gain recognized in other 
  comprehensive income                                      467        7,649
                                                       =======================




                                       -7-
<PAGE>
   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
                                   OPERATIONS


    Management's discussion of financial condition and results of operations for
the nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 analyzes the results of
operations, consolidated financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of
Atlantic American Corporation (the "Company") and its consolidated subsidiaries:
Georgia  Casualty  & Surety  Company  ("Georgia  Casualty"),  American  Southern
Insurance  Company  ("American  Southern") and American Safety Insurance Company
("American  Safety"),  at  times  collectively  referred  to  as  the  "Casualty
Division",  Bankers  Fidelity Life Insurance  Company  ("Bankers  Fidelity") and
American Independent Life Insurance Company ("American  Independent"),  at times
jointly  referred  to as the  "Life and  Health  Division",  and  Self-Insurance
Administrators, Inc. ("SIA, Inc.").

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The  Company's  net  income for the third  quarter of 1998 was $2.9  million
($.13 per  diluted  share)  compared  to net  income of $2.4  million  ($.11 per
diluted  share)  for the third  quarter  of 1997.  Net income for the first nine
months of 1998 was $6.3 million ($.27 per diluted  share) and $5.8 million ($.25
per share) for the same period in 1997.  The increase in net income for both the
third quarter of 1998 and the year-to-date  period is primarily  attributable to
increased  premium  revenue  in the Life and  Health  Division  coupled  with an
increase  in  realized  gains.  These  increases  are  mitigated  somewhat by an
increase in commission  expenses and insurance benefits and losses. The increase
in expense  items  which is  attributable  to the  increased  premium  volume is
discussed below.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 1998 the Life and Health  Division's
pretax income increased 2.1% as an increase in insurance  premiums was partially
offset  by  increases  in  both  insurance  benefits  and  losses  incurred  and
commission and underwriting  expenses. The Casualty Division, for the first nine
months of the year,  saw an increase in pretax income of 12.1%.  In the Life and
Health Division,  pretax income for the quarter declined 33.1% due to a moderate
increase in the ratio of  insurance  benefits  and losses  incurred to insurance
premiums (the "loss  ratio") for the quarter and an increase in  commission  and
underwriting  expenses from an intensified  marketing effort.  Pretax income for
the Casualty  Division  increased  14.6% for the quarter due  principally  to an
improvement in the loss ratio at American Southern in the third quarter.

    Total  revenue  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998 was  $79.3
million,  up 6.8% over the first nine  months of 1997.  For the  quarter,  total
revenue  increased  6.1%.  The  increase  in both the nine month  period and the
quarter is primarily  attributable  to an increase in insurance  premiums  along
with  increases in both realized gains and other income.  Investment  income for
both the  nine  month  period  and the  quarter  decreased  as a  result  of the
significant prepayment of debt made in the fourth quarter of 1997, which reduced
the cash  available  for  investment,  and a general  decline  in yields on high
quality investments.

    Insurance  premiums for the  year-to-date  period were up $3.7  million,  or
5.7%, and were up 4.1% for the quarter. In the Life and Health Division premiums
for the first nine months of 1998 were up $6.3 million, and for the quarter were
up $2.2 million.  This increase in insurance  premiums is principally the result
of both the  acquisition of American  Independent in the fourth quarter of 1997,
which  added $2.5  million in  premiums  through  September  30, 1998 and strong
internal growth attributable in part to a refocused marketing campaign. Premiums
in the Casualty  Division for the nine months ended September 30 were down 5.7%;
for the third quarter premiums were down 8.2%. Within this division, premiums at
Georgia Casualty were up $1.8 million for the  year-to-date  period and $462,000
for the third  quarter.  This  increase  in premiums  reflects  the impact of an
increased  marketing  effort,  particularly  in the fourth  quarter of 1997, the
results of which are now being realized. In addition, premium income at American
Southern  was down $4.4  million for the nine month period and down $1.7 million
for the quarter. This decline is primarily attributable to a decrease in the net
rate charged for one of the company's large block accounts.  Management believes
that while this net rate has  declined as a result of a  heightened  competitive
environment,  the account will continue to be profitable. In addition,  American
Southern  voluntarily  elected  not to renew  one  block of  business  which had
profits that were below expectations.

    For the nine months  ended  September  30,  1998,  realized  gains were $2.0
million,  compared to $630,000 in 1997.  Realized investment gains for the third
quarter of 1998 were $1.1  million,  compared to $344,000 for the same period in
1997.  Management is  continually  evaluating  the  composition of the Company's
investment  portfolio and will periodically  divest  appreciated  investments as
deemed appropriate.



                                       -8-
<PAGE>
    The increase in other income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 is
a result of the inclusion of SIA, Inc.,  which  generates  income in the form of
commission and service fees from the  administration of third party self-insured
workers'  compensation  plans.  SIA, Inc. was acquired in the fourth  quarter of
1997.

    Total expenses  increased 6.6% for the nine months ended  September 30, 1998
and 4.9% when  compared to the third  quarter of 1997.  The increase in expenses
for the first nine months of 1998 is comprised  of a 4.2%  increase in insurance
benefits and losses  incurred,  a 16.3% increase in commission and  underwriting
expenses and an 8.0% increase in other operating  expenses,  offset in part by a
24.5%  decrease in interest  expense.  For the quarter,  insurance  benefits and
losses were up 2.2%,  commissions and underwriting expenses were up 16.2%, other
operating expenses were up 1.0% and interest expense was down 25.0%.

    The  increase in both  insurance  benefits  and losses and  commissions  and
underwriting  expenses  is  primarily  a factor  of the  increase  in  insurance
premiums.  The  consolidated  loss ratio for the first  nine  months of 1998 was
67.1% compared to 68.1% for the first nine months of 1997. For the third quarter
the loss ratio was 66.0%  compared to a loss ratio of 67.1% in the third quarter
of 1997. The modest decline in the loss ratio for both the  year-to-date  period
and the quarter is a result of favorable  development  on past accident years in
the Casualty Division,  particularly at American Southern, partially offset by a
small increase in the loss ratio in the Company's Life and Health Division.

    Insurance  benefits and losses at the Life and Health  Division were up $4.7
million  year-to-date and $1.6 million for the quarter. The increase in benefits
and losses is being  driven by an  increase  in  premiums,  particularly  in the
health lines.

    Within  the  Casualty  Division  insurance  benefits  and  losses at Georgia
Casualty  were up $1.5 million  through  September 30, 1998 and were up $434,000
for the third quarter.  The year-to-date  loss ratio,  including loss adjustment
expenses,  was 74.1%,  compared  to 74.2% in the first nine  months of 1997.  In
addition,  insurance benefits and losses incurred at American Southern decreased
$5.0 million for the first nine months of 1998 and $1.9 million for the quarter.
The loss ratio for the first nine  months of 1998 was 62.7%,  down from 70.9% in
the first nine months of 1997. The decline in the loss ratio is  attributable to
a reduction in substandard auto premiums which  historically  have a higher loss
ratio and favorable development of anticipated losses on past years premiums.

    Commission  and  underwriting  expenses  for the first  nine  months of 1998
increased  $2.9  million to $20.4  million and for the quarter were up $938,000.
The  increase  for the nine months ended  September  30, 1998 is  primarily  the
result of the increase in premium volume,  particularly at Bankers Fidelity, and
increased profit commissions on American Southern's  business.  The increase for
the third quarter is attributable to the overall increase in premium volume.

    The decline in interest  expense of 24.5% is due to the  reduction  in total
debt  compounded  by a 50 basis point  reduction in the interest rate charged on
the Company's  credit  facility to the prime rate less 50 basis points,  8.0% at
September 30, 1998. The reduction in the rate resulted from the Company  meeting
certain specified financial criteria at year-end 1997 under the credit facility,
and is subject to further adjustment,  based on the Company's continuing to meet
those  criteria.  The rate  charged by the credit  facility  will not exceed the
prime rate of interest.

    The  Company's  tax  provision  decreased  for the  quarter as a result of a
reduction in taxable income at American  Independent,  which,  per IRS rules, is
not yet a part of the Company's  consolidated  return and the income of which is
not subject to offset by the Company's net operating losses carryforwards.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   The major  cash  needs of the  Company  are for the  payment  of  claims  and
expenses as they come due and the maintenance of adequate  statutory capital and
surplus  to  satisfy  state  regulatory   requirements  and  meet  debt  service
requirements  of the Company.  The Company's  primary source of cash are written
premiums and investment income.  Cash payments consist of current claim payments
to  insureds  and  operating  expenses  such  as  salaries,  employee  benefits,
commissions,  taxes,  and  shareholder  dividends  from the  subsidiaries,  when
earnings  warrant  such  dividend  payments.  By statute,  the state  regulatory
authorities   establish  minimum  liquidity   standards   primarily  to  protect
policyholders.

     The Company's insurance  subsidiaries  reported a combined statutory income
of $6.3  million for the first nine months of 1998  compared  to  statutory  net
income of $5.3 million for the first nine months of 1997.  Total  statutory  net
income for the quarter was $2.4 million  compared to $2.2  million in 1997.  The

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
reasons for the increase in statutory  earnings in the first nine months of 1998
are the same as those  discussed  in "Results of  Operations"  above.  Statutory
results  differ  from  the  results  of  operations  under  generally   accepted
accounting  principles ("GAAP") for the Casualty Division due to the deferral of
acquisition costs. The Life and Health Division's  statutory results differ from
GAAP  primarily  due to  deferral of  acquisition  costs,  as well as  different
reserving methods.

   The Company is a party to a Credit  Agreement  with Wachovia Bank of Georgia,
N.A. At September 30, 1998, the Company had  outstanding  borrowings  under this
agreement of approximately  $26.0 million,  none of which is scheduled to become
due and payable  during the last three months of 1998.  The Company  repaid $2.6
million of  outstanding  principal  during the first  nine  months of 1998.  The
Company  intends  to repay its  obligations  under the  Credit  Agreement  using
dividend  payments  received  from its  subsidiaries  and receipts  from its tax
sharing agreement with its subsidiaries.

   The Company has two series of preferred stock  outstanding,  substantially of
all  which  is  held by  affiliates  of the  Company's  chairman  and  principal
shareholders.  The  outstanding  shares of Series A Convertible  Preferred Stock
accrue  annual  dividends at a rate of $10.50 per share,  are  convertible  into
approximately  704,000 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $4.26 per
share,  and are  redeemable  at the  Company's  option at $100 per  share,  plus
accrued dividends. The outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock ("Series B
Stock") have a stated value of $100 per share, accrue annual dividends at a rate
of  $9.00  per  share,  in  certain  circumstances  may be  convertible  into an
aggregate of  approximately  3,358,000 shares of common stock and are redeemable
at the Company's  option.  The Series B Stock is not currently  convertible.  At
September 30, 1998, the Company had accrued,  but unpaid dividends on the Series
B Stock totaling $3.3 million.

   The Company provides certain administrative and other services to each of its
insurance  subsidiaries.  The amounts charged to and paid by the subsidiaries in
the first nine months of 1998  remained  approximately  the same as in the first
nine months of 1997. In addition, the Company has a formal tax-sharing agreement
between  the  Company  and its  insurance  subsidiaries  with the  exception  of
American  Independent.  It is  anticipated  that this agreement will provide the
Company  with  additional   funds  from  profitable   subsidiaries  due  to  the
subsidiaries'  use  of the  Company's  tax  loss  carryforwards,  which  totaled
approximately $45.0 million at September 30, 1998.

   At September 30, 1998, the Company had a net cumulative deferred tax asset of
zero.  The net  cumulative  deferred  tax asset  consisted  of $22.6  million of
deferred tax assets, offset by $14.1 million of deferred tax liabilities,  and a
$8.5 million valuation allowance.  Due to the uncertain nature of their ultimate
realization,  based upon past performance and expiration  dates, the Company has
established a full valuation  allowance against these carryforward  benefits and
recognizes the benefits only as reassessment  demonstrates  they are realizable.
The Company's  ability to generate  taxable income from  operations is dependent
upon  various  factors,   many  of  which  are  beyond   management's   control.
Accordingly,  there can be no assurance  that the Company will  generate  future
taxable income based on historical  performance.  Therefore,  the realization of
the deferred  tax assets will be assessed  periodically  based on the  Company's
current and anticipated results of operations

   Approximately  93.2% of the investment  assets of the insurance  subsidiaries
are in  marketable  securities  that can be  converted  into cash,  if required;
however,  use of such  assets  by the  Company  is  limited  by state  insurance
regulations.  Dividend payments to the Company by its insurance subsidiaries are
limited  to the  accumulated  statutory  earnings  of the  individual  insurance
subsidiaries,  subject to annual  limitations.  At September  30, 1998,  Georgia
Casualty had $17.0 million of accumulated statutory earnings,  American Southern
had $19.6 million of accumulated  statutory  earnings,  and Bankers Fidelity had
$18.2 million of accumulated statutory earnings.

    Net cash used by  operating  activities  was $1.3  million in the first nine
months of 1998  compared to net cash  provided by operating  activities  of $2.9
million  in the first  nine  months  of 1997.  Cash and  short-term  investments
decreased from $51.0 million at December 31, 1997, to $27.5 million at September
30,  1998,  mainly  due  to  an  increase  in  longer  term  investments.  Total
investments  (excluding short-term  investments) increased to $173.6 million due
in part to the shift from  short-term  investments  and  increases in unrealized
gains on the Company's investment portfolio.

   The Company  believes that the dividends,  fees, and tax-sharing  payments it
receives  from its  subsidiaries  and,  if  needed,  borrowings  from  banks and
affiliates  of the  Company  will  enable  the  Company  to meet  its  liquidity
requirements for the foreseeable future.  Management is not aware of any current
recommendations by regulatory  authorities  which, if implemented,  would have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  Company's  liquidity,  capital  resources  or
operations.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>
YEAR 2000

   Many existing  computer  systems  currently in use were  developed  using two
digits  rather than four digits to specify the year.  As a result,  many systems
will  recognize a date code of "00" as the  calendar  year 1900 rather than 2000
which could cause systems to fail or cause erroneous results.

   The Company has  developed a program to assess the state of  readiness of the
Company's  internal  systems  and  those  of  its  vendors  and  customers,  the
remediation measures necessary for those systems to be Year 2000 compliant,  the
costs to undertake such measures, and to develop appropriate contingency plans.

   The  Company's  program to assess its internal  systems  (which  include both
hardware and software) is continuing.  The Company has identified  four critical
operating  systems  that  require the highest  level and  priority of testing to
ensure that  performance is not adversely  affected by the Year 2000 issue.  The
Company currently  anticipates that each of those four systems will be Year 2000
compliant  by the end of 1998.  To date,  the Company has been able to remediate
those systems through upgrades,  rather than system replacement.  The failure of
any of those  systems  as a result  of the Year 2000  issue  would  inhibit  the
Company's  ability to conduct its business and process claims,  and would likely
have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  results of  operations.  The
Company is also  continuing to test less critical  systems for  compliance,  and
expects that phase to be completed by the end of the first  quarter of 1999.  As
that testing process continues, the Company intends to develop contingency plans
to enable the Company to fulfill the functions performed by those systems in the
event of failure.

   As part of this process,  the Company is continuing  its process of surveying
its service  providers  and  customers in order to identify  areas in which Year
2000-related  problems with external systems could cause disruptions,  delays or
failures that could impact the Company. As the results of these external surveys
are assessed, the Company expects to develop appropriate contingency plans.

   During the first nine months of 1998,  the  Company  has spent  approximately
$160,000 to modify  existing  systems and  applications to address the Year 2000
issue. The Company estimates that an additional $45,000 will be incurred in 1998
and $100,000 in 1999. The Company does not anticipate that the costs of bringing
its systems into compliance  would have a material adverse effect on the results
of operations or financial condition of the Company.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   This report  contains and references  certain  information  that  constitutes
forward-looking  statements  as that term is defined in the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  Those  statements,  to the extent  they are not
historical facts,  should be considered  forward-looking  and subject to various
risks and  uncertainties.  Such  forward-looking  statements are made based upon
management's  assessments  of  various  risks  and  uncertainties,  as  well  as
assumptions made in accordance with the "safe harbor"  provisions of the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  The Company's  actual results could
differ  materially  from  the  results  anticipated  in  these   forward-looking
statements  as a  result  of  such  risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those
identified  in the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
ending  December 31, 1997 and the other filings made by the Company from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.













                                      -11-

<PAGE>
                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Report on Form 8-K
- ----------------------------------------

   (a)  The following exhibits are filed herewith:

        Exhibit 11.    Computation of net income per common share.

        Exhibit 27.    Financial data schedule.

   (b) No  reports  on Form 8-K were  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
       Commission during the third quarter of 1998.











































                                      -12-


<PAGE>
                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------


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





                          ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
                          -----------------------------
                                  (Registrant)





Date:  November 12, 1998            By:    /s/
       -----------------               -----------------------------------------
                                         Edward L. Rand, Jr.
                                         Vice President and Treasurer
                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting
                                          Officer)


































                                      -13-


                                                                     EXHIBIT 11
                 ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   COMPUTATIONS OF NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
                               SUPPORTING SCHEDULE


                                          Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,        September 30,
                                          -------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)                                          
                                            1998      1997      1998      1997
                                          -------------------------------------

Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
   Net income                             $ 2,862   $ 2,395   $ 6,260   $ 5,779

   Less preferred dividends to 
     affiliates                              (380)     (380)   (1,141)   (1,141)
                                          -------------------------------------

   Net income available to common 
     shareholders                           2,482     2,015     5,119     4,638
                                          =====================================

   Weighted average common shares 
     outstanding                           18,750    18,599    18,846    18,622
                                          =====================================

   Net income per common share                .13       .11       .27       .25
                                          =====================================


Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
   Net income available to common 
     shareholders                           2,482     2,015     5,119     4,638
                                          =====================================

   Weighted average common shares 
     outstanding                           18,750    18,599    18,846    18,622

   Effect of dilutive stock options           285       164       295       184
                                          -------------------------------------

   Weighted average common shares 
     outstanding adjusted for        
     dilutive stock options                19,035    18,763    19,141    18,806
                                          =====================================

    Net income per common share               .13       .11       .27       .25
                                          =====================================

Common Shares Outstanding                                      18,719    18,907
                                                              =================



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           7
<MULTIPLIER>                                                   1000
                                                     
<S>                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                        102,762
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                       102,762
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                         102,762
<EQUITIES>                                                   59,068
<MORTGAGE>                                                    3,875
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                    46
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                              173,577
<CASH>                                                       27,480
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                           24,246
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                       17,146
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              273,712
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                             123,951
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                          25,520
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                4,203
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                             0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                              26,000
                                             0
                                                     164
<COMMON>                                                     18,936
<OTHER-SE>                                                   63,648
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                273,712
                                                   68,677
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                           8,466
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                            2,005
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                  198
<BENEFITS>                                                   46,076
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                  20,436
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                              0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               6,384
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   (124)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           6,260
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  6,260
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                    0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                               0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                  0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                   0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                           0
                                                     

</TABLE>


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