SFP PIPELINE HOLDINGS INC
10-Q/A, 1997-05-16
PIPE LINES (NO NATURAL GAS)
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<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D. C.  20549
 
                                  FORM 10-Q/A
 
         [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
                                      OR
         [_]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-10595
 
                          SFP PIPELINE HOLDINGS, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

        DELAWARE                                         36-3713699
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                               301 NUGGET AVENUE
                             SPARKS, NEVADA  89431
         (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

                                (702) 358-6971
             (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
 
 
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED
TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING
THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS
REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS:     YES [X]    NO [_]
 
NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK ($0.01 PAR VALUE)
 AS OF MAY 13, 1997:  1,000.
 
THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H (1)(a)
AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM 10-Q WITH THE REDUCED
DISCLOSURE FORMAT PERMITTED BY GENERAL INSTRUCTION H.
 
================================================================================
<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.
 
                                           SFP PIPELINE HOLDINGS, INC.
                                                  (Registrant)
 
 
     Date: May 13, 1997            By:        /s/ BARRY R. PEARL
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                                  Barry R. Pearl
                                          Senior Vice President, Treasurer
                                            and Chief Financial Officer
                                           (On behalf of the Registrant)

                                      -7-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 13.2

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

    FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                                      OR

[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES     
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the transition period from                       to

                      Commission file number     1-11535


                   BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             Delaware                                 41-1804964
     (State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      incorporation or organization)


2650 Lou Menk Drive
Fort Worth, Texas                                       76131
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)


                                (817) 333-2000
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


                                                       Shares
            Class                           Outstanding at April 30, 1997
            -----                           -----------------------------
Common stock, $.01 par value                     154,107,340 shares
<PAGE>
 
                         PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                    Three Months Ended
                                         March 31,
                                    ------------------
                                      1997      1996
                                    -------   --------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>

Revenues                             $2,036    $2,027 
 
Operating expenses:
  Compensation and benefits             693       668 
  Purchased services                    228       223 
  Equipment rents                       200       178 
  Fuel                                  196       168 
  Depreciation and amortization         190       187 
  Materials and other                   200       218 
                                     ------    ------
    Total operating expenses          1,707     1,642 
                                     ------    ------

Operating income                        329       385 
Interest expense                         84        75 
Other income (expense), net              (3)       (4)
                                     ------    ------

Income before income taxes              242       306 
Income tax expense                       92       119 
                                     ------    ------

Net income                           $  150    $  187 
                                     ======    ======


Net income per common share          $ 0.95    $ 1.21 
                                     ======    ======

Average shares outstanding            157.2     155.0 
                                     ======    ======


Dividends declared per common share  $  .30   $  .30 

</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
                                 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                    March 31,  December 31,
                                                      1997         1996
                                                   ----------  ------------
<S>                                                <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents                          $    47     $    47 
  Accounts receivable, net                               793         711 
  Materials and supplies                                 230         222 
  Current portion of deferred income taxes               305         307 
  Other current assets                                    45          44 
                                                     -------     -------
      Total current assets                             1,420       1,331 
                                                             
Property and equipment, net                           17,766      17,633 
Other assets                                             882         882 
                                                     -------     -------
      Total assets                                   $20,068     $19,846 
                                                     =======     =======
                                                             
                                                             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                         
                                                             
Current liabilities:                                         
  Accounts payable and other current liabilities     $ 1,960     $ 2,146 
  Long-term debt due within one year                      95         165 
                                                     -------     -------
      Total current liabilities                        2,055       2,311 
                                                             
Long-term debt and commercial paper                    4,898       4,546 
Deferred income taxes                                  4,767       4,729 
Casualty and environmental liabilities                   532         543 
Employee, merger and separation costs                    451         466 
Other liabilities                                      1,253       1,270 
                                                     -------     -------
      Total liabilities                               13,956      13,865 
                                                     -------     -------
                                                             
Commitments and contingencies (See note 3)                   
                                                             
Stockholders' equity:                                        
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000                  
    shares authorized; 154,472,694 shares and                
    154,198,088 shares issued, respectively                2           2 
  Additional paid-in capital                           4,872       4,838 
  Retained earnings                                    1,268       1,165 
  Other                                                  (30)        (24)
                                                     -------     -------
      Total stockholders' equity                       6,112       5,981 
                                                     -------     -------
      Total liabilities and stockholders'                    
        equity                                       $20,068     $19,846 
                                                     =======     =======
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                            (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
                                 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                     ------------------
                                                        1997    1996
                                                       ------  ------
<S>                                                    <C>     <C>

Operating Activities:

  Net income                                           $ 150   $ 187 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                      190     187 
      Deferred income taxes                               40      70 
      Employee, merger and separation costs paid         (31)    (56)
      Other, net                                         (11)     33 
      Changes in working capital                        (265)   (116)
                                                       -----   -----
Net cash provided by operating activities                 73     305 
                                                       -----   -----

Investing Activities:
  Cash used for capital expenditures                    (296)   (354)
  Other, net                                             (35)     39 
                                                       -----   -----
Net cash used for investing activities                  (331)   (315)
                                                       -----   -----

Financing Activities:
  Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper            283    (165)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt               121     175 
  Payments on long-term debt                            (120)    (24)
  Dividends paid                                         (46)    (47)
  Proceeds from stock options exercised                   19      56 
  Other, net                                               1      (1)
                                                       -----   -----
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities     258      (6)
                                                       -----   -----

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                      -     (16)
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of period                                     47      50 
                                                       -----   -----
  End of period                                        $  47   $  34 
                                                       =====   =====

Supplemental cash flow information:
  Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized            $  74   $  67 
  Income taxes refunded, net                              (3)     (7)
  Assets financed through capital lease obligations        -      24 


</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
           BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)


1. Accounting policies and interim results

   The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
   Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation ("BNSF", "Registrant" or "Company")
   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, including
   the financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference from the
   Registrant's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders. The consolidated financial
   statements include the accounts of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
   and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively BNSF or Company). BNSF was
   incorporated in Delaware on December 16, 1994, for the purpose of effecting a
   business combination between Burlington Northern Inc. (BNI) and Santa Fe
   Pacific Corporation (SFP) which was consummated on September 22, 1995. The
   principal subsidiary is The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
   (BNSF Railway). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
   been eliminated.

   The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily
   indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year.
   In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal
   recurring adjustments, except as disclosed) necessary to present fairly
   BNSF's consolidated financial position as of March 31, 1997 and December 31,
   1996 and the consolidated results of operations for the three month periods
   ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 have been included.

   Certain comparative prior year amounts in the consolidated financial
   statements and notes have been reclassified to conform with the current year
   presentation.

2. Employee, merger and separation costs

   Current and long-term employee merger and separation liabilities totaling
   $551 million are included in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31,
   1997. During the first quarter of 1997, the Company paid $31 million of
   employee, merger and separation costs.

   At March 31, 1997, approximately $100 million of the total liability is
   included within current liabilities for anticipated costs to be paid over the
   next twelve months. The remaining costs are anticipated to be paid over the
   next five years, except for certain costs related to conductors, trainmen and
   locomotive engineers which will be paid upon the employees' separation or
   retirement, as well as certain benefits for clerical employees which may be
   paid on an installment basis, generally over five to ten years.

   In addition to the above, certain merger and separation costs, including
   relocation costs associated with clerical employees, will be recorded as
   operating expenses in 1997 and future periods. The ultimate timing and
   magnitude of any such future expense is presently unknown.


3. Environmental and other contingencies

   The Company's operations, as well as those of its competitors, are subject to
   extensive federal, state and local environmental regulation. BNSF's operating
   procedures include practices to protect the environment from the
   environmental risks inherent in railroad operations, which frequently involve
   transporting chemicals and other hazardous materials. Additionally, many of
   BNSF's land holdings are and have been used for industrial or 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
   transportation-related purposes or leased to commercial or industrial
   companies whose activities may have resulted in discharges onto the property.
   As a result, BNSF is subject to environmental clean-up and enforcement
   actions. In particular, the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response
   Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, also known as the "Superfund" law, as
   well as similar state laws generally impose joint and several liability for
   clean-up and enforcement costs without regard to fault or the legality of the
   original conduct on current and former owners and operators of a site.

   BNSF is involved in a number of administrative and judicial proceedings and
   other mandatory clean-up efforts at approximately 345 sites, at which it is
   being asked to participate in the study and / or clean-up of alleged
   environmental contamination. BNSF paid approximately $13 million during the
   first three months of 1997 for mandatory clean-up efforts, including amounts
   expended under federal and state voluntary clean-up programs. BNSF has
   accruals of approximately $220 million for remediation and restoration of all
   known sites. BNSF anticipates that the majority of the accrued costs at March
   31, 1997 will be paid over the next five years. No individual site is
   considered to be material.

   Liabilities recorded for environmental costs represent BNSF's best estimates
   for remediation and restoration of these sites and include both asserted and
   unasserted claims. Unasserted claims are not considered to be a material
   component of the liability. Although recorded liabilities include BNSF's best
   estimates of all costs, without reduction for anticipated recoveries from
   third parties, BNSF's total clean-up costs at these sites cannot be predicted
   with certainty due to various factors such as the extent of corrective
   actions that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations,
   advances in environmental technology, the extent of other parties'
   participation in clean-up efforts, developments in ongoing environmental
   analyses related to sites determined to be contaminated, and developments in
   environmental surveys and studies of potentially contaminated sites. As a
   result, future charges to income for environmental liabilities could have a
   significant effect on results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal
   year as individual site studies and remediation and restoration efforts
   proceed or as new sites arise. However, expenditures associated with such
   liabilities are typically paid out over a long period; therefore, management
   believes that it is unlikely that any identified matters, either individually
   or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on BNSF's
   consolidated financial position or liquidity.

   The railroad industry, including BNSF Railway, will become subject to future
   requirements regulating air emissions from diesel locomotives that may
   increase their operating costs. Proposed regulations applicable to new
   locomotive engines were issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in
   early 1997, with final regulations to be promulgated by the end of the year.
   It is anticipated that these regulations will be effective for new locomotive
   engines installed after 1999 and through 2010 and will preempt state
   regulation of locomotive emission standards. Under some interpretations of
   federal law, older locomotive engines may be regulated by states based on
   standards and procedures which the State of California ultimately adopts. At
   this time, the State of California has indicated to the Environmental
   Protection Agency that it will support the proposed federal rule subject to
   slight technical modifications.

   Other claims and litigation

   BNSF and its subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal actions and
   claims, various governmental proceedings and private civil suits arising in
   the ordinary course of business, including those related to environmental
   matters and personal injury claims. While the final outcome of these items
   cannot be predicted with certainty, considering among other things the
   meritorious legal defenses available, it is the opinion of management that
   none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse
   effect on the annual results of operations, financial position or liquidity
   of BNSF, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
   a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular
   quarter or fiscal year.

4. Hedging activities

   Fuel

   BNSF has a program to hedge against fluctuations in the price of its diesel
   fuel purchases. This program includes forward purchases for delivery at
   fueling facilities, and various commodity swap and collar transactions which
   are accounted for as hedges. Any gains or losses associated with changes in
   market value of these hedges are deferred and recognized as a component of
   fuel expense in the period in which the hedged fuel is purchased and used. To
   the extent BNSF hedges portions of its fuel purchases, it may not fully
   benefit from decreases in fuel prices.

   As of March 31, 1997, BNSF had entered into forward purchases for
   approximately 77 million gallons at an average price of approximately 58
   cents per gallon, and fuel swaps for approximately 680 million gallons at an
   average price of approximately 54 cents per gallon. A majority of these
   contracts have expiration dates ranging from June 1997 to December 1998 with
   an additional 10 million gallons expiring in 1999.

   The above prices do not include taxes, fuel handling costs, certain
   transportation costs and, except for forward contracts, any differences which
   may occur from time to time between the prices of commodities hedged and the
   purchase price of BNSF's diesel fuel.

   BNSF's current fuel hedging program covers approximately 50 percent of
   projected fuel purchases for the remaining nine months of 1997, approximately
   30 percent of estimated 1998 fuel purchases and less than one percent of
   estimated 1999 fuel purchases. Hedge positions are closely monitored to
   ensure that they will not exceed actual fuel requirements in any period.
   Unrecognized gains from BNSF's fuel hedging transactions were approximately
   $4 million at March 31, 1997. BNSF also monitors its hedging positions and
   credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate losses due to
   counterparty nonperformance.

   Interest rate

   BNSF has interest rate swap transactions to fix interest rates with a total
   principal amount of $875 million to fix interest rates on commercial paper
   debt. The interest rate swap transactions require payment of a weighted
   average fixed interest rate of approximately 5.8 percent, and the receipt of
   a variable interest rate based on a commercial paper composite rate and
   mature from August 1997 through December 1999. Unrecognized gains from BNSF's
   swap transactions were approximately $3 million as of March 31, 1997.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Management's discussion and analysis relates to the financial condition and
results of operations of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation and its
majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively BNSF, Registrant or Company).  The
principal subsidiary is The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
(BNSF Railway).

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1996

BNSF recorded net income for the first quarter of 1997 of $150 million or
$0.95 per common share, compared with first quarter 1996 net income of $187
million or $1.21 per common share.  The decrease in net income is primarily
due to severe weather which affected BNSF Railway operations throughout the
Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest for large portions of first quarter
1997.  The financial impact of recurring and protracted outages on many parts
of the system, the cost of repairing track, signals and equipment, and the
operating inefficiencies caused by the weather is virtually impossible to
measure with precision.  However, the Company estimates that the severe
weather resulted in lost revenue opportunities of approximately $100 million
and increased operating expenses of at least $50 million.

REVENUES

The following table presents BNSF's revenue information by commodity for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 and includes certain
reclassifications of prior year information to conform to current year
presentation.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Revenue
                                              Revenue       Per Thousand
                              Revenues       Ton Miles        Ton Miles
                          --------------  ---------------  --------------
                           1997    1996   1997     1996     1997    1996
                          ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
                           (In Millions)   (In Millions)
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Intermodal................$  527  $  491  18,232   16,701  $28.91  $29.40
Coal......................   489     478  39,653   40,960   12.33   11.67
Agricultural Commodities..   292     340  15,152   17,318   19.27   19.63
Chemicals.................   191     187   7,201    6,970   26.52   26.83
Forest Products...........   136     135   6,049    5,769   22.48   23.40
Consumer Goods............   118     115   4,406    4,334   26.78   26.53
Automotive................   107      98   1,579    1,493   67.76   65.64
Metals....................   101     105   4,408    4,979   22.91   21.09
Minerals..................    74      72   2,940    2,686   25.17   26.81
                          ------  ------  ------  -------  ------  ------
Total Freight Revenues.... 2,035   2,021  99,620  101,210   20.43   19.97
Other Revenues............     1       6       -        -       -       -
                          ------  ------  ------  -------  ------  ------
Total Operating Revenues..$2,036  $2,027  99,620  101,210  $20.43  $19.97
                          ======  ======  ======  =======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

Intermodal revenues of $527 million increased $36 million or 7 percent led by
increases in direct and truckload sectors.  The direct sector benefited from
increased units shipped for UPS, Roadway and Consolidated Freightways. 
Truckload units increased due to higher traffic from J.B. Hunt and Schneider. 
Revenue ton miles increased due to growth in the Chicago/Southeast to
California corridors.

                                     -7-
<PAGE>
 
Coal revenues of $489 million for the 1997 first quarter increased $11 million
compared to revenues of $478 million for the 1996 first quarter.  Although
revenue ton miles decreased, tonnage shipped was slightly above 1996 levels.

Agricultural Commodities revenues of $292 million for the 1997 first quarter
were $48 million lower than revenues of $340 million for the 1996 first
quarter.  This decrease is due primarily to weather-related service problems
in the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest affecting shipments of wheat,
corn and soybeans, and a poor hard, red winter wheat crop.

Automotive revenues of $107 million for the 1997 first quarter increased $9
million compared to revenues of $98 million for the 1996 first quarter.  The
increase reflects new business with Honda in California and increases in
General Motors shipments compared to the first quarter of 1996 when General
Motors was experiencing a strike.

EXPENSES

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 1997 were $1,707 million, an
increase of $65 million or 4 percent, compared with operating expenses for the
1996 first quarter of $1,642 million.  The operating ratio was 83.8 percent
for the first quarter of 1997, compared with an 81.0 percent operating ratio
for the first quarter 1996.

Compensation and benefits expenses of $693 million were $25 million or 4
percent higher than the first quarter of 1996.  A majority of the increase was
due to higher costs associated with weather-related repairs to track and
equipment and slower operations.  Additionally, wages were higher because of
1997 wage increases to both salaried and union employees.  These increases
were partially offset by lower salaried employee incentive compensation
expense due to the Company's first quarter 1997 performance relative to
certain goals.

Equipment rents expenses for the first quarter of 1997 of $200 million were
$22 million or 12 percent higher than the 1996 first quarter reflecting
additional costs primarily related to poorer rail car utilization caused by
the adverse weather.

Fuel expenses of $196 million for the 1997 first quarter were $28 million
higher than fuel expenses for the first quarter of 1996 primarily due to an 11
cent or 17% increase in the average price paid per gallon of diesel fuel.

Materials and other expenses of $200 million for the 1997 first quarter were
$18 million or 8 percent lower compared to the 1996 first quarter which
included costs associated with several major derailments.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 1997 increased $9 million to $84
million reflecting both higher debt and interest rate levels.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
- -------------------------------

CASH FROM OPERATIONS

Cash generated from operations is BNSF's principal source of liquidity.  BNSF
generally funds any additional requirements through debt issuance, including
commercial paper, or leasing of assets.

Operating activities provided cash of $73 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 compared with $305 million for the three months ended March 31,
1996.  The decrease in cash from operations was attributable to an increase in
cash used for working capital, principally reflecting the timing of cash
receipts and payments within accounts receivable and accounts payable. 
Additionally, net income before depreciation and amortization and deferred
income taxes was $64 million below 1996 levels.  BNSF's cash outflows from
investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 1997 principally

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
relate to capital expenditures of $296 million while net sources of cash from
financing activities of $258 million principally reflect net proceeds from
borrowings used to fund capital expenditures, both of which are further
discussed below.

OTHER CAPITAL RESOURCES

BNSF issues commercial paper from time to time.  These borrowings are
supported by bank revolving credit agreements.  Outstanding commercial paper
balances are considered as reducing available borrowings under these
agreements.  The bank revolving credit agreements allow borrowings of up to
$500 million on a short-term basis and $1.5 billion on a long-term basis. 
Annual facility fees are currently 0.075 percent and 0.11 percent,
respectively, and are subject to change based upon changes in BNSF's senior
unsecured debt ratings.  Borrowing rates are based upon i) LIBOR plus a spread
based upon BNSF's senior unsecured debt ratings, ii) money market rates 
offered at the option of the lenders, or iii) an alternate base rate.  The
commitments of the lenders to make loans are currently scheduled to expire on
November 14, 1997 and November 15, 2001, respectively.

At March 31, 1997, there were no borrowings against the long-term revolving
credit agreements and the maturity value of commercial paper outstanding was
$1,201 million, leaving a total of $299 million of the long-term revolving
credit agreement available and $500 million of the short-term credit agreement
available.

In February 1997, BNSF issued $100 million of 6.1% medium-term notes, due
February 27, 2027.  The net proceeds from the sale of these notes were used
for general corporate purposes including the repayment of short-term debt. 
The notes were issued under a BNSF shelf registration which has $375 million
remaining.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

A breakdown of cash capital expenditures is set forth in the following table
(in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             Three Months Ended
                                  March 31,
                                1997      1996
                             --------  --------
<S>                          <C>       <C>
Maintenance of Way              $ 121     $ 141
Equipment Projects                 98       115
Expansion Projects                 43        65
Other                              34        33
                             --------  --------
   Total                        $ 296     $ 354
                             ========  ========
</TABLE>

Reductions in Maintenance of Way expenditures principally reflect timing for the
Company's new and second hand rail programs. For the three months ended March
31, 1997, the Company inserted 375,000 cross ties and laid 91 track miles of
rail compared to 360,000 cross ties inserted and 108 track miles of rail laid
for the three months ended March 31, 1996. Equipment expenditures were $17
million below 1996 reflecting reduced locomotive and freight car purchases and
locomotive overhauls. Expansion projects were $22 million below 1996 reflecting
lower capacity expansion projects compared to last year.

DIVIDENDS

Common stock dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
1996 were $.30 per common share.  Dividends paid on common stock during the
first quarter of 1997 were $46 million.  Dividends paid during the first
quarter of 1996 were $42 million on common stock and $5 million on preferred
stock.  On

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
April 1, 1997, BNSF paid to stockholders of record on March 10, 1997 a common
stock dividend of $0.30 per share.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

BNSF's ratio of total debt to total capital was 45 percent at March 31, 1997
compared with 44 percent at December 31, 1996.


OTHER MATTERS
- -------------

OTHER CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

BNSF and its subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal actions and claims,
various governmental proceedings and private civil suits arising in the
ordinary course of business, including those related to environmental matters
and personal injury claims.  While the final outcome of these items cannot be
predicted with certainty, considering among other things the meritorious legal
defenses available, it is the opinion of management that none of these items,
when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the annual
results of operations, financial position or liquidity of BNSF, although an
adverse resolution of a number of these items in a single period could have a
material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter
or fiscal year.


RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per Share" which
specifies the computation, presentation, and disclosure requirements for
earnings per share (EPS) for entities with publicly held common stock.  The
statement is effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997 and early
adoption is prohibited.  It will be effective for BNSF for the year ended
December 31, 1997.  SFAS No. 128 requires the presentation of basic and
diluted earnings per share calculated pursuant to the requirements of the
standard.  Had the Company adopted SFAS No. 128 in the first quarter of 1997,
basic earnings per share would have been $0.97 and $1.25 for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Diluted earnings per share would
have been the same as net income per common share included in the accompanying
consolidated statement of income.

                                     -10-

<PAGE>
 
          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                         PART II  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


CROW RESERVATION CROSSING ACCIDENT CASE

Reference  is  made  to the discussion in Registrant's Report on Form 10-K for
the  fiscal  year ended December 31, 1996, of the lawsuit filed in Crow Tribal
Court  (Estates  of  Red  Wolf, Red Horse and Bull Tail v. Burlington Northern
Railroad  Company,  Case  No.  94-31) arising out of a 1993 accident at a BNSF
Railway crossing located within the boundaries of the Crow reservation in
which  three  members of the Crow tribe were killed.  The lawsuit was filed on
behalf  of  the estates of the driver of the vehicle and the two passengers in
the  vehicle  involved.  One of the passenger cases was severed and has yet to
go to trial.  The other two cases proceeded to trial in January 1996.  On
February  6,  1996,  a  Crow Tribal Court jury rendered a verdict against BNSF
Railway for compensatory damages in the total amount of $250 million. 
Subsequently, the plaintiffs filed a Notice and Request with the Tribal
Appellate Court requesting, among other things, the entry of an order reducing
the  amount  of  the judgment to $25 million.  On February 7, 1997, the Tribal
Appellate Court issued an order setting forth its intention to grant the
motion  to  reduce the judgment by remanding the matter to the trial court for
the limited purpose of reducing the judgment in accordance with the request.

On  February  26, 1996, the Federal District Court for the District of Montana
entered an order enjoining any action by the Tribal Court plaintiffs to
enforce the judgment pending appeal through the tribal court and federal court
systems.    Upon appeal of that decision by the Tribal Court plaintiffs to the
United  States  Court  of  Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit on
January 29, 1997, issued an opinion which reversed the district court and
remanded the matter to the trial court with instructions to dissolve the
injunction.  The basis for the appellate court's decision was that BNSF
Railway  had failed to exhaust its remedies in the tribal court.  On April 10,
1997,  the  Ninth  Circuit denied BNSF Railway's petition for rehearing and on
April 17, 1997, issued an order granting a stay of its mandate to the District
Court.  BNSF Railway intends to petition the United States Supreme Court for a
writ of certiorari.  As a result, the trial court's injunction against
enforcement of the judgment will stay in effect until the resolution of the 
petition for certiorari.  As a result, the trail court's injunction against 
enforcement of the judgement will stay in effect until the resolution of the 
petition for certioriai.


ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEEDING

BNSF  Railway  was  issued a Notice of Violation by the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation  Commission  with  respect  to the alleged failure to timely file
wastewater  discharge reports and other deficiencies at a facility in Silsbee,
Texas.  BNSF Railway settled the matter with an Agreed Order (TNRCC Docket No.
96-1755-1WD-E) dated May 5, 1997, which calls for payment of $117,520,
($17,628 of which is deferred contingent upon compliance with the Agreed
Order),  correction  of alleged recordkeeping deficiencies, and a study of the
ditch receiving the permitted discharges.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At the April 17, 1997, annual meeting of stockholders, the Company's
stockholders  elected 15 directors, each for a one-year term, and voted on one
stockholder proposal.


      Election of Fifteen Directors
      -----------------------------

      The stockholders elected the Company's fifteen nominees to the fifteen  
      directors positions by the vote shown below; one stockholder nominee   
      received the votes shown below but was not elected:

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

      Nominees (Elected*)           Votes For          Withheld
      -------------------          -----------        ---------
      <S>                          <C>                <C>
      Joseph F. Alibrandi*         138,563,401        1,270,831
      Jack S. Blanton*             138,592,553        1,241,679
      John J. Burns, Jr.*          138,615,838        1,218,394
      George Deukmejian*           137,611,218        2,223,014
      Daniel J. Evans*             138,542,816        1,291,416
      Robert D. Krebs*             138,530,344        1,303,888
      Bill M. Lindig*              138,629,402        1,204,830
      Roy S. Roberts*              138,632,927        1,201,305
      Marc J. Shapiro*             138,627,135        1,207,097
      Arnold R. Weber*             138,591,978        1,242,254
      Robert H. West*              138,628,823        1,205,409
      J. Steven Whisler*           138,643,399        1,190,833
      Edward E. Whitacre, Jr.*     138,645,912        1,188,320
      Ronald B. Woodard*           138,599,612        1,234,620
      Michael B. Yanney*           138,617,079        1,217,153
      William S. Purdy                     118      139,834,114
</TABLE> 

      Stockholder Proposal

      The stockholders failed to approve a stockholder proposal for the       
      establishment of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Safety Education Fund
      by the following vote:

      For                        118
      ---
      Against            139,834,114
      -------
      Abstentions                  0
      -----------
      Broker Non-Votes             0
      ----------------


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     A.  Exhibits

         See Index to Exhibits on page E-1 for a description of the exhibits
         filed as part of this report.

     B.  Reports on Form 8-K

         The Registrant filed the following Current Report on Form 8-K during
         the quarter ended March 31, 1997:

         Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of earliest event
         reported: January 21, 1997), in which it reported, under Item 5, Other
         Events, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation's Fourth Quarter 1996
         and Full Year 1996 earnings release.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


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.


                         BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
                         (Registrant)




                         By:  /s/ THOMAS N. HUND
                              -----------------------------------
                              Thomas N. Hund
                              Vice President and Controller
                               (On behalf the Registrant and as
                                principal accounting officer)


Schaumburg, Illinois
May 15, 1997

                                -13-
<PAGE>
 
          BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                EXHIBIT INDEX


  11              Computation of earnings per common share.

  12              Statement regarding computation of ratio
                  of earnings to fixed charges.

  27              Financial Data Schedule.


                                     E-1


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