STEWART ENTERPRISES INC
10-Q, 1998-06-15
PERSONAL SERVICES
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               UNITED STATES 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 APRIL 30, 1998

( )   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:  0-19508

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

                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              LOUISIANA                                72-0693290
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

   110 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD
         METAIRIE, LOUISIANA                              70005
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

      REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:  (504) 837-5880

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

   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
    -----      -----

   The number of shares of the  Registrant's Class A Common Stock, no par value
per share, and Class B Common Stock,  no par value per share, outstanding as of
June 10, 1998 was 94,152,788 and 3,555,020, respectively.

===============================================================================


                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     INDEX


PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                         PAGE

            Item 1. Financial Statements

            Consolidated Statements of Earnings -
              Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 and 1997                     3

            Consolidated Statements of Earnings -
               Six Months Ended April 30, 1998 and 1997                      4

            Consolidated Balance Sheets -
              April 30, 1998 and October 31, 1997                            5

            Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
              Six Months Ended April 30, 1998 and 1997                       7

            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       9


            Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                   Financial Condition and Results of Operations            15



PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

            Item 1. Legal Proceedings                                       21

            Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     21

            Item 5. Other Information                                       21

            Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                        24


            SIGNATURES                                                      25

                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                ----------------------------
                                                     1998          1997
                                                  ---------     ---------
Revenues:
   Funeral                                        $  91,752     $  69,613
   Cemetery                                          62,826        58,509
                                                  ---------     ---------
                                                    154,578       128,122
                                                  ---------     ---------
Costs and expenses:
   Funeral                                           61,209        47,370
   Cemetery                                          43,823        41,892
                                                  ---------     ---------
                                                    105,032        89,262
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Gross Profit                                      49,546        38,860
Corporate general and administrative expenses         4,144         3,181
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Operating earnings before performance-based
      stock options                                  45,402        35,679
Performance-based stock options                      76,762             -
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Operating earnings (loss)                        (31,360)       35,679
Interest expense                                    (10,081)      (10,071)
Investment and other income                           1,676           781
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Earnings (loss) before income taxes              (39,765)       26,389
Income taxes                                        (13,719)        9,121
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Net earnings (loss)                            $ (26,046)    $  17,268
                                                  =========     =========
Net earnings (loss) per share:
   Basic                                          $    (.27)    $     .20
                                                  =========     =========
   Diluted                                        $    (.27)    $     .20
                                                  =========     =========
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
   Basic                                             97,547        84,323
                                                  =========     =========
   Diluted                                           97,547        85,213
                                                  =========     =========
Dividends per share                               $     .01     $     .01
                                                  =========     =========

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                 --------------------------
                                                     1998          1997
                                                  ---------     ---------
Revenues:
   Funeral                                        $ 178,670     $ 136,189
   Cemetery                                         125,217       114,645
                                                  ---------     ---------
                                                    303,887       250,834
                                                  ---------     ---------
Costs and expenses:
   Funeral                                          120,070        93,775
   Cemetery                                          88,154        82,902
                                                  ---------     ---------
                                                    208,224       176,677
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Gross profit                                      95,663        74,157
Corporate general and administrative expenses         8,168         7,036
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Operating earnings before performance-based
      stock options                                  87,495        67,121
Performance-based stock options                      76,762            -
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Operating earnings                                10,733        67,121
Interest expense                                    (20,027)      (19,033)
Investment and other income                           3,034         1,566
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Earnings (loss) before income taxes and
      cumulative effect of change in accounting
      principles                                     (6,260)       49,654
Income taxes                                         (2,160)       17,379
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principles                (4,100)       32,275
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
   principles (net of $2,230 income tax benefit)
   (Note 2)                                               -        (2,324)
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Net earnings (loss)                            $  (4,100)    $  29,951
                                                  =========     =========
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
   Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principles             $    (.04)    $     .38
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting
      principles                                          -          (.02)
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Net earnings (loss)                            $    (.04)    $     .36
                                                  =========     =========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
   Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principles             $    (.04)    $     .38
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting
      principles                                          -          (.03)
                                                  ---------     ---------
   Net earnings (loss)                            $    (.04)    $     .35
                                                  =========     =========
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
   Basic                                             97,473        84,009
                                                  =========     =========
   Diluted                                           97,473        85,003
                                                  =========     =========
Dividends per share                               $     .02     $     .02
                                                  =========     =========

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


                                                     APRIL 30,    OCTOBER 31,
                      ASSETS                           1998          1997
                      ------                        -----------   -----------
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalent investments                $ 24,941      $ 31,640
   Marketable securities .                                3,861         4,615
   Receivables, net of allowances                       155,963       140,291
   Inventories                                           49,070        43,044
   Prepaid expenses                                       7,129         7,111
                                                    -----------   -----------
      Total current assets                              240,964       226,701
Receivables due beyond one year, net of allowances      228,380       200,285
Intangible assets                                       454,013       415,723
Deferred charges                                         81,116        75,353
Cemetery property, at cost                              316,959       310,628
Property and equipment, at cost:
   Land                                                  66,202        67,579
   Buildings                                            258,068       244,421
   Equipment and other                                  109,496       102,592
                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                        433,766       414,592
   Less accumulated depreciation                         93,275        85,188
                                                    -----------   -----------
   Net property and equipment                           340,491       329,404
Long-term investments                                    63,762        57,345
Other assets                                             37,110        21,799
                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                    $ 1,762,795   $ 1,637,238
                                                    ===========   ===========

                                                      APRIL 30,   OCTOBER 31,
        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY            1998         1997
        ------------------------------------        ------------  -----------
Current liabilities:
   Current maturities of long-term debt             $     25,161  $    33,973
   Accounts payable                                       14,494       16,705
   Accrued payroll                                        15,864       16,241
   Accrued insurance                                       9,603       10,428
   Accrued interest                                        9,690        7,581
   Accrued other                                          13,427       16,283
   Deferred income taxes                                  10,378        9,720
                                                    ------------  -----------
      Total current liabilities                           98,617      110,931
Long-term debt, less current maturities                  677,513      524,351
Deferred income taxes                                     81,572       85,454
Deferred revenue                                          86,334       88,088
Other long-term liabilities                                9,606        8,844
                                                    ------------  -----------
      Total liabilities                                  953,642      817,668
                                                    ------------  -----------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4 and 10)
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 5,000,000 shares
   authorized; no shares issued                                -            -
Shareholders' equity:
   Common stock, $1.00 stated value:
      Class A authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued
         and outstanding 94,152,788 and 93,807,568
         shares at April 30, 1998 and October 31,
         1997, respectively                               94,153       93,808
      Class B authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued
         and outstanding 3,555,020 shares at April
         30, 1998 and October 31, 1997; 10 votes
         per share; convertible into an equal number
         of Class A shares                                 3,555        3,555
   Additional paid-in capital                            484,261      477,499
   Retained earnings                                     273,054      279,104
   Cumulative foreign translation adjustment             (50,074)     (36,609)
   Unrealized appreciation of investments                  4,204        2,213
                                                    ------------  -----------
      Total shareholders' equity                         809,153      819,570
                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                    $  1,762,795  $ 1,637,238
                                                    ============  ===========

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


                                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                          1998         1997
Cash flows from operating activities:                   --------     --------
   Net earnings (loss)                                  $ (4,100)    $ 29,951
   Adjustments  to  reconcile net earnings (loss)
      to net cash provided by (used in) operating
      activities:
      Performance-based stock options                     76,762            -
      Depreciation and amortization                       15,115       12,479
      Provision for doubtful accounts                     12,327       11,640
      Cumulative effect of change in accounting
         principles                                            -        2,324
      Net gains on sales of marketable securities         (1,632)        (362)
      Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes       (3,549)          26
      Changes in assets and  liabilities net of
         effects from acquisitions:
        Increase in prearranged funeral trust
           receivables                                   (10,002)      (7,199)
        Increase in other receivables                    (41,074)     (32,432)
        Increase in deferred charges and intangible
           assets                                         (9,533)      (9,446)
        Increase in inventories and cemetery property     (4,855)      (4,283)
        Decrease in accounts payable and accrued
           expenses                                       (9,907)      (6,556)
        Decrease in estimated costs to complete
          mausoleums and to deliver merchandise          (13,597)      (7,091)
        Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue           (4,300)         509
        Increase in other                                    262          941 
                                                        --------     --------
        Net cash provided by (used in) operating
           activities                                      1,917       (9,499)
                                                        --------     --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Proceeds from sales of marketable securities           11,082        3,671
   Purchases of marketable securities and long-term
      investments                                        (12,877)      (6,858)
   Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash, seller
      financing and stock issued                         (47,997)     (85,684)
   Additions to property and equipment                   (19,099)     (19,012)
   Other                                                   1,837          302
                                                        --------     --------
        Net cash used in investing activities            (67,054)    (107,581)
                                                        --------     --------


                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                    --------------------------
                                                         1998        1997
Cash flows from financing activities:                  ---------   ---------
   Proceeds from long-term debt                        $ 380,741   $ 253,936
   Repayments of long-term debt                         (251,685)   (132,941)
   Retirement of performance-based stock options         (69,431)          -
   Issuance of common stock                               11,009       4,334
   Purchase and retirement of common stock                (9,101)     (5,925)
   Dividends                                              (1,950)     (1,683)
                                                       ---------   ---------
      Net cash provided by financing activities           59,583     117,721
                                                       ---------   ---------

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash
   equivalents                                            (1,145)       (165)
                                                       ---------   ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                           (6,699)        476
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period            31,640      24,580
                                                       ---------   ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period               $  24,941   $  25,056
                                                       =========   =========

Supplemental cash flow information:
   Cash paid during the period for:
      Income taxes                                     $   5,700   $  17,400
      Interest                                         $  17,900   $  17,700

   Noncash investing and financing activity:
      Subsidiaries acquired with common stock          $     200   $   6,400

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

   (a) The Company

   Stewart  Enterprises,  Inc. (the "Company") is the third largest provider of
products and services in the death care industry in North America.  Through its
subsidiaries, the Company offers  a  complete  line  of funeral merchandise and
services, along with cemetery property, merchandise and services.

   As of April 30, 1998, the Company owned and operated  447  funeral homes and
133  cemeteries  in  26  states  within the United States, and in Puerto  Rico,
Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,  Spain,  Portugal,  the Netherlands and
Argentina.   For  the  six  months  ended  April  30, 1998, foreign  operations
contributed  approximately 15% of total revenue and,  as  of  April  30,  1998,
represented approximately 19% of total assets.

   (b) Principles of Consolidation

   The accompanying  consolidated  financial statements include the Company and
its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany  balances and transactions have
been eliminated.

   (c) Interim Disclosures

   The information as of April 30, 1998, and for the three and six months ended
April  30,  1998  and 1997, is unaudited, but, in the  opinion  of  management,
reflects all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for
a fair presentation  of  financial  position  and results of operations for the
interim periods.  The accompanying consolidated  financial statements should be
read  in  conjunction  with  the consolidated financial  statements  and  notes
thereto contained in the Company's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1997.

   The results of operations for the three and six months  ended April 30, 1998
are  not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected  for  the  fiscal
year ending October 31, 1998.

   (d) Foreign Currency Translation

   In  accordance  with  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting Standards No. 52,
"Foreign  Currency Translation," all assets and liabilities  of  the  Company's
foreign subsidiaries  are  translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in
effect at the end of the period,  and  revenues  and expenses are translated at
average exchange rates prevailing during the period.  The resulting translation
adjustments  are  reflected in a separate component  of  shareholders'  equity,
except  for  translation   adjustments   arising   from  operations  in  highly
inflationary economies.

   During the first quarter of fiscal year 1997, the Company changed its method
of  reporting  foreign  currency  translation  adjustments   for   its  Mexican
operations  to the method prescribed for highly inflationary economies.   Under
that method,  foreign currency translation adjustments are reflected in results
of operations,  instead of in shareholders' equity.  This change did not have a
material effect on  the Company's results of operations for fiscal year 1997 or
the first six months  of  fiscal year 1998, and management does not expect this
change to have a material effect  on  the  Company's  results of operations for
fiscal year 1998.

   (e) Per-Share Data

   Effective  November  1,  1997,  the Company adopted Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards  No.  128  "Earnings   Per  Share,"  which  requires  the
presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share
is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted  average  number of common
shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share  is computed
by  dividing  net  earnings  by  the  weighted  average number of common shares
outstanding plus the number of additional common  shares  that  would have been
outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares (in this case,  exercise of
the Company's time-vest stock options) had been issued during each period.  Any
potential  common shares that are antidilutive are not included in the  diluted
earnings per share calculation.  See Note 7.

   All share  and  per-share data have been adjusted for the Company's two-for-
one common stock split effected April 24, 1998.  See Note 6.

   (f) Use of Estimates

   The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities  at  the  date of the financial
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues and expenses  during  the
reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   (g) Reclassifications

   Certain reclassifications have been made to  the 1997 consolidated financial
statements  to  conform  to  the  presentation used in  the  1998  consolidated
financial statements.  These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings or
shareholders' equity.

(2) CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

   Effective November 1, 1996, the  Company  changed  certain of its accounting
methods  with respect to prearranged funeral and cemetery  sales  in  order  to
provide a better matching of revenues and costs.  For further details, refer to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1997.

(3) ACQUISITIONS

   During the six months ended April 30, 1998, the Company purchased 41 funeral
homes and  two  cemeteries,  compared  to  44 funeral homes and four cemeteries
purchased during the six months ended April 30, 1997.

   These acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method, and their
results of operations are included in the accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements  from the dates of acquisition.  The purchase price allocations  for
certain of these acquisitions are based on preliminary information.

   The following  table reflects, on an unaudited pro forma basis, the combined
operations of the Company  and  the  businesses  acquired during the six months
ended April 30, 1998, as if such acquisitions had  taken place at the beginning
of the respective periods presented.  Appropriate adjustments have been made to
reflect  the  accounting basis used in recording the acquisitions.   These  pro
forma results have  been  prepared  for  comparative  purposes  only and do not
purport to be indicative of the results of operations that would  have resulted
had the combinations been in effect on the dates indicated, that have  resulted
since the dates of acquisition, or that may result in the future.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                          --------------------------
                                                              1998           1997
                                                           ----------     ----------
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                                     <C>            <C>
   Revenues                                                $  311,387     $  264,207
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Operating  earnings  before  performance-based stock
      options                                              $   88,684     $   68,870
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principles                                $   (4,202)    $   31,859
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Net earnings (loss)                                     $   (4,202)    $   29,535
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Basic earnings (loss) per share:
      Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of change
         in accounting principles                          $     (.04)    $      .38
                                                           ==========     ==========
      Net earnings (loss)                                  $     (.04)    $      .35
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
      Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of change
         in accounting principles                          $     (.04)    $      .37
                                                           ==========     ==========
      Net earnings (loss)                                  $     (.04)    $      .35
                                                           ==========     ==========
   Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

      Basic                                                    97,476         84,019
                                                           ==========     ==========
      Diluted                                                  97,476         85,013
                                                           ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

   The  effect  of  acquisitions  at  dates  of  purchase  on  the consolidated
   financial statements was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30,
                                                      --------------------------
                                                          1998         1997
                                                        --------     --------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                                  <C>          <C>
   Current assets                                       $  5,345     $  3,782
   Receivables due beyond one year                             -        1,213
   Cemetery property                                       7,902          650
   Property and equipment, net                             7,792       19,331
   Deferred charges and other assets                          25          372
   Intangible assets, net                                 46,977       78,616
   Current liabilities                                    (3,660)      (5,753)
   Long-term debt                                        (15,279)      (5,281)
   Other long-term liabilities                              (905)        (857)
                                                        --------     --------
                                                          48,197       92,073
   Common stock used for acquisitions                        200        6,389
                                                        --------     --------
   Cash used for acquisitions                           $ 47,997     $ 85,684
                                                        ========     ========
</TABLE>

(4) CONTINGENCIES

   The  Company  was  notified  in  September 1994 that a suit was brought by a
competitor  regarding  the Company's acquisition  of  certain  corporations  in
Mexico.  The suit alleges  that  this  acquisition  violated  the  competitor's
previous  option  to acquire the same corporations.  The suit seeks unspecified
damages.  The Company  believes  that  the suit is without merit and intends to
defend it vigorously.  The Company believes  it  is entitled to indemnification
from the previous owners of these corporations should  an  unfavorable  outcome
result.    Management does not believe this matter will have a material adverse
effect on the financial position, net earnings or cash flows of the Company.

(5) RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

   Statements   of   Financial   Accounting   Standards   No.  130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information," and No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures  about  Pensions and
Other  Postretirement  Benefits,"  are  required  to be implemented during  the
Company's  fiscal  year  ending  October  31,  1999.   The   effect   of  these
pronouncements on the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of
operations is not expected to be material.

(6) STOCK SPLIT

   In  March 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a two-for-one
split of  the  Company's  Class  A  and  Class  B  Common Stock.  The split was
accomplished  by  way  of  a 100% stock dividend paid on  April  24,  1998,  to
shareholders  of  record on April  10,  1998.   The  Board  of  Directors  also
confirmed its intention to maintain the quarterly dividend of $.02 per share on
the increased number of shares outstanding, beginning with the third quarter of
the Company's fiscal year ending October 31, 1998.

(7) RECONCILIATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED PER-SHARE DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              EARNINGS       SHARES      PER-SHARE
                                                            (NUMERATOR)   (DENOMINATOR)     DATA
                                                            -----------   -------------  ---------
    <S>                                                     <C>           <C>            <C>
    THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997
    ---------------------------------
    Net earnings                                            $    17,268
                                                            ===========
    Basic earnings per share:                               
      Net earnings available to common shareholders         $    17,268        84,323    $     .20
                                                                                         =========
    Effect of dilutive securities:
      Time-vest stock options assumed exercised                       -           890
                                                            -----------     ---------
    Diluted earnings per share:
      Net earnings available to common shareholders
         plus time-vest stock options assumed exercised     $    17,268        85,213    $     .20
                                                            ===========     =========    =========
   SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997
   -------------------------------
    Earnings before cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principles                                 $    32,275
                                                            ===========
    Basic earnings per share:
      Earnings available to common shareholders             $    32,275        84,009    $     .38
                                                                                         =========
    Effect of dilutive securities:
      Time-vest stock options assumed exercised                       -           994
                                                            -----------     ---------
    Diluted earnings per share:
      Earnings available to common shareholders
         plus time-vest stock options assumed exercised     $    32,275        85,003    $     .38
                                                            ===========     =========    =========
</TABLE>

   For  the  three  and six months ended April 30, 1998, there is no difference
between basic and diluted  loss  per  share  as  reported  in  the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.  Since the Company reported losses  in  both
periods,  the effect of any potential common shares that would have been issued
during the  periods  would  have  been  antidilutive.  Had the company reported
earnings in both periods, approximately 819,000  and  774,000 shares would have
been  added  to  the  diluted share count for time-vest stock  options  assumed
exercised for the three and six months ended April 30, 1998, respectively.

(8) PERFORMANCE-BASED STOCK OPTIONS

   The Company's performance-based  stock  options  granted under the Company's
1995  Incentive  Compensation Plan  and covering 4,855,886  shares,  vested  on
April 7, 1998 when the performance goal set in 1995 was met.  The options, held
by 119 persons, vested  when  the average of the closing sale prices of a share
of  the Company's Class A Common  Stock  equaled  or  exceeded  $26.44  for  20
consecutive  trading  days,  which  goal represented a five-year 20% compounded
annual growth in the price per share of the stock from the Plan's inception.

   Once  the  stock price performance target  was  achieved,  the  Company  was
required by generally accepted accounting principles to record a non-recurring,
non-cash charge to earnings of approximately $76,762 (approximately $50,279, or
$.51 per share, after-tax) in the second quarter of fiscal year 1998.  Although
this charge resulted  in  the  Company  reporting  a loss for the three and six
months ended April 30, 1998, there will be no impact on future periods.

   Additionally, to encourage optionees to exercise  their  options immediately
in order to renew the performance-based option program and to  reduce potential
dilution  from  additional  shares  in  the  market,  the  Company  offered  to
repurchase the options for the difference between $27.31, the closing  price on
the  date  on  which the options vested, and the exercise price of the options.
The repurchase of  certain  of  the options by the Company and the exercise  of
the remaining options resulted in a cash outlay of approximately $69,431.

(9) PUBLIC OFFERING OF REMARKETABLE OR REDEEMABLE SECURITIES

   In  April  1998,  the  Company issued  $200,000  of  6.40%  Remarketable  Or
Redeemable Securities (ROARS)  due  May 1, 2013 (remarketing date May 1, 2003).
The ROARS were priced to the public at  99.677%  to yield 6.476%.  Net proceeds
were  approximately  $203,631,  including  the  remarketing   payment   by  the
remarketing  dealer  for the right to remarket the securities after five years.
The proceeds were used  to  reduce  balances  outstanding  under  the Company's
existing revolving credit facilities.

   The net effective rate to the Company, assuming the securities are  redeemed
by  the  Company  after five years, is 5.77%.  If the securities are remarketed
after five years, the  net effective rate is expected to be approximately 6.14%
over 15 years.

(10)  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

   Subsequent to April 30,  1998,  the  Company  has  acquired  or committed to
acquire  97  funeral homes and five cemeteries for purchase prices  aggregating
approximately $108,359.


                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

   Effective November  1,  1996,  the Company changed certain of its accounting
methods for prearranged funeral and cemetery sales in order to provide a better
matching of revenues and costs.  For  further  details,  refer to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1997.

   For purposes of the following discussion, funeral homes and cemeteries owned
and operated for the entirety of both periods being compared are referred to as
"Existing Operations."  Correspondingly, funeral homes and  cemeteries acquired
or  opened  during  either period being compared are referred to  as  "Acquired
Operations."

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 Compared to Three Months Ended April 30, 1997

Funeral Segment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              APRIL 30,
                                                         ------------------
                                                           1998      1997      INCREASE
                                                         --------  --------    --------
                                                                  (In millions)
    <S>                                                  <C>       <C>         <C>
    FUNERAL REVENUE
    ---------------
    Existing Operations                                  $   66.1  $   61.9    $    4.2
    Acquired Operations                                      18.0       3.2        14.8
    Revenue from prearranged funeral trust funds and
       escrow accounts                                        7.7       4.5         3.2
                                                         --------  --------    --------
                                                         $   91.8  $   69.6     $  22.2
                                                         ========  ========    ========
   FUNERAL COSTS
   -------------
   Existing Operations                                   $   45.7  $   45.4    $     .3
   Acquired Operations                                       15.5       2.0        13.5
                                                         --------  --------    --------
                                                         $   61.2  $   47.4    $   13.8
                                                         ========  ========    ========
   Funeral Segment Profit                                $   30.6  $   22.2    $    8.4
                                                         ========  ========    ========
</TABLE>

   Funeral revenue increased $22.2 million, or 32%, for the three  months ended
April  30,  1998,  compared  to  the corresponding period in 1997.  The Company
experienced a $4.2 million increase  in  revenue  from Existing Operations as a
result of a 4.7% increase in the average revenue per  domestic  funeral service
performed by Existing Operations (8.9% increase in total,  excluding the effect
of foreign currency translation), primarily due to price increases and improved
merchandising.   Partially  offsetting  this  increase in  revenue  was  a 2.0%
decrease  in  the number of  domestic funeral  services  performed  by Existing
Operations (4.3% decrease in total).

   The  improved  profit  margin  achieved   by  Existing  Operations  resulted
principally from the increased average revenue  per  funeral  service mentioned
above,  implementation  of  certain  cost control measures, including  contract
negotiations  with  certain  vendors,  and  the  Company's  centralization  and
standardization of certain financial and  administrative  functions through its
Shared Services Center.

   The  increase  in  revenue  and  costs  from  Acquired  Operations  resulted
primarily from the Company's acquisition or construction of  funeral homes from
May  1997  through  April  1998  which  are  not  reflected in the 1997  period
presented above.

   The  increase in revenue from prearranged funeral  trust  funds  and  escrow
accounts  was attributable to a 29% growth in the average balance in such trust
funds and escrow  accounts,  resulting  primarily  from  current  year customer
payments deposited into the funds and funds added through acquisitions, coupled
with a slight increase in the average yield on such funds.

Cemetery Segment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              APRIL 30,
                                                         ------------------
                                                           1998      1997     INCREASE
                                                         --------  --------   --------
                                                                  (In millions)
   <S>                                                   <C>       <C>        <C>  
   CEMETERY REVENUE
   ----------------
   Existing Operations                                   $   57.2  $   56.3   $     .9
   Acquired Operations                                        2.3        .1        2.2
   Revenue from merchandise trust funds and
      escrow accounts                                         3.3       2.1        1.2
                                                         --------  --------   --------
                                                         $   62.8  $   58.5   $    4.3
                                                         ========  ========   ========
   CEMETERY COSTS
   --------------
   Existing Operations                                   $   41.8  $   41.8   $      -
   Acquired Operations                                        2.0        .1        1.9
                                                         --------  --------   --------
                                                         $   43.8  $   41.9   $    1.9
                                                         ========  ========   ========
   Cemetery Segment Profit                               $   19.0  $   16.6   $    2.4
                                                         ========  ========   ========
</TABLE>

   Cemetery  revenue  increased $4.3 million, or 7%, for the three months ended
April 30, 1998, compared  to  the corresponding period in 1997, due principally
to a $2.2 million increase in revenue  from  Acquired  Operations  and  a  $1.2
million  increase  in revenue from merchandise trust funds and escrow accounts,
which are discussed below.

   The improved profit  margin achieved by Existing Operations was attributable
principally to an increase  in  cemetery  sales, including burial site openings
and  closings,  and  the  continued  implementation  of  certain  cost  control
measures,  including  contract  negotiations   with  certain  vendors  and  the
Company's  centralization  and  standardization  of   certain   financial   and
administrative functions through its Shared Services Center.

   The  increase  in  revenue  and  costs  from  Acquired  Operations  resulted
primarily from the Company's acquisition or construction of cemeteries from May
1997  through  April  1998 which are not reflected in the 1997 period presented
above.

   The $1.2 million increase in revenue from merchandise trust funds and escrow
accounts was attributable  to  a  24%   growth  in  the  average balance in the
merchandise  trust  funds  and  escrow  accounts, resulting from  current  year
customer payments deposited into the funds,  along  with  funds  added  through
acquisitions, coupled with an increase in the yield on the merchandise funds.

Other

   During   the  quarter  ended  April  30,  1998,  the  Company  achieved  the
performance goal  for  the  performance-based  stock  options granted under the
Company's  1995  Incentive  Compensation Plan.  As a result,  the  Company  was
required  to  record  a  non-recurring,   non-cash   charge   to   earnings  of
approximately  $76.8  million  (approximately $50.3 million or $.51 per  share,
after-tax) in the second quarter  of  fiscal  year  1998.  Although this charge
resulted in the Company reporting a loss for the second  quarter of fiscal year
1998, there will be no impact on future periods.

   Additionally, to encourage optionees to exercise their  options  immediately
in order to renew the performance-based option program and to reduce  potential
dilution  from  additional  shares  in  the  market,  the  Company  offered  to
repurchase  the options for the difference between $27.31, the closing price on
the date on which  the  options  vested, and the exercise price of the options.
The repurchase of certain of the options by the Company and the exercise of the
remaining options resulted in a cash outlay of approximately $69.4 million.

   Interest expense was flat during  the  second  quarter  of  fiscal year 1998
compared  to  the  same  period in 1997, as the result of a slight increase  in
average borrowings, offset  by a slight decrease in average interest rates from
6.6% in 1997 to 6.3% in 1998.   Approximately  $263.0  million  of  the  $702.7
million  outstanding  borrowings  at  April  30, 1998 was subject to short-term
variable interest rates averaging approximately 6.2%.

Six Months Ended April 30, 1998 Compared to Six Months Ended April 30, 1997

Funeral Segment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                               APRIL 30,             
                                                          ------------------      Increase
                                                            1998      1997       (DECREASE)
                                                          --------  --------     ----------
                                                                     (In millions)
    <S>                                                   <C>       <C>          <C>
    FUNERAL REVENUE
    ---------------
    Existing Operations                                   $  129.4  $  121.4       $   8.0
    Acquired Operations                                       36.6       5.3          31.3
    Revenue froM prearranged funeral trust funds and
       escrow accounts                                        12.7       9.5           3.2
                                                          --------  --------       -------
                                                          $  178.7  $  136.2       $  42.5
                                                          ========  ========       =======
    FUNERAL COSTS
    -------------
    Existing Operations                                   $   89.3  $   90.2       $   (.9)
    Acquired Operations                                       30.8       3.6          27.2
                                                          --------  --------       -------
                                                          $  120.1  $   93.8       $  26.3
                                                          ========  ========       =======
    Funeral Segment Profit                                $   58.6  $   42.4       $  16.2
                                                          ========  ========       =======
</TABLE>

   Funeral  revenue increased $42.5 million, or 31%, for the six  months  ended
April 30, 1998,  compared  to  the  corresponding  period in 1997.  The Company
experienced an $8.0 million increase in revenue from  Existing  Operations as a
result  of a 5.1% increase in the average revenue per domestic funeral  service
performed by Existing Operations (8.9% increase in total,  excluding the effect
of foreign currency translation), primarily due to price increases and improved
merchandising. Slightly offsetting this increase in revenue was a 1.1% decrease
in  the  number  of  domestic funeral services performed by Existing Operations
(2.7% decrease in total).

   The $.9 million, or 1%, decrease in funeral costs from  Existing  Operations
resulted  principally from the implementation of certain cost control measures,
including  contract   negotiations  with  certain  vendors  and  the  Company's
centralization and standardization  of  certain  financial  and  administrative
functions  through  its  Shared Services Center.  Existing Operations  achieved
improved profit margins resulting  primarily  from these increased cost control
measures and the increased average revenue per funeral service mentioned above.

   The  increase  in  revenue  and  costs  from  Acquired  Operations  resulted
primarily from the Company's acquisition or construction  of funeral homes from
May  1997  through  April  1998  which  are  not reflected in the  1997  period
presented above.

   The  increase in revenue from prearranged funeral  trust  funds  and  escrow
accounts  was attributable to a 28% growth in the average balance in such trust
funds and escrow  accounts,  resulting  primarily  from  current  year customer
payments deposited into the funds and funds added through acquisitions,  offset
by a slight decline in the average yield on such funds.

Cemetery Segment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                               APRIL 30,              
                                                          -------------------    Increase
                                                            1998       1997     (DECREASE)
                                                          --------   --------   ----------
                                                                     (In millions)
   <S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
   CEMETERY REVENUE
   ----------------
   Existing Operations                                    $  114.8   $  108.0     $   6.8
   Acquired Operations                                         4.3         .2         4.1
   Revenue from merchandise trust funds and
      escrow accounts                                          6.1        6.4         (.3)
                                                          --------   --------     -------
                                                          $  125.2   $  114.6     $  10.6
                                                          ========   ========     =======
   CEMETERY COSTS
   --------------
   Existing Operations                                    $   84.3   $   82.7     $   1.6
   Acquired Operations                                         3.9         .2         3.7
                                                          --------   --------     -------
                                                          $   88.2   $   82.9     $   5.3
                                                          ========   ========     =======
   Cemetery Segment Profit                                $   37.0   $   31.7     $   5.3
                                                          ========   ========     =======
</TABLE>

   Cemetery  revenue  increased  $10.6 million, or 9%, for the six months ended
April 30, 1998, compared to the corresponding  period  in 1997, due principally
to a $6.8 million increase in revenue from Existing Operations. The increase in
revenue  from  Existing  Operations  resulted  primarily from  an  increase  in
cemetery sales, including burial site openings and closings.

   The improved profit margin achieved by Existing  Operations was attributable
principally  to  the  increase  in  cemetery  sales  discussed  above  and  the
implementation   of   certain   cost   control  measures,  including   contract
negotiations  with  certain  vendors  and  the   Company's  centralization  and
standardization of certain financial and administrative  functions  through its
Shared Services Center.

   The  increase  in  revenue  and  costs  from  Acquired  Operations  resulted
primarily from the Company's acquisition or construction of cemeteries from May
1997  through  April  1998 which are not reflected in the 1997 period presented
above.

Other

   In  April  1998,  the  Company   achieved   the  performance  goal  for  the
performance-based  stock  options granted under the  Company's  1995  Incentive
Compensation Plan.  As a result,  the  Company  was  required  to record a non-
recurring,   non-cash   charge  to  earnings  of  approximately  $76.8  million
(approximately $50.3 million,  or  .51  per  share,  after-tax)  in April 1998.
Although  this  charge  resulted  in the Company reporting a loss for  the  six
months ended April 30, 1998, there will be no impact on future periods.

   Additionally, to encourage optionees  to  exercise their options immediately
in order to renew the performance-based option  program and to reduce potential
dilution  from  additional  shares  in  the  market,  the  Company  offered  to
repurchase the options for the difference between $27.31,  the closing price on
the date on which the options vested, and the exercise price  of  the  options.
The repurchase of certain of the options by the Company and the exercise of the
remaining options resulted in a cash outlay of approximately $69.4 million.

   Interest  expense  increased  $1.0  million  during  the first six months of
fiscal  year  1998  compared to the same period in 1997, resulting  principally
from an increase in average  borrowings.   Approximately  $263.0 million of the
$702.7 million outstanding borrowings at April 30, 1998 was  subject  to short-
term variable interest rates averaging approximately 6.2%.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   Cash  and  marketable securities of the Company were $28.8 million at  April
30, 1998, a decrease  of approximately $7.5 million from October 31, 1997.  The
Company's cash provided  by operations totalled $1.9 million for the six months
ended  April  30, 1998, compared  to  a  $9.5  million  use  of  cash  for  the
corresponding  period  in  1997, due principally to an increase in net earnings
excluding the effect of the  non-cash  performance-based  stock  option charge,
offset by an increase in receivables and other working capital changes.

   Long-term  debt  at  April 30, 1998 amounted to $702.7 million, compared  to
$558.3 million at October  31, 1997.  The Company's long-term debt consisted of
$263.0 million under the Company's  revolving credit facilities, $423.6 million
of long-term notes, including the Remarketable or Redeemable Securities (ROARS)
discussed  below,  and $16.1 million of  term  notes  incurred  principally  in
connection with the  acquisition  of funeral home and cemetery properties.  All
of  the  Company's  debt is uncollateralized,  except  for  approximately  $1.6
million of term notes incurred principally in connection with acquisitions.

   In April 1998, the  Company  issued  $200  million of 6.40% ROARS due May 1,
2013 (remarketing date May 1, 2003).  The ROARS  were  priced  to the public at
99.677%  to  yield  6.476%.   Net  proceeds were approximately $203.6  million,
including the remarketing payment by  the  remarketing  dealer for the right to
remarket  the securities after five years.  The proceeds were  used  to  reduce
balances outstanding  under the Company's existing revolving credit facilities.
The net effective rate  to the Company, assuming the securities are redeemed by
the Company after five years, is 5.77%.  If the securities are remarketed after
five years, the net effective  rate  is expected to be approximately 6.14% over
15 years.

   The  most restrictive of the Company's  credit  agreements  requires  it  to
maintain  a  debt-to-equity  ratio no higher than 1.25 to 1.0.  The Company has
managed its capitalization within  that  limit,  with  a ratio of total debt to
equity of .9 to 1.0 and .7 to 1.0 as of April 30, 1998 and  October  31,  1997,
respectively.   As  of  April  30,  1998,  the  Company  had  $305.3 million of
additional borrowing capacity within this parameter, all of which was available
under its revolving credit facilities.

   The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges was .70 for  the six months
ended April 30, 1998, which includes the $50.3 million non-recurring,  non-cash
performance-based stock option charge.  Excluding the stock option charge,  the
Company's  ratio  of  earnings  to  fixed charges was 4.33.  As a result of the
stock option charge recorded in the second  quarter  of  fiscal  year 1998, the
Company's earnings through the first half of fiscal year 1998 were insufficient
to  cover its fixed charges, and an additional $6.3 million in pretax  earnings
would  have  been  required  to  eliminate the coverage deficiency.  Management
anticipates that this deficiency will be eliminated during the third quarter of
fiscal year 1998.

   For the fiscal years ended October  31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993, the
Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges  was  as  follows: 3.65 (excluding
the  cumulative  effect  of  the change in accounting principles),  3.98,  2.72
(including the $17.3 million non-recurring,  non-cash  performance-based  stock
option charge), 5.30 and 5.15, respectively.  Excluding the stock option charge
in  fiscal  year  1995,  the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges would
have been 3.43.  For purposes  of  computing  the  ratio  of  earnings to fixed
charges,  earnings  consist  of  pretax earnings plus fixed charges  (excluding
interest capitalized during the period).   Fixed  charges  consist  of interest
expense,  capitalized  interest,  amortization of debt expense and discount  or
premium relating to any indebtedness,  and  the  portion of rental expense that
management believes to be representative of the interest  component  of  rental
expense.   Fiscal  year  1996  and prior amounts reflect the Company's previous
accounting methods which were in effect at that time.

   During  the  six  months  ended  April   30,  1998,  the  Company  completed
acquisitions  of  41  funeral  homes  and two cemeteries  for  purchase  prices
aggregating   approximately   $65.7  million,   including   the   issuance   of
approximately 9,300 shares of Class A Common Stock and $7.1 million of  seller-
financed acquisition indebtedness.  The  cash  portion of the purchase price of
these  acquisitions  was  funded primarily with advances  under  the  Company's
revolving credit facilities.

   Subsequent to April 30,  1998,  the  Company  has  acquired  or committed to
acquire  97  funeral homes and five cemeteries for purchase prices  aggregating
approximately  $108.4 million.  If these purchases are consummated, the amounts
to be paid will be satisfied by borrowings under the Company's revolving credit
facilities.

   Although the  Company  has no material commitments for capital expenditures,
the  Company  contemplates capital  expenditures,  excluding  acquisitions,  of
approximately $40.0  million  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  October 31, 1998,
including construction of new funeral homes and refurbishing of  funeral  homes
recently acquired.

   Management  expects  that  future  capital  requirements  will  be satisfied
through  a combination of internally generated cash flow and amounts  available
under its  revolving  credit  facilities.  Additional debt and equity financing
may  be required in connection with  future  acquisitions.   In  addition,  the
Company  monitors  its mix of fixed and floating rate debt obligations in light
of changing market conditions  and  may  from time to time decide to alter that
mix by, for example, refinancing balances  outstanding  under its floating rate
revolving  credit  facility  with  public  or private fixed rate  debt,  or  by
entering   into  interest  rate  swaps  or  similar   interest   rate   hedging
transactions.


INFLATION

   Inflation  has  not  had a significant impact on the Company's United States
operations over the past  three years, nor is it expected to have a significant
impact in the foreseeable future.   The  Mexican economy, however, currently is
experiencing inflation rates substantially  in  excess  of  those in the United
States.

   During the first quarter of fiscal year 1997, the Company changed its method
of   reporting  foreign  currency  translation  adjustments  for  its   Mexican
operations  to  the method prescribed for highly inflationary economies.  Under
that method, foreign  currency translation adjustments are reflected in results
of operations, instead  of in shareholders' equity.  This change did not have a
material effect on the Company's  results of operations for fiscal year 1997 or
the six months ended April 30, 1998, and management does not expect this change
to have a material effect on the Company's  results  of  operations  for fiscal
year 1998.

OTHER

   Statements   of   Financial   Accounting   Standards   No.  130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive Income,"  No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments  of  an  Enterprise
and  Related  Information," and No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions
and Other Postretirement  Benefits,"  are required to be implemented during the
Company's  fiscal  year  ending  October  31,   1999.    The  effect  of  these
pronouncements on the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of
operations is not expected to be material.


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   There  has  been  no  change in the status of the Company's  material  legal
proceedings during the quarter ended April 30, 1998.

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

   The Company's 1998 annual  meeting  of  shareholders  was  held on March 27,
1998.   All  director  nominees  were  elected.  The voting tabulation  was  as
follows: Frank B. Stewart, Jr.: 121,165,970  votes for; 821,622 votes withheld;
Darwin  C.  Fenner:  121,114,510 votes for; 873,082  votes  withheld;  John  P.
Laborde: 121,151,382 votes for; 836,210 votes withheld.  The proposal to ratify
the appointment of Coopers  &  Lybrand L.L.P., certified public accountants, as
independent auditors for the fiscal  year ending October 31, 1998 was approved.
The  voting tabulation was as follows:  121,771,062  votes  for;  33,188  votes
against;  and  183,342  abstentions.   All  amounts  have been adjusted for the
Company's two-for-one stock split effective April 24, 1998.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, the Company
that  are  not  historical facts are intended to be forward-looking  statements
within the meaning  of  the  safe  harbor  provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

   The Company's goals for fiscal year 1998  include:  (i) revenue growth of at
least  20%;  and  (ii)  earnings  per  share growth of 20%.  The  Company  also
projects approximately $200-$225 million  in  acquisitions,  which represents a
slight increase over the $185 million, $179 million, and $154  million achieved
in fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  For fiscal year  1998,  the
Company  projects  gross  margin  improvement of approximately 150 to 160 basis
points over its fiscal year 1997 gross margin.

   The Company's strategic plan for  the  future  includes the following goals:
(i) achievement of $1 billion in revenue by fiscal year 2001; and (ii) earnings
per share growth of 20% annually.

   Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions  about future events and
are therefore inherently uncertain; actual results may differ  materially  from
those projected.  See "Cautionary Statements," below.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

   The  Company  cautions  readers  that the following important factors, among
others, in some cases have affected,  and  in  the  future  could  affect,  the
Company's  actual  consolidated  results  and  could cause the Company's actual
consolidated results in the future to differ materially  from  the  projections
made  in  the forward-looking statements above and in any other forward-looking
statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company.

   (1) Achieving  projected revenue growth depends upon sustaining the level of
acquisition activity experienced by the Company in the last three fiscal years.
Higher levels of acquisition  activity  will increase anticipated revenues, and
lower levels of acquisition activity will  decrease  anticipated revenues.  The
level  of  acquisition activity depends not only on the  number  of  properties
acquired, but  also  on  the  size  of the acquisitions; for example, one large
acquisition could increase substantially the level of acquisition activity and,
consequently, revenues.  Several important  factors,  among  others, affect the
Company's ability to consummate acquisitions:

      (a)The  Company may be unable to find a sufficient number  of  businesses
         for sale at prices the Company is willing to pay.

      (b)In most  of  its  existing  markets and in many new markets, including
         foreign  markets,  that the Company  desires  to  enter,  the  Company
         competes for acquisitions  with  the  other publicly-traded death care
         firms.  These competitors, and others,  may  be  willing to pay higher
         prices for businesses than the Company or may cause the Company to pay
         more to acquire a business than the Company would  otherwise  have  to
         pay  in  the absence of such competition.  Thus, the aggressiveness of
         the  Company's   competitors   in  pricing  acquisitions  affects  the
         Company's  ability  to  complete  acquisitions   at  prices  it  finds
         attractive.

      (c)Achieving the Company's projected acquisition activity  depends on the
         Company's  ability  to  enter new markets, including foreign  markets.
         Due in part to the Company's lack of experience operating in new areas
         and to the presence of competitors  who  have  been in certain markets
         longer than the Company, such entry may be more difficult or expensive
         than anticipated by the Company.

   (2) The level of revenues also is affected by the volume  and  prices of the
properties,  products and services sold.  The annual sales targets set  by  the
Company are very  aggressive,  and  the  inability  of  the  Company to achieve
planned  increases  in  volume or prices could cause the Company  not  to  meet
anticipated levels of revenue.  The ability of the Company to achieve volume or
price increases at any location  depends  on  numerous  factors,  including the
local economy, the local death rate and competition.

   (3)  Another  important component of revenue is earnings from the  Company's
trust funds and escrow  accounts,  which  are  determined  by  the size of, and
returns (which include dividends, interest and realized capital  gains) on, the
funds.  The performance of the funds is related primarily to market  conditions
that  are  not within the Company's control.  The size of the funds depends  on
the level of  sales, funds added through acquisitions and the amount of returns
that may be reinvested.

   (4) Future revenue  also  is  affected  by the level of prearranged sales in
prior periods.  The level of prearranged sales  may  be  adversely  affected by
numerous   factors,  including  deterioration  in  the  economy,  which  causes
individuals to have less discretionary income.

   (5) The Company  first  entered  foreign  markets  in  the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 1994, and no assurance can be given that the Company  will continue
to  be  successful  in  expanding in foreign markets, or that any expansion  in
foreign markets will yield  results comparable to those realized as a result of
the Company's expansion in the United States.

   (6) In addition to the factors  discussed  above,  earnings per share may be
affected by other important factors, including the following:

      (a)The ability of the Company to achieve projected  economies of scale in
         markets where it has "clusters" or combined facilities.

      (b)Whether  acquired  businesses  perform  at  pro forma levels  used  by
         management  in  the valuation process and whether,  and  the  rate  at
         which, management  is  able  to increase the profitability of acquired
         businesses.

      (c)The  ability  of  the  Company  to  manage  its  growth  in  terms  of
         implementing internal controls and  information gathering systems, and
         retaining or attracting key personnel, among other things.

      (d)The amount and rate of growth in the  Company's  corporate general and
         administrative expenses.

      (e)Changes in interest rates, which can increase or decrease  the  amount
         the Company pays on borrowings with variable rates of interest.

      (f)The  Company's  debt-to-equity  ratio,  the number of shares of common
         stock outstanding and the portion of the Company's debt that has fixed
         or variable interest rates.

      (g)The  impact  on  the  Company's financial statements  of  nonrecurring
         accounting  charges  that   may  result  from  the  Company's  ongoing
         evaluation   of  its  business  strategies,   asset   valuations   and
         organizational structures.

      (h)Changes in government regulation, including tax rates and structures.

      (i)Unanticipated outcomes of legal proceedings.

      (j)Changes in accounting  policies  and  practices adopted voluntarily or
         required to be adopted by generally accepted accounting principles.

   The Company also cautions readers that it assumes no obligation to update or
publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements made herein or any
other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

3.1  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended,
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 3.1 to  the  Company's  Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 1996)

3.2  By-laws of the Company, as amended  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
     3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the fiscal year ended
     October 31, 1997)

4.1  See  Exhibits  3.1  and  3.2 for provisions of the Company's  Amended  and
     Restated Articles of Incorporation,  as  amended, and By-laws, as amended,
     defining the rights of holders of Class A and Class B Common Stock

4.2  Specimen of Class A Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to
     Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company's  Registration Statement on
     Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42336) filed with the  Commission on October
     7, 1991)

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

           Management Contracts and Compensatory Plans or Arrangements


10.1 Amendment No. 1 dated January 1, 1997 to Change of Control Agreement dated
     December 5, 1995 between the Company and Lawrence B. Hawkins

10.2 Amendment No. 1 dated August 1, 1997 to Change of Control  Agreement dated
     December 5, 1995 between the Company and Richard O. Baldwin, Jr.

10.3 Amendment  No.  1  dated  November 1, 1997 to Change of Control  Agreement
     dated January 1, 1997 between the Company and Brent F. Heffron

10.4 Amendment No. 1 dated November  1,  1997  to  Change  of Control Agreement
     dated January 1, 1997 between the Company and Raymond C. Knopke, Jr.

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

 12  Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 27  Financial Data Schedule


(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

    The Company filed a Form 8-K on March 10, 1998 reporting,  under  "Item  5.
Other Events," the earnings release for the quarter ended January 31, 1998.

    The  Company  filed  a  Form 8-K on April 9, 1998 reporting, under "Item 5.
Other Events," the press release  announcing the achievement of the performance
objective for performance-based stock  options granted under the Company's 1995
Incentive Compensation Plan.

    The Company filed a Form 8-K on April  17,  1998  reporting, under "Item 5.
Other Events," the press release announcing the offering  of  $200  million  of
Remarketable Or Redeemable Securities due 2013.

    The  Company  filed  a Form 8-K on April 24, 1998 reporting, under "Item 5.
Other Events," the press release  announcing  the completion of the offering of
$200  million  of  Remarketable  Or Redeemable Securities  due  2013,  and  the
acquisition of 18 funeral homes in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

                            STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   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.


                                          STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.



June 12, 1998                             /s/  Kenneth C. Budde
                                          ---------------------
                                          Kenneth C. Budde
                                          Executive Vice President
                                          President- Corporate Division
                                          Chief Financial Officer




June 12, 1998                             /s/  Michael G. Hymel
                                          ---------------------
                                          Michael G. Hymel
                                          Vice President
                                          Corporate Controller



                                                               Exhibit 10.1

                        AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                    CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

     This  Amendment No. 1 to Change of Control Agreement is made as of the
1st day of January  1997,  by  and  between  Stewart  Enterprises,  Inc., a
Louisiana  corporation  (the  "Company"),  and  Lawrence  B.  Hawkins  (the
"Employee").

                       W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  has entered into a Change of Control Agreement
with the Employee dated as of  December  5,  1995  (the  "Change of Control
Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  has approved, effective January  1,  1997,  an
increase in the Employee's maximum incentive bonus to up to $100,000.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  CHANGE OF CONTROL  AGREEMENT.  Except as expressly amended
herein, all of the terms and provisions  of the Change of Control Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.

     SECTION 2.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION  1.1.   Article I, Section
1.1 of the  Change of Control  Agreement is  hereby amended  to read in its
entirety as follows:

     1.1  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  After a Change of Control (defined below),
this Agreement supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as  of  August  1,
1995  as  amended  by  Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 1, 1997, between
Employee and the Company  (the "Employment Agreement") except to the extent
that  certain  provisions  of   the   Employment  Agreement  are  expressly
incorporated  by reference herein.  After  a  Change  of  Control  (defined
below), the definitions  in  this  Agreement  supersede  definitions in the
Employment Agreement, but capitalized terms not defined in  this  Agreement
have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

     SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.2.  Article II, Section
2.2, paragraph (b) of the Change of Control Agreement is hereby amended  to
read in its entirety as follows:

          (b)  BONUS.   For the period beginning November 1, 1996, the
     Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the "Bonus") of up
     to $100,000 for each  12-month  period  thereafter.   Such  Bonus
     shall be comprised of two elements, the quantitative element  and
     the qualitative element:

               (i)  The  quantitative element shall be equal to 75% of
          the maximum Bonus  of  $100,000  and  shall  be based on the
          attainment  of  certain  goals  to  be  established  by  the
          Company's compensation committee, or any  similar  body, and
          Employee.

               (ii)  The  qualitative  element  shall  be  25%  of the
          maximum  Bonus  of  $100,000  and  shall  be  awarded at the
          discretion  of  the  Company's  Chairman of the Board.   The
          Chairman of the Board and Employee shall establish incentive
          goals and other criteria for the  award  of  the qualitative
          element.

          The  Bonus  shall  be  paid  in cash no later than  30  days
     following the date on which the information  needed  to calculate
     the Bonus becomes available.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this  Amendment  to
be duly executed and signed as of the date indicated above.

                                   STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                   By:   /S/  JAMES W. MCFARLAND
                                         -----------------------
                                         James W. McFarland
                                   Compensation Committee Chairman

                                   EMPLOYEE:


                                      /S/  LAWRENCE B. HAWKINS
                                      ------------------------
                                         Lawrence B. Hawkins





                                                               Exhibit 10.2

                        AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                    CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

     This  Amendment No. 1 to Change of Control Agreement is made as of the
1st day of August,  1997,  by  and  between  Stewart  Enterprises,  Inc., a
Louisiana  corporation  (the  "Company"),  and Richard O. Baldwin, Jr. (the
"Employee").

                       W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company has entered into a  Change  of  Control Agreement
with  the  Employee  dated as of December 5, 1995 (the "Change  of  Control
Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Company  has  approved,  effective  August  1,  1997,  an
increase in the Employee's maximum incentive bonus to up to $200,000.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

     SECTION  1.  CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT.  Except as expressly amended
herein, all of  the terms and provisions of the Change of Control Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.

     SECTION 2.   AMENDMENT  TO ARTICLE I, SECTION 1.1.  Article I, Section
1.1 of the  Change of Control Agreement  is hereby  amended to  read in its
entirety as follows:

     1.1  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  After a Change of Control (defined below),
this Agreement supersedes the  Employment  Agreement  dated as of August 1,
1995  as  amended  by Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 1,  1997,  between
Employee and the Company  (the "Employment Agreement") except to the extent
that  certain  provisions  of   the   Employment  Agreement  are  expressly
incorporated  by reference herein.  After  a  Change  of  Control  (defined
below), the definitions  in  this  Agreement  supersede  definitions in the
Employment Agreement, but capitalized terms not defined in  this  Agreement
have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

     SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.2.  Article II, Section
2.2, paragraph (b) of the Change of Control Agreement is hereby amended  to
read in its entirety as follows:

          (b)  BONUS.  For  the period beginning November 1, 1996, the
     Employee shall be eligible  to  receive a Bonus of up to $200,000
     for each 12-month period thereafter;  provided,  however, that in
     the  event  the  Employee  ceases to be assigned outside  of  the
     United States, the Employee's  maximum  Bonus  will be the sum of
     (i) the product of $200,000 times the quotient of  the  number of
     days  during  the  Fiscal  Year  that  the  Employee was assigned
     outside of the United States divided by 365 and  (ii) the product
     of $150,000 times the quotient of the number of days  during  the
     Fiscal  Year  that the Employee was assigned in the United States
     divided by 365.   Such  Bonus shall be comprised of two elements,
     the quantitative element and the qualitative element:
                     
               (i)  The  quantitative element shall be equal to 75% of
          the maximum Bonus  and  shall  be based on the attainment of
          certain   goals   to  be  established   by   the   Company's
          compensation committee, or any similar body, and Employee.

               (ii)  The qualitative  element  shall  be  25%  of  the
          maximum Bonus  and shall be awarded at the discretion of the
          Company's Chairman  of the Board.  The Chairman of the Board
          and  Employee  shall establish  incentive  goals  and  other
          criteria for the award of the qualitative element.

          The Bonus shall  be  paid  in  cash  no  later  than 30 days
     following  the date on which the information needed to  calculate
     the Bonus becomes available.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the  parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed and signed as of the date indicated above.

                                   STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                   By:   /S/  JAMES W. MCFARLAND
                                         -----------------------
                                         James W. McFarland
                                   Compensation Committee Chairman

                                   EMPLOYEE:


                                    /S/  RICHARD O. BALDWIN, JR.
                                    ----------------------------
                                       Richard O. Baldwin, Jr.





                                                               Exhibit 10.3

                        AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                    CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

     This  Amendment No. 1 to Change of Control Agreement is made as of the
1st day of November  1997,  by  and  between  Stewart  Enterprises, Inc., a
Louisiana   corporation   (the  "Company"),  and  Brent  F.  Heffron   (the
"Employee").

                       W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company has  entered  into  a Change of Control Agreement
with  the  Employee  dated as of January 1, 1997 (the  "Change  of  Control
Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Company  has  approved,  effective  January  1,  1998, an
increase in the Employee's annual base salary to $275,000.

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  has  approved, effective November 1, 1997,  an
increase in the Employee's maximum incentive bonus to up to $200,000.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  CHANGE OF CONTROL  AGREEMENT.  Except as expressly amended
herein, all of the terms and provisions  of the Change of Control Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.

     SECTION 2.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION  1.1.   Article I, Section
1.1 of the  Change of Control  Agreement is  hereby amended to  read in its
entirety as follows:

     1.1  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  After a Change of Control (defined below),
this Agreement supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as  of  January 1,
1997  as  amended  by  Amendment  No.  1  dated  as  of January 1, 1997 and
Amendment  No.  2 dated as of November 1, 1997, between  Employee  and  the
Company (the "Employment  Agreement")  except  to  the  extent that certain
provisions  of  the  Employment  Agreement  are  expressly incorporated  by
reference  herein.   After  a  Change  of  Control  (defined   below),  the
definitions  in  this  Agreement  supersede  definitions  in the Employment
Agreement,  but  capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement  have  the
meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

     SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.2.  Article II, Section
2.2, paragraphs (a)  and  (b) of the Change of Control Agreement are hereby
amended to read in their entirety as follows:

          (a) SALARY. A salary ("Base Salary") at the rate of $275,000
     per year, payable to the  Employee  at  such  intervals  no  less
     frequent  than  the most frequent intervals in effect at any time
     during the 120-day  period  immediately  preceding  the Change of
     Control  or, if more favorable to the Employee, the intervals  in
     effect at  any  time  after  the Change of Control for other peer
     employees of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (b) BONUS.  For the period  beginning  November 1, 1997, the
     Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the "Bonus") of up
     to $200,000 for each 12-month period thereafter. Such Bonus shall
     be comprised of two elements, the quantitative  element  and  the
     qualitative element:

               (i) The quantitative element  shall  be equal to 75% of
          the  maximum  Bonus of $200,000 and shall be  based  on  the
          attainment  of  certain  goals  to  be  established  by  the
          Company's compensation  committee,  or any similar body, and
          Employee.

               (ii)  The  qualitative  element shall  be  25%  of  the
          maximum  Bonus  of $200,000 and  shall  be  awarded  at  the
          discretion of the  Company's  Chairman  of  the  Board.  The
          Chairman of the Board and Employee shall establish incentive
          goals  and  other  criteria for the award of the qualitative
          element.

          The Bonus shall be paid  in  cash  no  later  than  30  days
     following  the  date on which the information needed to calculate
     the Bonus becomes available.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the  parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed and signed as of the date indicated above.

                                   STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                   By:   /S/  JAMES W. MCFARLAND
                                         -----------------------
                                         James W. McFarland
                                   Compensation Committee Chairman

                                   EMPLOYEE:


                                        /S/  BRENT F. HEFFRON
                                        ---------------------
                                          Brent F. Heffron





                                                               Exhibit 10.4

                        AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                    CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

     This  Amendment No. 1 to Change of Control Agreement is made as of the
1st day of November,  1997,  by  and  between  Stewart Enterprises, Inc., a
Louisiana  corporation (the "Company"), and Raymond  C.  Knopke,  Jr.  (the
"Employee").

                       W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  has entered into a Change of Control Agreement
with the Employee dated as of  January  1,  1997  (the  "Change  of Control
Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  has  approved, effective November 1, 1997,  an
increase in the Employee's maximum incentive bonus to up to $200,000.

     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  CHANGE OF CONTROL  AGREEMENT.  Except as expressly amended
herein, all of the terms and provisions  of the Change of Control Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.

     SECTION 2.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION  1.1.   Article I, Section
1.1 of the  Change of Control  Agreement is hereby  amended to  read in its
entirety as follows:

     1.1  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  After a Change of Control (defined below),
this Agreement supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as  of  January 1,
1997  as  amended  by  Amendment  No.  1  dated  as  of January 1, 1997 and
Amendment  No.  2 dated as of November 1, 1997, between  Employee  and  the
Company (the "Employment  Agreement")  except  to  the  extent that certain
provisions  of  the  Employment  Agreement  are  expressly incorporated  by
reference  herein.   After  a  Change  of  Control  (defined   below),  the
definitions  in  this  Agreement  supersede  definitions  in the Employment
Agreement,  but  capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement  have  the
meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.

     SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.2.  Article II, Section
2.2, paragraph (b)  of the Change of Control Agreement is hereby amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

          (b) BONUS.   For  the period beginning November 1, 1997, the
     Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the "Bonus") of up
     to  $200,000 for each 12-month  period  thereafter.   Such  Bonus
     shall  be comprised of two elements, the quantitative element and
     the qualitative element:

               (i)  The  quantitative element shall be equal to 75% of
          the maximum Bonus  of  $200,000  and  shall  be based on the
          attainment  of  certain  goals  to  be  established  by  the
          Company's compensation committee, or any  similar  body, and
          Employee.

               (ii)  The  qualitative  element  shall  be  25%  of the
          maximum  Bonus  of  $200,000  and  shall  be  awarded at the
          discretion  of  the  Company's  Chairman of the Board.   The
          Chairman of the Board and Employee shall establish incentive
          goals  and other  criteria for the  award of the qualitative
          element.

          The  Bonus  shall  be  paid  in  cash  no later than 30 days
     following the date on which the information needed  to  calculate
     the Bonus becomes available.

     IN  WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment  to
be duly executed and signed as of the date indicated above.

                                   STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                   By:   /S/  JAMES W. MCFARLAND
                                         ----------------------- 
                                         James W. McFarland
                                   Compensation Committee Chairman

                                   EMPLOYEE:


                                     /S/  RAYMOND C. KNOPKE, JR.
                                     ---------------------------
                                       Raymond C. Knopke, Jr.


                                                                      Exhibit 12
                           STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES

               CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        (UNAUDITED)

                                                                           
                                                  YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31,                    SIX MONTHS
                                   -----------------------------------------------------        Ended
                                     1993       1994       1995        1996       1997     APRIL 30, 1998
                                   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------   --------------
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Earnings (loss) from continuing
   operations before income taxes  $ 29,569   $ 42,198   $ 41,500(1) $ 82,075   $106,477(2) $  (6,260)(3)
Fixed charges:
  Interest expense                    6,540      8,877     22,815      26,051     38,031       20,027
  Interest portion of lease expense     585        935      1,343       1,522      2,181        1,173
                                   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------    ---------
Total fixed charges                   7,125      9,812     24,158      27,573     40,212       21,200

Earnings from continuing operations
  before income taxes and fixed
  charges                          $ 36,694   $ 52,010   $ 65,658(1) $109,648   $146,689(2) $  14,940(3)
                                   ========   ========   ========    ========   ========    =========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges     5.15       5.30       2.72(1)     3.98       3.65(2)       .70(3) 
                                   ========   ========   ========    ========   ========    =========
- --------------------

</TABLE>

(1)  Includes a non-recurring, non-cash charge of $17,252 ($10,869 after-tax)
recorded  in  connection  with  the  vesting of the Company's performance-based
stock options.

(2)  Excludes cumulative effect of change  in  accounting principles of $2,324
(net of $2,230 income tax benefit).

(3)  Includes a non-recurring, non-cash charge of  $76,762 ($50,279 after-tax)
recorded  in  connection with the vesting of the Company's  performance-based
stock options.  As a result of this charge, the Company's earnings through
the first six months of fiscal year 1998 were insufficient to cover its fixed
charges, and an additional $6.3 million in pretax earnings would have been
required to eliminate the coverage deficiency.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                          24,941
<SECURITIES>                                     3,861
<RECEIVABLES>                                  155,963
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     49,070
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               240,964
<PP&E>                                         433,766
<DEPRECIATION>                                (93,275)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,762,795
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,617
<BONDS>                                        677,513
<COMMON>                                        97,708
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     711,445
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,762,795
<SALES>                                        303,887
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               303,887
<CGS>                                          208,224
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  208,224
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                76,762
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,027
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,260)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,160)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,100)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,100)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.04)
        

</TABLE>


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